The House Votes to Halt Current Syrian Resettlement Program, Passing 289-137, Including 47 Democrats

SO MUCH FOR OBAMA SAYING THAT THE SYRIAN RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM IS JUST GOP POLITICS …

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 289-137 in favor of passing new criteria and background checks for refugees from Syria. The bill would suspend the program allowing Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the U.S. until key national security agencies certify they don’t pose a security risk. The Bill passed overwhelmingly and would appear to be veto-proof as 47 Democrats voted for the bill, HR 4038. The LIBS must be losing their collective minds that 47 Democrats voted in favor of their conscience, rather than blindly following the Obamamessiah.

Barack Obama is on the wrong side of this issue with the American people and it appears that he is more intent on getting his way than protecting the American people as he has threatened to veto this bill to use common sense approach to protect Americans and Obama’s own law enforcement top officials has come to the House and testified that there were gaps in the current refugee program.

Lawmakers in the U.S. House voted Thursday to essentially halt a program aimed at resettling thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing their war-torn homeland — a move that could potentially complicate President Obama’s Middle East policy efforts.

Later Thursday, the State Department said it was willing to “work” with Congress on changes to the Visa waiver program that helps bring nearly 20 million people from 38 countries to the U.S. ever year with less stringent screening.

“In light of the Paris attacks, we are certainly mindful that there are certain members of Congress that want to take another look at this,” State spokesman John Kirby. “We’re aware of some potential legislation coming. We’re going to continue to work with members of Congress on that, and any other concern they have.”

The House vote on the Syrian resettlement program, passing 289-137, reflects shifting sentiment on an issue where emotions have run deep in the aftermath of a deadly terror in Paris last week which left 129 dead. The House bill would require the FBI to create a background check of any refugee who spent time in Syria or Iraq after March 1, 2011.

The bill has a veto proof majority and 47 Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the measure. It is unclear if the Senate will take up the measure after they return from Thanksgiving recess.

“It’s a security test, not a religious test. This reflects our values. This reflects our responsibilities. And this is urgent,” Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters at his press conference on Thursday prior to the vote..

H.R. 4038: American SAFE Act of 2015:

This was a vote to pass H.R. 4038 in the House.

A bill that would expand background checks on Iraqi and Syrian refugees hoping to enter the United States has moved quickly through congressional procedures. H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies SAFE Act, received a House vote on November 19, just two days after it was introduced. The vote succeeded 289-137 with almost all Republicans and 47 Democrats voting in favor. The President has said he would veto the bill if it also passes the Senate.

Millions of refugees from Syria and Iraq have been forced out of their homes as a result of the ongoing civil war in Syria and militarization by the Islamic State (ISIS). Many of these refugees hope to find sanctuary in the United States and European countries. Under existing law, the United States vets refugees for one-and-a-half to two years prior to allowing refugees to enter the country. If enacted, this bill would likely pause the screening process for a short time, while new background check procedures are developed, and then lengthen the time the screening process takes.

H.R. 4038 would expand the screening process for those refugees attempting to enter the United States by requiring the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to conduct its own background checks in addition to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS). Any refugee would be prohibited from entry until the FBI certifies that they pose no security threat. Refugees would only be admitted with the unanimous agreement of the FBI, DHS, and Director of National Intelligence.