U.S House Passes Bill Calling for Tougher Refugee Screening

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill today to beef up security screening for Syrian refugees coming to the United States, with many Democrats going against the Obama administration to pass the Republican-authored bill with a veto-proof majority.

The proposed legislation, which passed 289-137, would require top national security officials to certify that each refugee is not a security threat and require monthly reports on the admissions and screening process to Congress. 

The bill now heads to the Senate where its fate is less clear.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), the author of the bill and chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said the bill would require the heads of the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to “put their names on the line,” going on record as approving the security of each refugee that enters the country.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi took to the floor shortly before the vote in an appeal to members to vote against the Republican measure.

She said the bill “fails to meet our values” and “slams the door” on refugees. She also criticized Republican leaders for not taking up a bill drafted by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) that would prevent individuals on the terrorist watch list from legally purchasing firearms, which is not prohibited under current law.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and White House Chief-of-Staff Denis McDonough met with House Democrats Thursday morning about the bill and the refugee vetting process.

ABC News