House votes to curb refugees

Associated PRess

WASHINGTON

Responding swiftly to the terror in Paris, the U.S. House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to erect high hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees coming to American shores, dividing the president’s own party as lawmakers reflected the anxiety of voters back home.

The vote was 289-137, enough to override a threatened White House veto of the legislation, which was hurriedly drafted in response to the carnage in the streets of Paris. Forty-seven Democrats voted for the bill, despite President Barack Obama’s biting criticism of its proposed limits.

The bill would require new FBI background checks and individual sign-offs from three high-ranking U.S. officials before any refugee could come to the U.S. from Iraq or Syria, where the Islamic State group that has claimed credit for the attacks has flourished.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, voted in favor of the bill.

“Our current process prioritizes women and children, has multiple background checks, an extensive medical exam, and numerous in-person interviews with Homeland Security officials in which every detail of the conversation must be corroborated with current databases. If just one thing doesn’t fit or there is any doubt, that individual will not be given asylum,” Ryan said.