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jimnyc
11-19-2015, 03:01 PM
This is a great start.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — In a stinging rebuke to President Barack Obama by Republicans and Democrats, the House ignored a veto threat Thursday and overwhelmingly approved GOP legislation erecting fresh hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees trying to enter the United States.

Forty-seven Democrats joined all but two Republicans as the House passed the measure by a veto-proof 289-137 margin, a major setback to the lame duck president on an issue —the Islamic State group and the refugees fleeing it — that shows no signs of easing. The vote exceeded the two-thirds majority required to override a veto, and came despite a rushed, early morning visit to the Capitol by senior administration officials in a futile attempt to limit Democratic defections.

Thursday's roll call came six days after a burst of bombings and shootings in Paris killed 129 people, wounded many more and revived post-9/11 jitters in the U.S. and Europe. The attacks have turned the question of admitting people fleeing war-torn Syria and Iraq into a high-stakes political issue in both the United States and Europe, and many congressional Democrats were willing to vote against Obama for fear of angering voters nervous about security at home.

Democrats opposing the GOP bill said the U.S. has no business abandoning its age-old values, including being a safe haven for people fleeing countries racked by violence. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks and controls vast swathes of Syria and Iraq, despite a growing military campaign against them by the U.S. and other nations.

"Defeating terrorism should not mean slamming the door in the faces of those fleeing the terrorists. We might as well take down the Statue of Liberty," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.

Republicans said that in dangerous times, the government must first protect its own.

http://news.yahoo.com/house-gop-bill-bolster-checks-syrian-refugees-084327089--politics.html#

jimnyc
11-19-2015, 03:45 PM
Republicans have Obama in a corner on Syrian refugees

The Obama administration has a big Syrian refugee problem.

The House of Representatives just voted to approve a bill that would allegedly require three top administration officials, including the FBI director, to approve every individual Syrian refugee asking to enter the US. The administration argues that the bill would essentially stop America from taking in any Syrians at all. But it can't even convince members of the president's own party: The bill passed the House with a veto-proof majority.

Even if Senate Democrats hold the line against a veto override, that won't permanently solve the problem. It's looking extremely likely that congressional Republicans will demand changes to Syrian refugee policy as a condition for keeping the government open past December 11. And unlike past shutdown threats, this is one congressional Democrats might actually go along with.

For congressional Republicans, this bill is a brilliant strategic move. It's anodyne enough that it's attracted broad support from congressional Democrats as well as Republicans. And it's forced the Obama administration — which has never had good relationships with Democrats on Capitol Hill — to fight an uphill battle.

http://www.vox.com/2015/11/19/9762054/congress-obama-refugees-syria

glockmail
11-19-2015, 04:37 PM
Good news from Washington, very rare lately.

revelarts
11-19-2015, 04:52 PM
http://i.imgur.com/FOYD4Lg.gif

fj1200
11-19-2015, 04:56 PM
http://i.imgur.com/FOYD4Lg.gif


That's just funny. :laugh:

LongTermGuy
11-19-2015, 04:57 PM
http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/78/7846139e074a21886de3bc48a35d9bfeeb3d13626e17d6dd31 e5f22044f6eb16.jpg