House passes bill calling for stringent refugee screening

Barack Obama
(Image credit: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

In an easy win, the House voted 289-137 on Thursday to approve a bill that requires strict new screening measures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the United States. In the wake of the Paris attacks, some believe that Obama's plans to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees next year could allow terrorists to slip into the U.S. All known Paris attackers so far, however, have been French or Belgian nationals.

In a defiance of party lines, 47 Democrats backed the bill; three Republicans voted against it. The legislation is expected to have a more difficult time passing the Senate. President Obama has vowed a veto.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.