WASHINGTON: The US Senate will consider new rigorous screening procedures for Syrian and Iraqi refugees seeking to enter the US as national security looms large for voters in an election year.

Propelled by the Daesh group’s attacks in Paris, the Republican-backed legislation raced through the House last November with 289 votes. That veto-proof margin included 47 Democrats despite the Obama administration’s opposition to the measure.

The legislation will have a much harder time making it through the Senate in the week ahead. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell needs at least six Democrats to join all 54 Republicans to approve a motion clearing the bill for final passage in the 100-member chamber.

The Senate’s top Democrat, Harry Reid of Nevada, said last year that was not going to happen. Even if it did, President Barack Obama has pledged to veto the bill if it got to him.


The upshot may be more of the same on Capitol Hill: A war of words, with Republicans blasting Obama for failing to do what they see as necessary to secure the United States and Democrats accusing the Republicans of fear-mongering to score points with voters.

Some of the key points to know about the Syrian-Iraqi refugee legislation:

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WHAT THE HOUSE BILL DOES

IS controls territory in Syria and Iraq. As a result of the extremists’ harsh, uncompromising rule, people in those areas have tried to flee and make it to the United States and other countries. The House-passed American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act is rooted in concerns the current process of screening refugee is inadequate and could allow a terrorist to be admitted into the United States.

The legislation would order FBI background checks for Syrian and Iraqi refugees and require that the FBI, Homeland Security Department and the director of National Intelligence certify that each refugee is not a security threat. The bill’s requirements would effectively suspend admissions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.