The House advanced legislation on Thursday that would halt the resettlement of Syrian and Iraqi refugees unless they meet strict certification requirements.
The bill is expected to pass early Thursday afternoon, but even if it can get through the Senate, it will face a certain veto from President Obama. Administration officials said the legislation would make it impossible to implement the government’s plan to take in 10,000 Syrians during the current fiscal year.
Lawmakers voted 242-183 to pass the rule for the legislation, which sets up debate and vote on the bill that should pass later in the day. The bill would require each refugee to receive certification that they are not a security threat by the FBI, the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security.
No Democrats voted to advance the bill, but dozens are expected to vote for final passage this afternoon.
Republicans brought the bill to the floor in response the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris last week. At least one of the attackers was posing as a Syrian refugee.
“This does not stop the program,” said Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga. “It simply says that until we can certify, we want to make sure there is an extra level of protection for the people.”
Democrats opposed to the bill said the plan was untenable and would harm innocent refugees seeking a way out from the war-torn regions of Syria and Iraq.
“What we are doing here today is not about protecting Americans,” said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
