Senate Democrats block Syria refugee bill

Last year our President said that we would take in ten thousand of the refugees fleeing Syria. Some states reacted by saying they would not accept any refugees. The Administration countered by saying the States did not have the right to refuse refugees because of the Refugee Act of 1980.

Following the attacks on Paris the House of Representatives passed the Syria Refugee Bill. POTUS responded by chastising the House of Representatives stating, "We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic, " "We don't make good decisions if it's based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks." and promising a veto threat. The vote was 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in favor of the bill, creating a majority that could override President Barack Obama's promised veto.

The Senate took up voting on this bill today, It was rejected in a vote of 55 to 43, split down party lines and fell short of the 60 votes needed for the bill to advance. The result means the refugee bill, which passed the House with broad bipartisan support in November, likely is dead for the year.