House OK of Syrian refugee ban just the start of fight

WASHINGTON ( AP) — Republicans embarrassed President Barack Obama by winning veto- proof House approval of legislation blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees from the US, but from here the effort may take a different turn in the Senate.

Six days after the Paris attacks, the House voted 289137 to essentially bar refugees from the two war- ravaged countries while tighter entry restrictions are imposed.

In a rebuke to Obama that even an eleventh- hour visit to the Capitol by top administration officials could not avert, 47 Democrats - including many facing tight 2016 re-elections - joined the Republicans, yielding the two-thirds margin needed to override vetoes.

Though Republicans felt they’d found a soft spot for Democrats no longer constrained to back a lame-duck president, Congress prepared to leave town until after the Thanksgiving national holiday and its next moves were uncertain.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell slotted the House bill for possible Senate consideration and said pausing the refugee process would be “the most reasonable and balanced thing for the administration to do.”

His top deputy, Sen. John Cornyn said he’d like the Senate to ship the House measure to Obama — who has promised a veto.

Whether that bill could reach the White House remained unclear. At least six Democrats would have to join Republicans to push it through the Senate and 13 Democrats would be needed for a veto-proof tally - which the chamber’s top Democrat painted as far-fetched.

“Don’t worry, it won’t get passed,” Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid told reporters.