Copyright: TVB Pearl News, Ms. Sonya Artero
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJrVtT3eMzo
{O/C} Knowing one of the assailants in the Paris attacks was a Syrian refugee has pushed the U.S. House of Representatives to approve a bill that makes it harder for Syrian refugees to settle in America.
But as Sonya Artero reports, the White House slammed the vote.
{SOT}
The Paris attacks fuelled a debate on U.S. soil. One that questioned whether America's vetting process is capable of weeding out possible terrorists among refugees hailing from countries like Syria and Iraq.
{Soundbite} KEVIN McCARTHY, U.S. House Majority Leader: This bill puts a pause on our refugee programme until we are certain that nobody being allowed in poses a threat to the American people.
Most Republicans were already opposed to President Barack Obama's decision to give 10,000 Syrians refuge in America.
Saying it's better to be safe than sorry, the measure overwhelmingly passed in a vote of 289 versus 137.
Some Democrats cried foul.
{Soundbite} JERROLD NADLER, U.S. Congressman (D-New York): But defeating terrorism should not mean slamming the door in the faces of those who are fleeing the terrorists. That is why I am appalled by the actions of this House.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump went even further. He said he would implement a system to track Muslims in the country.
{Soundbite} DONALD TRUMP, U.S. Republican Presidential Candidate: We should have a lot of systems, and today you can do it. But right now we have to have a border, we have to have strength, we have to have a wall.
Another presidential contender, Jeb Bush, backs the bill passed by the house.
{Soundbite} JEB BUSH, U.S. Republican Presidential Candidate: Because unlike other refugees that have come, you have the possibility at least of terrorists organising to disrupt our way of life and to attack us and to kill people that could be embedded in refugees.
Visting a refugee centre on his trip to Malaysia, U.S. President Barack Obama said children deserve love and shield, vowing to veto any bill preventing Syrians from entering America.
Obama will confront one of the biggest bones of contention head-on when he returns to the White House next Monday.
Sonya Artero, TVB news.
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