House votes to block refugees from Syria, Iraq despite White House veto threat

Tapping into heightened security fears after the Paris terrorist attacks, House Republicans -- joined by Democrats -- rebuffed President Barack Obama on Thursday and overwhelmingly approved legislation that would effectively halt the resettlement of refugees from Syria and Iraq to the U.S. The House approved the measure 289-137, with several dozen Democrats joining Republicans, crossing the threshold needed to overcome a presidential veto. "Turning away orphans, applying a religious test, discriminating against Muslims ... that's just not who we are," said Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner.