House GOP Bill Would Bolster Checks on Syrian Refugees

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are ready to push legislation through the House erecting fresh hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees trying to enter the United States.

President Barack Obama is promising a veto. Many Democrats say the effort is election-season grandstanding, but political pressures are pushing others to support it. Republicans are bringing the bill to the House floor days after attacks in Paris killed 129 people and revived post-9/11 jitters in the U.S. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The measure would require the FBI to conduct background checks on Syrian and Iraqi refugees. It would oblige the heads of the FBI and Homeland Security Department and the director of national intelligence to certify to Congress that each refugee is not a security threat.