House Overwhelmingly Passes Syrian Bill

In a stinging rebuke to President Barack Obama by Republicans as well as members of his own party, the House ignored a veto threat Thursday and overwhelmingly approved Republican legislation erecting fresh hurdles for Syrian and Iraqi refugees trying to enter the United States.

Dozens of Democrats joined Republicans as the House passed the measure 289-137. That margin exceeded the two-thirds majority required to override a veto, and it came despite a rushed, early morning visit to the Capitol by top administration officials in a futile attempt to limit Democratic defections for the measure. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Minority Leader Harry Reid has expressed confidence that it would not fare so well.

ABC’s Lana Zak is in Washington D.C.