Wednesday: Refugee ‘pause’ legislation

by Jordain Carney - 01/20/16 10:02 AM ET

The Senate will take a procedural vote Wednesday on a House-passed bill to crack down on the acceptance of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

Senators are expected to vote at 2:30 p.m. on ending debate to proceed to the legislation. The proposal would effectively freeze the acceptance of the refugees until the administration can certify they aren’t a national security threat.

{mosads}Republicans will need 60 votes to get over Wednesday’s procedural hurdle, including the support of at least six Democrats.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) pressured Democrats on Tuesday to let the legislation move forward, saying that the “debate should be driven by facts and common sense, not fear mongering.”

“I would urge colleagues across the aisle to treat this issue with the seriousness that it deserves,” he added.

It’s unclear whether Senate Democrats will allow a debate on the bill, or whether they will seek to halt the legislation by voting against the procedural motion.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) suggested last week that Democrats would try to force votes on Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the country.

He didn’t specify what legislation Democrats could try to use to get a vote.

Senators will also recess from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. for weekly party lunches.

Tags Donald Trump Harry Reid Mitch McConnell