Republicans question Obama's anti-terrorism campaign, Democrats feel president’s position lacks
Republicans believe that President Barack Obama's approach to fighting terrorism lacks strategy thus the persisting problem. Furthermore, the recent passing of the bill curbing refugee entry in the United States suggests that the president is politically isolated by his stand on the refugee situation.
"The real problem is ISIL and the lack of a strategy," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. He also pointed out that until now the president still needs to provide a detailed plan on how the administration plans to address the threat in the Middle East.
The House passed a bill on Thursday stopping refugee entry in the country until no imminent threats are identified. The vote came to a 289-137 result with with 47 Democrats agreeing with 242 Republicans. This ensured that Obama's veto threat can be overridden.
Obama did hit back saying that officials including Republicans were merely afraid of "widows and orphans."
"We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic," he said in a conference in the Philippines on Wednesday.
"We don't make good decisions if it's based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks." The president added. Republicans argued that the country cannot wait to act especially in matters of national security. House Speaker Paul Ryan expressed that Obama's threat is baffling considering several of his law enforcement top officials stood in front of Congress admitting to gaps in the refugee program.
House democrats seconded the motion saying that White House should have a more convincing explanation why the bill should not pass. White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson went on a meeting with a number of House Democrats on Thursday morning prior to first vote. However, the Democrats said that the officials did not a persuasive case. They also highlighted failure of the administration to point out how the bill would be any inconvenience to the refugee screening process.
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