Republicans managed to turn back a quick-strike effort by Senate Democrats to revoke President Trump’s new extreme vetting executive order Monday night.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein tried to force an immediate vote on her bill but was stymied by GOP objections, leaving Mr. Trump free to continue to deny admissions from seven majority-Muslim countries with histories of terrorism.
But Democrats said the fight is just beginning.
“President Trump’s muslim ban is unnecessary, it’s unconstitutional and it’s un-American,” Mrs. Feinstein said. “We won’t stand for these types of actions.”
The Trump order imposes a 90-day ban on most arrivals from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Libya. The order also puts a 120-hold on the refugee program. In both cases, the delay is meant to give the administration a chance to put new, stiffer vetting procedures in place.
Human rights groups were outraged by the order, and airports across the globe were sent into chaos as they tried to figure out who was covered. More than 100 people were snared when arriving at U.S. airports over the weekend, forced to wait hours to clear customs and passport controls — though all of them were eventually released from custody.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said the controversy over the policy should poison the entire slate of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees. He asked for delays on all nominee votes until Democrats get more information on the executive orders.
Mr. Schumer in particular sought to put off a Monday test vote on Rex Tillerson, Mr. Trump’s secretary of state nominee, until after the executive order was revoked.
Over the weekend Mr. Schumer teared up as he criticized the policy.
Republicans, though, said the crying was misplaced, saying they should have been aimed at President Obama, who allowed the situation to spiral in Syria.
“Spare me the tears now,” said Sen. Tom Cotton, Arkansas Republican.
Mr. Cotton said the seven countries were not even picked by Mr. Trump. They were selected by Congress and by the Obama administration.
“Once again we’re hearing Democrats and the media traffic in fake news,” he said.
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