Democrats blocked a controversial bill that would curb the flow of Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S.

Sen. Steve Daines expressed his disappointment with the Senate.

"It is Congress’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our nation, but today Senate Democrats proved they would rather play politics than prioritize our national security," Daines said. "The SAFE Act is commonsense legislation that institutes a much-needed intensive screening process for incoming Syrian refugees. We are at war with radical Islamic extremism and it is irresponsible to accept anything less than a 100 percent verification of these refugees’ backgrounds before they enter the United States. Rest assured, I will continue working to secure our borders and prioritize Montanans’ safety and security."

CNN reports the 55 to 43 vote largely split down party lines and fell short of the 60 votes needed for the bill to advance.

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