"We must and are obligated to review our existing procedures, and that's all this bill does," said Rep. Brad Ashford (R-NE), one Democrat voting for the Republican plan.
"We need to make sure that no terrorists slip in," said Rep. David Scott (D-GA), one of two Georgia Democrats who voted against the President.
"We are not there yet," Scott told reporters just off the House floor.
The final margin would have been enough to override a veto by President Obama:
There were two Republicans who voted against the bill - Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) and Rep. Steve King (R-IA).
Democratic leaders tried in vain to keep more of their rank-and-file with the White House.
"The Republican bill on the floor today fails to meet our values," argued House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who watched seven of her fellow Democrats from California vote against the President.
The plan now goes to the Senate, where Democrats vowed to block it.
"Don’t worry, it won’t get passed," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid.
Any fight on the Senate floor won't happen until after a Thanksgiving break.
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