washington u.s. senate democrats wednesday narrowly block legislation would slow entry refugees syria iraq unite state contentious vote cloak presidential election-year politics vote 55-43 yes vote fall short 60 need advance republican-backed measure 100-member senate republicans vote bill two democrats back among things bill would halt admission refugees require high-level u.s. officials verify refugee iraq syria pose security risk allow unite state republicans say tight screen essential ensure safety americans prevent attack within country islamic state militant group bipartisan bill would allow washington step back take breath ensure correct policies security screen place republican majority leader mitch mcconnell say senate vote democrats call legislation attack people flee war accuse republicans hold vote allow 2016 presidential candidates serve senate back legislation tout tough security three senate republican 2016 presidential hopefuls ted cruz rand paul marco rubio back bill democratic presidential candidate bernie sanders miss vote democrats also seek play politics try fail reach deal republicans set vote amendment establish religious test would-be immigrants vote plan see republicans would side presidential candidate donald trump advocate bar muslims enter unite state syria refugee bill pass house large margin days nov. 13 islamic state attack paris bill support dozens democrats defy democratic president barack obama veto threat need talk efforts defeat isis create paperwork cabinet secretaries harry reid senate democratic leader tell reporters vote currently take 18-24 months syrian refugees screen move unite state washington offer refuge far few millions flee war syria iraq many close ally europe middle east obama announce last year would admit 10,000 syrians senate democrats block syria refugee bill