CNN's Elise Labott suspended for tweet criticising bill to block Syrian refugees

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Elise Labott tweeted about a House vote to block Syrians from the US
Linking to the story she tweeted: 'Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish'
CNN suspended Ms Labott, who apologized for the tweet, for two weeks
CNN tries to remain impartial unlike its main rivals MSNBC and Fox News
See full news coverage on CNN and its correspondents

By Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 04:21 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 18:54 EST, 20 November 2015

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Elise Labott has been suspended for two weeks by CNN for expressing a personal opinion about a story

CNN has suspended its global affairs correspondent Elise Labott for two weeks after she tweeted about a House bill to block Syrian refugees from the United States.

Ms Labott, 45, posted a link to a story about a House bill to impose tighter restrictions on people from Syria and Iraq from accessing the United States.

The journalist wrote: 'House passes bill that could limit Syrian refugees. Statue of Liberty bows head in anguish.'

Eight hours are writing the tweet, Ms Labott expressed remorse for her personal opinion. She wrote: 'Everyone, It was wrong of me to editorialize. My tweet was inappropriate and disrespectful. I sincerely apologize.'

According to the Washington Pos t, CNN's editorial guidelines prevent its reporters from expressing a personal, partisan opinion on social media.

The network attempts to maintain an impartial balance between the Republican and Democrat party, unlike their rivals MSNBC and Fox News.

Labott, who lives in Washington D.C., has had a long career at the network, starting as a foreign news reporter in 2000. She completed a Masters in Communications and Media Studies at New School University in 1995 and has a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

She was named Global Affairs Correspondent in July 2014.

Republicans have embarrassed President Barack Obama by winning veto-proof House approval of legislation blocking Syrian and Iraqi refugees from the U.S. But from here, the effort may take a different turn in Congress.

Suspended: Elise Labott will not appear on CNN for two weeks after provoking anger with her tweet criticizing Republican efforts to block Syrian refugees coming to the U.S.

Six days after the Paris attacks, the House voted 289-137 on Thursday to essentially bar refugees from the two war-ravaged Middle Eastern countries while tighter entry restrictions are imposed. Joining nearly all Republicans were 47 Democrats in backing the bill.

But it's unclear when, or even if, the GOP-run Senate will take up the measure.

It's possible that instead, senators will focus on the visa waiver program. That allows people from 38 countries to enter the U.S. for short stays - a program some lawmakers say could be more vulnerable to terrorists trying to enter the country.

Ms Labott joined CNN in 2000 and covered the Arab spring uprising and the 2011 attack on the US consulate in Bengazi, Libya.

CNN have not yet responded for a comment.