Democrats side with GOP in Senate vote to advance Laken Riley Act – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the bipartisan support in the Senate for advancing the Laken Riley immigration bill, which has received backing from both Democrats and Republicans. This legislative effort marks a significant step in the immigration reform process, highlighting a rare instance of cooperation across party lines.The Laken Riley Act aims to address key issues within the immigration system, and its progress reflects the political climate and willingness of lawmakers to find common ground on important issues.
Democrats side with GOP in Senate vote to advance Laken Riley immigration bill
The Laken Riley Act cleared its first hurdle in the Senate on Thursday after Democrats overwhelmingly crossed the aisle to vote in favor of proceeding to debate the Republican-led bill that would crack down on illegal immigration.
The measure easily cleared the 60-vote filibuster threshold in a vote of 84-9 But it marked the first of likely several procedural steps before Senate Republicans can declare victory and send it to the president’s desk.
Despite the bipartisan backing, most Democrats’ support derived from a desire to amend the bill as it works through the upper chamber and before final passage.
“Democrats want to have a robust debate, where we can offer amendments and improve the bill,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who was among the Democrats to vote in favor. “To remind my colleagues: this is not a vote on the bill itself. This is a motion to proceed, a vote that says we should have a debate and should have amendments.”
The bill would require federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes until deportation and empower states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm to citizens caused by illegal immigration. It was named after the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student killed last year while jogging at the University of Georgia by a Venezuelan national in the United States illegally.
Two Senate Democrats — Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and John Fetterman (D-PA) — have gone so far as to co-sponsor the legislation.
The inaugural measure for congressional Republicans represents part of a campaign pledge to clamp down on illegal immigration and to make southern border security a priority as they gear up for a GOP trifecta with President-elect Donald Trump back in the White House.
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But Democrats’ hopes for bill alterations are likely to be short-lived. Republicans are vowing to rebuff any amendments proposed by Democrats that they feel would undermine the legislation.
“It’s nice to see that the results of the election in November have changed the thinking of some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) said. “To be clear, Senate Republicans will not accept weakening this life-saving legislation.”
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