A controversial bill honoring slain nursing student Laken Riley has sparked intense debate among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
According to the Daily Mail, the House passed the Laken Riley Act with a vote of 264-159, despite significant opposition from Democratic representatives who rejected the legislation aimed at expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) powers to detain illegal migrants charged with theft and other crimes.
The bill, named after 22-year-old Laken Riley, who was murdered in February 2024, gained bipartisan support in its second passage through the House. Riley's alleged killer, Venezuelan national Jose Ibarra, had previously been arrested in New York for child endangerment and cited for shoplifting in Georgia but remained free despite his illegal status and criminal record.
Democratic Opposition Draws Sharp Criticism From Republican Lawmakers
Republican representatives expressed outrage at the number of Democrats who voted against the legislation. Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett voiced his frustration on social media platform X. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the bill's significance, directly connecting it to the Biden administration's border policies.
The legislation received support from 48 House Democrats, showing an increase from the 37 who backed it in March 2024. This shift in support suggests growing bipartisan recognition of the need to address immigration-related crime concerns.
Democratic leaders, however, maintained their opposition to the bill. Representative Jamie Raskin urged fellow Democrats to vote against it, while Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal criticized the legislation as political manipulation.
Senate Support Builds As Key Democrats Cross Party Lines
The bill's prospects in the Senate have improved with support from prominent Democratic senators. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania became the first Democratic senator to co-sponsor the legislation, followed by Gary Peters of Michigan.
These endorsements mark a significant development for the bill's chances of reaching the required 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The previous version of the act passed the House in March 2024 but never received a vote under then-Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer's leadership.
Speaker Johnson highlighted the urgency of the legislation in an official statement:
Laken Riley was brutally murdered by an illegal alien that President Biden and the Democrats let into this country with their open border policy. It is hard to believe after countless horrific stories like Laken's, any House Democrats would vote against deporting illegal aliens who commit violent crimes against American citizens.
Legislative Journey Reflects Growing Immigration Debate
The Laken Riley Act requires ICE to detain migrants charged with theft and related crimes. It also empowers states to sue the federal government if they or their citizens suffer harm from immigration-related actions.
The legislation's journey through Congress highlights the deepening divide over immigration enforcement policies. Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized Democratic lawmakers from her state for opposing the measure, while Democratic representatives argued the bill politicizes tragedy.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha expressed dismay at the opposition, while Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal defended her stance against the legislation, characterizing it as part of a recurring pattern of using immigration fears for political purposes.
Critical Legislation Advances Amid Partisan Tensions
The Laken Riley Act emerged as a response to the tragic murder of a 22-year-old nursing student by an illegal immigrant with prior criminal charges. The legislation passed the House with 264 votes in favor and 159 against, demonstrating both bipartisan support and significant Democratic opposition. As the bill moves to the GOP-led Senate, it requires 60 votes to pass, with early support from Democratic Senators Fetterman and Peters suggesting possible success in crossing this threshold.
