In a crucial step for the 119th Congress, the Senate made significant progress on Friday by advancing the Laken Riley Act, a bill focusing on the detention of immigrants accused of certain crimes.
The Hill reported that the Senate vote of 61-35 has paved the way for the legislation to approach the final voting stage, gaining traction to potentially become the first piece of legislation for President-elect Trump to consider.
The act, named in memory of Laken Riley, a Georgia student tragically killed by a Venezuelan immigrant, had previously received approval in the House.
With recent Senate developments, it now awaits a final passage before being sent back to the House once more.
The Senate's decision to advance the bill followed a vote that concluded with 61 in favor and 35 against. A minimum of 60 votes was necessary to end the debate and push the bill forward.
While the bill enjoyed unanimous Republican support, ten Democrats, including key figures such as Sens. Ruben Gallego and Jon Fetterman—who also co-sponsored the bill—joined the majority in support. This bi-partisan backing underscores the complex views on immigration within the legislative body.
The Laken Riley Act seeks to mandate federal detention for immigrants who are without legal status and are accused of committing specific crimes. This stance, however, has sparked a blend of agreement and dissent from different political quarters.
As the Senate deliberated, two notable amendments were brought forward. An amendment by Sen. John Cornyn was accepted, while another by Sen. Chris Coons did not pass, reflecting the high-stakes nature of legislative negotiations on this bill.
Financial implications remain a contentious point. The Department of Homeland Security projected a significant cost of $27 billion for the first year, raising questions about the bill's feasibility.
The extensive costs, coupled with concerns over legal processes such as detaining individuals without convictions and potential legal actions by state attorneys general against federal authorities, were major sticking points for some lawmakers.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized the bill's significance in addressing the perceived border crisis. "This bill is a small but critical step to resolving the Biden border crisis," he stated, indicating it as an initial move in a broader strategy.
Thune further critiqued certain opposition voices, stating, "Unfortunately, it seems that even a simple and straightforward bill to detain criminal illegal immigrants is too much for some on the left."
Conversely, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vocalized his reservations, pointing to the lack of desired changes in the bill's amendments. "We voted on two amendments … and no more," Schumer remarked.
Schumer's comments highlight the ongoing debate over comprehensive immigration reform, which remains a contentious issue on Capitol Hill. While expressing opposition to the current version of the Laken Riley Act, he remains open to collaboration on future legislative efforts.
"While I do not support this particular bill, I stand ready to work with both sides to pass smart, effective, tough, and commonsense legislation," Schumer noted, affirming his commitment to secure borders.
Next week is expected to witness the Senate's final judgment on the matter, before transitioning it back to the House. The final decision will determine the bill's fate as it progresses through the legislative process.
The political dynamics surrounding this bill are closely intertwined with broader electoral pressures. Democrats in particular are feeling the heat after recent electoral setbacks tied to perceptions of weak border security policies.
