The Laken Riley Act, legislation designed to prevent crimes committed by illegal aliens, cleared a critical hurdle in the Senate with an 84-9 vote on its first procedural test of the new legislative year.
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama and Congressman Mike Collins of Georgia, has suddenly gained significant Democrat support, with 33 Senate Democrats joining all present Republicans to move it forward. The Senate is now controlled by Republicans, who are moving their legislation, some of it for a second time. Only nine Democrats voted against advancing the legislation.
Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, a co-sponsor of the bill, expressed his gratitude for the quick progress on the bill, which he described as a vital step toward restoring accountability in immigration enforcement. Sen. Lisa Murkowski did not vote on the bill.
A similar bill had passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, with the support of Alaska Congressman Nick Begich III.
Named in honor of 22-year-old Laken Riley, who was killed by a criminal illegal immigrant last year, the legislation mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain undocumented immigrants accused of theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill stipulates that these individuals remain in detention until they are deported to prevent them from reoffending.
Additionally, the act grants states the authority to pursue civil actions against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws or violate statutory obligations.
Sen. Sullivan attributed the rise in crime and drug trafficking, including fentanyl distribution, to what he called a “complete dereliction of duty” by the Biden Administration. He stated that the border policies implemented over the last four years have exacerbated national security, health, and humanitarian crises.
“The consequences of the largest invasion of illegal aliens in American history – which began four years ago – are a tragedy and represent a complete dereliction of duty by President Biden,” Sullivan said. “The Biden administration’s border policies, which included deliberate orders to ignore federal law, have created a national security, health, humanitarian, and crime crisis of epic proportions. Laken Riley should still be alive today. So should thousands more Americans who have lost their lives as a result of these reckless and dangerous policies. Alaskans have certainly felt the impacts of the record amounts of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and cartel members coming across the border and reaching our state thousands of miles away. The Laken Riley Act is an attempt to make America safer and restore accountability to the people in charge of carrying out America’s immigration laws.”
The bill’s progress marks a shift from the previous Congress, where similar legislation passed the House but was blocked in the Senate. With Republicans now holding the Senate majority, the bill has gained momentum, reflecting a growing bipartisan consensus on immigration enforcement now that Sen. Chuck Schumer is not in control and Biden is just 10 days away from being a former president.
Nine Democrats have demonstrated clearly that they place illegal invaders above law abiding US Citizens. They are elected to represent the will of the people, and they are derelict in their duty to do so.
Ten. You forgot to count Lisa
Hey, it’s Dan Sullivan. With Begich being very active his first few days it seems Dan feels it safe to come out now. Mary P is gone and Murkowski may be losing influence since so many of her Democrat buddies are gone. Let’s go Dan!
Bravo, the tide is turning! Shame on New York State for continually re-electing Chuck Schumer.
AND(!!!), how did Daddy’s Little Princess vote?
… Did not bother to vote?
… Voted “abstain?”
… Voted “no?”
I think Sully needs to tune her up a lot more!!!
“Get on-board girl, ride the train, and do right by Alaska & Alaskans!”
She did not cast a vote on this. – sd
Dan – Nice to see you voting as a Republican ( FOR A CHANGE )
By Golly, I’m really starting to Cotten to
This lad!!
Posted in error. It was meant for Representative Begich
Though it is good to see Dan bark once in a while.
Thanks, Senator Dan, for putting Americans over criminal illegal aliens. Lisa’s silence on this so far is deafening. Pathetic. She needs to be Cheneyed as soon as possible.
Reading another source, Lisa did vote for the bill. That doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t be Liz Cheneyed. The sooner the better.
She did not vote. Here’s your link, Rollo: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1191/vote_119_1_00001.htm
Also not voting were Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
– sd
I’m wondering why Sen. Murkowski didn’t vote on this bill????