More Senate Democrats have indicated they plan to vote in favor of advancing the Laken-Reilly Act in a procedural vote this Friday.
The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student killed by a Venezuelan immigrant who crossed the border illegally, passed the House on Tuesday with support from all Republicans and 48 Democrats. did. This was the first House Republican bill of the 119th Congress.
A few Democrats in the Senate have already expressed support for the bill, including Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Pa.), who signed on as co-sponsors of the bill. Democratic Party of Arizona). Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said he plans to vote in favor of the bill.
Now, more Democrats have said they will do the same, including Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
A spokesperson for Mr. Kelly said the senator “looks forward to working with Republicans and Democrats on this and other solutions to secure our borders and repair our broken immigration system.” .
“Senator Rosen always supports legislation that keeps Nevadans safe. She believes that when someone commits a crime, they should be held accountable,” a spokesperson for Sen. Rosen said in a statement. ” he said.
Other Democrats have also expressed support for the bill, with some saying they would support a procedural vote to begin consideration this Friday.
A spokesperson for Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) said the senator is “interested in moving forward with passing the amendment.” But he does not support the Laken-Riley Act in its current form. ”
Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats, “will likely begin debate through a procedural vote later this week,” a spokesperson said.
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) said he plans to vote for public debate on the bill and see how the process goes from there, his spokesperson confirmed, adding that the – Mentioned Hill. statement he made On CNN.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Mich.) told CNN she is considering the bill but is “inclined” to support it, while Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) He told CNN he is considering the bill.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) told Politico that she supports starting consideration of the bill, but added, “I have real concerns about this bill and at least it's an unfunded mandate.” That's it,” he added.
The bill mandates the detention of a wide range of immigrants, including those who have been admitted to the United States to seek asylum, if they are accused of theft, robbery, or shoplifting. The man convicted of killing Laken Riley had been arrested for shoplifting and was on parole in the United States prior to the attack.
But the bill has raised concerns among immigration advocates because it would require prosecutors to detain immigrants as soon as they are charged or arrested with a crime, rather than after a conviction is established.
The bill also allows state attorneys general to sue to enforce the law, after courts have largely resisted state efforts to intervene in immigration enforcement matters. This is a movement.
Al Weaver contributed.
