Congress sends Laken Riley Act to Trump’s desk as first bill of GOP’s Washington takeover
The Republican Party’s Laken Riley Act is on its way to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law, marking the first bill he will enact after the party regained control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.
The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives in a 263 to 156 vote, has garnered bipartisan support, with all voting Republicans backing the legislation, along with 48 Democrats – two more than in the previous vote. The GOP-controlled Senate also approved the bill in a 64 to 35 vote, adding measures to deport illegal immigrants who commit serious crimes.
The original bill directs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to detain illegal immigrants accused of theft-related crimes and allows states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for damages caused by illegal immigration. While the majority of Democrats opposed the bill, citing concerns about deporting individuals accused but not convicted of crimes, supporters argue that those living in the country illegally have already violated U.S. laws.
Notably, more Democrats supported the bill during the recent House vote compared to when it was first introduced in 2024. This shift in support reflects a growing demand from the American people to address the border crisis. Rep. Mike Collins, the bill’s leader, emphasized the public outcry for action to fix the border problem as a driving force behind the increased bipartisan backing.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, who championed the Sarah’s Law amendment included in the bill, highlighted the tragic case of 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was killed by an illegal immigrant driving under the influence. Sarah’s Law aims to ensure that any illegal immigrant who harms or kills an American citizen is swiftly detained and prosecuted.
The legislation, named after nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered by an illegal immigrant while jogging on a college campus, underscores the Republican Party’s commitment to addressing illegal immigration and bolstering border security. With President Trump’s focus on these issues evident through his executive orders, the Laken Riley Act is poised to be the cornerstone of his agenda.
As the bill awaits the president’s signature, it serves as a tangible step towards fulfilling Trump’s promises to tackle illegal immigration and safeguard the nation’s borders. The enactment of the Laken Riley Act signifies a pivotal moment for the Republican Party as they strive to make Trump’s policy objectives a lasting legacy.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, leading coverage of the House of Representatives. For more updates, follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.
