Laken Riley Act overcomes filibuster in Senate as Dems give GOP helping hand

The Laken Riley Act made significant progress in Congress on Thursday as it defeated the legislative filibuster during a procedural vote, garnering over 60 votes to move it forward to a final vote. The measure passed the filibuster by a wide margin of 84-9, with only a handful of Democrats voting against it.

Those Democrats who opposed the bill included Senators Cory Booker, Mazie Hirono, Andy Kim, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Tina Smith, and Elizabeth Warren. Despite their objections, the bill was successfully advanced with bipartisan support.

The immigration bill, named after 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley who was tragically murdered, was reintroduced in the new Congress by Senator Katie Britt in the Senate and Representative Mike Collins in the House. The bill aims to enhance safety by requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal immigrants who have committed serious crimes until they are deported. States would also have the authority to take legal action against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised the bill and ensured that it would be the first major vote in the Senate. With all Republicans on board, the focus shifted to securing enough Democratic support to pass the bill. Despite initial uncertainty, several Democrats came forward in favor of the bill, including Senators John Fetterman and Ruben Gallego who became co-sponsors.

Although some Democrats raised concerns about the bill, a significant number pledged to support it, ultimately enabling the filibuster to be defeated. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also backed the bill, emphasizing the need for debate and amendments.

The successful advancement of the Laken Riley Act signals a major victory for Republicans and ensures that the priority immigration legislation will reach President-elect Trump’s desk for final approval. With the final vote only requiring a simple majority to pass, the bill is expected to become law.

Several Democrats who supported the bill are up for re-election in potentially competitive states in the future, highlighting the political implications of their decision. The bipartisan success of the Laken Riley Act underscores the importance of addressing immigration issues to enhance national security and prevent future tragedies.