Senate Democrats voted 84-9 on Thursday to advance a Republican-led bill requiring the detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes. The vote brings the legislation one step closer to passage.
The bill, which is named after a Georgia student killed by an undocumented migrant last year, would require the detention of those charged with theft or burglary. It has gained support from Senate Democrats in battleground states and competitive districts, including Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman.
Fetterman said that if the party can’t come up with enough votes to pass the bill, it will be seen as a reason for their loss. Some Democrats have expressed support for the bill outright, while others want to make changes and are seeking a robust amendment process.
The legislation still faces hurdles ahead, including a controversial provision giving state attorneys general the authority to sue federal officials over immigration decisions. Senate GOP leader John Thune is pushing for Democrats to back the bill in its current form.
The vote marks an early test of Democratic leadership on immigration and comes as the party seeks to show it can act on the issue after Republicans attacked them as weak on the border during the election cycle.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/09/politics/senate-vote-laken-riley-immigration-bill/index.html