159 Democrats Voted Against The Laken Riley Act

159 House Democrats voted Tuesday against legislation titled the Laken Riley Act that would require federal immigration authorities to detain illegal migrants who commit theft-related crimes in the U.S and would also allow states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their residents because of illegal immigration.

The legislation ended up passing the House in a 264-159 vote with every Republican voting in favor of it. 48 Democrats ended up voting in favor of the bill. It will now head to the Senate. After the vote, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson released a statement calling out the 159 Democrats who voted against the Laken Riley Act.

“Laken Riley was brutally murdered by an illegal alien that President Biden and the Democrats let into this country with their open border policy. It is hard to believe after countless horrific stories like Laken’s, ANY House Democrats would vote against deporting illegal aliens who commit violent crimes against American citizens,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said in a statement. (RELATED: House Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Pass Legislation To Crack Down On Illegal Migrant Criminals)

“But 159 just did, demonstrating some Democrats have ignored the loud and clear message from voters in this election who demanded secure borders, the deportation of violent illegal aliens, and laws that put the safety and security of the American people first,” Johnson added. (RELATED: For First Time This Century, Democrats Don’t Challenge GOP President’s Electoral Votes)

159 Democrats just voted AGAINST the Laken Riley Act.

They voted AGAINST detaining and deporting criminal illegal aliens, and putting Americans’ safety first.

Democrats have YET AGAIN ignored the demands of the American people for safety and security.

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 7, 2025

What in the world? 159 Democrats voted against the Laken Riley act. Why would you in favor of rapists and murderers? pic.twitter.com/RDQfds8PI0

— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) January 7, 2025

HERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED AGAINST THE LAKEN RILEY ACT

Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, was convicted in November of killing Riley, 22. He was arrested by University of Georgia police.

In March, Georgia Senate Republicans introduced new legislation that would combat sanctuary policies and target officials who enact them in light of the murder of Riley.

That state bill would specifically strip local elected officials who enact sanctuary policies of their sovereign immunity, allowing anyone to bring a cause of action against them. The bill would also allow for the removal of local officials and would strip them of state funding and state-administered federal funding.