Senate Advances Laken Riley Act After Support From Some Democrats

The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to advance the Laken Riley Act that would require federal immigration authorities to detain illegal migrants who commit theft-related crimes in the U.S. The legislation would also allow states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their residents because of illegal immigration.

Only nine Democrats opted not to support the cloture vote on the motion to proceed. Democrats will now try to force a vote to amend the bill to exempt Dreamers from mandatory detainment. The nine Democrats and one Independent who decided to vote against the motion to proceed includes: New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono, New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey, Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Republican Alabama Sen. Katie Britt.

Today, on the eve of what should have been Laken Riley’s 23rd Birthday, let’s honor her legacy and advance a bipartisan bill that will help save American lives. pic.twitter.com/rOHKFLGUlk

— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 9, 2025

The bill passed the House in a 264-159 vote Tuesday with every Republican voting in favor of it. Forty-eight Democrats ended up voting in favor of the bill while 159 House Democrats voted against. Six House Democrats who previously opposed the bill in the last Congress changed their mind and flipped their votes. (RELATED: Following Election, A Half-Dozen Dems Flip Their Votes To Support 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.

Senate Republicans believe it will end up officially passing the Senate the following week.

“I think it has to pass. Several Dems voted for cloture, and if any of them want to filibuster, we would be absolutely happy to let them stand on the Senate floor and explain to the nation why illegal criminals should be allowed to stay in America until they rape or murder someone’s daughter,” a senior Senate aide told the Daily Caller.