Senate Passes Laken Riley Act After Trump’s Inauguration

The U.S. Senate voted Monday to pass the Laken Riley Act, just hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in. The bill 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.

The bill passed in a 64-35 vote. Only 12 Democrats voted in favor of the bill. (RELATED: Senate Advances Laken Riley Act After Support From Some Democrats)

HERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE LEGISLATION: 

• Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto
• Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman
• Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego
• New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan
• Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly
• Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff
• Michigan Sen. Gary Peters
• Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen
• New Hampsire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
• Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin
• Virginia Sen. Mark Warner
• Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock

The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Republican Alabama Sen. Katie Britt. (RELATED: Following Election, A Half-Dozen Dems Flip Their Votes To Support Laken Riley Act)

The Laken Riley Act 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. (RELATED: 159 Democrats 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.

Ahead of the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Senate floor that he believes he empowered members to discuss and deliberate the legislation as promised.

“Mr. President, when I was elected majority leader, I talked about my commitment to empowering members and restoring the Senate as a place of discussion and deliberation. I think we achieved that this past week. We have had an extended debate on the Laken Riley Act, with multiple amendment votes already, and we passed Senator Cornyn’s amendment with a strong bipartisan margin,” Thune said.

The bill will now return to the House. If the lower chamber approves the Senate’s changes, it will go to Trump’s desk for his signature.