Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, this yesterday
delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging the passage of the Laken Riley Act. Joined by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Britt highlighted the bipartisan support for the bill and expressed frustration at its recent blockage by Senate Democrats.
The Laken Riley Act, named in honor of a victim of crime, aims to strengthen border security and enhance immigration enforcement. Specifically, the bill mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain and deport individuals who commit theft offenses and allows states to seek injunctions against actions by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General that violate immigration laws.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on March 7, 2024, in a bipartisan vote of 251-70, with significant support from both parties. The bill currently has 47 additional Senate cosponsors, reflecting broad bipartisan backing.
In her floor speech, Senator Britt thanked her colleagues, particularly Senator Graham and Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.), for their efforts in securing Democratic votes in the House. She emphasized the urgent need for the Senate to act, citing the bipartisan support the bill has already garnered.
“The Laken Riley Act is the bipartisan border bill that should be on the Senate floor today,” Britt stated. “I’m confident that a bipartisan majority of Senators support the Laken Riley Act and would vote for it today.”
Senator Britt highlighted the tragic case of Laken Riley, whose alleged killer had been granted parole after crossing the southern border illegally in 2022. Britt criticized the Biden Administration’s handling of immigration parole, noting a significant increase in the number of people paroled at the southern border under the current administration compared to previous ones.
“Under the Trump administration and the Obama administration, parole was granted at our southern border to less than 6,000 people per year. However, under President Biden, grants of parole have skyrocketed, and now we know over 1.3 million people have been paroled in the past year,” Britt said.
Senator Graham echoed Britt’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further tragedies and enhance national security.
Despite the bill’s bipartisan support, Senate Democrats blocked its passage, citing concerns over the bill’s provisions and the broader implications for immigration policy. This marks the second time in recent months that the legislation has been stalled in the Senate.
In her concluding remarks, Senator Britt called on her colleagues to prioritize the safety and security of American families by passing the Laken Riley Act.
“It’s past time to force his hand on that, and past time to pass the Laken Riley Act. It will secure our homeland, it will help to safeguard our streets, it will help defend our families,” she said before yielding the floor.
As the debate over the Laken Riley Act continues, the focus remains on finding a bipartisan path forward to address border security and immigration enforcement effectively.
