Quick Hit: 3 NC Reps. vote "NO" on Laken Riley Act
This is the second try to get the Act passed in both chambers of Congress
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Laken Riley Act with a vote of 264 to 159 yesterday.
All 159 "No" votes were from Democrats. 48 Democrats did vote "Yes," with six flipping their vote from the first time the Act was voted on in March. At that time, the Senate failed to pass the Act, hence the new vote in the House.
Those flipping their vote this time around include Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Terri Sewell (D-AL).
Additionally, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) did not vote in March but voted “yes” on the bill yesterday.
North Carolina Rep. Adams, Foushee, and Ross voted "No."
All other state representative voted yes.
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student viciously murdered by Jose Ibarra, an illegal alien while she was out for a run last year. She had been brutally beaten to the point her skull had been “disfigured” and strangled.
Ibarra was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping, hindering a 911 call and concealing the death of another.
Ibarra, a Venezuelan national who entered the country illegally in 2022, had been previously arrested and charge with theft and shoplifting in Georgia but he was released anyway. He was also charged with driving and uninsured and unregistered car in New York state, but was released in that case as well.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said in a statement he had entered in Sept. 2022 “unlawfully” near Eagle Pass, Texas, and that “He was paroled and released for further processing.” In other words, catch and release.
The Act mandates that federal immigration authorities detain illegal immigrants arrested for arrested, charged, or convicted for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.
The bill also lets states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Specifically mentioned in the summary as reasons the states can sue are:
decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody;
failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews;
failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country;
violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or
failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
The Act now heads to the Senate.
Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) issued a press release yesterday announcing that he, along with Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL), Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), John Fetterman (D-PA), and “the entire Republican Conference” have introduced the Laken Riley Act for the 119th Congress.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) vocal about passage of the measure. He is the first Senate Democrat to back the Act.
In an interview on FOX News, Fetterman called it "common sense" and said he doesn't understand why it is controversial to deport illegal aliens who commit crimes. He also agreed that illegal immigration was a reason Democrats lost in the 2024 election.
Budd’s release included the following statement from Laken’s mother Allyson and stepfather John Phillips:
“It’s impossible to fully describe what was taken from Laken and from our family on February 22, 2024. Laken’s life was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise. She was a beautiful, shining beacon in the life of everyone who knew her. Not only did the people who knew and loved Laken lose a beautiful soul, but so did our world. Laken shared her love for Jesus with everyone she encountered. Laken’s passion for sharing her faith through acts of kindness were felt by everyone she met. Laken was selfless, hardworking and made those around her feel special. Laken did not just talk about her faith, she led by example. The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it would help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. Laken would have been 23 on January 10th. There is no greater gift that could be given to her and our country than to continue her legacy by saving lives through this bill. Every single member of Congress should be able to get behind this purely commonsense bill that will make our country and communities safer. We thank Congressman Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and Senator Ted Budd for continuing to work to honor Laken’s legacy and get this legislation enacted into law.”