Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) argued that Democratic lawmakers need to recognize that voters want “commonsense solutions” to the problems posed by illegal immigration and called for them to support the Laken Riley Act in Congress.
Britt contended that the Biden administration’s “open border policies” has been the most litigated topic over the last four years and the Laken Riley Act serves to remedy this issue affecting the United States. The legislation comes as people are ready for lawmakers to “stop talking” and yield results, she added.
“I‘m encouraged by the number of Democrats that have come on board, and those who have voiced their support for this piece of legislation,” Britt said on CNN’s State of the Union. “I think as we continue to debate this and talk about the merits of it this week, it will garner more support.”
The bill is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student in Georgia who was killed by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela in February 2024. The bill cleared the 60-vote filibuster threshold in a vote of 84-9 on Thursday, with 33 Democratic senators joining their Republican lawmakers. That vote begins a debate on the bill.
Britt was pressed on the possibility of the Laken Riley Act potentially deporting immigrants who are only suspected of committing nonviolent crimes, to which she pointed to the bill only targeting “charged, arrested, or convicted” immigrants. She added that immigrants who do not commit crimes are not at risk of being deported.
“I think Democrats have to wake up and realize that Americans are sick of excuses and they’re ready for action,” Britt said.
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The White House has not yet indicated if President Joe Biden will sign the bill in his remaining time in office, with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying the president wants to “evaluate the bill” and has not done so yet. It is also possible Republicans could hold the bill until President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House later this month as president.
Trump’s inauguration is set for Jan. 20.
