Laken Riley Act Passes House with Bipartisan Support

The House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act with a vote of 264-159, garnering support from 216 Republicans and 48 Democrats, despite significant Democratic opposition. The bill, which mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with theft-related crimes, was named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant. Notably, some Democrats, including Senators Ruben Gallego and John Fetterman, have expressed their support for the bill, suggesting a potential bipartisan push in the Senate. The act has seen increased Democratic backing compared to previous sessions, with six Democrats switching their votes to support it this time. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats for opposing the bill, linking it to broader immigration policy failures. The Senate will require a minimum of 60 votes to pass the legislation, making Democratic support crucial.