Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and Senator Ted Budd have introduced the Laken Riley Act in the Senate, a companion bill to H.R. 7511, aimed at addressing crimes committed by illegal aliens. The legislation, originally introduced by Representative Mike Collins, passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 251-170 and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

"Make no mistake – Laken Riley’s heartbreaking murder was a direct, preventable consequence of willful open border policies by President Biden and his administration. This commonsense legislation would ensure ICE detains and deports criminal illegal aliens, so more innocent American families do not have to face this kind of unimaginable tragedy," said Senator Britt.

Senator Budd echoed these sentiments, stating, "We simply cannot tolerate any more senseless tragedies like this one. What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen."

Representative Collins expressed gratitude for the Senate's swift action, saying, "I am grateful to Senator Britt for taking the lead on getting this vital legislation through the Senate so we can put Laken Riley’s name on Joe Biden’s desk and take a step toward preventing this from happening to another American."

The bill has garnered support from a number of Senate Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senators Marsha Blackburn, Lindsey Graham, and more. The full list of co-sponsors can be found in the original article.

The Laken Riley Act seeks to ensure that illegal aliens who commit specific crimes are detained until they are removed from the United States to prevent further offenses. It also aims to empower States to take legal action against federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws.

The Senate cosponsors are urging Senator Schumer to bring the Laken Riley Act to the floor for a vote immediately, emphasizing the importance of protecting American citizens from preventable tragedies like the one that befell Laken Riley.