Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has expressed approval for the Senate's bipartisan decision to advance the Laken Riley Act with an 84-9 vote. The vote took place on the eve of what would have been Laken Riley's 23rd birthday.

“Today’s vote on the Laken Riley Act is an important step forward in making our country safer, but there’s still more work to be done to get this commonsense legislation across the finish line,” said Senator Britt. “Laken’s horrific murder should never have happened. While we cannot bring Laken back, Congress can and must pass the Laken Riley Act to save American lives and prevent this tragedy from repeating itself. Congress has an obligation to Laken, her family, and to Americans in every corner of our country to get this bill passed and signed into law.”

The legislation was initially introduced in the House by Congressman Mike Collins and recently passed there with a bipartisan vote of 264-159, including support from 48 Democrats.

Senator Britt, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, reintroduced the Senate version of the bill in the 119th Congress alongside Senator Ted Budd, Majority Leader John Thune, Senator John Fetterman, and other members of the Senate Republican Conference. Senator Ruben Gallego is also a cosponsor.

In her remarks before the vote, Senator Britt urged her colleagues to prioritize border security and public safety.

She shared a statement from Allyson and John Phillips, Laken's mother and stepfather: “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... Not only did the people who knew and loved [Laken] lose a beautiful soul, but so did our world.”

Britt emphasized that “There was no reason — no reason at all — that she should no longer be with us.” She argued that had immigration laws been enforced properly, "Laken’s family and Laken herself would face a very different reality."

The proposed act aims to require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal aliens involved in theft-related offenses until their removal from the United States.

“I want to be very clear," said Britt. "Only individuals that would be subject to this bill are criminal illegal aliens."

Britt called upon her Democratic colleagues not to block this measure again: “To my Democratic colleagues, I implore you to see reason... if you choose to block this again.”

Since assuming office, Senator Britt has advocated for stronger border security measures. The bill previously passed twice in the House but faced obstacles in gaining traction within Senate committees due to opposition from some Senate Democrats.