FIRST ON FOX: Senate Republicans are preparing to take several measures in the new year that were denied votes by Democrats in the previous Congress. The first of these is the Laken Riley Act, reintroduced by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and was confirmed by a vote at the end of the week.
The initiative was named after a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia campus in February. Jose Ibarra, 26, who is an illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 crimes, including murder. He initially denied the crime.
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November.
The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal immigrants who commit theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. Additionally, states would have standing under the law to take civil action against members of the federal government who do not enforce immigration law.
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The Laken Riley Act was first introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Collins in March and Senator Katie Britt. (Getty Images)
“It is impossible to fully explain what was taken from Laken and our family on February 22, 2024. Laken’s life was full of promise and full of promise. He was a beautiful, bright beacon in the lives of everyone who knew him. He didn’t stop there. The people who knew and loved Laken lost a beautiful soul, but so did our world that Laken shared. by his love for Jesus and everyone he met by sharing his faith with actions Grace was felt by everyone he met, Laken selfless, hardworking and made those around him feel special, Laken didn’t just talk about his faith, he led by example,” Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather, said in a statement.
“The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it can help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the heartache we have experienced. Laken would have turned 23 on January 10th. There is no greater gift that can be given to him and our country than to continue his legacy of saving lives.” about this bill Every Member of Congress should be able to support this bill that will make our country and communities safer Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and Senator Ted Budd for continuing to work to honor Laken’s legacy and get this bill enacted into law.”
It was first introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in March and in the Senate by Britt.
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Ibarra pleaded not guilty. (Brynn Anderson/Pool via AP)
However, the bill never received a Senate floor vote related to independent legislation.
Republicans have an incoming trifecta in the federal government, united in their priorities of the southern border and tackling illegal immigration, and GOP lawmakers see a big opportunity to push through important legislation.
“Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this world – from his family and friends and from the pursuit of his dreams – by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake – he had never been in the United States, let alone been allowed to roam freely. The streets of America after being charged with multiple murders Laken was a direct result of the policies of open borders on purpose,” Britt said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
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Britt introduced the bill last year. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“The American people didn’t just bring authority on November 5th, they made a decision. They made it clear that they wanted to remove criminals from their neighborhoods and protect American families. We will soon know that Democrats support, respect, and abide by that decision. Congress has a responsibility to Laken, his family, and families in every corner of the country.” Our commonsense Laken Riley Act is to do everything in our power to help prevent this type of tragedy from happening again with all due urgency.
Collins in his statement said, “An illegal criminal came to our community and killed Laken Riley because the local law enforcement did not have the tools to stop him. Laken fought until he breathed his last, and I will fight until this law is over. The line and sits on the President’s desk.”
This initiative is jointly led in the Senate by Sen. Tedd Budd, RN.C., said in a statement, “What happened at Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. As we turn the page from the disastrous open-border policies of Joe Biden, the Laken Riley Act will give the Trump administration the power to enforce our laws, to keep our nation safe , and prevent disasters. I thank Senator Britt for his cooperation and leadership in these two efforts.”
Now that Republicans control the Senate, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D., in charge, a vote on the bill is expected, and in short order.
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Thune is the new Senate majority leader. (TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images)
A familiar source shared with Fox News Digital that a vote in the upper chamber is likely to take place on Friday, and Democrats will be forced to make history.
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If the measure is supported only by Republicans, it will fail to overcome a legislative filibuster, which requires bills to garner 60 votes to end debate and proceed. Notably, new Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., voted for the bill in the House last year.
The vote will highlight the Georgia Senate delegation, as Riley was part of. In particular, all eyes will be on Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., is up for re-election in 2026 in a state that President-elect Donald Trump won.
