Capito Votes to Pass Laken Riley Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, voted in favor of the Laken Riley Act. The legislation, which Senator Capito co-sponsored, passed the Senate 64 to 35.

The Laken Riley Act would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses and would mandate that these aliens are detained until they are removed from the United States so they cannot reoffend and commit further crimes. This legislation would also ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who refuse to enforce immigration law or who violate the law.

"Americans deserve to feel safe in their communities, and the Laken Riley Act is a first step in doing that," Senator Capito said. "Passing this critical legislation on Day One of the Trump administration is fitting and reaffirms our commitment to turning the page on the previous administration. I look forward to working with President Trump and new Republican majorities in Congress to advance smart policy, like the Laken Riley Act, so that we can crack down on illegal immigrants that choose to wreak havoc across the country, secure our border, and prevent another tragedy like Laken Riley's from ever occurring again."

BACKGROUND:

This legislation was originally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and passed the House of Representatives this week by a bipartisan vote of 264 to 159, with 48 Democrats voting in favor.

Senator Capito was a cosponsor of the Laken Riley Act in the 118th Congress, which passed the House in bipartisan fashion, but was denied a vote by then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

This legislation was the Senate's first piece of legislation considered in the 119th Congress, and was introduced by Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), alongside Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and the entire Senate Republican Conference.

Senator Capito delivered a floor speech recently expressing her strong support for the bill. Click here to watch the speech.

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