NewsLaken Riley Act goes through the House of Representatives

Laken Riley Act goes through the House of Representatives

Thursday afternoon marked the day of the Laken Riley Act through the House of Representatives. Controvesial bill was passed due to the all Republican Party representatives as well as thirty-seven Democratic Party representatives sho voted for the bill.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 07: President Joe Biden holds up a button with the name of Laken Riley as he delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | The Washington Post

The bill was created after the tragedy which took place last month, the 22-year-old University of Georgia student Laken Riley was killed during her morning jogging run near the Lake Herris in Athens, Georgia.

The crime was commited by a 26-year-old Venezuelan illegal immigrant who has been charged with murder.

The Laken Riley Act

The debate regarding the Act in the House of Representatives was incredibly heated and emotional. We quote House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican after the CNN News:

Laken Riley would still be alive if the Biden Administration had done its job.
House Republicans are not going to stand by quietly while the President and his administration release dangerous criminals into our communities (...) The Laken Riley Act would help prevent future tragedies. If Senator Schumer and President Biden care to protect Americans and are serious about securing the border, they will bring this legislation up for a vote and sign it into law immediately.

The Democratic side of the House which was mainly against the bill was using counterline of argumentation. We quote House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, again after the CNN News

Exploiting her death for a partisan stunt, throwing together legislation to target immigrants in an election year.

This is the main controversy about the act which orders police to detain any migrant that commits theft or burglary. The immigration crisis is a very prominent topic in the 2024 elections campaign. Donald Trump and the republican Party is making this issue one of the main points of their agenda.

The other side of the political scene is accusing the red side of racist and nationalist policy.

The passing of the Laken Riley Act is very important event in the context of upcoming elections. Follow the campaign coverage on essanews.com

Sources: CNN; Wikipedia