Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-S.C.) bill, titled the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, passed on Thursday with a 274-145 vote, garnering support from more than a quarter of Democrats. The bill seeks to classify immigrants without permanent legal status who commit sex offenses or domestic violence as “inadmissible” and “deportable.” A total of 61 Democrats voted in favor of the measure, and it’s certain to win approval from President-elect Donald Trump once he’s in office.
Former Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) voted in support of the bill, along with Democratic California Reps. Adam Gray, George Whitesides, Derek Tran, Eric Swalwell, Jimmy Panetta, Mike Levin, and Josh Harder. California, located on the southern border, is frequently a destination for immigrants entering the U.S. through Mexico. This marks the second time Mace has introduced the bill, which was previously passed in the 118th Congress and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review.
“This legislation sends a strong message: if you are an illegal who has committed acts of violence against women, you will not find sanctuary here,” the South Carolina representative said when introducing the bill for the first time. The bill’s passage follows House Republicans’ successful push for the Laken Riley Act, which will require detention of migrants arrested for theft and other crimes.
A majority of Senate Democrats joined Republicans on Thursday in a robust bipartisan effort to move the Laken Riley Act forward. The cloture vote, requiring 60 senators to succeed, saw overwhelming support with 84 votes in favor, nine against, and six abstentions. The legislation is designed to crack down on illegal immigrants engaged in criminal activities while in the United States. It is the first bill of its kind before President-elect Donald Trump, who made border security and deportations cornerstones of his campaign, takes office in less than 10 days.
According to Politico, the final vote on the Laken Riley Act could occur as early as next week. Although a cloture vote does not ensure the bill’s passage, only a simple majority will be necessary to approve it. Given the strong bipartisan support shown during the cloture vote, the measure appears likely to pass smoothly, as noted by the Western Journal.
The bill is named in honor of 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was tragically murdered by an illegal immigrant while jogging in Athens last February. Reports from that time indicated she defended herself for several minutes before her attacker allegedly struck her in the head with a rock, resulting in her death. Support for the legislation has already been strong among Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, both co-sponsors of the bill alongside more than 50 Republicans. GOP Senator Katie Britt of Alabama introduced the legislation in the Senate.