SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) faced a setback today as Senate Democrats, led by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), blocked the passage of the Laken Riley Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill, aimed at addressing issues related to illegal aliens committing specific offenses, was championed by Senator Budd and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL).

The Laken Riley Act, named after the late 22-year-old University of Georgia nursing student who was tragically murdered by an illegal alien, seeks to hold accountable illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. It also grants states attorneys general the authority to take legal action against the Secretary of Homeland Security in cases where immigration-related actions negatively impact states or their residents.

In a passionate plea on the Senate floor, Senator Budd emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "If this bill were in place before February 22nd, Laken Riley would be alive today." He highlighted the bipartisan support the bill received in the House of Representatives, with 251-70 votes, including 37 Democrats.

Expressing his disappointment after the bill was blocked, Senator Budd criticized his Democrat colleagues, saying, "The Democrat party’s commitment to open borders is causing otherwise preventable tragedies to occur again and again."

The Laken Riley Act, which aimed to prevent similar tragedies by enforcing stricter measures on illegal aliens involved in criminal activities, now faces uncertainty following the Senate Democrats' action.