The Senate on Friday voted 61-35 to break the filibuster and end debate on the Laken Riley Act, advancing a contentious bill that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and potentially deport undocumented immigrants arrested for — but not necessarily convicted of — various crimes, including burglary, shoplifting and theft. The bill would also empower state attorneys general to sue the federal government over immigration-related decisions and block visas being issued to citizens of certain countries.
Ten Democrats voted to invoke cloture, aiding Republicans in their hope of delivering soon-to-be President Donald Trump his first legislative victory next week. Four Senators, including Vice-President-elect JD Vance, who resigned from office last week, and cosponsor Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., did not vote. Friday's vote offers a glimpse at the likely partisan breakdown of the bill's final passage, which is slated for Jan. 20, the day Trump takes office.
