By Henry Rodgers, Daily Caller News Foundation | January 06, 2025
Following the November elections, six Democrats changed their votes Tuesday from being against to voting in favor of legislation titled the Laken Riley Act that would require federal immigration authorities to detain illegal migrants who commit theft-related crimes in the U.S.
The bill would also allow states to sue the Department of Homeland Security for harm caused to their residents because of illegal immigration. 159 House Democrats voted against the legislation. However, six House Democrats who previously opposed the bill in the last Congress changed their mind and flipped their votes.
The Daily Caller contacted all six House Democrats who changed their votes to ask what changed, but none immediately responded.
Here Are The Six Democrats Who Changed Their Votes:
- Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle
- Oregon Rep. Val Hoyle
- Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath
- New York Rep. Joseph Morelle
- Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell
- New York Rep. Ritchie Torres
The legislation ended up passing the House in a 264-159 vote with every Republican voting in favor of it. 48 Democrats ended up voting in favor of the bill. It will now head to the Senate.
Jose Antonio Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, was convicted in November of killing Riley, 22. He was arrested by University of Georgia police.
Henry Rodgers is a Chief National Correspondent at the Daily Caller News Foundation
