Laken Riley Act: GOP-led immigration legislation passes House in first bill of new Congress

Washington CNN — The House voted on Tuesday to pass a GOP-led bill to require detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes, but the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate in a sign of the challenges facing Republicans despite controlling both chambers of Congress. The decision by House Republicans to bring up the legislation, known as the Laken Riley Act, as the first bill of the new Congress highlights the central priority of the issue for the party. A critical mass of Democrats would have to join with Republicans to clear the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation in the Senate, a major constraint on the chamber’s new GOP majority and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming agenda. But when the bill comes up for a procedural vote in the Senate this week, it would need eight Democrats to vote with Republicans since incoming West Virginia GOP Sen. Jim Justice, who chose to delay his swearing in to finish out his term as governor, isn’t expected to take his seat until next week. Asked why, Peters said, “border security and keeping Americans safe.” Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona told CNN’s Manu Raju he’s “looking at” the legislation.