Laken Riley Act Marches Swiftly Toward Final Passage in Senate

Plus, Thune steamrolled Schumer last night on amendments for SR. 5.

WASHINGTON — On January 6, the House swiftly passed the controversial H.R. 29, known as the Laken Riley Act, in just three hours. Despite fiery objections from Democrats, Speaker Johnson kept his party united, ensuring the bill's approval. Surprisingly, 48 Democrats also supported the measure. No amendments were proposed, debated, or voted on, and the bill was sent to the Senate the same day.

In the Senate, the bill, now labeled S.5, has steamrolled over half-hearted objections by Democrats. Debate opened after the Senate passed a motion to proceed 82-10 on Monday with Republican Speaker Thune allowing debate on up to five amendments. Many Democrats insisted on protecting DACA recipients and minors as a non-negotiable condition. Without these amendments, many Democrats who voted for the motion to proceed would not commit to final passage.

What amendments were proposed, and by whom, was kept under wraps until we scooped Monday night the fifteen amendments that had been filed. At the time…