Laken Riley Act
Download PDFSponsored by
Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
ID: B001319
Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 119-1.
January 29, 2025
Introduced
Committee Review
Floor Action
Passed Senate
House Review
Passed Congress
Presidential Action
Became Law
📍 Current Status
This bill has become law!
📚 How does a bill become a law?
1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.
2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.
3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.
4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.
5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.
6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.
7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!
Bill Summary
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. The Laken Riley Act, a bill so cleverly crafted that it's almost as if its authors wanted to create a Rube Goldberg machine of bureaucratic inefficiencies and redundant provisions.
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The ostensible purpose of this bill is to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to take into custody aliens who have been charged with theft in the United States. Because, you know, that's not already happening. The real objective, however, is to create a new layer of bureaucratic red tape and provide a Trojan horse for states' attorneys general to sue the federal government over immigration policies.
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends various sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to:
1. Expand the definition of "detainable" aliens to include those charged with theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or assault on a law enforcement officer. 2. Allow states' attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security over alleged violations of detention and removal requirements. 3. Grant states' attorneys general standing to bring actions against the Attorney General or Secretary of Homeland Security for allegedly harming their state or residents.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:
1. Aliens who have been charged with theft (because, clearly, they're the real problem here). 2. States' attorneys general, who will now have a new toy to play with in their quest for power and relevance. 3. The Secretary of Homeland Security, who will be forced to deal with an influx of frivolous lawsuits from states' attorneys general. 4. Taxpayers, who will foot the bill for this bureaucratic boondoggle.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a perfect example of legislative malpractice. It:
1. Creates unnecessary complexity and redundancy in existing law. 2. Empowers states' attorneys general to engage in frivolous lawsuits, wasting taxpayer dollars and clogging up the courts. 3. Fails to address the underlying issues driving immigration policy debates (e.g., lack of border security, inadequate visa programs). 4. Provides a convenient distraction from more pressing national issues.
In short, this bill is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation, designed to confuse, mislead, and waste resources. Bravo, 119th Congress! You've outdone yourselves.
Related Topics
💰 Campaign Finance Network
Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
No committee contributions found
Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance
This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.
Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID: R000584
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
ID: S001227
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
ID: L000575
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
ID: C001096
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
ID: T000278
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
ID: H001061
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
ID: L000577
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
ID: J000293
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
ID: B001261
Top Contributors
10
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
ID: W000437
Top Contributors
10
Donor Network - Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 35 nodes and 45 connections
Total contributions: $123,000
Top Donors - Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
Showing top 19 donors by contribution amount