House Democrats are apparently sensing the message voters delivered in November regarding concerns over the border crisis, with more than five dozen of them voting Thursday to approve a bill that would make sexual and domestic violence crimes deportable offenses.
The House approved the Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., by a 274-145 margin, with 61 Democrats joining the Republican majority. It is the second major immigration bill to receive bipartisan support in the House this year, with lawmakers approving the Laken Riley Act on Jan. 8 by a 264-159 margin, with 48 Democrats supporting the bill named for the 22-year-old Georgia nursing student who was murdered by an illegal immigrant last year.
Many Democrats who supported Mace's bill were from battleground states. But the fact that some were fervent liberals, such as Reps. James Clyburn of South Carolina, and Eric Swalwell and Ro Khanna of California, showed that those on the left are reading the political tea leaves better than they were heading into November's election.
Mace's bill "further reiterates that sexual and domestic abuse are serious crimes under the law, delivering justice for victims and making our communities safer for everyone," Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., who represents a battleground district, told Politico.
But Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif, told Politico the bill could create an unintended chilling effect for illegal immigrants who are victims of sexual abuse and might fear they could be deported if they report crimes.
"This bill empowers rapists and criminals, putting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault — including those who are in this country legally — at risk," Min said. "Rather than protecting the vulnerable, this bill will enact horrific consequences on survivors."
Although Senate Democrats could filibuster either immigration bill, The Hill reported at least seven have indicated they will be voting for the Laken Riley Act in its current form: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, and Jacky Rosen of Nevada.
Michael Katz ✉
Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.
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