Senate Democrats Get on Board With a Republican Immigration Bill — For Now

The Laken Riley Act moved forward in the Senate in a 84-9 vote, but some Democrats who voted to proceed want amendments before final passage.

John Fetterman

Annabelle Gordon/Sipa USA via AP

More than 30 Democratic senators voted with Republicans to move forward with a bill that could help incoming President Donald Trump carry out his promise of cracking down on undocumented immigrants.

But that doesn’t mean it will become law.

The Laken Riley Act, which passed the House with 48 Democratic votes on Tuesday, could still fail when it comes for a final vote. Several of the Democrats who voted to advance the bill said they want to amend it — something many Republicans are likely to oppose — although many of them were tight-lipped about specifics.