Montana Democratic Senator Jon Tester is making a name for himself as a staunch supporter of border security. In a bold move, he became the first Senate Democrat to lend his support to an immigration bill that has garnered significant Republican backing in both the House and the Senate. Tester’s decision showcases his commitment to finding common ground and addressing the pressing issue of immigration in a bipartisan manner.
On Thursday afternoon, Senator Tester made an announcement, stating that he plans to co-sponsor a bill known as the Laken Riley Act. This particular legislation is named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who tragically lost her life while out for a run near the University of Georgia campus in February. According to authorities, the individual accused of her murder is an undocumented migrant who had been previously arrested for a non-violent offense but was subsequently released by the New York Police Department.
The Laken Riley Act proposes that federal officials must arrest and hold undocumented immigrants accountable for committing crimes like burglary, shoplifting, or larceny until they are deported from the United States.
In early March, the House successfully passed the bill with the backing of every Republican member and 37 Democrats.
However, this time around, Democrats in the upper chamber have not shown as strong of support for it.
The Laken Riley Act was previously brought up in the Senate when Senate Republicans pressed for a vote on it as an amendment to a comprehensive government funding package in March. This amendment was discussed amidst the possibility of a government shutdown, and any alterations to the bill would have potentially caused a government shutdown.
Tester, along with his Democratic colleagues, voted against the bill in the past. However, according to a spokesperson for his office, he would have supported it if it had been presented as a standalone measure. Tim Sheehy, Tester’s opponent, criticized him for what he called a “flip-flop” on the issue, suggesting it was a politically motivated move.
Tester joined a group of GOP co-sponsors on Thursday, becoming the first Senate Democratic co-sponsor of the legislation. The Montana Democrat, who is up for re-election this November, aims to solidify his stance on border security by taking this step.
Montana’s safety is of utmost importance to me. That’s why I have consistently urged the Biden Administration and Congress to take stronger measures in securing the southern border. I have also been actively involved in providing law enforcement officials with the necessary resources to keep criminals off our streets. After consulting with law enforcement officers throughout Montana, I am endorsing the Laken Riley Act. This legislation aims to ensure that individuals who enter our country and engage in criminal activities are held responsible. My goal is to alleviate any concerns about the safety of Montana families and their loved ones.
Tester is up for reelection in his deep-red state, where the likely Republican Senate nominee, Sheehy, is focusing on making the high numbers of unauthorized border crossings and the spread of fentanyl the main issues for his campaign.
Tester has been increasingly vocal about the issues at the southern border in recent months.
Senate Democrats, with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Murphy at the helm, expressed their intention to reignite the conversation on border security provisions. Simultaneously, sources have revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning to propose alterations to the asylum-seeking process.