Sending A Clear Message

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a vital piece of legislation, the Laken Riley Act.

On February 22, 2024, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student was murdered by an illegal Venezuelan migrant while she was jogging in Athens, Georgia.

Prior to the attack on Laken, her killer illegally entered the United States and was apprehended and released at the border. The perpetrator was also previously arrested by both Federal and State officials in multiple jurisdictions, and each time released due to certain States' soft-on-crime policies and the failures of the Biden-Harris administration to protect our southern border.

The Laken Riley Act is straightforward in its purpose, safeguarding the safety and security of our neighborhoods from the threat posed by criminal, illegal aliens who disregard our laws and endanger our citizens. It sends a clear message that we will no longer tolerate leniency when it comes to those who commit theft, burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or other serious crimes.

This bill also empowers States to hold future administrations accountable. For too long, radical far-left policies weakened immigration enforcement and prioritized open borders over the safety of American families.

By providing States with legal standing to challenge Federal officials who fail to enforce immigration laws, we ensure that no administration, present or future, can turn a blind eye to the dangers posed by criminal, illegal aliens.

Recently, January 10 would have been Laken Riley's 23rd birthday. This legislation isn't just another bill. It is a promise to address the real challenges and commitment to creating a safer, more equitable future for all. This is our chance to honor Laken Riley's legacy by building something lasting and meaningful.

It is a chance to prove that we can rise above partisanship and come together to solve real problems for real people. This will protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of every American, restore trust in our immigration system, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that every community in this country is safe and secure. It is time to put the safety and security of the American people first.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this vital legislation and to return it to the Senate.

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