Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito addressed the Senate floor today, underscoring the importance of the Laken Riley Act, which aims to enhance border security and address issues related to criminal illegal immigrants. The bill is named in memory of Laken Riley, a young nursing student whose life was tragically cut short.

Capito expressed gratitude towards Senators Katie Britt and Ted Budd for their efforts in bringing the bill forward. "First and foremost, I want to say that I strongly support this measure," she stated.

The senator criticized what she described as "the radical open border policies of the Left," linking them to tragedies like that of Laken Riley's death. She emphasized that the act seeks to prevent similar incidents by ensuring detention and deportation for illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

"Laken’s killer was arrested three times and released three times: once at the border, again in New York, and a third time in Athens mere weeks before he took Laken’s life," Capito said. She argued that such events would not occur under the proposed legislation.

The speech highlighted bipartisan support for the bill within Congress. Capito mentioned gaining backing from a majority of Senate Democrats during initial considerations, with two signing on as cosponsors.

She concluded by urging her colleagues to support American families through decisive legislative action: "Now more than ever, it is incumbent upon my colleagues and me to support America’s families and pass the strongest possible bill for our communities."