WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released the following statement regarding today’s procedural vote in the Senate to begin debate on the Laken Riley Act:
“Laken Riley’s murder was a tragedy – and it could have been prevented. I am in New Hampshire to attend Governor Kelly Ayotte’s inauguration, but if not for the logistical conflict, I would have voted yes on the procedural vote held today that will allow the Senate to begin its debate on the Laken Riley Act.
“I have worked for years on the Homeland Security Committee and with members of both parties to strengthen border security and fix our broken immigration system. Making it easier to remove undocumented immigrants who commit crimes from our country is a basic first step that Congress can take, but we cannot stop here. Keeping our communities safe requires stronger security at the Northern and Southern borders, as well as comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform – and I will keep working to accomplish that.
“In the meantime, I look forward to returning to the Senate next week and working with my colleagues on the path forward for this bill.”
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