A resolution honoring the brave men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who enforce our laws and keep us safe, passed in a 244-35 vote. Thirty-four Democrats voted against the measure, Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) joined them. Over 130 Democrats decided to vote “present.” The original plan was to take upHouse Democrats’ abolish ICE legislation. Democrats responded by saying they would vote against the bill, denying the GOP the ability to paint them as extremist, while easily defending their “no” vote to progressives as a consequence of political theater. They also planned on focusing on family separations, another issue that’s becoming a thorn in the side of Republicans. So, the GOP decided to push a support ICE measure instead (via The Hill):
In a 244-35 vote, the measure was approved, with 18 Democrats voting to back ICE and 34 voting against the resolution.
Another 133 Democrats voted "present," which their leadership had urged the rank-and-file to do.
They did so to protest what they argued was a political stunt designed to distract the media and the public from Congress’s failure to enact immigration reforms, including efforts to address the ongoing separation of migrant families on the U.S.-Mexico border.
“This is a very sad day,” Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a floor speech, pivoting to the controversy surrounding the separation of immigrant families at the border.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) had initially wanted to bring to the floor a measure sponsored by several liberal Democrats that would have abolished ICE.
Make no mistake; abolish ICE is still an issue the progressive Left wants to push. More Democrats are joining the chorus that’s rapidly becoming a litmus test for candidates. At the same time, more than a few are more than aware that this isn’t really a winning issue. It’s good for deep blue enclaves that elect democratic socialists, but not so much in Middle America and swing districts. It refocuses the debate on security, where the GOP is in the driver’s seat.
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UPDATE: Here's the full vote count:
Democratic Reps:
| Brown (MD) Castro (TX) Clarke (NY) Clay Cleaver Correa Crowley Davis, Danny Demings DeSaulnier Doggett | Espaillat Gomez Green, Al Grijalva Gutiérrez Huffman Jackson Lee Johnson, E. B. Meeks O'Rourke Panetta Rush | Schakowsky Schiff Serrano Soto Swalwell (CA) Thompson (MS) Tonko Vargas Veasey Vela Velázquez |
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