The House passed a bill to deport illegal immigrants with a history of violence against women on Thursday, one of several Republican messaging bills that have a shot at becoming law thanks to the party’s new control of Washington.
The Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), received bipartisan support, with all Republicans and 61 Democrats voting in favor of the legislation.
Democratic support came as no surprise, after 51 Democrats voted for the bill in the last Congress.
Several frontliners voted in favor of the bill, including many freshman members who represent swing districts.
Seven Democrats — Reps. Jim Himes (D-CT), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Lori Trahan (D-MA) — voted “yes” on the bill after voting against it last Congress.
Two Democrats, Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) and Adam Smith (D-WA), voted against the bill after voting “yes” the first time. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN) voted “yes” vote first time but did not cast a vote a second time.
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Mace introduced the legislation two months before the 2024 election as Republicans zeroed in on illegal immigration and the spike in crossings at the southern border. The bill is also one of 12 pieces of legislation that were fast-tracked for a vote on the floor under the House rules package.
Despite 10 more Democrats voting for the legislation this time around, Democrats have generally accused Republicans of weaponizing tragedies against women to push bills that do not solve the problem of illegal immigration.
The Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act was yet another temperature check for the Democrats, as they have entered a period of reflection following their losses in the November election.
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Many younger Democratic members have encouraged their establishment colleagues to be more aggressive in their messaging. On the other hand, center-left lawmakers have pushed back on “far-left” views and encouraged the party to return to the middle on divisive issues like immigration and transgender politics.
Last week, the House passed the Laken Riley Act with bipartisan support, a sign Democrats may be changing their tune on the southern border. Several Senate Democrats also indicated they would pass the legislation, increasing the likelihood that Mace’s bill could see similar support in the upper chamber.
