Amid all the pomp and circumstance surrounding President Trump's and Vice President Vance's inauguration yesterday, there was also some serious business happening in Washington.
Yes, there was Trump's avalanche of executive orders reversing some of the damage that Joe Biden has inflicted (and tried to inflict) on America over the past four years. But Congress was also working on Inauguration Day.
One of the Senate's biggest accomplishments was the passage of the Laken Riley Act, which requires ICE to detain illegal immigrants who commit additional crimes in the United States. Last week, the bill passed the House despite 159 Democrats shamefully and inexcusably voting against it.
The Senate vote saw a little more bipartisanship, passing by a vote of 64-35. Despite the good news that 12 Democrats embraced sanity by voting yes on the bill, 35 Democrat Senators showed their disdain for the safety of American citizens by voting no. (Because the Senate made some amendments to the bill, it has to go back to the House for another vote before it can be sent to the White House, where President Trump will certainly and quickly sign it into law.)
While many of those 159 House Democrats ran away from their votes last week and refused to even try to justify themselves, some in the Senate went on Twitter last night to not only defend their votes but actually boast about them.
One of those was Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, who made the news in the worst way last week when he got HOUSED by Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
I just voted against the Laken Riley Act. This bill won’t accomplish its goals.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) January 20, 2025
I’m disappointed in its passage as it stands, and I’m deeply concerned about how it will be implemented.
This freaking guy.
The goal of the bill is to detain and deport criminals. It will do exactly what it is written to do. And it will be 'implemented' lawfully in accordance with United States immigration policy.
But we get why that bothers Durbin since Democrats have shown their fondness for a lawless society over the past four years.
Imagine voting against the Laken Riley Act and bragging about it… @ugaalumniassoc https://t.co/oehPORMXUz
— TheMorningSpew2 (@TheMorningSpew2) January 21, 2025
I'd love to see Durbin explain his vote face-to-face with Laken Riley's family. Or the families of Rachel Morin, Jocelyn Nungaray, or the countless others who have been victims of illegals who were repeatedly given a free pass under the Biden administration.
He won't do that, of course. Because Durbin is a coward who won't face the people who are destroyed by the policies he supports.
Living up to your name, I see. https://t.co/6ih2fXQCyl
— Amy Curtis 🇮🇱 (@RantyAmyCurtis) January 21, 2025
He always does.
Dick loves criminal illegal aliens https://t.co/Lez8VtveLM
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) January 21, 2025
This is also true.
The one encouraging result of Durbin's vote was that Twitter absolutely buried him under a ratio for his disgraceful statement.
Washington Senator Patty Murray also got obliterated trying to justify her unjustifiable vote. Being a Senator -- at least a respectable one -- is about more than simply wearing tennis shoes, it would appear.
Somehow, you being disappointed in the passage of the Laken Riley Act makes me feel better. https://t.co/KPdesQsPVq
— Susan 🇺🇸🐊 (@SMF904) January 21, 2025
When the worst people in the Senate are against it, you know the bill is a good thing for America.
It's even worse for Durbin because he never puts forth an alternative remedy for America's immigration crisis -- at least not one that doesn't include open borders, full amnesty, and zero accountability.
How have your efforts to improve immigration gone the last 4 years Richard
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 21, 2025
He won't answer that question. Because he cannot.
Dick, you could not vote for anything that is good for America. You are a embarrassment to this country. You are the poster child of term limits. Shame on you.
— John Peters (@JPforCongress24) January 21, 2025
Durbin is 80 years old. He has been in Washington for 43 years and in the Senate for almost 30.
Someone should tell him that America just kicked another ancient politician with a similar resume to the curb.
Technically, I suppose, the Democrats kicked Biden to the curb first, replacing him with Kamala Harris without a single primary vote cast supporting her, but America rejected both of them. Overwhelmingly.
Because Durbin represents Illinois, however, I'm certain he feels safe and immune to any responsibility for his actions. Historically, there is no reason for him to feel otherwise, but if the 2024 election told us anything, it's that there is a big shift happening, even in traditional Democrat strongholds.
It's not enough of a shift to kick awful politicians like Durbin, Gavin Newsom, Kathy Hochul, or Brandon Johnson out of office yet but, in my opinion, that 'yet' might be ending soon. All of those other politicians have abysmal approval ratings and Durbin's isn't that great either, well below 40 percent.
If they not only keep voting and legislating against the interests of the American people -- but also bragging about it -- I can only hope their once safe positions won't be all that safe anymore.
Unfortunately, Durbin's next election is not for another four years. But that is going to be four years of the Trump administration, along with a Republican House and Senate for at least two of those years, restoring America's greatness through bills like the Laken Riley Act.
If Durbin seeks another term in 2028 (and even at 84 years old, would that surprise anyone?), he may find that even the people of Illinois are leaving him and his ideology in the dustbin of history, where he belongs.
It's time for you to get out of the way ... Dick.
