More than 50 Democrats crossed party lines to support a bill that would allow officials to deport any illegal immigrant who assaults a police officer.
The vote points to troubles Democrats and President Joe Biden have when it comes to addressing immigration policies, with the president’s approval rating for handling the matter at an all-time low.
Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) introduced the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act, which would cement the Republican Party’s law and order policies and force vulnerable Democrats to take a hard vote. Van Drew left the Democratic Party in 2020 over his disagreement with the party regarding the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump.
Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is one of the Democrats whom Republicans expected to vote for the bill in the House. Gallego is in the middle of a Senate race in the swing state of Arizona and looking to score goodwill with voters concerned about illegal immigration.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Gallego is not alone. His shift to the center is emblematic of the 54 Democratic defectors who voted in favor of the bill.
Reps. Susie Lee (D-NV), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Pat Ryan (D-NY) represent a growing number of vulnerable members who have abandoned progressives, recognizing voters’ frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis.
