Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has reintroduced legislation establishing mandatory minimum sentencing for illegal immigrants who reenter the U.S.
“This ought to be a clear choice: With whom do you stand? I hope my colleagues in the Senate will support this bill and stand with the American people – the people we should be protecting – rather than convicted felons like the murderer of Kate Steinle,” Cruz, a Republican candidate for president, said Thursday.
Aspects of Cruz’s “Establishing Mandatory Minimums for Illegal Reentry Act of 2015”, dubbed “Kate’s Law” in remembrance of Kathryn Steinle, were included in legislation Senate Democrats blocked earlier this week, which targeted sanctuary cities.
Cruz first introduced Kate’s Law in July, shortly following her murder.
According to Cruz’s office, the Texas senator placed “Kate’s Law” on the Senate calendar Wednesday, meaning it could be considered at any time, and Thursday he plans to request that the bill be passed via unanimous consent — meaning every senator would need to acquiesce to calling the bill up and passing it.
“This time, I filed the legislation on the Senate floor so it is available on the calendar to be pulled up directly,” Cruz said. “When it comes to stopping sanctuary cities and protecting our safety, we need some governing. We need to actually fix the problem.”
The July murder of Steinle on a San Francisco Pier, at the hands of a multiple deportee, illegal immigrant with a lengthy rap shee,t sparked controversy over sanctuary cities and illegal immigrant reentries.
In recent months, the House passed legislation to restrict funding to sanctuary jurisdictions. The Senate attempted similar, but more expansive legislation this week. Senate Democrats, however, filibustered the bill. Cruz has suggested that that legislation be attached to a must-pass bill.
“The policies of the Obama Administration and sanctuary jurisdictions across our country are inexcusable, and they are a threat to the safety of the American people,” Cruz said.