Last week, House Republicans pushed through an invidious bill they’ve cynically dubbed “Kate’s Law” that would impose draconian mandatory minimum sentences on those who attempt to re-enter the country illegally—and which would have done nothing to prevent the tragic death of the woman the legislation is named after, Kathryn Steinle.
More than 400 civil rights organizations came out in opposition to the law, as did nearly the entire House Democratic caucus—but not everyone. Two dozen Democrats joined 233 Republicans in voting for the bill. Here’s who they are:
District |
Democrat |
|
District |
Democrat |
AZ-01 |
Tom O'Halleran |
|
MA-09 |
Bill Keating |
AZ-09 |
Kyrsten Sinema |
|
MD-02 |
Dutch Ruppersberger |
CA-14 |
Jackie Speier |
|
MN-07 |
Collin Peterson |
CA-15 |
Eric Swalwell |
|
NH-02 |
Annie Kuster |
CT-01 |
John Larson |
|
NJ-05 |
Josh Gottheimer |
CT-02 |
Joe Courtney |
|
NY-26 |
Brian Higgins |
CT-05 |
Elizabeth Esty |
|
OR-04 |
Peter DeFazio |
FL-07 |
Stephanie Murphy |
|
PA-17 |
Matt Cartwright |
FL-10 |
Val Demings |
|
RI-02 |
Jim Langevin |
FL-13 |
Charlie Crist |
|
TN-05 |
Jim Cooper |
IL-03 |
Dan Lipinski |
|
TX-28 |
Henry Cuellar |
MA-08 |
Stephen Lynch |
|
WI-03 |
Ron Kind |
There are two things we can do here. First, if one of these members of Congress is your representative, call them via the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and let them know how disappointed you are about this vote.
And second, donate $3 to Daily Kos-endorsed Democrat Marie Newman, who is challenging Rep. Dan Lipinski—one of the “ayes” above—in next year’s primary and who forcefully called him out over his vote. Not only can and should Lipinski’s district elect a much better Democrat, but we can send a message to anyone else who would scapegoat immigrants simply to score political points.