Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) in reintroducing Kate’s Law. The bicameral bill would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for any person with multiple convictions, or a conviction for an aggravated felony, who enters the country illegally.
“We need tougher penalties for individuals who re-enter our country illegally, especially those who do so with a long rap sheet to their name. It’s dangerous and unjust to let these criminals off the hook. I hope Democrats will wake up to the reality at our southern border and drop opposition to this bill. The safety of American citizens depends on it,” Grassley said.
“Eight years ago, when I first introduced Kate’s Law, I was just as shocked and dismayed that Kate Steinle was killed by an illegal felon who had reentered the U.S. as I am today. Almost a decade has gone by since this shooting and we have yet to strengthen federal law to prevent a tragedy like this from recurring. The first time this legislation was stopped by Senate Democrats, I vowed to continue fighting for Kate’s Law, and I am proud to introduce this legislation once again to prevent aggravated felons from preying on innocent Americans,” Cruz said.
The full text of the bill is available HERE.
