Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks during a Jan. 6 insurrection commemoration press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Monday in Washington, D.C. Photo: Jon Cherry/Getty Images
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) privately opened the door on Tuesday to Senate Democrats negotiating amendments after the House passed the Laken Riley Act.
Why it matters: Senate Republican leaders will need the support of at least eight Senate Democrats to ultimately pass the bill.
- It would require the detention of undocumented immigrants charged with some nonviolent crimes. The bill picked up nine more House Democratic votes (48) Tuesday than it got last March.
- Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is already a co-sponsor, he announced Tuesday.
- Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), who is up for reelection next year, will support the bill, Axios reported Tuesday.
Driving the news: Schumer told members on Tuesday the caucus may engage with Republicans, but they need to have more discussions, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
- Democrats will need to back a procedural vote at the end of this week in order to negotiate amendments. There is a desire among many Senate Democrats to do so, according to sources.
Zoom out: Senate Democrats have another caucus meeting scheduled for Thursday, which is when the discussion will likely continue.
