Democrats have backtracked on their own “Abolish ICE” bill—after Republicans called them on their bluff.
Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) proposed the controversial legislation… but after Speaker Paul Ryan said he would allow the vote, they quickly withdrew their support.
“We know Speaker Ryan is not serious about passing our ‘Establishing a Humane Immigration Enforcement System Act,’ so members of Congress, advocacy groups, and impacted communities will not engage in this political stunt,” the three representatives said.
“If Speaker Ryan puts our bill on the floor, we plan to vote no and will instead use the opportunity to force an urgently needed and long-overdue conversation on the House floor.”
The Democrats’ proposed bill would “convene a commission of experts to provide a roadmap for Congress to implement a humane immigration enforcement system that upholds the dignity of all individuals, which includes terminating the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) within one year of enactment.”
“Abolish ICE” had emerged as a rallying cry among leftists in recent weeks… even as the idea remains unpopular with voters.
Speaker Ryan’s willingness to let Democrats vote—and Democrats’ willingness to vote no—further affirms that these talking points might be popular with the liberal base, but could be suicide in the general election this November.
