David Vitter (R-LA)'s campaign for governor hasn't been going very well lately, so in order to help give him a boost, Mitch McConnell brought up his xenophobic "Stop Sanctuary Policies and Protect Americans Act" on Tuesday.
The House voted on similar legislation back in June.
Vitter's bill would withhold federal funding from "sanctuary cities," those that protect their residents from deportation, limit police coordination with federal immigration enforcement, and prioritize trust-building measures among immigrant communities.
Rather than increasing public safety, Vitter's bill would undermine it. The policies the bill attacks are essential to public safety because they make people feel safe in reporting crimes to the police. No one should have to be too afraid to report a robbery, assault, or rape because of the threat of deportation.
The vote on the motion to proceed on Vitter's bill was 54 to 45.
One Republican--Mark Kirk (R-IL)--joined Democrats in voting against it.
Two Democrats--Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN)--joined Republicans in voting for it.