The opening of the new Congress ushers in the start of the Republicans regaining the majority in the U.S. Senate. Now, the first vote to take place has just happened on Thursday afternoon on the Laken Riley Act...and it's gotten off with a massive bang in an early vote on the Laken Riley Act.

BREAKING: 9 Democrats just voted against advancing the Laken Riley Act which would require law enforcement to detain illegals who commit theft-related crimes.

Corey Booker
Mazie Hirono
Andy Kim
Elizabeth Warren
Ed Markey
Jeff Merkley
Bernie Sanders
Tina Smith
Brian Schatz

Why… pic.twitter.com/HDWHMAyFIG

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 9, 2025

The Senate just voted 84-9 to advance the Laken Riley Act to a final vote, which would require the feds to arrest illegal aliens convicted of theft-related crimes.

Here are the nine Democrats that voted no. pic.twitter.com/dhb7oUfNw1

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 9, 2025

Despite that Democrat opposition, the GOP got some surprising help from some of them:

#BREAKING 33 Senate Democrats back advancing the Laken Riley act through the Senate as a the Republicans bill moves forward to stop illegal aliens, arrest and to deport them for theft, the gateway to bigger crimes. The Trump agenda is already moving forward, lawmakers and…

— Elizabeth MacDonald (@LizMacDonaldFOX) January 9, 2025

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via The Hill:

The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly cleared a key procedural hurdle toward passing the Laken Riley Act, a bill aimed at curbing crime by migrants, in the first vote of the year by the chamber.

Senators cleared the first vote 84 to 9, with 33 Senate Democrats — including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — joining with every Republican present to vote “yes.” The legislation would mandate federal detention of immigrants without legal status accused of theft, burglary and other related crimes.

Ahead of the legislation's passage, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) took to the Senate floor, telling his colleagues on both sides of the aisle:

"The Laken Riley Act presents the Senate a simple choice: Are you willing to allow illegal immigrant criminals to roam free in our country? Or do you want to save American lives?

“Protecting Americans from the dangers of a broken border makes sense to most of our citizens."

The Hill report explained what happens next before it comes to a final vote in the upper chamber:

Thursday marked the first step in a string of votes before the bill could become law. Senate Republicans are expecting a number of amendment votes on the item next week. 

The tally comes only two days after the House cleared the same measure with 48 Democrats voting in support.

As this is a breaking story, RedState will provide updates as they become available.