House Democrats and Republicans Unite: Small Group Supports Sanctuary City Crackdown
House Republicans pass two sanctuary city crackdown bills with bipartisan backing, highlighting ongoing political tensions over illegal immigration.
This week, the House of Representatives passed a pair of contentious bills targeting so-called sanctuary cities, marking a significant step in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement and federal funding. Notably, both pieces of legislation attracted bipartisan support, with several Democrats breaking ranks to vote alongside Republicans—a sign of growing fissures within the Democratic caucus on the issue of illegal immigration.
The first measure, passed on Thursday by a narrow 211 to 199 margin, seeks to withdraw Small Business Administration (SBA) services from jurisdictions publicly designated as sanctuary cities—localities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. According to the bill, SBA offices operating in these areas would be required to relocate, effectively cutting off small business resources and federal economic aid to cities and counties that, critics say, shield undocumented immigrants.
Five Democrats—Reps. Henry Cuellar (Texas), Laura Gillen (New York), Don Davis (North Carolina), Jared Golden (Maine), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington)—joined Republicans in backing the legislation. This move came despite explicit urging from House Democratic leadership for members to oppose the bill, underscoring the political risks and calculations at play as immigration remains a hot-button issue heading into the election cycle.
“House Republicans are holding these cities accountable for their refusal to follow immigration law and protect their citizens,” said House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, emphasizing the GOP’s argument that federal benefits should not flow to jurisdictions perceived as undermining federal immigration policy. He added, “Under President Trump, lawlessness that endangers the American people and prioritizes illegal aliens will not be rewarded with federal dollars and resources.”
The following day, the House passed a second bill targeting SBA loan eligibility. This measure, which drew support from eight Democrats—including Perez, Cuellar, Gillen, Davis, Tom Suozzi (New York), Josh Harder (California), Marcy Kaptur (Ohio), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (Michigan)—explicitly prohibits individuals residing in the United States illegally from obtaining SBA loans. Unlike the previous vote, House Democratic leaders did not provide formal guidance to their caucus, leaving members to weigh the potential electoral impact in their districts.
Together, these actions highlight the escalating battle over immigration policy at the federal level and the strategic importance of the issue for both parties. Analysts note that illegal immigration has proven to be a potent political force, shaping recent Republican victories across the legislative and executive branches. The bills were introduced by Rep. Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota) and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas), further cementing the party’s push to put pressure on sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide.
The debate around these bills is expected to continue in the Senate, where the legislative fate of the measures remains uncertain. However, the bipartisan votes in the House signal that, for some lawmakers, the politics of immigration may be shifting—and could have far-reaching consequences for federal funding, local governance, and the 2024 election landscape.
