Committee backs bill to expand expedited removal for certain criminal aliens amid due‑process debate

The Judiciary Committee advanced H.R. 5713, the Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act, voting to report the bill favorably to the House after debate and votes (clerk reported a recorded tally of 17 ayes and 7 noes for the package as presented). Proponents said the measure expands administrative removal categories—covering members of criminal gangs, transnational criminal organizations, foreign terrorist organizations or those convicted of certain dangerous crimes—so DHS can remove dangerous noncitizens more quickly.

Rep. Gill described a hypothetical and urged the committee to "end this insane nonsense" of protracted litigation for aliens who have committed crimes, while ranking‑member and Democratic speakers repeatedly warned that expanding administrative removal risks stripping due process and concentrating power in the executive branch. "This bill is a frontal strike on due process," Rep. Raskin said.

Members debated the bill's definitional provisions, the role of DHS designations, appeal rights, and whether judicial review and other safeguards are adequate. Supporters repeatedly cited federal appeals courts' prior upholding of existing expedited procedures; opponents supplied case examples in which mischaracterization of people as gang members produced severe consequences.

Following adoption of an amendment in the nature of a substitute, the committee ordered the bill reported favorably to the House; members may submit views for two days and staff will prepare the committee report.