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House approves SB 397 as amended after debate on enforcement and public-safety implications
Summary
After extended discussion about federal preemption and public-safety consequences, the Connecticut House passed Senate Bill 397 (democracy and government accountability bill with immigration-related enforcement provisions) as amended; the roll-call tally was announced on the floor.
The House debated and voted to pass Senate Bill 397 as amended in concurrence with the Senate. The measure prompted lengthy exchanges about how parts of the bill relate to federal supremacy and past circuit court rulings that limited state restrictions on federal immigration activities. Representative Pavlak Damato urged support on public-safety grounds and recounted several high-profile criminal cases; she argued enforcement of laws protects communities.
Opponents warned about legal vulnerability to federal preemption and cited federal court rulings. The chair moved the joint committee's favorable report and the roll-call tally was announced on the floor; the clerk recorded the vote and announced the bill passed in concurrence with the Senate. The Speaker instructed follow-up and transmission to the governor for action.
