The Senate cleared the 60-vote threshold to begin debate on a GOP priority, with Democrats backing it as the party recalibrates politically on immigration. Final passage is still uncertain.

The new Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed its first bill Tuesday, the Laken Riley Act, named for the 22-year-old Georgia nursing school student killed by a Venezuelan immigrant living in the country without legal permission.

The measure easily cleared the 60-vote filibuster but marked the first of likely several procedural hurdles before Republicans can declare victory.

The party is embracing a GOP-led bill that would require detention of undocumented immigrants who are charged with nonviolent crimes like theft and burglary.

After struggling on the issue in the 2024 election, Democrats are taking steps in the early days of the new Congress to recalibrate on immigration.