'You all are to blame': Marjorie Taylor Greene faces backlash as she urges Senate to pass HR2 bill following Laken Riley's death

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene sparked backlash online when she referenced Laken Riley's death in her call for the Senate to pass the HR2 Bill.

The legislation, titled the Secure the Border Act of 2023, is sponsored by House Republicans. It successfully passed through the House on November 5, 2023, and is currently awaiting approval from the Senate.

HR2 bill "makes various changes to immigration law, including by imposing limits on asylum eligibility and requiring employers to use an electronic system to verify the employment eligibility of new employees."

Laken Riley, the individual mentioned in Greene's tweet, was a 22-year-old junior nursing student at the University of Georgia. Tragically, she was found dead in a wooded area on campus on February 22.

Subsequently, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested and charged with Riley's kidnapping and murder the following day.

The incident underscored the risks posed by the border crisis to American citizens, and the Georgia representative had previously addressed the case on social media.

Marjorie Taylor Greene's tweet

On February 26, Greene took to social media, asserting that Riley's death could have been prevented if lawmakers had addressed the border situation promptly.

"Laken Riley’s murder could have been prevented if our border was secure and illegal aliens weren’t flooding into our country," she wrote.

"The House passed H.R. 2 to stop the invasion," continued Greene, exclaiming, "John Ossoff and Raphael Warnock should demand Chuck Schumer immediately pass it in the Senate and move forward with the impeachment trial of Mayorkas!"

"It’s time to act!" she concluded.

Internet reacts to Marjorie Taylor Greene's post

Netizens criticized the congresswoman for her perceived lack of action in finding a viable solution for the border crisis, as well as for the uncooperative stance of the House GOP, as evidenced by the following tweets.

"You didn’t do this in 2022. In fact, you did nothing on the border. Quit lying," wrote a user.

"So Pass the damn border bill that is sitting in front of the house! the immigration issue is on you!!" exclaimed another.

"The House passed H.R. 2 to stop the invasion, and The Senate returned with H.R.2 on STERIODS. You will not be able to convince Americans that choosing to do nothing, in the face of a bipartisan solution, was the right thing to do. You blew it with Mayorkas, Marjorie," expressed a user.

"I agree. This fall Square lay on the shoulders of the Republican house. Majority that refused to even consider the strongest bipartisan border security Bill ever crafted, without even seeing it," stated another user.

"Maybe if you go to the border for a photo op or a selfie that will help. Because basically [sic] that's all the Republicans do when it comes to the border," the user added.

 

A user expressed, "The republicans [sic] have held the majority for over a year. You all have had the power of the purse. How many times have you folded and gave in? You ALL are to blame! #LakenRiley"

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.