Republican sanctuary bills stall in Congress as House delays key proposal
Despite dozens of Republican sanctuary bills introduced since January 2025, most remain in committees, with Rep. Tom McClintock’s proposal yet to reach the House floor.
Since January 2025, Republican lawmakers have introduced dozens of bills aimed at curbing sanctuary policies, yet most have stalled after committee referral. Rep. Tom McClintock of California announced that his "Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act," which would override state and local restrictions on cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and shift federal grants to compliant jurisdictions, is slated for a House hearing soon.
The proposal also seeks to protect officers who assist federal immigration authorities and allow victims to sue jurisdictions they deem responsible for releasing migrants. Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin argued the bill would force underfunded localities to assume federal immigration duties, draining resources from public safety. He noted that Speaker Mike Johnson has kept the measure off the floor, labeling it divisive and symbolic. Previously, a handful of sanctuary-related bills cleared committees during the Trump administration, but none have progressed to final passage.
