Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act
“Borders are necessary for democracy to flourish, and democracies are necessary for freedom to flourish.”
By Denise Rivette
On Wednesday, Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania opened a discharge petition in hopes of gathering a majority of House of Representatives signatures (218) which would allow the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act to proceed to a full vote of the House.
Representatives Brian Fiztpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) were on Face the Nation February 25 announcing that a discharge petition is the method they have chosen to move their bipartisan legislation, HB7372 - Defending Democracies, Defending Borders Act, quickly to the the House floor for debate and vote. They seem confident that by putting forth their bare bones bill and welcoming floor amendments, the House of Representatives will be able to craft a bill that will also pass the House. See their interview below (approximately 7 minutes).
According to the representatives, Defending Democracies, Defending Borders Act (which totals approximately $49 billion as opposed to the $60 Billion package passed by the Senate) is designed to be a “pressure point” to move negotiations forward whether this bill or the Senate bill is the basis for those negotiations. They believe that a bill that passes in the House will pass in the Senate. Although there is a hefty amount in the package to aid America’s allies, especially Ukraine, 80% of that aid will be spent in the United States.
Fitzpatrick described the $49 billion as time critical and existential funding needed for border security and what Golden described as “avoiding battlefield catastrophes in Ukraine.” They believe their bill provides solutions for getting our own border under control while supporting our allies.
According to the organization No Labels, “This legislation would break the months-long logjam in Washington on addressing two of the nation’s highest priorities – securing our overwhelmed borders and getting vital aid to our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
What’s more, it’s the only bill with a chance of passing the House of Representatives – Republicans have indicated they will not support a different Senate-passed border and foreign aid bill. If Congress is going to tackle these huge challenges, the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act is the only viable path forward.”
Fitzpatrick said in support of his bill, “Borders are necessary for democracy to flourish, and democracies are necessary for freedom to flourish.”
Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke were asked for their thoughts on the bill and if they would support their colleagues’ efforts. Emails and phone calls over more than 24 hours failed to elicit a response from either lawmaker. Neither has addressed the issue on their websites or anywhere else this reporter was able to find.