Lower Bucks Today

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Jared Golden (ME-2), the bipartisan co-leads of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, have issued a statement regarding the ongoing discussions in the House on foreign aid and border security legislation.

The Congressmen emphasized the importance of secure borders for the defense of democracy against hostile foreign actors, including Mexican drug cartels, Hamas terrorists, and dictators in Iran, Russia, and China. They stated, "We have for months worked to keep up the pressure on our colleagues to act on foreign aid and the crisis at our Southern border because secure borders, ours and those of our democratic allies, are crucial to the defense of democracy against foreign actors hostile to America."

Highlighting the progress made since the introduction of the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act, Fitzpatrick and Golden mentioned the appropriations that have led to the deployment of the largest Border Patrol workforce, hiring new CBP officers to combat the flow of fentanyl from Mexico, and increased funding for security technology and local law enforcement in border states.

The Congressmen expressed optimism about the potential impact of the foreign aid supplemental being considered by the House, which includes provisions they have advocated for, such as aid for allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. They noted, "Its passage will tell the world that the United States will not stand by as dictators, terrorists, and totalitarians seek to expand their influence around the world."

Looking ahead, Fitzpatrick and Golden reiterated their commitment to pushing for actions to secure the border, including reinstating expulsion authority and the Remain in Mexico policy. They highlighted the introduction of the End the Border Catastrophe Act as a step towards achieving real action from Congress and the president.

In conclusion, the bipartisan efforts of Congressmen Fitzpatrick and Golden underscore the importance of addressing foreign aid and border security issues to safeguard democracy and protect against external threats.