Chavez-DeRemer co-leads bipartisan bill to secure border, support allies

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – On Friday morning, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) joined Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Jared Golden (ME-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Ed Case (HI-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Jim Costa (CA-21) to introduce the bipartisan Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act.

For one year, this legislation provides necessary authorities to secure the southern border and defense-only assistance to support Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine.

“My focus hasn’t changed since day one – I’m always looking for opportunities to find commonsense, bipartisan solutions to the issues that matter most to Oregonians. My constituents are concerned about the flow of fentanyl across our broken border and into their communities. They’re also counting on Congress to protect national security by deterring international threats,” Chavez-DeRemer said. 

“I’m honoring those concerns and working to be part of the solution by helping lead the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act. The provisions in this bipartisan proposal are only active for one year because it’s not meant to be the ultimate fix – it’s a much-needed, long-overdue patch that will help secure the border while simultaneously supporting our friends and allies around the world. I’m honored to join this bipartisan group of my colleagues to take the lead on the most important issues facing our country.”

Breakdown of Year-Long Border Security Provisions in the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act:

• Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of inadmissible migrants at a U.S. land or maritime border if the secretary determines that it is necessary to achieve operational control of the southern border
• Requires an immigration officer who determines that a migrant arriving in the U.S. or along the southern border is inadmissible and to be detained and expelled to Mexico (or their nation of origin, birth, or residence) without further hearing or review
• Implements a “Remain in Mexico” policy for one year by requiring illegal immigrants seeking admission (including asylum) and arriving on land from a foreign territory contiguous to the U.S. return to that territory pending proceedings for the adjudication of their status

Breakdown of Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine Assistance in the Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act:

• $4.91 billion to support U.S. and allied operations in the Indo-Pacific to deter Chinese aggression against Taiwan
• $10.40 billion to support the defense of Israel, including $4 billion to fortify the Iron Dome
• $47.69 billion to deter Russian aggression against Ukraine, with a majority of the funds being directed toward procurement and replenishment of U.S. military ammunition, equipment, and weapons
  • Provides $8 million for the Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct oversight of Ukraine funds and requires the DOD to provide a report to Congress no later than 90 days after enactment

Full bill text is available HERE. A more detailed summary is available HERE.