WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) released a statement after signing a discharge petition to force debate and a vote on a series of border security and immigration reform bills:

"I ran for Congress to make a difference and to actually get things done. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the threats our nation faces from a porous border and a fragmented and broken immigration system. I signed this discharge petition to, once and for all, force a debate and a vote on legislative solutions to secure our borders, respect the rule of law, and protect our DACA kids. We have waited close to a year and a half for House Leadership to resolve the crisis on our borders.  The time is now to act. I’m calling on House Leadership to bring all of these border security bills to the House Floor for a full debate and a vote, in full transparency for all of the American people to see.  I am unwilling to sit back and wait while our Southern Border remains in chaos.  We cannot and must not allow partisanship and gridlock to prevent sensible fixes from being implemented.  Our nation’s security and our nation’s children depend on us."

If the discharge petition is successful, the House will consider a series of border security and immigration reform bills.  Regarding H.R.4760, the House will immediately consider four amendments to which would be offered by the following Representatives: Mr. Goodlatte, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Speaker Ryan, and Mr. Denham. If more than one amendment reaches a majority consensus, the amendment with the greater number of affirmative votes will be the one considered as the final amendment. The amended bill will then be subject to a final bill before the House.

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