HR-7372 : Still Just a Bill

The "Defending Borders, Defending Democracies Act" (H.R. 7372) is proposed legislation addressing border security and providing defense support to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Key provisions include:

• Border Security Measures:
• Temporarily suspends the entry of inadmissible aliens arriving at the US-Mexico border for one year, mandating their expulsion.
• Specifies countries to which aliens can be expelled, prioritizing Mexico but allowing for expulsion to the alien's country of origin or other accepting countries under certain conditions.
• Includes exceptions to expulsion based on fear of persecution or torture, with referral to an asylum officer for determination.
• Grants waiver authority to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to except aliens from expulsion on a case-by-case basis.
• Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens at international borders to achieve operational control.
• Limits the use of federal funds to move aliens in custody.
• Mandates that aliens arriving from contiguous territories shall be detained.
• Defense Appropriations:
• Allocates emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.
• Provides funding for military personnel, operation and maintenance, procurement, research and development related to support for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
• Includes specific allocations for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and replacement of defense articles provided to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The legislation also includes provisions for oversight and reporting on the use of funds, as well as transfer authority for the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence.