Title: Expressing the opposition of the House of Representatives to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' opposition to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which could result from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU).
(Northern Ireland is part of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland is an EU member state. There is currently an open border between them.)

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 88 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 88

  Expressing the opposition of the House of Representatives to a hard 
      border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 29, 2019

     Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the opposition of the House of Representatives to a hard 
      border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Whereas, in 1998, the Government of Ireland, the Government of the United 
        Kingdom, and the political party leaders of Northern Ireland agreed upon 
        the Good Friday Agreement to end years of violence;
Whereas the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland voted 
        overwhelmingly in favor of the Good Friday Agreement in a referendum on 
        May 22, 1998;
Whereas the completion of the Good Friday Agreement marked a historic success 
        and has been the basis for a peaceful resolution of a longstanding 
        conflict;
Whereas the United States is one of the three guarantors of the Good Friday 
        Agreement;
Whereas the United States has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to assist 
        in building a strong society, economy, and enduring peace in Northern 
        Ireland;
Whereas the United States has continuously supported the International Fund for 
        Ireland and appointed successive Peace Envoys to Northern Ireland;
Whereas continued United States engagement in the Northern Ireland peace process 
        is essential to protect the Good Friday Agreement;
Whereas a 2016 referendum in Britain to leave the European Union has increased 
        concerns about the future of the Good Friday Agreement and sustained 
        peace in Northern Ireland; and
Whereas the free flow of persons across open borders between the Republic of 
        Ireland and the United Kingdom has been a fundamental aspect of 
        promoting peace and unity throughout the implementation of the Good 
        Friday Agreement: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives opposes the imposition 
of a hard border, whether one that is strongly controlled by officials, 
police, or soldiers, or a physical barrier, between Northern Ireland 
and the Republic of Ireland.
                                 <all>