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

IV 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 Re- public of Ireland. Whereas, in 1998, the Government of Ireland, the Govern- ment 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 29, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR88.IH HR88 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HRES 88 IH 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, econ- omy, 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 North- ern 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 1 the imposition of a hard border, whether one that is 2 strongly controlled by officials, police, or soldiers, or a 3 physical barrier, between Northern Ireland and the Re- 4 public of Ireland. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:56 Jan 29, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR88.IH HR88 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS