DV Journal

If the success of Donald Trump and the GOP in November’s election sent a message from voters about illegal immigration, it didn’t reach the Democrats who represent the Delaware Valley in Congress.

On Tuesday, the U.S. House cast its first vote of the 119th Congress, passing the Laken Riley Act in a bipartisan 264 to 159 vote. Every Republican supported the bill, which requires the detention of illegal immigrants caught committing robbery or theft, as did 48 Democrats.

The same bill was passed by the House last March, but died in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks/Montgomery) voted for it both times, while all three Delaware Valley Democratic congresswomen –Mary Gay Scanlon, Madeleine Dean and Chrissy Houlahan— twice voted no.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which is expected to take it up on Friday. All 53 Republicans are co-sponsoring the bill, as is one Democrat: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student, was murdered last February by José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal alien from Venezuela, while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens. Ibarra had been arrested in 2022 after entering the U.S. illegally. The Biden administration then allowed him to be “paroled and released for further processing,” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said.

Ibarra was later arrested by New York City police in September 2023– less than six months before killing Riley — and charged with “acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 and a motor vehicle license violation,” according to ICE.

Ibarra was arrested again a month later, along with his brother, for allegedly shoplifting at a Walmart in Athens. But because the crime was a misdemeanor, he was released.

Riley’s murder shocked the country. It became a cause celebre, especially among Republicans, who brought up the murder at last year’s State of the Union Address, where President Biden mispronounced her name.

Riley’s body was found Feb. 22, 2024. She was repeatedly struck in the head with a rock and suffocated. Ibarra, was convicted in November and sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole.

“Today, I voted to restore law and order at our borders and reaffirm the safety and sovereignty of our great nation,” Fitzpatrick said on X. “The Laken Riley Act delivers a clear message: those who threaten the safety of our communities will be held accountable. By mandating the immediate detention of illegal immigrants charged with crimes, this legislation puts an end to the dangerous policies that have left American families vulnerable for far too long.

“Laken’s tragic and preventable death is a sobering reminder of the price of inaction.”

Houlahan, on the other hand, attacked the legislation as “carefully written to intentionally erode constitutional protections, beginning with undocumented immigrants.”

She added, “Trump promised these kinds of dangerous changes, and the Republicans in Congress are desperately trying to satisfy him regardless of the implications of the legislation should it become law.”

Dean did not respond to requests for comment.

Scanlon said on her website, “Today, House Republicans made their first priority in the 119th Congress the passage of a bill that is best characterized as ‘legislative clickbait’ – a bill designed to generate headlines and social media clicks, rather than actually solving a problem. Unsurprisingly, H.R. 29 is a continuation of a campaign strategy of stoking fear of immigrants while doing nothing to secure the border or fix our immigration system. Instead, H.R. 29 actually creates new legal problems.”

The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal aliens who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. It also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.

To reach the Senate floor, the bill will need 60 votes in the 53-47 GOP-controlled chamber. Two Democrats, Fetterman and Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who is up for reelection in 2026, are already on board.

“Laken Riley’s story is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake when our systems fail to protect people. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one to preventable violence,” Fetterman said in a statement.

Asked about his support for the legislation, Fetterman told Fox News, “It’s really commonsense. I’d like to remind everybody that we have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of migrants here illegally convicted of crimes. Who wants to defend them, to allow them to remain in our nation?”

Thousands of unexplained drone sightings have spooked New Jersey residents. Now, drones are appearing in Pennsylvania night skies.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) issued a statement saying the drones in the Delaware Valley and New Jersey “demand immediate and decisive federal action. As chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am treating this matter with the urgency it requires and taking proactive steps to safeguard our public safely and national security.”

Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, is coordinating with federal agencies.

“This is not a time for complacency—it is a time for action and accountability,” Fitzpatrick said.

Rep.  Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) is also concerned about the drone situation. She sent a letter with Rep. Andrew Garbario (R-N.Y.) to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging passage of a bipartisan law giving the federal government, along with state and local authorities, the power to address the drone issue. Johnson also sponsored the bill.

And she discussed the issue with her constituents at a town hall Friday.

Houlahan urged people to remain calm and not to “take the law into our own hands,” noting they can contact the FBI.

The FBI issued this statement: “The FBI is aware of reported sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—commonly referred to as drones—observed flying in multiple locations over the past several weeks. The FBI remains engaged with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to share information and protect the public. UAVs that pose a danger to any aircraft or are observed operating in restricted airspace or near critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites, can be reported to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online.”

Several people commented on the Montco/Bucks Incident Facebook page.

Cody Rutledge said, “I think it’s funny how these drones are allowed to go over military bases, but if a civilian flew one over they’d get arrested . Tell me how this has nothing to do with the government…”

“They need to be shot down,” said Jessica Lucas. “The government is lying to us again.”

Andrew Clementi said, “Meanwhile, there’s a semi active military base in Horsham with active radar systems, and people think that we don’t know what’s going on… c’mon now, people.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro asked the state police to look into it. It will be “flying helicopters to try and determine where these drones are originating from and what the purpose of these drones are.”

“We’ve been told, again, by our federal partners, it does not pose any kind of national security or personal security risk. But you know, as the old saying goes, trust but verify, and Col. Christopher Paris, a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, leads our Pennsylvania State Police very ably. I know they’ll get to the bottom of it,” said Shapiro.

State Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna) is also taking action. She’s introduced a resolution urging the federal government to give states the authority to to respond to the drones. Sens. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Luzerne) and Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) are cosponsors.

Brown also rote a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker, calling on the FAA to provide states with the authority to act.

“Current federal regulations tie the hands of state and local governments, preventing them from taking immediate action when drones threaten the safety and privacy of our communities,” said Brown. “This resolution is a necessary step to empower states to respond swiftly and decisively to these threats.”

President-elect Donald Trump weighed in about the drone issue at a press conference Monday at Mar-a-Lago, saying the government knows what is going on and should tell the public.

“And I think they’d be better off saying what it is,” Trump said. “Our military knows, and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense.”

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Republican state legislators are demanding action after dozens of people who waited in line to vote early at Bucks County election offices were turned away.

The GOP elected officials sent a letter to the county commissioners calling out the office’s failure and insisting on improvement.

“It is our responsibility as elected officials to ensure easy access to voting for all our constituents while also instilling confidence in our electoral process,” said the letter, obtained by the DVJournal. “One can argue that there is no greater threat to our democracy than to have voter disenfranchisement or distrust in our electoral process. As elected officials, we are deeply troubled by the recent reports and widespread constituent concerns over the last 24 hours involving Bucks County voters who were looking to cast their ballots at the Board of Elections Office this past Saturday.”

Though early voting was scheduled to continue until 2 p.m., more than 60 people standing in line at noon were told the line was going to be cut off and about 20 people were sent away.

“Many constituents now fear they will not have the opportunity to vote in this year’s election,” the letter said. “…this incident sent shockwaves throughout our community and is causing individuals to lose faith in our electoral process. The potential disenfranchisement of voters must be rectified so that every eligible voter is able to vote.”

“We ask that the county government provide an immediate remedy for affected voters consistent with the law and urge our Board of Elections to stay open for as long as it takes leading up to the Oct. 29 deadline to ensure every resident is afforded the opportunity to vote,” the letter read.

In addition to Fitzpatrick, the letter was signed by Bucks County state Sens. Frank Farry and Jarrett Coleman and state Reps. Joseph Hogan, Craig Staats, Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson, Shelby Labs, and Kristin Marcell.

The Republican National Committee also sent a letter to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt.

“With only eight days until Election Day, Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth deserve every option available to exercise their civic duty. But voters are being turned away, given faulty information, and told their ballots will not be counted,” RNC chair Michael Whatley wrote. “This is nothing short of voter suppression, and we demand immediate action to ensure every legal vote can be cast and counted properly.”

The RNC has received “numerous concerning reports from Pennsylvania voters that computers are down, polling sites are closing early and are not accepting any more voters, and that mail ballots will not be counted.”

“Tomorrow, Oct. 29, 2024, is the last day to request a mail-in ballot in person at a county election office. No voter should be turned away, told an office is closing early, or told they cannot be accommodated if they appear during the posted business hours.

“We are asking Secretary Schmidt to provide relief immediately – supporting a ‘free, fair, safe, and secure’ election as he promised,” Whaley wrote.

Bucks County election officials did not respond when asked to comment.

Contacted by DVJournal, a spokesperson said, “The Department of State works with its county partners to ensure every eligible voter who wants to vote by mail can do so. Secretary Schmidt personally visited every county to discuss administration of the election, and emailed all counties last week to urge them to review their plans to ensure every voter has an opportunity to receive and cast a ballot. Counties across the commonwealth are facing higher than expected turnout to request and return ballots. Election officials are working around the clock to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote and wants to can vote.”

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While Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Bucks County, it remains a competitive political environment.  A recent poll showed that incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) has a 14-point lead over Democratic challenger Ashley Ehasz, at 54 to 40 percent. However, Ehasz released another poll showing only a 5-point lead for the incumbent.

DVJournal asked Fitzpatrick, who was first elected in 2016, why he wanted to serve another term in Congress.

“Serving the community where I was born and raised has been the greatest honor of my life and I am proud of all that we achieved together as ‘One Community.’ Earning the distinction of being the No. 1 most bipartisan member of Congress is not just a title—it’s a testament to my belief that true progress comes from unity and shared purpose, not partisan division.

“My experience as an FBI Special Agent taught me the value of teamwork in achieving what truly matters: results. This approach has been the bedrock of my service in Congress, where I’ve forged crucial partnerships with leaders from both parties to drive transformative change for our PA-1 community.”

Ehasz, who is making a second run against Fitzpatrick, did not respond to multiple requests for comments for this article. However, her campaign appears to be centered on abortion rights.

Ashley Ehasz

“Many Democratic races this year, up and down the ballot, are focusing nearly exclusively on that particular issue, abortion. And Ehasz’ is no exception,” said Christopher Nicholas, a longtime Republican advisor with Eagle Consulting Group.  “The issue clearly motivates the Democratic base, but it’s unclear as of yet how it impacts undecided voters. Recent surveys here have shown that abortion is the top issue for just 5 percent of voters, and it’s unclear from that which particular side of the issue those people fall on.”

About abortion, Fitzpatrick said, “I have always stood, and will continue to stand, firmly in support of Pennsylvania’s current law, which allows abortion to be legal through the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. My commitment to protecting women’s health remains unwavering, including safeguarding access to contraception and IVF. My position has been consistent and clear, including during last [election cycle] debate: I fully support Pennsylvania’s abortion law.”

Fitzpatrick serves on the Ways and Means Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. In addition, he co-chairs the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. He also serves on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

“Whether fighting to secure millions of dollars in funding for vital community initiatives, leading the historic reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, or utilizing my leadership as the National Intelligence Chairman to secure our borders and stand firm against authoritarian regimes, every action I take—locally, nationally, and internationally—is driven by a singular focus: fighting for you… for your safety, for a thriving PA-1 economy, and for the prosperity, security, and strength that will uplift our community now and for generations to come,” Fitzpatrick said.

He added, “We stand at a pivotal moment in our history, and the path forward demands sound bipartisan leadership and a particular understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing our community. I have proven we can turn thoughtful dialogue into meaningful action and achieve results for our hardworking families, business owners, veterans, senior citizens, and every individual in our PA-1 community.

“But I am not content with past achievements alone. My vision is forward-looking—building on what we’ve accomplished to tackle the challenges ahead with the same unwavering dedication, conviction, and integrity that have always defined my service,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said, “Championing our PA-1 community is my top priority. By forging strong, bipartisan relationships, I have been able to secure over $53 million in Community Project Funding for over 30 projects across our district. From modernizing infrastructure to expanding health care services and senior care, these transformative projects will deliver life-changing improvements to our community.

“As co-chair of the Bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, I helped lead the passage of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which brought $290 million to our district. These critical infrastructure projects include 27 bridge reconstructions, 19 intersection upgrades, 8 roadway construction projects, and major flooding and drainage improvements. These projects have not only strengthened our infrastructure but also created thousands of jobs, boosting our local economy and enhancing the safety of our community,” he added.

“Beyond securing critical community funding, this Congress marked two other monumental victories. My bipartisan, bicameral Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act was signed into law as part of the landmark FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, ensuring our skies are safe and fortifying our defenses against potential terror attacks. Additionally, my work with Congressman Jared Golden (D-Maine) on the bipartisanDefending Borders, Defending Democracies Ac thelped shape the House National Security Funding Package to protect our borders and combat authoritarian regimes abroad, like Russia and China.

“As I look ahead, my focus remains clear: continuing to fight for the issues that matter most to PA-1. I look forward to fighting for more federal investment in local initiatives and infrastructure, support for our small businesses, and policies that bolster our economy, expand access to healthcare, strengthen our national security, restore faith in our elections, and ensure every voice in our community is heard.”

DVJournal asked about rampant antisemitism on campuses and whether money from countries like Qatar should be going to colleges and universities.

“I unequivocally condemn antisemitism and all manifestations of hatred, whether on college campuses or anywhere within our country and the world. Transparency and accountability are paramount when addressing the influence of foreign funds on any U.S. institution, from higher education to our critical infrastructure or the core of our democracy. That’s why I introduced the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act. This legislation will prevent the influence of foreign adversaries in our elections by blocking foreign-funded political ads and prohibiting foreign donations to campaigns.

“As co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, I will continue to be relentless in fighting back against antisemitism on every front and safeguarding the well-being of our Jewish community, and I am eager to continue working with my colleagues to develop bipartisan solutions to counter malign foreign influence in all our institutions,” Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick is a former FBI special agent, a CPA, and a certified emergency medical technician (EMT).  A West Point graduate, Ehasz was an Apache helicopter pilot. She served overseas in Kuwait, Iraq, and South Korea. She works as a government and public services sector consultant.

Bucks County Republican Party Chair Pat Poprik said, “Brian does have the right positions for this county.”

Fitzpatrick has been ranked the most bipartisan member of Congress, which makes him a good match for the purple county, she noted. The district, PA-1, also includes a small section of Montgomery County.

“In the general, where it matters, he gets the independent vote. He gets tons of Democrat votes. That’s being representative, and that’s doing his job,” said Poprik.

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Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the FCC, said on X (Twitter) that Pennsylvania has not yet spent a dime of its federal allotment for broadband internet.

“Pennsylvania alone is supposed to be getting $1.16 billion of the $42B based on needing to extend the Internet to 278,536 unserved homes and businesses. But not one of those locations have been connected with these dollars. There’s still time to correct course & start connecting communities. Begin by eliminating the DEI mandates, dropping the climate change agenda, reversing the unlawful technology bias, and cutting out the layers of needless red tape added on by the Biden-Harris Administration. Three years ago.”

Pennsylvania’s Broadband Equity, Access and Development  Program (BEAD) five-year action plan was approved by the federal government in October 2023.  According to Penny Ickes, communications director for the state Department of Community & Economic Development, applications will be open this fall and guidelines are expected in late summer.

But critics say this is too slow.

Timothy Lee, vice president of legal public affairs for the Center for Individual Freedom, told DVJournal, “It seems like a slow rollout.”

“And unfortunately, the delay is caused by bureaucratic obstacles that are easily avoidable. We’ve got to get to work on this. I mean we’re talking about $42 billion allocated years ago, and whatever other flaws that might exist in the infrastructure bill, expanding broadband to rural America is a worthy goal.”

“Unfortunately, since then, bureaucratic hang-ups like price controls, which are, by the way, contrary to the law itself. And Biden administration officials promised that they would not engage in that.”

Another issue is ownership of utility poles and municipal government rules, he said.

“The people who pay the price are the supposed beneficiaries of this, rural Americans who currently don’t have broadband,” said Lee. “So, we need to get to work fixing these things,” Lee said.

While Congress allocated the money, Lee said the Biden administration’s “administrative agencies” have delayed its start.

“We need all these administrative agencies to streamline this,” said Lee. “The nationwide broadband plan shouldn’t be hung up by individual states. It’s sort of like a spaghetti bowl of regulations.”

“Because it’s the federal government, the Interstate Commerce Clause governs, so states should not interfere,” said Lee. “And we need the Biden administration to stop demanding that rate regulation occur.”

“Price controls never work,” said Lee, pointing to the gasoline crisis in the 1970s that stemmed from price controls. “They don’t reduce prices. What they do is make something unfeasible because the companies the government needs to work in expanding the broadband can’t do these things below a certain price.”

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) said he was “proud to have been an architect” of the “landmark bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”

“BEAD funding is administered through the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA)—an independent, bipartisan agency that shares in my mission to ensure affordable and robust high-speed broadband infrastructure and services for all Pennsylvanians.

“In creating the BEAD Program, the IIJA created a multi-step, multi-year approval process through the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA). The PBDA has been working to complete the process, and according to their website, funding will be allocated following NTIA’s approval, at which time they will subsequently ‘award subgrants to approved, eligible applicants before the end of 2024’.

“I remain committed to continuing my efforts to ensure the timely and effective expenditure of the funds authorized through Congress for the benefit of our PA-1 community and all Pennsylvanians,” said Fitzpatrick.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) declined to comment.  Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware) did not respond to requests for comment. Likewise, Senators Bob Casey Jr. and John Fetterman did not respond to requests for comment.

Carr continued to excoriate the Biden administration via social media.

“It gets worse. In 2020, Starlink won an FCC award to quickly & efficiently offer Internet to 642,000 homes & businesses. But the FCC revoked that award in 2023. The revocation hit states like Pennsylvania particularly hard (because) it had 59,200 locations covered by the award. The 2023 Commission decision to revoke the Starlink award only came after the Administration gave agencies the green light to go (after Elon) Musk. The government’s approach to broadband infrastructure should be guided by smart policies, not partisan score-settling,” Carr said via X.

Carr noted, “In 2021, @VP Harris agreed to lead the Administration’s signature effort to expand Internet infrastructure. Congress then provided $42 billion for the work. It’s now been 987 days since the plan was enacted & 0 Americans have been connected, 0 Shovels worth of dirt turned.”

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Local U.S. Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) both participated in the boycott of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on Wednesday, sending a political message to their Delaware Valley constituents.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) was on hand to hear Netanyahu’s remarks, as were Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman — the latter abandoning his usual sweats-and-shorts attire and donning a suit and (Israel-blue) tie.

The Democratic Party has been roiled by divisions since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel and the Jewish State’s military response. Democrats are divided over how to respond to protests in which young, politically progressive crowds chant, “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Shall Be Free” — a phrase viewed by many as antisemitic.

Those protests continued outside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, where anti-Israel activists burned the U.S. flag and defaced historic monuments. Some protesters even waved Hamas flags and declared their solidarity with the terrorist group.

Netanyahu called out the protesters during his speech.

“When the tyrants of Iran, who hang gays from cranes and murder women for women for not covering their hair, are praising, promoting and funding you, you have officially become Iran’s useful idiots,” Netanyahu said.

“Some of these protesters hold up signs saying, ‘Gays for Gaza,’” he added. “They might as well hold up signs saying ‘Chickens for KFC.’”

About half the Democratic caucus in the House and Senate skipped Netanyahu’s speech, and Vice President Kamala Harris declined to perform her duties of presiding over the Senate. Instead she spoke at a sorority event in Indiana.

Dean made her reasons for boycotting Netanyahu clear in a post on X, “I respect our institution, open dialogue, and collaboration with allies. But a line must be drawn. I will not attend today’s address. Mr. Netanyahu will not lecture me on morality and justice.”

David Winkler, Dean’s Republican opponent, replied on X.

“You are one of the most Antisemitic congresswomen serving today. How dare you turn your back on Israel, a Major Non-NATO US Ally of the United States. This isn’t leadership; you hate Jews & just won’t say it outright,” Winkler said. “I stand in solidarity with our Jewish community & Israel against Hamas & the hateful Pro Palestine extremists.”

In a statement, Houlahan laid out her reasons for boycotting Netanyahu’s speech.

“I chose not to attend Prime Minister Netanyahu’s joint address to Congress. It was an enormously difficult decision. My priority with this conflict is and has always been, to use my position to aid in finding real solutions for enduring peace, a two-state solution, the release of hostages, and expanded humanitarian aid for those suffering in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel.

“I believe that centering attention on this speech at this time would not only be a distraction from these important goals, which include a ceasefire agreement, but may, in fact, make these goals less attainable,” said Houlahan.

Her GOP opponent, Neil Young, also responded.

“Chrissy Houlahan’s decision to boycott Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress is a disgraceful rejection of our valuable Jewish allies and friends. [Houlahan] explained that she didn’t want to be a distraction by attending but instead became a distraction by explaining why she didn’t want to be a distraction. Houlahan took a day off while Israel is fighting for [its] survival,” Young said.

In his speech, Netanyahu thanked both President Joe Biden, who calls himself an “Irish American Zionist,” and former President Donald Trump, the author of the Abraham Accords, for their support of Israel.

“For Israel never again must not be an empty promise,” he said. “It must always be a sacred vow. And after Oct 7th, never again is now.”

He also called out the protesters outside the Capitol while he spoke, who had camped out on university campuses this past spring.

Defeating the enemy requires both “courage and clarity,” he said. “And clarity begins with knowing the difference between good and evil. I think many anti-Israel protesters, many chose to stand with evil. They stand with Hamas. They stand with rapists and murderers.”

Netanyahu, a Cheltenham High School graduate, also condemned the university presidents, including from his alma mater MIT, who testified before Congress and could not condemn students calling for the genocide of Jews 80 years after the Holocaust, saying it depended on the context.

He pointed out the claim that Israel is a colonial state but pointed out, “for nearly 4,000 years, Israel has been the homeland of the Jewish people.”

“It will always be our home,” he said.

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When an intruder made his way into the White House in 2014, one of the officers on the scene helping protect President Obama and his family was a Belgian Malinois named Hurricane.

Now 15 years old, Hurricane is enjoying his retirement with his handler, Marshall Mirarchi, a former Secret Service special operations K9 handler. But Hurricane has some pretty heavy vet bills at his age, and that can be an issue for those who want to take care of working dogs like him after they retire.

And so, like Hurricane reacting to a fence-climbing trespasser, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) sprang into action. They filed the Honoring Our K9 Heroes Act. It would establish a grant program to fund nonprofits for veterinary care for retired federal and military working dogs.

Service dogs typically retire after eight years of work, Mirarchi told DVJournal. Most people don’t know that when a government service dog retires, they usually go to live with their handler. But the government no longer provides any funding for the dog’s veterinary bills, which are often quite steep.

Not every federal working dog has had as much excitement as Hurricane.

Around 8 p.m. on Oct. 22, 2014, the two were posted to the White House lawn when Hurricane alerted his handler and Mirarchi spotted someone climbing the exterior wall. He radioed his team and the intruder was apprehended. But he soon escaped and began running toward the White House again.

Hurricane sprang into action and chased the man down.

“Hurricane stopped him right before he got to President Obama and his family,” Mirarchi said, adding that the Obamas were just inside the front door of the White House at the time.

The man, who was high on PCP, tried to fight the dog off, repeatedly picking up Hurricane and throwing him to the ground until the canine “grabbed him” and held him. “He beat Hurricane within an inch of his life,” said Mirarchi.

Asked why he didn’t shoot the intruder who was hurting his dog, Mirarchi said he was not permitted to because the dog is considered “a piece of equipment,” not a fellow agent.

Hurricane had emergency veterinary care that night and he seemed to recover. But as the weeks went on Hurricane developed hip problems and was eventually forced to retire from duty.

Mirarchi started training with a new service dog, but Hurricane and the new dog never got along. Mirarchi gave the new dog to another handler and left the Secret Service, as well.

With his wife Lisa, Mirarchi started a charity, HK9 Hurricane’s Heroes, to help pay the vet costs for retired service dogs. The Mirarchis and their volunteers do not receive payment for their volunteer work with the charity. A fundraiser is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Sea Isle City, N.J.

While the bill introduced by Fitzpatrick would give $1 million a year to charities for retired service dogs’ veterinary costs through 2029, it would only pay for former federal agencies and military working dogs’ vet bills. Mirarchi’s charity would continue to cover retired municipal police dogs’ bills.

“These working canines are heroes and should be treated as such in retirement. They have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe. Like many other handlers, I’ve watched these canines spend a lifetime serving selflessly. They train and work countless hours to serve their communities stateside and their country overseas. They risk their lives leading the way, whether sniffing explosives or apprehending a suspect. They don’t just deserve this care; we owe them this care,” said Mirarchi.

The average cost of retirement per canine is $8,000 to $14,000, he said. And the dogs tend to live three to five more years after they retire to their handler’s care. The average cost of a yearly sponsorship for Hurricane’s Heroes is $2,525. Since 2020, Hurricane’s Heroes has sponsored 140 retired working dogs through the Paws of Honor veterinary care program.

Many handlers, especially those enlisted in the military, have trouble affording their retired dog’s veterinary bills, he said.

“If a dog has cancer, everything is on you,” said Mirarchi.

“Our federal and military canine heroes have stood by our side, playing crucial roles in defending our communities and country with unparalleled loyalty and selfless dedication,” Fitzpatrick said. “This common-sense legislation marks a pivotal step in honoring their service and sacrifice by providing them with the essential veterinary care they need in retirement and alleviating the substantial financial burdens placed on their handlers.

“We must ensure our retired working dogs receive the respect, support, and care they have rightfully earned. The time is now for us to stand up and protect them, as they have stood by and protected us.”

Mirarchi, who grew up in Delaware County, was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, Springfield High School.

“It was super unexpected and very special,” he said.

Hurricane has received a number of awards. He is the first dog to receive the Animals in War and Peace Distinguished Service Medal (2022), which put him into the “Guinness Book of World Records.”

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How divided is the Bucks County GOP?

The county’s Republican primary voters gave an unknown, first-time candidate, pro-life candidate Mark Houck, 37 percent of the vote in his challenge to incumbent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. It reflects the divide between the more MAGA and moderate wings of the GOP.

Will that hurt Fitzpatrick or former President Donald Trump in the general election this November?

Bucks County GOP Chair Pat Poprik said it is not unusual for Fitzpatrick to have a primary opponent.

“That’s really normal for a district that’s so different,” she said. Bucks County is closely divided between Republicans, at 196,311, and Democrats, at 197,883. Some 80,624 voters are unaffiliated or belong to other parties.

“Even in the Republican Party, there are some differences,” she said. “But come November, [Fitzpatrick] wins by 10 or 13 points. I mean, a lot of congressmen would love to have that number in November. Brian does have the right positions for this county.”

Fitzpatrick has been ranked the most bipartisan member of Congress, which makes him a good match for the purple county.

“In the general, where it matters, he gets the independent vote. He gets tons of Democrat votes. That’s being representative, and that’s doing his job,” said Poprik.

In the most recent episode of the Delaware Valley Journal podcast, Commonwealth Foundation Senior Fellow Guy Ciarrocchi said Houck was running against “the status quo” as much as against Fitzpatrick.

“And Mark had a personal story he needed to tell that he’s genuinely concerned about.” Houck was arrested and tried for a shoving incident during his pro-life ministry at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Philadelphia. A federal court jury acquitted him.

“You may not like him, but there was a genuineness,” said Ciarrocchi. “And there, what happened to him in real life happened, whether you think it was necessary right or wrong, it happened. So, I think people rallied to him because of his personal story.

“And then the other part is, look, every two years, there are Republicans who want to express their dissatisfaction with Brian Fitzpatrick, that he doesn’t behave more like other Republicans. So this is sort of ritualistic. Conservative Republicans express their dissatisfaction. Brian gets the message, and he has usually been very effective at unifying while at the same time reaching out to independents and Democrats to get himself to 52 or 53 percent [of the vote].

Bellevue Communications Vice President Jeff Jubelirer agreed.

“I’d say that’s a pretty good night for Brian, actually,” said Jubelirer.  Many Republican primary voters are pro-life, he noted.  “I think [Fitzpatrick] threads that needle well.  He does get Democrat and independent support because he delivers.”

This November, Fitzpatrick will again face Democrat Ashley Ehasz, who ran against him in 2022 and lost by nearly 10 points, at 44.91 percent to 55.04.

“The only way I see Brian losing it today, you ask me (again) in the fall, is if Trump goes down by more than a few points, and then there’s some coattails perhaps,” said Jubelirer. “But Bucks is not Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, as we know. It’s very purple. So, I see Brian as very difficult to beat.”

In a statement after the primary, Fitzpatrick said, “There has been one guiding principle that has motivated me from the very first day that I decided to run for Congress: my firm, unequivocal, and unshakable belief in bipartisanship and two-party solutions to address the challenges that the good people of our community face each and every day.

‘To the very core of my being, I believe in bringing people together. I’m asking everyone in our community to join us in leading our People’s Movement of bipartisanship, center-forward problem-solving, and fighting against the bigotry of hyper-partisanship and extremist ideological purity that is destroying our nation. We need to be one community, now more than ever.’

Houck thanked his supporters on Facebook.

“Your encouragement, donations, and volunteered time have been invaluable. A special thanks to my beautiful family—through unimaginable experiences, you have been my rock. I believe God has guided us through this election, and I eagerly await the outcome. God Bless America,” Houck said.

Ciarracchi believes the party will unite to reelect Fitzpatrick and Trump and to elect Dave McCormick for the U.S. Senate, as well as other GOP candidates.

“At the end of the day, conservative Republicans understand that it’s a binary choice. Do you want [Democratic Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries to be speaker or not?” Ciarracchi asked.

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The Delaware Valley Journal erroneously reported that a debate had been scheduled for Sunday night between Republican challenger Mark Houck and Congressman Brian Fritzpatrick (R-Pa.). No debate has been scheduled between them.

The Delaware Valley Journal regrets the error.

On Thursday, the U.S. House passed the Laken Riley Act, a bill named for a young Georgia student who was killed while jogging on campus, allegedly by an illegal immigrant.

The bipartisan bill passed 251-170, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks/Montgomery) voting for it and all three Delaware Valley Democratic congresswomen –Mary Gay Scanlon, Madeleine Dean and Chrissy Houlahan—voting against it. All the no votes came from Democrats; 37 other Democrats voted for the measure.

“Congress must do everything it can to prevent another parent from losing his or her child,” Fitzpatrick told DVJournal. “Laken Riley’s death never would have occurred if our borders were properly secured and immigration laws enforced. I will continue to work in a bipartisan way to find a solution to protect our borders.”

Scanlon, Dean, and Houlahan did not respond to requests for comment.

The bill would require that any illegal immigrant who committed burglary, larceny, shoplifting, or theft be detained.

The murder of the 22-year-old nursing student, allegedly by an illegal immigrant, on the University of Georgia campus shocked the country.

Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan who came to the U.S. illegally, was charged with her murder.

Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) posted on social media, “Laken Riley was murdered in cold blood by Jose Ibarra – an illegal alien who had committed previous crimes in NY. This NEVER should have happened & today, we voted to to ensure ALL criminal illegals like Ibarra will be arrested & detained. 170 Democrats STILL voted against this.”

Along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) taking the immigrants charged with crimes into custody, the act allows state attorneys general to litigate against Homeland Security to enforce the removal requirements in the act.

The resolution was introduced by Georgia Rep. Mike Collins (R).

“While we can’t bring Laken back, we must now turn our focus to doing everything we can to prevent this from happening to another American,” Collins said in a statement. Collins had invited Riley’s parents to come to the State of the Union with him, but they declined.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on social media, “170 House Democrats just voted against the Laken Riley Act, refusing to require the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants who have been caught committing a crime. Sadly, if these Democrats have their way, there will be more victims like Laken Riley.”

Also, on social media, Johnson said, “The Laken Riley Act is so important because we’ve got to ensure that this can’t happen again. Republicans will not stand for the release of dangerous criminals into our communities, and that’s exactly what the Biden administration has done. Laken is just one of the tragic examples of innocent American citizens who have lost their lives and been brutally and violently attacked by illegal criminals who are roaming our streets because they’ve allowed them in.

Republicans have called on President Joe Biden to mention Riley in his State of the Union speech.

He did mention her, briefly, in his remarks.

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