Thread by @BucksCoKierstyn

#PA01 folks, we simply MUST have a conversation...

1⃣ about #GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick,
2⃣his vote against the #DomesticTerrorism bill that he previously co-sponsored,
3⃣and his statement on this vote.

I did a little digging this weekend, and what I found is WILD.
🧵/1

First, a little background info about #DomesticTerrorism.

There is a basic legal definition on what that term means. It's already enshrined into law, in 18 U.S. Code § 2331.

You can read it below, or at this link⤵️
law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18…
🧵/2

So, we know that #PA01's #GOp Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick co-sponsored the #DomesticTerrorism bill, and then did a complete reversal and voted NO on it.

He knew this behavior was SUPER-SKETCHY, so our #SilentBrian did something uncharacteristic - he issued a statement.

🧵/3

When you dig into #PA01 Fitzpatrick's statement, the language is full of red meat for his base.

He claims that changes were made to the bill, in his words, 'due to objections by the far-left Members of “The Squad.”'

🧵/4
fitzpatrick.house.gov/2022/5/fitzpat…

And then Fitzpatrick goes explains to #PA01 that the new version includes "a last minute change to the original definition of #domesticterrorism... that would give DOJ too much leeway in picking and choosing what it considers to constitute domestic terrorism."

🧵/5

So I started to dig into what language changes made our #GOP Congressman so furious that he'd turn his back on a bill he had co-sponsored.

Here's the language change that upset Fitzpatrick.

It uses the EXACT definition of #DomesticTerrorism from 18 U.S. Code § 2331.

🧵/6

And here's the language that the original version of the bill uses. Please note all the exceptions and qualifications #PA01 #GOP MoC Brian Fitzpatrick wanted to have in the bill.

He did NOT want to use the already established #DomesticTerrorism definition in our laws.

🧵/7

So what's the takeaway here?

Despite blaming "the Squad" and "the far left", the truth is that Brian Fitzpatrick of #PA01 did not want to use the already-established definition of #DomesticTerrorism.

He's the one who wanted exceptions and wiggle-room.

I wonder why?
🧵/end

A 🧵 postscript!

I discuss this situation at length with @RCPress on their most recent episode, which you can find here⤵️

(don't forget to subscribe 😃)

Or you can get it via the @BucksCoBeacon here!
buckscountybeacon.com/2022/05/rippin…
(don't forget to subscribe 😃)