Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) introduced the Border Security Technology Accountability Act this week, which seeks to improve the management of new border technology acquisitions.
The bill originally advanced through the House of Representatives in July 2015, and advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in October 2015, though it was not ultimately signed into law.
The bill would require that new border technology programs implement acquisition baselines before moving on to the next phase of the acquisition cycle, adhere to internal controls identified by the Comptroller General of the United States, and have a plan for testing and evaluation as well as use independent verification and evaluation resources.
“This bill is a no-brainer. These important accountability tools should be standard practice across the federal government to ensure taxpayer dollars are used as efficiently as possible,” McSally said. “Especially with a mission as critical as securing our border and keeping our country and communities safe, we have to make sure every resource goes toward completing that mission, not waste. My thanks to Senator McCain for working with us again on this important legislation.”
The bill now awaits a floor vote in the House and Senate before being considered by President Donald Trump.