Bill would reauthorize $110M for border security along northern U.S. border

A bill advanced out of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee seeks to reauthorize and increase funding for the northern United States border’s Operation Stonegarden program for the next five years, injecting $110 million into border security operations.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the bill, which would provide annual grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to aid preparedness, coordination, and effectiveness. In all, such funds would apply to efforts along 545 miles of the border, to support the larger Assisting Narcotics and Trafficking Officers in Interdicting (ANTI) Drugs Act.

“Montana’s law enforcement officers work day and night to keep our northern border secure,” Tester said. “Operation Stonegarden strengthens local law enforcement and gives them the tools they need to better crackdown on drug smuggling, combat human trafficking, and keep our families and communities safe.”

For Montana alone, Operation Stonegarden has brought in more than $15 million since 2008. While its funding increased in both fiscal years 2018 and 2019, it requires reauthorization to continue efforts.