House Homeland Security Committee votes Border Reinforcement Act forward

Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee achieved a major goal last week when they advanced the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 (H.R. 2794) out of committee and to the House floor to revamp border security and stymie Biden administration changes.

“This legislation takes a targeted approach to address Secretary Mayorkas’ record-breaking border crisis wreaking havoc between ports of entry at the Southwest border as well as the worsening crises at our Northern and maritime borders,” Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, MD (R-TN) said. “Most importantly, this effort was crafted for those on the frontlines of this crisis, including our dedicated Border Patrol agents.”

If passed, the bill would make numerous demands of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including: 

1. Resumption of border wall construction, using previously appropriated but unexpired funds
2. Bolstering the Border Patrol’s law enforcement workforce to 22,000 agents
3. Creation of a technology investment plan and upgrades to existing technology
4. Disclosure to Congress and making public all monthly data on or before the seventh of each month
5. Offering retention bonuses for U.S. Border Patrol personnel
6. Providing grants to eligible law enforcement agencies to enhance border security in land and maritime border states
7. Restricting the use of the Biden administration’s heavily promoted CBP One app non-commercially, including for immigration processing
8. Barring the use of funds for processing any aliens arriving outside Ports of Entry or for nongovernmental organizations that either help them or activities deemed illegal

“Addressing the single biggest threat to our homeland security should not be a partisan issue,” Green said. “Americans across the country, no matter how far they live from our borders, are affected by this crisis. It is time to pass this mission-critical legislation on the House floor and do what Secretary Mayorkas won’t—secure our border and keep Americans safe.”

The bill was cosponsored by all Republicans on the committee and no Democrats.