Senate advances ports of entry vehicle screening measure

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are commending Senate colleagues for advancing their bill bolstering efforts to screen vehicles and cargo entering the United States.

The Non-Intrusive Inspection Expansion Act would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use non-intrusive inspection systems to scan at least 40 percent of passenger vehicles and at least 90 percent of commercial vehicles entering the United States at land ports of entry by the end of fiscal year 2026.

“Non-intrusive inspection systems are effective tools that enable Customs and Border Protection Officers to securely facilitate legitimate trade and travel at our ports of entry,” Peters, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman, said. “Increasing the scanning rate of non-intrusive inspection systems at land ports of entry will strengthen our border security by helping these dedicated officers better identify contraband, and better protect our communities from illicit drugs like fentanyl while also enabling CBP to efficiently process legitimate commerce that keeps our economy moving.”

Additionally, the bill directs CBP to brief Congressional committees on its fiscal year 2026 non-intrusive inspection scanning progress – adding if CBP does not meet the scanning requirements in fiscal year 2026, the bill directs CBP to submit a report to Congressional committees on why it was unable to meet the requirements and its plan for ensuring compliance in the coming year.

“Texas is the top exporting state in America, and more than $230 billion in goods is transported between Texas and Mexico alone each year,” Cornyn said. “By expanding the use of non-intrusive inspection technologies, this legislation would help CBP officers to efficiently examine cargo coming into and out of Texas while keeping our border secure.”