The House of Representatives passed the Southern Arizona Border Threat Assessment Act on Wednesday to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a full assessment of possible threats that could emerge from the border.
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), the chairwoman of the House’s Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee, sponsored the legislation, which passed the House unanimously.
“This legislation is long overdue and badly needed,” McSally said. “The last time DHS analyzed the threats coming across our border was over 20 years ago – a lot has changed since then. By requiring DHS to conduct a new border threat analysis and update their strategic plan based on new findings, this bill builds new trust in our system and our ability to accurately measure illicit activity along the border and respond to it. I’ll continue working with my Senate colleagues to get this important legislation passed in the Senate and sent to the President’s desk.”
McSally has previously authored five pieces of legislation that have passed the House, including measures that would improve accountability of border projects and a separate piece of legislation that would allow veterans a fast track to gaining jobs posted at the nation’s borders.