HR-4828 : Still Just a Bill

Border Security for America Act of 2021

This bill addresses border security and related issues.

For example, the bill

  • requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities to construct a border barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021;
  • requires DHS to deploy, in addition to physical barriers, tactical infrastructure and technology to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border;
  • authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out a program to acquire innovative commercial items through a competitive selection of proposals;
  • imposes certain requirements for DHS border security technology acquisition programs that have a total expenditure of at least $300 million;
  • requires CBP to implement certain technologies, including a program to establish a biometric exit data system at ports of entry;
  • requires CBP to increase or maintain certain staffing levels for agents, officers, processing coordinators, and other positions;
  • requires CBP to implement a workload staffing model for the U.S. Border Patrol and for CBP's Air and Marine Operations; and
  • provides statutory authority through FY2026 for Operation Stonegarden, a Federal Emergency Management Agency program that provides grants to states and territories involved in certain active CBP border security operations.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2021-08-13CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.House committee actions
2021-07-30CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability.House committee actions
2021-07-30CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.House committee actions
2021-07-29CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Trade.House committee actions
2021-07-29IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2021-07-29IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2021-07-29IntroReferralReferred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.House floor actions
2021-07-29IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

John Katko [R] (NY-24)
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

See Subjects

Related Bills

See Related Bills