A Republican bill with 10 Democratic cosponsors · See all 21 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 187.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a pilot program to test new technologies at land ports of entry along the U.S. border. The goal is to improve the inspection of cars, trucks, and cargo containers to better detect contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling. Through the CBP Innovation Team, the program will evaluate enhancements like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum information sciences. These pilot projects aim to increase inspection efficiency and address long wait times while improving aging equipment. The program is set to terminate five years after the bill's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill enhances border security through the testing of advanced detection technologies for contraband and smuggling.
- Scored +3
Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths?
The bill aims to better detect illegal drugs, which could assist in combating the drug crisis.
- Scored +2
Does this make trade with other countries easier?
Improving inspection efficiency can facilitate faster movement of goods across the border.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The heightened technology and surveillance could negatively impact individuals crossing the border.
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill acknowledges potential negative impacts on the privacy and civil liberties of individuals crossing the border.
- Scored -2
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The use of advanced AI and machine learning for scanning may increase surveillance capabilities at the border.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Detection of Threats: The technology is intended to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection in detecting contraband, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, human smuggling, and other threats (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Increased Inspection Efficiency: The pilot projects aim to increase the efficiency of inspections, which can help address long wait times at land ports of entry (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(ii)).
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Upgraded Infrastructure: The program seeks to identify technologies that can improve the capabilities of aging detection equipment and infrastructure (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(iii)).
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Privacy Safeguards: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to safeguard the privacy and security of personal data through measures such as adhering to privacy laws and implementing data anonymization (Section 3(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Privacy and Civil Liberties Risks: The bill acknowledges potential impacts on the privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights of individuals crossing the United States border, requiring reports to analyze these impacts (Section 3(e)(1)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill enhances border security through the testing of advanced detection technologies for contraband and smuggling.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill aims to better detect illegal drugs, which could assist in combating the drug crisis.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill may indirectly improve consumer protection by increasing the detection of illegal drugs and contraband.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill includes specific mandates for data privacy, including anonymization and audits.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Increased efficiency at ports of entry may benefit cross-border trade and business operations. Would farmers be better off under this? — Smoother cargo inspections could benefit agricultural trade. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The heightened technology and surveillance could negatively impact individuals crossing the border.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires various reports to be submitted to congressional committees. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the technological capabilities of federal agencies at the border. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill acknowledges potential negative impacts on the privacy and civil liberties of individuals crossing the border.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Improving inspection efficiency can facilitate faster movement of goods across the border. Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The use of advanced AI and machine learning for scanning may increase surveillance capabilities at the border.
- 8/15/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-229.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 187.
- 6/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/3/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 4/1/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael BaumgartnerRepublican · Washington
Janelle BynumDemocrat · Oregon
Ken CalvertRepublican · California
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Mark GreenRepublican · Tennessee
Michael GuestRepublican · Mississippi
Carlos GimenezRepublican · Florida
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Craig GoldmanRepublican · Texas
Mike HaridopolosRepublican · Florida
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
Addison McDowellRepublican · North Carolina
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York