A Republican bill with 23 Republican cosponsors · See all 23 cosponsors
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Federal Lands Amplified Security for the Homeland Act" (FLASH Act) aims to address public safety and environmental issues along the southern border. It mandates the construction of navigable roads on Federal lands to increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection access and operational control. The bill allows states to place temporary structures on Federal land to secure the border and expands access to wilderness areas for enforcement. It also establishes initiatives to reduce trash accumulation, mitigate wildland fires, and target illegal cannabis cultivation. Finally, the Act prohibits the use of Federal funds for providing housing to specified aliens on land managed by certain Federal agencies.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +7
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill enhances border security through road construction, increased CBP access, and temporary barriers.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill aims to reduce trash, mitigate wildfires, and remediate illegal cannabis cultivation.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill establishes initiatives to manage wildfires and reduce trash on federal lands.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -7
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill increases enforcement, penalties, and prohibits housing for certain aliens.
- Scored -5
Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens?
The bill focuses on enforcement and prohibits providing housing for certain aliens.
- Scored -5
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill specifically prohibits the use of federal funds for providing housing to specified aliens.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Border Security and Access: The construction of navigable roads is intended to deter illegal crossings and provide better access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and emergency response personnel (Section 101).
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Improved Wilderness Management: The bill allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct specific activities, such as search and rescue, within wilderness areas (Section 102).
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Environmental Protection and Cleanup: The establishment of the "Trespass Cannabis Cultivation Site Response Initiative" aims to detect, identify, and remediate contamination caused by illegal cannabis cultivation (Section 211).
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Wildfire Risk Reduction: The "Southern Border Fuels Management Initiative" works to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and improve landscape resilience through vegetation management (Section 221).
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Waste and Habitat Preservation: New policies and protocols are designed to reduce trash accumulation and address the destruction of sensitive natural resources and wildlife habitats (Section 202).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties and Fines: Individuals found engaging in prohibited activities on covered Federal lands may face increased criminal penalties and fines, including fines up to $250,000 or imprisonment (Section 204, Section 213, and Section 214).
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Restrictions on Housing: The bill prohibits the use of Federal funds for providing housing to specified aliens on land managed by certain Federal agencies and revokes specific existing leases (Section 302).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill increases enforcement, penalties, and prohibits housing for certain aliens. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill targets illegal entry and restricts housing for specified aliens. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prohibits housing for specified aliens, which may impact low-income migrants.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill aims to reduce trash, mitigate wildfires, and remediate illegal cannabis cultivation. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill establishes initiatives to manage wildfires and reduce trash on federal lands. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill mandates the construction of navigable roads along the southern border.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal control over certain lands and enforcement activities. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows states to place temporary structures on Federal land. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires several reports to Congress regarding waste and environmental degradation.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill increases surveillance and technology deployment along the border.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill enhances border security through road construction, increased CBP access, and temporary barriers. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill specifically prohibits the use of federal funds for providing housing to specified aliens. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill focuses on enforcement and prohibits providing housing for certain aliens.
- 4/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/14/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/11/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2025
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- 3/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/4/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, the Budget, and Homeland Security, 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 8 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.
Mark AmodeiRepublican · Nevada
Cliff BentzRepublican · Oregon
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Don BaconRepublican · Nebraska
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas
Mike CollinsRepublican · Georgia
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho
Paul GosarRepublican · Arizona
J. HillRepublican · Arkansas
Harriet HagemanRepublican · Wyoming
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
David RouzerRepublican · North Carolina
Elise StefanikRepublican · New York
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota
Bryan SteilRepublican · Wisconsin
Thomas TiffanyRepublican · Wisconsin
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Bruce WestermanRepublican · Arkansas