Homeland Security Committee Sends Border Reinforcement Act to House Floor

“It is time to pass this mission-critical legislation on the House floor and do what Secretary Mayorkas won’t—secure our nation and keep Americans safe.”

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security passed the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 (H.R. 2794) out of Committee and voted to send it to the floor of the House of Representatives. Cosponsored by all Homeland Security Republicans, this legislation provides real, thoughtful solutions to restore order at the Southwest border and prevent any further hit to operational readiness at our nation’s Northern and maritime borders.

“I am proud every Republican member on this Committee helped deliver on our promise to the American people today by sending the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 to the House floor,” said Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN). “This legislation takes a targeted approach to address Secretary Mayorkas’ record-breaking border crisis wreaking havoc between ports of entry at the Southwest border as well as the worsening crises at our Northern and maritime borders. Most importantly, this effort was crafted for those on the frontlines of this crisis, including our dedicated Border Patrol agents. Today, this Committee fought to give these brave and dedicated men and women the necessary tools to secure our sovereign borders. Addressing the single biggest threat to our homeland security should not be a partisan issue. Americans across the country, no matter how far they live from our borders, are affected by this crisis. It is time to pass this mission-critical legislation on the House floor and do what Secretary Mayorkas won’t—secure our border and keep Americans safe.”

Background:

This legislation was developed with the firsthand insight gathered during the Committee’s border trips to El Paso, Texas, hearings, including a field hearing in Pharr, Texas with U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz, and conversations with numerous Border Patrol agents, border communities, and everyday Americans.

The Border Reinforcement Act of 2023 directs DHS to secure our borders by: 

• Resuming Border Wall Construction
  • Requiring the DHS Secretary to immediately resume construction of the border wall.
• Bolstering CBP Staffing
  • Expanding Border Patrol’s workforce to 22,000 agents to meet the needs on the frontline.
• Modernizing & Enhancing Technology
  • Requiring CBP to develop a technology investment plan, while upgrading existing technology to ensure CBP personnel are equipped with the necessary resources to remain safe in the field.
• Demanding Transparency from DHS
  • Requiring DHS to disclose to Congress and make public all monthly data, including monthly known gotaway numbers, which are currently not public, on or before the 7th day of each month.
• Addressing Border Patrol Retention
  • Establishing retention bonuses for U.S. Border Patrol personnel who meet certain requirements to keep them protecting our country.
• Supporting Local Law Enforcement
  • Providing increased support through Operation Stonegarden grants to local law enforcement jurisdictions in land and maritime border states to enhance border security measures.
• Limiting Use of CBP One App
  • Reinstating the CBP One app’s function to its original intent by barring DHS from using it for non-commercial purposes, including immigration processing.

For a factsheet in English on the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, click here.

For a factsheet in Spanish on the Border Reinforcement Act of 2023, click here.

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