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Bill would make DHS report on border tunnels an annual requirement

Passed one chamberH.R. 495Latest action

Sponsor: Elijah Crane · Representative · AZ

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: Subterranean Border Defense Act

119th Congress

Topics: Immigration

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

HR 495 changes a one-time DHS report on border tunnel detection to a required annual report to Congress.

35-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The Subterranean Border Defense Act amends a 2023 law that required a one-time strategic plan and report on detecting and stopping illegal border tunnels. Under this bill, DHS would have to produce that report every year instead of just once, giving Congress ongoing updates on tunnel-detection efforts, resources used, and strategy changes.

Who does it affect?

This affects federal border security agencies, primarily the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, by increasing their reporting duties.

Why does it matter?

The bill does not create new border enforcement powers or policies; it only changes reporting frequency, aiming to give Congress more consistent oversight of tunnel-related smuggling threats.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedJan 16, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · Mar 11, 2025
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 63

    As recorded

    Question
    On Motion to and Pass
    Result:
    Passed
    402
    Nay
    1
    0
    29

    Republicans 208 yes, 10 not voting · Democrats 194 yes, 1 no, 19 not voting

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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