H.R. 5552 – Reading Mode

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5552

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 6, 2008

Ms. Giffords (for herself, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Boyd of Florida, Mrs. Boyda of Kansas, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Cubin, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Ellsworth, Mr. Feeney, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Hall of New York, Mr. Hill, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Israel, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Moore of Kansas, and Mr. Tancredo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

A BILL

To require a report on the efforts of the United States Government to increase border security.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Border Security Accountability Act of 2008.

Report on increased border security

(a)

In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the efforts of the United States Government to increase border security.

(b)

Contents

The report required by subsection (a) shall outline—

(1)

all presidential directives, programs, and strategies for carrying out and increasing United States Government efforts to increase border security;

(2)

the goals and objectives of each of these efforts;

(3)

the progress made in each of these efforts;

(4)

the projected timelines for each of these efforts to become fully functional and effective;

(5)

the expenditures made in conjunction with each of these efforts;

(6)

the apprehension, detention, and deportation process and rates, including the exact distance apprehensions take place from the border and the release rates for those apprehensions;

(7)

an assessment of the threats posed by terrorists, terrorist groups, and criminal organizations that may try to infiltrate the United States at locations along the international land and maritime borders of the United States;

(8)

an assessment of staffing needs for all border security functions, taking into account threat and vulnerability information pertaining to the borders and the impact of new security programs, policies, and technologies; and

(9)

an assessment of training for all border security functions, taking into account new security programs, policies, technologies, and challenges and threats unique to the region or terrain where trainees will be assigned.

(c)

Definition

In this section, the term appropriate congressional committees means—

(1)

the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and

(2)

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.