Subterranean Border Defense Act

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of my bill, the Subterranean Border Defense Act, a bipartisan piece of border security legislation that I have introduced alongside Congressman Correa from California.

Effective border security is created by overlapping deterrents. That is something we are desperately lacking at our border.

The Subterranean Border Defense Act would help us address the growing threat of illicit cross-border tunnels by requiring annual reports to Congress on counter-tunnel operations, fortifying our security system at the border.

Put simply, this would help us ensure that Congress has the necessary data to forge another much-needed layer of defense.

As transnational criminal organizations continue to grow in both size and sophistication, illicit cross-border tunnels along the southwest border of the United States represent a significant and growing threat to national security.

Congress must address this deadly threat and ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the resources needed to acquire counter-tunnel technology.

Since 1990, officials have discovered more than 140 tunnels that have breached the U.S. border with an 80 percent increase in tunnel activity occurring since 2008.

Over the years, CBP has worked to combat these tunnels as part of their overall strategy. In fact, the United States conducts research, development, and test activities with Israel who must contend with a vast network of Hamas tunnels originating in the Gaza Strip. This partnership helps us detect and destroy tunnels in our respective countries.

The FY23 NDAA mandated that CBP submit a one-time report to Congress on a strategic plan for countering illicit cross-border tunnel operations.

This singular report has since led Congress to conduct critical oversight and has enabled CBP to formalize many of the processes, technologies, and resources needed to counteract illegal tunnels under the U.S.-Mexico border.

My bill would expand on this success by mandating a report every year going forward to ensure Congress has sufficient knowledge and oversight regarding this dynamic threat.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this legislation for a secure southern border.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7404) to require annual reports on counter illicit cross- border tunnel operations, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 7404, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7404, the Subterranean Border Defense Act.

Due to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Mayorkas' collective failures and refusal to secure our border, transnational criminal organizations are unchecked in their efforts to infiltrate into the United States.

These illicit pathways into our country have only made it easier for criminals to bring their illegal business into the homeland, from human trafficking to drug smuggling deadly fentanyl and other drugs that are being funneled from nations afar, including Communist China.

H.R. 7404 will require DHS to provide annual reports on its efforts to counter illicit tunnel operations.

I commend the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane) for his leadership on this effort and urge strong support for the measure.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane), the author of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bipartisan Subterranean Border Defense Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill because we should have more oversight and information on the threat of tunnels going under our borders and the actions our government is taking to counter them.

Tunnels are used by transnational criminal organizations looking to make a profit, and most of the people using them are not Chinese.

Over the past 30 years, cartels have created illegal tunnels under border walls and barriers to smuggle people and drugs into this country and send out money and firearms, including assault weapons.

Since 1990, law enforcement has discovered more than 230 tunnels across U.S. borders.

These tunnels can be sophisticated. In 2019, CBP discovered a tunnel near the San Diego, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, border that was over three-quarters of a mile long.

This bill simply creates an annual reporting requirement to keep Congress informed on the DHS' efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnels and hold bad actors accountable.

The information this bipartisan piece of legislation requires will help inform Congress of the situation on the border and what authorities or resources might be needed.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this bill is a step in the right direction.

Receiving information from the Department of Homeland Security on an annual basis will improve Congress' efforts to counter illicit cross- border tunnels and hold bad actors accountable.

I support this bipartisan piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.