Subterranean Border Defense Act

House Bill

H.R. 495

119th Congress

Subterranean Border Defense Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 21, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Elijah Crane

Representative

Republican

AZ-2

Cosponsors

8

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Immigration

Summary

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit annual reports on implementation of its strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Current law only requires a one-time report within one year of plan development. The recurring reporting ensures ongoing congressional oversight of CBPs tunnel detection and interdiction efforts along the U.S. border.

Latest Action

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

SponsorElijah Crane (R-AZ)

Introduced1/21/2025

StatusReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governm

ChamberHouse

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Subterranean Border Defense Act

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit annual reports on implementation of its strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Current law only requires a one-time report within one year of plan development. The recur

Community Breakdown

Pass

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This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit annual reports on implementation of its strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Current law only requires a one-time report within one year of plan development. The recurring reporting ensures ongoing congressional oversight of CBPs tunnel detection and interdiction efforts along the U.S. border.

Bill Number: 495
Sponsor: Elijah Crane (R-AZ)
Introduced: 1/21/2025
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governm
Policy Area: Immigration

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Subterranean Border Defense Act
Bill Number: 495
Sponsor: Elijah Crane (R-AZ)
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governm
Introduced: 1/21/2025
Summary: This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit annual reports on implementation of its strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Current law only requires a one-time report within one year of plan development. The recurring reporting ensures ongoing congressi

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to submit annual reports on implementation of its strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Current law only requires a one-time report within one year of plan development. The recurring reporting ensures ongoing congressional oversight of CBPs tunnel detection and interdiction efforts along the U.S. border.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Subterranean Border Defense ActThis bill requires recurring annual reporting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the implementation of a strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Currently, CBP is only required to report once no later than one year after the plan's development.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Mandates annual CBP reporting on tunnel countermeasures
Expands current one-time reporting requirement
Covers strategic plan implementation
Addresses illicit cross-border tunnel operations
Provides ongoing congressional oversight

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Cross-border tunnels are used to smuggle drugs, weapons, and people. This bill ensures Congress receives regular updates on CBPs efforts to detect and neutralize these underground passages. Annual reporting allows oversight of technology deployment, staffing, and coordination with Mexican authorities. The recurring requirement acknowledges that tunnel threats evolve and require sustained attention.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Immigration

Related Subjects

Border security and unlawful immigration

Government information and archives

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

495, 119th Congress (2025). "Subterranean Border Defense Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-495

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