Subterranean Border Defense Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GIMENEZ. 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.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7404

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Subterranean Border Defense Act''. SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORTS ON COUNTER ILLICIT CROSS-BORDER TUNNEL OPERATIONS.

Paragraph (2) of section 7134(a) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Public Law 117-263; 6 U.S.C. 257 note) is amended by inserting ``and annually thereafter'' after ``development of the strategic plan''.

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Mr. GIMENEZ. 7404, the bill now under consideration.

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

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