{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr399-114/featured_secure-our-borders-first-act-of-2015-1455834215.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr399-114/featured_large_secure-our-borders-first-act-of-2015-1455834215.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr399-114.png"},"introduced_on":"2015-01-16","title_override":"Should Congress Authorize More Money For Securing U.S. National Borders?","summary_override":"

This bill outlines a comprehensive plan to secure Northern, Southern, and maritime borders of the U.S.

It focuses on building infrastructure, improving technology, and increasing personnel at the border with the ultimate goal of gaining “operational control” — preventing all illegal entries — within five years.

If passed, resources would be poured into building fences and roads along the border, increasing the number of enforcement agents patrolling all border crossings, and enhancing trade and travel. Additionally, the bill would fully fund the National Guard at the designated borders and allow Border Patrol to access to Federal Land.

The bill would devote $10 billion to the project and would deny Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees both bonuses and raises if they fail to meet their goals. Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and sponsoring Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), describes the bill as “the strongest border security bill ever presented to Congress.”","official_title":"To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to gain and maintain operational control of the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Secure Our Borders First Act of 2015\n\n (Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit Border Security Verification Commission (BSVC) and Government Accountability Office reports, at specified intervals, that assess the state of situational awareness and operational control along the northern and southern U.S. land borders, including an identification of the high traffic areas and the unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate for each sector along such borders that are within the responsibility of the Border Patrol.\n\nRequires the Comptroller General to report to Congress and the BSVC regarding the verification of the data and methodology used to determine high traffic areas and the unlawful border crossing effectiveness rate.\n\n(Sec. 3) Directs DHS to: (1) submit and implement an operational plan to gain and maintain situational awareness and operational control of high traffic areas within two years after enactment of this Act and operational control and situation...","summarized":true,"cost":10000000000,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, the text of this bill authorizes $1,000,000,000 every year for 2016 through 2025, making a grand total of at least 10,000,000,000.","impact":"Anyone hoping to cross any U.S. border legally or illegally, border communities, taxpayers, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees. ","argument_for":"National security needs to be Congress’ top priority. International drug cartels, illegal immigration, human trafficking, and even terrorism can be prevented by passing this bill, which comprehensively outlines new measures to improve DHS to keep U.S. borders secure. ","argument_against":"This bill wastes taxpayer dollars on initiatives that might sound effective, but don't address the root causes of illegal border crossing. By pouring money into DHS, but imposing a tight deadline, the bill has unrealistic expectations and creates a dangerous false sense of security. 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Tell your congressperson how you feel about current legislation related to travel!","page_title":"Travel Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/travel/black_travel-1429042056.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/travel/grey_travel-1429042056.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/travel/white_travel-1429042056.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"federal-agencies","name":"Federal Agencies","slug":"federal-agencies","description":"Vote on the latest federal legislation regarding Federal Agencies. Make your voice heard about the issues you care about. \r\n","page_title":"Federal Agencies Legislation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/black_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/grey_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/federal-agencies/white_federal-agencies-1429042054.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false},{"id":"government","name":"Government","slug":"government","description":"Federal legislation related to the operations of the US Federal Government. 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Should Congress Authorize More Money For Securing U.S. National Borders?