Bipartisan Subterranean Border Defense Act Gains Senate Momentum to Enhance Oversight of Illicit Tunnels
The Subterranean Border Defense Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Representative Lou Correa (D-CA), has gained significant momentum with the introduction of a companion bill in the Senate by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). The House of Representatives previously passed the bill on March 10, 2025, with overwhelming bipartisan support, receiving a 402-1 vote. This legislation aims to strengthen congressional oversight of illicit cross-border tunnels, which transnational criminal organizations utilize to smuggle drugs, weapons, currency, and people across the southwest border. Since 1990, over 200 such tunnels have been discovered. The bill builds upon Section 7134 of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which mandated the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop a strategic plan to counter these operations. The new legislation converts the NDAA's one-time reporting requirement into an annual one, ensuring regular updates ...
