Sinema’s bipartisan bill to combat border tunnels approved

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The U.S. Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee unanimously passed Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema's bill.

Straightaway, Sinema's bill, the DHS Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act, is a bipartisan bill, introduced by Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.)

For further context, the bill is to improve border security by combating cartels' human smuggling and drug trafficking operations.

“We’re cracking down on cartels’ criminal activity by directing Customs and Border Protection to identify, intercept, and seal off cross-border tunnels used to smuggle drugs, weapons, and people across our border,” said Sinema.

How this will impact Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Furthermore, the bill instructs CBP to develop a plan that helps identify, break, and remediate illicit cross-border tunnels.

Also, the act requires CBP to conduct a resource assessment to determine the technology and staffing needs necessary for this strategic plan's implementation.

Not only that, CBP will need to report to Congress on the plan's progress next year.