Bill

H.R. 993 (119th): Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy emerging and innovative technologies to improve border security operations. Such technologies may incorporate artificial intelligence, machine-learning, automation, fiber-optic sensing technology, nanotechnology, optical and cognitive radar, modeling and simulation technology, hyperspectral and LIDAR sensors, and imaging, identification, and categorization systems. The bill authorizes CBP to establish one or more Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies that may be used by CBP. The plan must describe how the Innovation Teams have been implemented and also detail goals and timelines for adoption of qualifying technologies, metrics and key performance parameters for determining the plan's effectiveness, which technologies used by other federal agencies CBP may also utilize, which existing authorities CBP may use to procure technologies, how CBP legacy border technology programs may be replaced, the expected privacy and security impact of security-related technology on border communities, and recent technological advancements in specified technologies. CBP must provide the plan to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The bill also requires CBP to annually report to Congress regarding the activities of the Innovation Teams.

house · Substantive

Rankings updated October 26, 2026, 11:44 AM ET · Votes through September 30, 2026
Exported candidates: 719 | Filings on file, by office: H: 5838 | P: 1467 | S: 1567. These counts include every filing for that office, so they are larger than the ranked list. One person can have more than one filing. Non-voting delegates are left out.

Official source

Summary

Recorded summary

The bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate to develop a plan for identifying, integrating, and deploying emerging technologies (such as AI, machine learning, sensors, and radar) to improve border security. It authorizes CBP to create one or more Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies. The plan must be given to Congress within 180 days of enactment and must cover goals, timelines, performance metrics, procurement authorities, replacement of legacy systems, and the expected privacy and security impact on border communities. CBP must also report annually to Congress on the Innovation Teams' activities.

border_securitycongressional_reportingimmigrationtechnology_procurement

Theological note: The issue touches on the proper use of state power to secure borders, which can serve the public peace, alongside the stewardship duty to limit surveillance technology so it does not intrude unjustly on border communities and their neighbors. The bill's emphasis on assessing privacy impact and reporting to Congress engages the concern that government power remain accountable and bounded. These are matters of prudential judgment rather than direct moral evil on the face of the text.

Scoring

How this bill is scored

Debt and war Cloture and Tier 1 Procedural votes Scoring mechanics

Roll

Recorded votes

Roll 65 · 10-Mar-2025 7:06 PM · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed

Yea 406 · Nay 9 · Other 17

Yea

Nay

Other

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