The US House overwhelmingly passed the Subterranean Border Defense Act with a vote of 402-1, leaving Rep. Rashida Tlaib standing alone in opposition to a bill targeting cartel tunnels under the US-Mexico border.
Key Takeaways
- The Subterranean Border Defense Act passed with strong bipartisan support (402-1) and requires annual reports from US Customs and Border Protection on cartel tunnels and countermeasures.
- Since 1990, over 140 tunnels have been discovered breaching the US border, with an 80% increase in tunnel activity since 2008.
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) cast the lone vote against the legislation, while 194 Democrats and 208 Republicans voted in favor.
- The bill was led by Republican Rep. Eli Crane and co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Lou Correa, showcasing rare bipartisan cooperation on border security.
- The legislation now moves to the Senate for consideration after being fast-tracked in the House under suspension of the rules.
Rare Bipartisan Effort Targets Cartel’s Underground Network
In a remarkable display of bipartisan cooperation, the House of Representatives passed the Subterranean Border Defense Act aimed at combating Mexican cartels’ use of underground tunnels for smuggling operations. The bill, spearheaded by Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) and co-sponsored by Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), received overwhelming support with 402 representatives voting in favor. The legislation requires US Customs and Border Protection to submit comprehensive annual reports to Congress detailing tunnel discoveries and enforcement efforts along the southwestern border.
The strong show of unity on this issue underscores growing concern about the sophisticated methods cartels employ to bypass conventional border security measures. During the brief floor debate, supporters emphasized the national security implications of these subterranean passages. The bill passed under suspension of the rules, a procedure typically reserved for non-controversial legislation with broad support. Ten Republicans and 19 Democrats abstained from voting, but no representatives spoke in opposition during the debate.
Tlaib Stands Alone in Opposition
The single vote against the measure came from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who did not publicly explain her opposition. Her solitary stance against a bill with such widespread support drew immediate attention. After the vote, Rep. Crane commented on social media, “I thought for sure everyone was gonna vote yes on my bill this evening, 402-1 is still pretty solid though,” an apparent reference to Tlaib’s dissenting vote. The overwhelming margin illustrates how border security measures can gain traction when focused on specific enforcement mechanisms rather than broader immigration policies.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to receive similar bipartisan support. The bill’s passage comes amid increased scrutiny of border security measures and growing concerns about cartel operations. While the political divide over comprehensive immigration reform remains stark, this focused approach to targeting specific security threats appears to have created common ground between the parties.
Growing Tunnel Threat Demands Attention
The urgency of addressing underground smuggling operations is highlighted by alarming statistics presented during the bill’s consideration. According to Rep. Crane, tunnel discoveries have increased by 80% since 2008, representing a significant shift in cartel tactics. These sophisticated passages allow for the movement of drugs, weapons, and even human trafficking victims while evading conventional border security measures. The legislation aims to enhance congressional oversight of this growing threat by ensuring lawmakers receive regular updates on the scope of the problem.
Rep. Crane emphasized the national security implications, stating, “Passage of this bill is a massive win for our security.” The legislation represents a targeted approach to a specific aspect of border security rather than attempting to address the entire immigration system. By focusing on concrete enforcement mechanisms and information gathering, lawmakers were able to find common ground that crossed partisan lines. The bill’s requirements for detailed reporting should provide Congress with better tools to evaluate the effectiveness of current countermeasures and develop more robust responses to this underground threat.
Sources:
- Subterranean Border Defense Act
- Rashida Tlaib becomes lone House lawmaker opposing cracking down on Mexican cartels’ border tunnel system
- Rashida Tlaib Casts Lone Vote Against Bill Requiring Reports on Cartel Smuggling Tunnels Under Border
- House passes Subterranean Border Defense Act, boosting oversight on use of tunnels to sneak into US
