House Homeland Security Committee Releases Text for Budget Reconciliation Recommendations

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the House Committee on Homeland Security released the text of its budget reconciliation recommendations, pursuant to H.Con.Res.14, which will provide funding for the Department of Homeland Security's primary border security mission, among other provisions. Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) released the following statement:

"President Trump won a historic victory last year, in part because he promised to secure our borders and restore real immigration enforcement. His leadership has ended the immediate crisis at our borders, though we will be working to undo the consequences for years. However, the success at our borders will be short-lived if we don't provide the necessary resources to fund President Trump's agenda and help CBP fulfill its border-security mission in the years to come. This will require completing the strategic border-wall system between ports of entry; more technology to close exploitable gaps and enhance drug interdictions; additional frontline personnel; and resources for the states that work to secure the border.

"Our frontline law enforcement agents and officers have been clear about what they need after suffering through the Biden-Harris administration's historic, self-made crisis. Congress is doing its duty by providing them with the resources to continue securing our borders and protecting Americans. Any lawmaker who claims to care about border security will need to put their money where their mouth is and work to advance these recommendations."

DETAILS:

What: Read the full text of the House Homeland Security Committee's budget reconciliation recommendations here. Read highlights below.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET

Where: 310 Cannon House Office Building

Watch: The markup will be livestreamed here and will be open to the public and press. Press must be congressionally credentialed and should RSVP in advance.

BACKGROUND:

Highlights of the Committee's recommendations:

SECTION 1: COMPLETE THE BORDER WALL SYSTEM

• Border Barrier System ($46.5 billion): Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently building an integrated border barrier system-an advanced solution that includes not only physical infrastructure but also technological enhancements. This system features internally reinforced steel bollards, fencing, all-weather access roads, lighting, surveillance cameras, and other cutting-edge technologies to support real-time monitoring and response. The Homeland Security Committee reconciliation package will provide the resources to significantly expand and modernize the border barrier system. Planned investments include: completion of 701 miles of primary wall, construction of 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, and replacement of 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers.
• CBP Facilities ($5 billion): Much of the existing infrastructure supporting the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine Operations, and Office of Field Operations was built decades ago and is no longer adequate to support the scale, scope, or sophistication of today's border security operations. Many facilities are in remote environments, with deteriorating structures, limited space, outdated technology, and insufficient capacity to support current staffing levels, operational tempo, or evolving security challenges.

SECTION 2: INVESTMENTS IN CBP PERSONNEL AND CBP FLEET VEHICLES

• Addressing the Urgent Need for Additional Frontline CBP Personnel ($4.1 billion): CBP agents and officers must be empowered to carry out their core mission-securing the border and enforcing the law-with adequate staffing, resources, and support. Without immediate and sustained investment in workforce expansion and retention, CBP risks further erosion of both effectiveness and morale, endangering not only border security but also the well-being of those sworn to protect it. With reconciliation funding, CBP will have the ability to hire and train: 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new Office of Field Operations customs officers, 200 new AMO agents, 290 support staff, and eligible retired agents and officers.
• Investing in the CBP Workforce Through Annual Retention Bonuses and Signing Incentives ($2 billion): CBP is currently facing a staffing crisis that threatens the agency's ability to meet its core national security mission. As the demands on frontline personnel continue to grow-driven by record levels of encounters from the last four years and evolving criminal threats from transnational criminal organizations-CBP is struggling to recruit and retain the skilled workforce necessary to meet these demands. Investing in annual retention and signing bonuses can help workforce morale and secure the personnel needed to protect our borders.

SECTION 3: MODERNIZE AND ENHANCE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, NATIONAL VETTING CENTER, AND COMBATING DRUG TRAFFICKING

• Non-Intrusive Inspection ($1.076 billion): At our ports of entry, CBP employs Non Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology to detect and interdict illicit drugs, including fentanyl, as well as concealed currency, contraband, and individuals being smuggled into the country. Strengthening CBP's technological capabilities, as well as other mission support capabilities, is one of the most effective strategies to turn the tide of this epidemic.
• Securing All Fronts: The Urgent Need to Invest in Border Surveillance Technology ($2.7 billion):Technology, such as ground detection sensors, integrated surveillance towers, tunnel detection capability, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and enhanced communications equipment serve as a vital force multiplier, extending the reach of frontline agents and officers and giving CBP the ability to respond faster, smarter, and more strategically.

SECTIONS 4 & 5: GRANT PROGRAMS

• Unmanned Aircraft Systems ($500 million): This grant program will support state, local, and tribal law enforcement in developing their ability to detect, identify, track, or monitor UAS threats.
• Operation Stonegarden ($450 million): This grant program enhances cooperation and coordination among CBP, the Border Patrol, federal, and SLTT law enforcement agencies by providing funding to support joint efforts to secure the United States' borders along routes of ingress/egress to and from international borders.

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