Senators Hassan, Cramer, Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Northern Border Security

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen security at the Northern border by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to regularly complete a new Northern Border Threat Analysis and update its Northern Border Strategy. Even as criminals evolve their tactics, there has not been a Northern Border Threat Analysis conducted since 2017, and the Northern Border Strategy has not been updated since 2018.

“The threats at our Northern border are constantly evolving, and so too must our strategy to combat these threats,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill will strengthen law enforcement’s efforts to stop the transnational criminal organizations that are flooding our streets with fentanyl and other deadly drugs. As I continue to hear directly from law enforcement officials at the Northern border in New Hampshire, I will keep working to address the challenges that they face – and doing so will help keep both New Hampshire and our country safe, secure, and free.”

“Over the last four years, our nation has experienced an unprecedented surge in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Canada border,” said Senator Cramer. “Yet, the Northern Border Threat Analysis hasn’t been updated since 2017 and the strategy remains outdated. The escalating crisis at the northern border must be addressed, and we must take action to combat the growing threat our communities face. I joined Senator Hassan in introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act to hold the Biden administration accountable, secure our ports of entry, and protect our communities from rising threats.”

This legislation is part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen border security. Last month, the Senate Homeland Security Committee advanced bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senator Hassan, to allow U.S. and Canadian personnel to jointly patrol both sides of the Northern border on aircraft, helping better combat drug smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities. Earlier this year, the Homeland Security Committee voted to advance two of Senator Hassan’s bipartisan bills to reduce the flow of fentanyl, illicit firearms, and money across both directions of the Southern border. Additionally, in March, Senator Hassan’s bipartisan END FENTANYL Act, which will help Customs and Border Protection crack down on fentanyl trafficking at the border, was signed into law. Senator Hassan also worked with her colleagues to pass into law the bipartisan INTERDICT Act, which has provided Customs and Border Protection with additional tools to help detect and intercept fentanyl and other illegal synthetic opioids.

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