Customs enforcement – CONGRESS MACHINE

HR 4213: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026

This bill provides FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, including

the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management;
the Management Directorate;
Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness; and
the Office of Inspector General.

In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including

U.S. Customs and Border Protection,
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,
the Transportation Security Administration,
the U.S. Coast Guard, and
the U.S. Secret Service.

The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including

the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, and
the Science and Technology Directorate.

The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Sponsors

Mark Amodei (R) NV

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Subjects
Appropriations, Aviation and airports, Border security and unlawful immigration, Building construction, Canada, Coast guard, Computer security and identity theft, Congressional oversight, Customs enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, Disaster relief and insurance, Emergency communications systems, Emergency planning and evacuation, Employment and training programs, Executive agency funding and structure, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Fires, First responders and emergency personnel, Floods and storm protection

HR 4071: Combatting International Drug Trafficking and Human Smuggling Partnership Act of 2025

Sponsors

Michael Guest (R) MS

Cosponsors

Nellie Pou (D) NJ

Introduced on
Monday, June 23rd, 2025

Subjects
Border security and unlawful immigration, Customs enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Executive agency funding and structure, Foreign aid and international relief, Homeland security, Human trafficking, Law enforcement officers, Smuggling and trafficking, Terrorism

HR 1569: CATCH Fentanyl Act

Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act or the CATCH Fentanyl Act

This bill establishes a pilot program for improving the inspection of conveyances or modes of transportation at land ports of entry along U.S. borders to detect contraband, illegal drugs, illegal weapons, human smuggling, and threats. Specifically, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team must test technology in at least one of the categories of artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum information sciences, or other emerging technologies. The team must also test and collect data regarding at least five types of enhancements to nonintrusive inspection technology (e.g., X-ray machines) able to be deployed at land ports of entry.

Sponsors

Clay Higgins (R) LA

Cosponsors

Seth Magaziner (D) RI, Carlos Gimenez (R) FL, Daniel Goldman (D) NY, Mark Green (R) TN, Mike Haridopolos (R) FL, Donald Davis (D) NC, CLEO FIELDS (D) LA, Gabe Evans (R) CO, Josh Riley (D) NY, Angie Craig (D) MN

Introduced on
Tuesday, February 25th, 2025

Subjects
Advanced technology and technological innovations, Border security and unlawful immigration, Computers and information technology, Congressional oversight, Customs enforcement, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Law enforcement administration and funding, Performance measurement, Smuggling and trafficking

HR 1548: Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act

Sponsors

Beth Van Duyne (R) TX

Cosponsors

None

Introduced on
Monday, February 24th, 2025

Subjects
Administrative remedies, Canada, Civil actions and liability, Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits, Currency, Customs enforcement, Foreign and international corporations, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Free trade and trade barriers, Government information and archives, Government studies and investigations, International monetary system and foreign exchange, Mexico, North America, Tariffs, Trade agreements and negotiations

S 691: Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act

Sponsors

Todd Young (R) IN

Cosponsors

Tina Smith (D) MN, Tommy Tuberville (R) AL, Amy Klobuchar (D) MN, Lindsey Graham (R) SC, Tammy Baldwin (D) WI, Tom Cotton (R) AR, John Fetterman (D) PA, Roger Wicker (R) MS, Ruben Gallego (D) AZ, Jim Banks (R) IN, Elizabeth Warren (D) MA, Eric Schmitt (R) MO, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) NY, Bernie Moreno (R) OH, Katie Britt (R) AL

Introduced on
Monday, February 24th, 2025

Subjects
Administrative remedies, Canada, Civil actions and liability, Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits, Currency, Customs enforcement, Foreign and international corporations, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Free trade and trade barriers, Government information and archives, Government studies and investigations, International monetary system and foreign exchange, Mexico, North America, Tariffs, Trade agreements and negotiations

HR 1284: Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025

Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2025

This bill increases penalties for, and establishes additional enforcement mechanisms related to, fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws.

Specifically, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation to three times the domestic value of the merchandise. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the domestic value of the merchandise.) It prohibits a person who commits a fraudulent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a five-year period.

Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a grossly negligent violation to the lesser of (1) 3 times the domestic value of the merchandise; or (2) 10 times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the lesser of the domestic value of the merchandise or four times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees.) It prohibits a person who commits a grossly negligent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a two-year period.

Further, the bill applies these importation bans to an affiliated person (e.g., a family member or employee) of the person who committed the fraudulent or grossly negligent violation.

The bill establishes a private right of action for an interested party (e.g., a manufacturer) affected by customs fraud or grossly negligent violations.

The bill prohibits any person (or an affiliated person) who commits a fraudulent or grossly negligent violation from participating in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Importer of Record program, and further requires revocation of their importer of record numbers.

Sponsors

Mike Bost (R) IL

Cosponsors

Terri Sewell (D) AL, Nathaniel Moran (R) TX, Claudia Tenney (R) NY, Beth Van Duyne (R) TX, Gregory Murphy (R) NC, Frank Mrvan (D) IN, Troy Balderson (R) OH, Gary Palmer (R) AL, Nikki Budzinski (D) IL, Jimmy Panetta (D) CA, Mike Carey (R) OH

Introduced on
Thursday, February 13th, 2025

Subjects
Civil actions and liability, Criminal procedure and sentencing, Customs enforcement, Fraud offenses and financial crimes

HR 1268: Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act

Sponsors

Maria Salazar (R) FL

Cosponsors

Carlos Gimenez (R) FL, Jimmy Panetta (D) CA, Mike Levin (D) CA, Clay Higgins (R) LA, Monica De La Cruz (R) TX, Daniel Webster (R) FL, Aaron Bean (R) FL, Randy Weber (R) TX, Mike Ezell (R) MS, James Moylan (R) GU, Warren Davidson (R) OH, Byron Donalds (R) FL, Donald Davis (D) NC, Brian Mast (R) FL, Scott Franklin (R) FL, Rick Allen (R) GA, Michael Guest (R) MS, Nicole Malliotakis (R) NY, John Rutherford (R) FL, Laurel Lee (R) FL

Introduced on
Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

Subjects
Customs enforcement, Geography and mapping, International law and treaties, Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

S 463: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails).

The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer.

Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Sponsors

Kirsten Gillibrand (D) NY

Cosponsors

Josh Hawley (R) MO

Introduced on
Thursday, February 6th, 2025

Subjects
Administrative remedies, Civil actions and liability, Congressional oversight, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Customs enforcement, Due process and equal protection, Evidence and witnesses, Government trust funds, Judicial procedure and administration, Lawyers and legal services, Legal fees and court costs, Property rights, State and local government operations

HR 1065: Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025

This bill requires or authorizes certain actions related to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).

The bill requires the Department of Justice to appoint an assistant U.S. attorney in each judicial district to coordinate and supervise the investigation and prosecution of various crimes related to postal services (for example, assault on a postal service employee, breaking into a post office, or obstruction of mails).

The bill also requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend sentencing guidelines to provide that the assault or robbery of a postal employee shall be treated the same as the assault of a law enforcement officer.

Additionally, the bill authorizes appropriations for the USPS to install high security collection boxes and replace older versions of the universal mailbox key with electronic versions.

Sponsors

Brian Fitzpatrick (R) PA

Cosponsors

Greg Landsman (D) OH

Introduced on
Thursday, February 6th, 2025

Subjects
Administrative remedies, Civil actions and liability, Congressional oversight, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Customs enforcement, Due process and equal protection, Evidence and witnesses, Government trust funds, Judicial procedure and administration, Lawyers and legal services, Legal fees and court costs, Property rights, State and local government operations

S 263: FAIR Act of 2025

Sponsors

Rand Paul (R) KY

Cosponsors

Cory Booker (D) NJ, Mike Lee (R) UT, Angus King (I) ME, Mike Crapo (R) ID, Cynthia Lummis (R) WY, Ron Wyden (D) OR, Peter Welch (D) VT, Chris Van Hollen (D) MD

Introduced on
Monday, January 27th, 2025

Subjects
Administrative remedies, Civil actions and liability, Congressional oversight, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Customs enforcement, Due process and equal protection, Evidence and witnesses, Government trust funds, Judicial procedure and administration, Lawyers and legal services, Legal fees and court costs, Property rights, State and local government operations

S 206: Restoring Trade Fairness Act

Restoring Trade Fairness Act

This bill establishes various trade measures related to China, including by revoking China’s permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and increasing the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on Chinese imported goods. The bill prohibits imported goods originating from North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran from receiving de minimis treatment. (Current law allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.)

Specifically, the bill revokes China’s PNTR status. Currently, China’s PNTR status allows for Chinese goods to have duty rates set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). With the removal of China’s PNTR status, the bill generally sets the applicable duty rates on imported Chinese goods at the higher rates listed in column 2 of the HTS, with exceptions.

The bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 35% for all Chinese goods, which requires column 2 rates to be at least 35%. However, the bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 100% for a list of specified goods (e.g., various minerals, certain vaccines and drugs, and certain defense-related articles). Duty rates are phased in over five years and adjusted annually for inflation.

The bill also

authorizes the President to take additional actions related to trade with China,
requires merchandise imported from China to be appraised based on U.S. value, and
establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for lost revenue resulting from retaliatory actions by China.

Sponsors

Tom Cotton (R) AR

Cosponsors

Jim Banks (R) IN, Josh Hawley (R) MO

Introduced on
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Agricultural trade, Asia, Budget deficits and national debt, China, Congressional oversight, Customs enforcement, Department of Defense, Executive agency funding and structure, Government information and archives, Government trust funds, Inflation and prices, Normal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatment, Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents, Tariffs, Trade restrictions, U.S. International Trade Commission

HR 708: SHIELD Against CCP Act

Strategic Homeland Intelligence and Enforcement Legislation to Defend Against the CCP Act or the SHIELD Against CCP Act

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to form a working group tasked with duties related to countering terrorist, cybersecurity, border and port security, and transportation security threats posed to the United States by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The working group must assess and annually report on current DHS efforts to counter the CCP’s (1) use of the U.S. immigration system, (2) economic and trade practices, and (3) support for illicit financial activity and trafficking controlled substances. The working group must terminate seven years after its establishment.

DHS must additionally carry out research and development on technologies and techniques for enhancing its security and situational awareness to these threats.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the implementation of this bill.

Sponsors

Dale Strong (R) AL

Cosponsors

Thomas Suozzi (D) NY, Clay Higgins (R) LA, Mark Green (R) TN, Michael Guest (R) MS, Morgan Luttrell (R) TX, Gabe Evans (R) CO

Introduced on
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Subjects
Advisory bodies, Asia, Border security and unlawful immigration, China, Computer security and identity theft, Congressional oversight, Customs enforcement, Drug trafficking and controlled substances, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Government information and archives, Human trafficking, Intellectual property, Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information, Intergovernmental relations, Organized crime, Research and development, Smuggling and trafficking, Terrorism, Transportation safety and security

HR 694: Restoring Trade Fairness Act

Restoring Trade Fairness Act

This bill establishes various trade measures related to China, including by revoking China’s permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status and increasing the rates of duty (i.e., tariffs) on Chinese imported goods. The bill prohibits imported goods originating from North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran from receiving de minimis treatment. (Current law allows for U.S. imports under a de minimis threshold of $800 per shipment to enter free of tariffs, fees, and taxes.)

Specifically, the bill revokes China’s PNTR status. Currently, China’s PNTR status allows for Chinese goods to have duty rates set forth in column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTS). With the removal of China’s PNTR status, the bill generally sets the applicable duty rates on imported Chinese goods at the higher rates listed in column 2 of the HTS, with exceptions.

The bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 35% for all Chinese goods, which requires column 2 rates to be at least 35%. However, the bill establishes a minimum duty rate of 100% for a list of specified goods (e.g., various minerals, certain vaccines and drugs, and certain defense-related articles). Duty rates are phased in over five years and adjusted annually for inflation.

The bill also

authorizes the President to take additional actions related to trade with China,
requires merchandise imported from China to be appraised based on U.S. value, and
establishes a trust fund to compensate U.S. producers for lost revenue resulting from retaliatory actions by China.

Sponsors

John Moolenaar (R) MI

Cosponsors

Thomas Suozzi (D) NY

Introduced on
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Agricultural trade, Asia, Budget deficits and national debt, China, Congressional oversight, Customs enforcement, Department of Defense, Executive agency funding and structure, Government information and archives, Government trust funds, Inflation and prices, Normal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatment, Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents, Tariffs, Trade restrictions, U.S. International Trade Commission

S 221: Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025

Sponsors

Rick Scott (R) FL

Cosponsors

Maggie Hassan (D) NH, James Lankford (R) OK, Ruben Gallego (D) AZ

Introduced on
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025

Subjects
Customs enforcement, Geography and mapping, International law and treaties, Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

HR 595: To amend the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act to make certain technical corrections to facilitate the lawful trade and collecting of numismatic materials.

Sponsors

Beth Van Duyne (R) TX

Cosponsors

Dusty Johnson (R) SD, Mark Amodei (R) NV, Burgess Owens (R) UT, Sara Jacobs (D) CA

Introduced on
Tuesday, January 21st, 2025

Subjects
Currency, Customs enforcement, Trade restrictions

HR 487: Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act

Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act

This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct preclearance quarantine inspections for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials on persons, baggage, cargo, and any other articles destined for direct movement to or from the state of Hawaii. The visual, x-ray, and canine inspections must be conducted at airports, ports, and postal sorting facilities.

APHIS must also consult with the state of Hawaii to develop and publish a list of items subject to inspection for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials.

User fees must be prescribed and collected to cover the cost of the inspections.

Sponsors

Ed Case (D) HI

Cosponsors

Jill Tokuda (D) HI

Introduced on
Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Subjects
Aviation and airports, Customs enforcement, Government information and archives, Hawaii, Horticulture and plants, Intergovernmental relations, Pest management, Postal service, Travel and tourism, User charges and fees