The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at cracking down on the use of tunnels under the southwest border by Mexican cartels to smuggle illegal immigrants and illegal items into the United States.
The bill was passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, with a vote of 402-1. Fox News Digital contacted her office for comment but did not immediately respond.
This bill is R-Ariz. It is led by Rep. Eli Crane of the Democratic co-sponsor, but enjoys bipartisan support thanks to Rep. D-Calif.
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D-Mich. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is the only member of lawmakers who voted against the bill. (AP Photo/j. Scott Apple White)
It is also supported by six other House Republicans, including Rep. Michael Guest, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee’s subcommittee on Border Protection.
The law, entitled the Underground Border Defense Act, directs the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) to submit an annual report to Congress on the use of cartel tunnels and how U.S. law enforcement agencies are trying to deal with it.
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Rep. Eli Crane co-led the bill and spoke in support of it on the floor of the house. (Getty Images)
“Since 1990, authorities have discovered over 140 tunnels that have violated the US border by 80% increase in tunnel activity that has occurred since 2008,” Crane said during a discussion about the bill. “We’ve been grateful for the border intersection since January, so I think it’s safe to assume that this will promote a threat to underground borders through these tunnels.”
The discussion about the bill was short on Monday afternoon, less than 10 minutes. However, Correa and Crane spoke, and lawmakers opposed the bill were not standing up.
“I think this bill is an important step in the right direction,” Correa said.
He said the law would “improve Congress’ efforts to counter illegal cross-border tunnels and hold bad actors accountable.”
Ciudad Juarez, Mexico- January 10: Dismantling human trafficking tunnels at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on January 10, 2025 (photo by Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images))
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This is a rare, bipartisan show in the House of Representatives today, with Crane known as one of the most conservative members of House GOP.
House leaders voted under the suspension of rules. That is, the law was quickly tracked to the final House-wide vote to raise the threshold for passing from a simple majority to two-thirds.
That’s what GOP leaders did for important legislation that is expected to receive widespread bipartisan support.
Elizabeth Elkind is the main reporter of Fox News Digital’s reporting in the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen on Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow me on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to Elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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