Bill offered by McCaul, Pfluger seeks to better secure nation’s borders

U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and August Pfluger (R-TX) have signed on as original cosponsors of legislation that would authorize certain states to take actions on designated federal lands to secure U.S. borders.  

“I’m proud to support this bill to empower my governor and state officials with one more tool to secure our border and keep Americans safe,” Rep. McCaul said on March 1. 

“States like my home in Texas have the right to secure their borders when the White House refuses to do so,” said Rep. Pfluger. “I am proud to join this legislation that enables states to place temporary border barriers on federal land. Border security will always be national security.” 

The members introduced the Creating Obstructions Necessary to Address Illegal and Nefarious Entry Rapidly (CONTAINER) Act, H.R. 7479, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) to codify border states’ authority to place temporary barriers on federal land to protect their communities and the nation against illegal immigration and the deadly flow of drugs, according to a bill summary provided by the congressmen.

“The Biden administration has chosen not only to abandon its responsibility to protect the states, but also to actively prohibit the states from protecting themselves,” Rep. McCaul said. “For border states like Texas, the consequences have been devastating.”

“Not only has the Biden administration failed to enforce our laws and secure our border,” added Rep. Rouzer, “but they have also barred border states from executing more robust border security measures. This bill will give border states the explicit ability to erect physical barriers to protect not only their citizens, but all of America, from President Biden’s catastrophic open-border policies.” 

If enacted, the measure specifically would authorize border states to place movable, temporary structures on federal land for the purpose of securing the border without first seeking federal approval, and would allow states to keep these structures on federal land for up to a year, subject to 90-day extensions following consultation with the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Companion legislation was introduced by several Republicans in the U.S. Senate, including U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).