Subterranean Border Defense Act
This bill amends the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act to require the Department of Homeland Security to submit annual reports on counter-illicit tunnel operations, replacing a one-time reporting requirement with ongoing updates. It directly affects DHS officials responsible for border security operations and Congress, which receives these reports for oversight. The key mechanism is the annual reporting mandate, ensuring continuous assessment of tunnel threats rather than a single strategic plan development.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
President
Introduced Jan 16, 2025
Last action Mar 11, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 10, 2025
How they voted
402–1
Passed · 29 other
Total votes 432
Mar 10, 2025
D
Democratic214
90% Yea
I
Independent1
100% Yea
R
Republican217
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
12
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 1 (Roll no. 63). (text: CR H1046)
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HR 495
Scope: US
Hi! I can help you understand HR 495. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline