Resume Border Wall Construction: Waiving Environmental Laws and Releasing Funds.
This Act mandates the immediate resumption of all physical barrier, road, and technology construction projects along the U.S.-Mexico border, utilizing all previously appropriated funds. The core change grants the Secretary of Homeland Security broad authority to waive dozens of federal laws, including major environmental protection acts and administrative procedures, to expedite construction. This means construction projects will proceed rapidly, bypassing standard environmental reviews and public consultation processes.
Key points
Immediate Construction: Requires the immediate restart of all border barrier projects that were halted after January 2021.
Funding Mandate: All funds appropriated for wall construction since 2016 must be spent and remain available until fully expended.
Legal Waivers: The Secretary of Homeland Security gains the power to waive over 40 federal laws (including environmental, wildlife, and administrative acts) to accelerate construction.
Limited Court Review: Judicial challenges to construction decisions are severely limited, allowing claims only for violations of the U.S. Constitution, with a strict 60-day filing deadline.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_989
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Process start date: 2023-02-14