CATCH Fentanyl Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 703Immigration

CATCH Fentanyl Act

INTRO FEB 25· LAST ACTION FEB 25

READING

9MIN

COSPONSORS

11BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Introduced only

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to tackle critical issues at the U.S. border: national security, drug smuggling, and efficiency. The ongoing fentanyl crisis highlights the urgent need for better methods to intercept illegal drugs. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to faster and more effective detection of fentanyl, weapons, and human trafficking at our land borders, potentially saving lives and making communities safer.

Without this bill, border inspection processes might continue to rely on older technologies, potentially allowing more contraband to enter the country and contributing to longer wait times for legitimate trade and travel. By exploring advanced technologies like AI, the bill seeks to modernize border security, making it more robust against evolving threats while also improving the flow of commerce and reducing frustrating delays for those crossing the border legally.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Establishes a 5-year pilot program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test new technologies for inspecting cargo at land border crossings.

This creates a dedicated effort to upgrade border security and efficiency using modern tools.

PROVISION 02

Requires testing of at least five types of technology enhancements, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to detect illegal items like fentanyl, weapons, and human smuggling.

This ensures a diverse and advanced approach to improving detection capabilities.

PROVISION 03

Mandates that the pilot projects evaluate technologies based on their ability to accurately detect contraband, increase inspection efficiency (reduce wait times), and improve aging equipment.

This ensures that tested technologies are effective, practical, and address current challenges at the border.

PROVISION 04

Requires the Secretary to safeguard data privacy and security during the pilot projects through measures like adhering to laws, data anonymization, and regular audits.

This addresses potential concerns about the collection and use of personal data with new technologies.

PROVISION 05

Requires reports to Congress after three years and again after the program ends, detailing the effectiveness of tested technologies and recommendations for wider use.

This ensures accountability and provides information for future decisions on border security technology.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 11

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 90%

DEM 5 REP 6 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 703

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedFeb 25, 2025

Last actionFeb 25, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2025

Senate BillS 703Immigration

CATCH Fentanyl Act

INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 25, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

9 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes a 5-year pilot program for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test new technologies for inspecting cargo at land border crossings.

This creates a dedicated effort to upgrade border security and efficiency using modern tools.

high

Requires testing of at least five types of technology enhancements, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to detect illegal items like fentanyl, weapons, and human smuggling.

This ensures a diverse and advanced approach to improving detection capabilities.

high

Mandates that the pilot projects evaluate technologies based on their ability to accurately detect contraband, increase inspection efficiency (reduce wait times), and improve aging equipment.

This ensures that tested technologies are effective, practical, and address current challenges at the border.

med

Requires the Secretary to safeguard data privacy and security during the pilot projects through measures like adhering to laws, data anonymization, and regular audits.

This addresses potential concerns about the collection and use of personal data with new technologies.

med

Requires reports to Congress after three years and again after the program ends, detailing the effectiveness of tested technologies and recommendations for wider use.

This ensures accountability and provides information for future decisions on border security technology.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Secretary, through CBP Innovation Team, shall begin implementation of pilot projects.

5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Termination of the pilot projects.

Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Secretary shall submit a report to appropriate congressional committees.

180 days after the termination of the pilot projects.

Secretary shall submit a report to appropriate congressional committees.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Land ports of entry: Official locations along the U.S. border where people, vehicles, and cargo legally enter or exit the country.
Nonintrusive inspection technology (NII technology): Equipment, like X-ray or gamma-ray scanners, that allows inspectors to examine the contents of vehicles or cargo containers without having to open them or unload their contents.
CBP Innovation Team: A specialized group within U.S. Customs and Border Protection responsible for finding and testing new technologies and approaches to improve border security operations.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Computer systems designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and recognizing patterns.
Contraband: Goods that are illegal to import, export, or possess, such as illegal drugs, weapons, or counterfeit items.
Pilot projects: Small-scale, trial programs used to test the effectiveness and feasibility of new ideas, technologies, or methods before implementing them more widely.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

FEB 25, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

FEB 25, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

INTROREFERRAL

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Committee Referrals

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs CommitteeReferred

Feb 25, 2025

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CATCH Fentanyl Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

CATCH Fentanyl Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

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