Congressional Border Security Assessment Act

# Congressional Border Security Assessment Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The Congressional Border Security Assessment Act (HR 103) would allow members of Congress and their staff to enter and inspect Indian reservations located along the U.S.-Mexico border for the purpose of evaluating border security and national safety. Specifically, it applies only to reservations that span 50 or more contiguous miles of the border with Mexico. Currently, members of Congress cannot access tribal lands without permission from the tribes themselves. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects Native American tribes whose reservations border Mexico, as well as members of Congress who oversee border security.

Several reservations in Arizona and New Mexico would potentially fall under this provision. The bill relates to broader congressional oversight responsibilities and federal-Indian relations, as it would override tribal sovereignty regarding access to reservation lands. **Current Status** HR 103 is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. As a Republican-sponsored bill focused on border security, it reflects ongoing debates about how to balance congressional oversight authority with tribal sovereignty and self-governance rights.