Legislation Introduced to Support CBP During Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events are having an increasing impact on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities, posing difficulties for border security operations and vital infrastructure.

In response, Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Cornyn (R-TX), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) have introduced the Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024.

The proposed legislation aims to improve CBP's preparedness and response to hazardous weather conditions near U.S. borders.

This initiative follows a year with 28 natural disasters causing $92.9 billion in damages nationwide, surpassing the previous record of 22 disasters in 2020.

The Border Weather Resiliency Act mandates several key actions:

• Comprehensive Assessment: Evaluating the impact of extreme hazardous weather events, including severe winter conditions, on CBP operations, personnel safety, and infrastructure.
• Mitigation Strategy: Developing a strategy within one year, in consultation with relevant federal departments, to enhance resilience against both summer and winter weather extremes.
• Safety Protocols: Establishing protocols to protect CBP personnel, migrants, and infrastructure from the adverse effects of extreme weather, with special consideration for winter weather risks.

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Senator Cramer noted the severe snowstorms experienced by northern border states like North Dakota and the importance of CBP's mission in various weather conditions. "The Customs and Border Patrol have a vital mission that cannot afford to fail," he said.

Senator Sinema, Chair of the Senate Border Management Subcommittee and member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, stated, “We are identifying real solutions to address and mitigate the risks of extreme weather impacting our Customs and Border Protection personnel and the infrastructure that keeps our communities safe and fuels our economy.”

The Border Weather Resiliency Act aims to ensure CBP is well-equipped to handle the challenges posed by extreme weather, safeguarding both the agency's personnel and the nation's security.