Northern border bills proposed by N.Y. reps pass the House

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson canceled Thursday’s House votes and sent members on recess until after the November midterms.

But before that, a pair of Western New York congressmen from either side of the aisle both got bills passed pertaining to the northern border.

Rep. Tim Kennedy’s NEXUS for Families Act would make it easier for families to apply and renew NEXUS memberships together. NEXUS provides pre-approved, vetted travelers with quicker processing at the northern border.

The act would allow family applications to be linked and joint interviews to be scheduled as well as allow Border Patrol to waive in-person interviews for kids under 14.

“I am proud to lead the NEXUS for Families Act, legislation that modernizes and improves the process and ensures it actually works for families,” Kennedy said in statement. “By allowing families to apply together and conduct joint interviews, this bill makes the travel process simpler for parents, children, and spouses.”

Rep. Nick Langworthy’s Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act would require the Department of Homeland Security to regularly assess northern border threats and update its security strategy.

His bill also calls for more performance measures for air and marine operations.

“Protecting our northern border is just as important to our homeland security as the southern border, and we cannot afford to take it for granted,” Langworthy said in a statement. “For too long, the northern border has not received the sustained attention it deserves, even as the threats facing our communities continue to evolve. This bipartisan legislation ensures we are regularly assessing those threats, updating our strategy and giving Congress the information it needs to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable. I’m proud that the House has passed this common-sense bill, and I’ll continue working to make sure our national security is protected, particularly for our border communities like right here in Western New York.”

Both bills now head to the Senate.