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Congress·In Committee·3 months ago

Congress Proposes Grants for Border-Crossing Communities to Upgrade Roads, Utilities, and Safety

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(6)
Tribal Member
Neutral
Immigrant
Neutral
Green Card
Neutral
Visa Holder
Neutral
Gig Worker
Neutral
Chronic Illness
Neutral
Positive Impacts(2)
Federal Employee
Helps
Child Tax Credit
Helps

Key Points

  • Creates a Homeland Security grant program to help nearby communities fix roads, water, utilities, and other needs linked to busy land border crossings.
  • Funds can go to State, Tribal, and local governments, plus not-for-profit, member-owned utility providers, for projects at or within 25 miles of a land port of entry.
  • Projects can aim to speed up legal trade and travel, improve border security at ports of entry, boost emergency readiness, and reduce local problems like traffic and pollution.
  • Most projects would require a local match of at least 30% of total cost, but rural areas (up to 100,000 people) or security-priority projects could get a reduced match or a full waiver.
  • Allows reimbursements for eligible projects paid for since Nov. 15, 2021, covering up to 70% of costs (unless a different match rule applies).
InfrastructureTransportationNational SecurityTradeEnvironment

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 17, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

After Congress passes the bill and funding is provided

DHS creates grant rules and a standard way to choose projects

Local and Tribal governments and member-owned utilities would learn what projects qualify, what paperwork is needed, and how DHS will rank applications.

Once DHS issues guidance and has appropriated funds

Grant applications open for eligible border-area infrastructure projects

Communities near land ports of entry could apply for help paying for roads, utilities, wastewater, and other port-support projects.

During project review and award decisions

Matching requirement decisions are made (30% match, reduced match, or waiver)

Small/rural communities may get a lower local cost share, which can decide whether a project is affordable or has to be delayed.

After program launch and funding availability

Reimbursement requests begin for eligible projects back to Nov. 15, 2021

Some governments or member-owned utilities that already paid for qualifying work could get up to 70% of costs back (or more federal share if match is waived).

Related News

2 articles
Ripon Advance·about 2 months ago

Infrastructure at land ports of entry would be upgraded under bipartisan Gonzales bill

Covers Rep. Tony Gonzales’s H.R. 6791 proposal to modernize land port-related community infrastructure, citing roads, bridges, wastewater and other eligible projects and its companion Senate effort.

CR+
Hoodline·2 months ago

Bipartisan “Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act” Aims to Modernize U.S. Land Ports of Entry

Recaps the legislation’s goal of creating a dedicated federal funding stream for infrastructure projects supporting land ports of entry and nearby communities (e.g., congestion, roads, utilities).

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To authorize the Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program to address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of land ports of entry, and for other purposes.

Bill NumberHR 6791
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.