S. 850, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act, passed the Senate on August 5, 2026.
S. 850 — Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act
What it does
This bill updates the Northern Border Security Review Act by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a threat analysis of the northern border within 180 days and every 3 years thereafter, including demographic data on apprehensions by sector. It also mandates DHS to update its northern border security strategy within 18 months and every 5 years thereafter, incorporate threat analysis results into those updates, provide classified briefings to Congress on threat analyses within 30 days, and develop performance measures for Air and Marine Operations' effectiveness at the northern border—all without appropriating additional funds.
Quorum's transparency scan found no buried provisions in Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act.
What happens next
S. 850 passed the Senate. It now moves to the other chamber.
Who is behind it
Filed by Maggie Hassan. Cosponsored by John Hoeven, Kevin Cramer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Susan Collins.