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HR 163 · 119th CongressIn Committee
Finish the Wall Act
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Immigration
Sponsor
Clay Higgins
Introduced
January 3, 2025
Latest action
January 3, 2025
Legislative Progress
How far this bill has traveled through Congress
Introduced
Committee
Passed Chamber
Passed Both
President
Enacted
Introduced
Bill filed in chamber
Committee
Reviewed & reported
Passed Chamber
House or Senate vote
Passed Both
House & Senate agree
President
Sent to White House
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Signed into law
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Plain-Language Summary
AI GeneratedUnder current law, the Department of Homeland Security halted border wall construction activities in January 2021. Funds appropriated by Congress for wall construction since October 2016 remain available but have not been expended for that purpose. The bill responds to the status quo in which previously planned and underway construction projects along the U.S.-Mexico border remain incomplete, and appropriated funds designated for wall construction have not been deployed.
The Department of Homeland Security must immediately resume all border wall system construction activities that were underway or planned before January 20, 2021, within 24 hours of the bill's enactment. DHS is prohibited from canceling any contracts for wall construction entered into on or before that date. The department must expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated for border wall construction beginning October 1, 2016, to carry out these activities. DHS must also submit an implementation plan within 30 days detailing how it will complete wall construction by September 30, 2026, and a second plan within 90 days identifying quarterly benchmarks and cost estimates for all remaining tactical infrastructure, technology, and other elements.
Implementation begins immediately upon enactment, with DHS required to resume work within one day. The bill directs use of previously appropriated funds from fiscal year 2017 onward, with no new appropriations specified. DHS must honor all written agreements with private citizens, state and local governments, and tribal governments regarding wall construction. Additionally, within 14 days, DHS must certify that U.S. Customs and Border Protection complies with the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 at all border facilities processing adults in custody, ensuring DNA collection procedures align with federal requirements.
Key Provisions
- 1Requires the Department of Homeland Security to resume all border wall system construction activities within 24 hours of enactment that were underway or planned before January 20, 2021.
- 2Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from canceling any contracts for border wall construction that were entered into on or before January 20, 2021.
- 3Directs the Department of Homeland Security to expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated for border wall construction beginning October 1, 2016, and to submit an implementation plan within 30 days for completing construction by September 30, 2026.
- 4Requires the Department of Homeland Security to submit a detailed 90-day implementation plan with quarterly benchmarks and cost estimates for all tactical infrastructure, technology, and other border wall system elements.
- 5Directs the Department of Homeland Security to certify within 14 days that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is fully compliant with the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005 at all border facilities processing adults in custody.
★ Why this matters
Border wall construction resumes immediately using previously appropriated funds, redirecting resources from other uses to complete barrier projects by September 2026. The bill mandates expenditure of funds Congress designated for wall construction since 2016, potentially affecting other Department of Homeland Security priorities and operations. Implementation timelines are compressed, requiring DHS to mobilize construction activities and submit detailed plans within weeks. The requirement to honor all written agreements with private landowners, state and local governments, and tribal governments may create legal and logistical complexities in project execution.
● Who this affects
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and Department of Homeland Security personnel responsible for border operations and construction oversight; private construction contractors and suppliers bidding on or executing border wall projects; private landowners, state governments, local governments, and tribal governments along the U.S.-Mexico border whose property or agreements are affected by wall construction; communities in border states including Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California where construction occurs; federal agencies competing for DHS funding that may be redirected to wall construction.
Bill Text
View on Congress.govShow / hide bill text preview
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 163
To immediately resume construction of the border wall system along the
international border between the United States and Mexico to secure the
border, enforce the rule of law, and expend appropriated funds as
mandated by Congress, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2025
Mr. Higgins of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Brecheen, Mr. Bergman, Mr.
Meuser, Mr. Cline, Mr. Moolenaar, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Feenstra, Mr.
Buchanan, Mr. Rose, Mr. Ezell, Ms. Mace, Mr. Bost, Mr. Fleischmann, Mr.
Roy, Mrs. Houchin, Mr. Kustoff, Mrs. Luna, Mr. Huizenga, Mr. Crank, Mr.
Taylor, Mrs. Harshbarger, and Mr. Guest) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
A BILL
To immediately resume construction of the border wall system along the
international border between the United States and Mexico to secure the
border, enforce the rule of law, and expend appropriated funds as
mandated by Congress, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Finish the Wall Act''.
SEC. 2. BORDER WALL SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION.
(a)(1) Immediately Resume Border Wall System Construction.--Not
later than 24 hours after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Homeland Security shall resume all activities related to
the construction of the border barrier system (also known as, and
referred to in this Act as, the ``border wall system'') along the
international border between the United States and Mexico that were
underway or being planned for prior to January 20, 2021.
(2) No Cancellations.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may not
cancel any contract for activities related to border wall system
construction referred to in paragraph (1) that was entered into on or
before January 20, 2021.
(3) Use of Funds.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expend
all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated for border wall system
construction referred to in paragraph (1) that were appropriated or
obligated, as the case may be, beginning on October 1, 2016, to carry
out this Act.
(4) Implementation Plan for Border Wall System.--Not later than 30
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees an implementation plan to complete, by not later than
September 30, 2026, border wall system construction referred to in
paragraph (1) and funded in accordance with paragraph (3).
(b) Plan To Complete Tactical Infrastructure and Technology
Elements of Border Wall System.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of the enactment of t…