Bipartisan effort targets gun trafficking at US-Mexico border

On Wednesday, Reps. Abigail Spanberger and Dan Crenshaw introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing border security and combating gun trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border. The proposed legislation seeks to increase manpower at outbound inspection points, mandating inspections for at least 10% of outbound transport from the U.S. to Mexico. The Secretary of Homeland Security would be tasked with reporting on these inspections and evaluating the potential to raise the inspection threshold to 15 or 20%. The bill also calls for the deployment of at least 500 Customs and Border Patrol officers dedicated to inspecting goods and people leaving the U.S. Additionally, it aims to bolster Homeland Security Investigations personnel focused on currency and firearms smuggling. To improve inspection capabilities, the legislation proposes the acquisition of 50 non-intrusive imaging systems. Crenshaw emphasized the need for this initiative, linking the illegal flow of firearms and currency to the ongoing cartel violence in Mexico and the fentanyl crisis affecting American communities. Spanberger, drawing from her experience as a former CIA officer, highlighted the importance of disrupting the supply chains that support drug trafficking. As Spanberger prepares to leave the House to run for governor of Virginia, this bill reflects a broader shift among Democrats towards prioritizing border security. Despite bipartisan support, the bill's future remains uncertain, as some GOP leaders question the effectiveness of increased funding in addressing what they perceive as deeper policy issues.