Bill · H.R. 534· House(119-HR-534)
CONTAINER Act
- Introduced
- 1/16/2025
- Last activity
- 2/20/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Sponsored by
- David Rouzer
- Cosponsors
- - 9 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "CONTAINER Act," authorizes certain States to take actions on Federal land to secure an international border. It allows a Border State to place movable, temporary structures on Federal land adjacent to the northern or southern borders. To use this authority, the State must submit notice to the Secretary concerned at least 45 days before the proposed placement. These structures can be placed for a period of up to one year. Extensions of 90-day increments may be granted upon approval by the Secretary concerned.
Yes
Does this tighten control of the border?+7
The bill provides a mechanism for states to secure international borders using temporary structures on federal land.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+5
The bill empowers border states to take direct action on federal land for security purposes without a special use authorization.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-3
The placement of movable structures on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management or National Park Service may impact existing land protections.
Does this invest in rural communities?-2
The placement of temporary border structures could impact land use in rural border areas.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?-2
The use of temporary structures on federal land may affect the landscape and land use for residents in rural border communities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Border Security: The bill allows for the placement of movable, temporary structures on Federal land for the purpose of securing the northern or southern border (Section 2(b)).
-
Streamlined Process for States: A Border State is not required to obtain a special use authorization for these structures, provided they submit notice to the Secretary concerned at least 45 days in advance (Section 2(b)).
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Mechanism for Extended Security: The bill allows for the extension of the placement of structures in 90-day increments if operational control has not been achieved (Section 2(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Requirement for Notice: States must submit notice of the proposed placement to the Secretary concerned no later than 45 days before the placement occurs (Section 2(b)).
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Limited Duration of Placement: A movable, temporary structure can be placed for a period of not more than 1 year, unless an extension is approved (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Dependency on Federal Approval for Extensions: To extend the use of a structure, the Secretary concerned must approve the request after consulting with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Section 2(c)(2)(A)-(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-3Improves Rural Development-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents-2
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- 2/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/16/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Charles FleischmannRepublican · Tennessee
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York
Michael McCaulRepublican · Texas
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Troy NehlsRepublican · Texas
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Adrian SmithRepublican · Nebraska
Claudia TenneyRepublican · New York
Beth Van DuyneRepublican · Texas