Bill · S. 3504· Senate(119-S-3504)
Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act
- Introduced
- 12/16/2025
- Last activity
- 12/16/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Ruben Gallego
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act" authorizes the Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program. This program allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide grants or supplemental funds to assist State, Tribal, and local governments, as well as not-for-profit, member-owned utility services. The goal is to address deficiencies in community infrastructure that supports or is impacted by land ports of entry. Eligible projects include those focused on transportation, utilities, or modernization. The Secretary will establish specific criteria to prioritize these infrastructure improvements.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this tighten control of the border?+6
The bill authorizes funding for projects designed to enhance border security through improved illicit drug seizure rates.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill allows the Secretary to reduce or waive matching requirements specifically for projects in rural areas.
Does this make trade with other countries easier?+5
The bill funds projects to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of legitimate trade across international borders.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Trade and Travel: Projects designed to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of legitimate trade and travel across international borders can be funded (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Enhanced Border Security: Funding can be used for projects intended to enhance border security, specifically impacting illicit drug seizure rates (Section 3(b)(2)).
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Increased Port Resilience: The bill allows for projects that bolster the emergency preparedness and resilience of land ports of entry and their supportive infrastructure (Section 3(b)(3)).
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Improved Quality of Life for Personnel: The program can fund projects designed to enhance the family quality of life for U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel (Section 3(b)(4)).
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Mitigation of Local Community Impacts: Projects can address direct impacts on surrounding communities, such as traffic congestion, waste and wastewater infrastructure, pollution, and environmental degradation (Section 3(b)(5)).
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Support for Rural Areas: The Secretary has the authority to reduce or entirely waive matching requirements for projects carried out in rural areas (Section 3(f)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Requirements for Local Governments: Generally, recipients must contribute at least 30 percent of the total project funding from non-Federal sources (Section 3(f)(1)).
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+6Improves Affordable Housing+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+4Improves Environmental Protections+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+5
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
John CornynRepublican · Texas