Homeland Threat Response Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7098
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Immigration
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-05T16:31:39Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Homeland Threat Response Act (H.R. 7098) aims to expand the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in efforts to address certain violent acts, shootings, and mass killings. It seeks to enable quicker and more comprehensive federal responses to such incidents, building on existing homeland security frameworks.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Homeland Security Act: Modifies section 875(d)(1) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 455(d)) to explicitly include CBP alongside other DHS components in authorized activities.
- Expanded Scope of Activities: Authorizes deployment and assistance for "response, threat mitigation, resolution, and investigation" of specified violent incidents, rather than limiting to investigations alone.
- Short Title: The bill is titled the "Homeland Threat Response Act."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Inclusion of CBP: Previously, the law referenced only "or United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement" (ICE); the amendment adds "or U.S. Customs and Border Protection," broadening participation to include CBP personnel and resources.
- Broadened Operational Role: Inserts language to cover not just "investigation" but also proactive and reactive measures like response (immediate action at the scene), threat mitigation (preventing escalation), and resolution (concluding the incident safely). This shifts from a purely investigative focus to a more holistic emergency response framework.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances coordination within DHS by integrating CBP's border expertise and rapid deployment capabilities into domestic threat responses, potentially improving efficiency in multi-agency operations. Local and state law enforcement may see increased federal support, reducing strain on their resources during major incidents.
- On Citizens: Could lead to faster federal intervention in violent events, potentially saving lives and improving public safety in affected communities. However, it might raise concerns about expanded federal presence in local matters.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the focus is on domestic violent acts; indirect effects could arise if incidents involve cross-border elements, leveraging CBP's existing international role.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DHS Components: Primarily CBP and ICE, with oversight from the broader DHS structure, gaining new deployment authorities.
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Federal, state, and local police who collaborate on investigations and responses to violent crimes, shootings, and mass killings.
- Communities and Citizens: Individuals in areas prone to such incidents, who may experience heightened security measures or federal involvement.
- Congressional Committees: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review and potential oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Expands federal authority under the Homeland Security Act without creating new standalone powers, ensuring alignment with existing statutes. It may require clarification on jurisdictional overlaps between DHS and other federal agencies like the FBI in domestic investigations.
- Constitutional Implications: Could intersect with federalism principles by increasing federal involvement in what are often state-led policing matters, potentially prompting debates on the balance between national security and local autonomy under the Tenth Amendment (which reserves powers to states).
- Political Implications: As an introduced bill in the 119th Congress (2nd Session), it reflects priorities on homeland security amid rising concerns over mass violence. Passage could signal bipartisan support for stronger federal responses, but it might face scrutiny over resource allocation and civil liberties in an election-year context.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-15: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
- 2026-01-15: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Homeland Threat Response Act — issued 2026-01-15 — PDF (2 pages)