Suozzi, Higgins Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Border, Combat Transnational Criminal Organizations Passes House

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) announced passage of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect America’s border and combat transnational criminal organizations.

Congressman Suozzi and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) authored the House companion bill to S. 4698, the DHS Joint Task Forces Reauthorization Act. The bill, which passed through the House yesterday with a bipartisan vote, now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

"I co-led the bipartisan DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act with Rep. Clay Higgins because we must safeguard our homeland, combat transnational crime, and secure our border," said Congressman Tom Suozzi. "We must continue to set aside partisan differences and work together. Bipartisanship is the best way to genuinely serve the American people, and we need more of it!" 

The legislation reauthorizes the Joint Task Forces (JTFs) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) so that they can coordinate agencies to combat drug smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorist threats. The bill extends DHS’s JTF operations through September 30, 2026.

Read the legislation here.

Watch Congressman Suozzi discuss the bill during committee markup here.