CATCH Fentanyl Act

Last action on Aug 15, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 187.

Summary

The CATCH Fentanyl Act proposes the creation of a pilot program designed to modernize how U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects vehicles and cargo at land ports of entry. Under this legislation, the CBP Innovation Team would be required to test emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum information sciences, to better identify illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling operations. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of border security without necessarily increasing the time it takes for legal travelers and goods to cross the border.

In addition to high-tech software, the bill aims to improve physical scanning hardware. It mandates the testing of at least five different enhancements to nonintrusive inspection technology, such as the X-ray machines currently used at border checkpoints. By collecting data on how these new tools perform in real-world settings, the government intends to determine which technologies are most effective at stopping the flow of fentanyl and other contraband into American communities. If enacted, this bill could lead to more sophisticated screening processes at the nation's land borders.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Feb 25, 2025

Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Discharged

Apr 9, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Apr 9, 2025

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

Apr 9, 2025

HearingHouseMarkup

Apr 9, 2025 · 14:00

H.R. 275, (Ms. Greene of Georgia) the “Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024”; H.R. 820, (Mr. Swalwell) the “Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act”; H.R. 881, (Mr. Pfluger) the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act”; H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1569, (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) the “Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act” or the “CATCH Fentanyl Act”; H.R. 1608, (Mr. Gimenez) the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”; and, H.R. 2659, (Mr. Ogles) the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act”

Committee

House Committee on Homeland Security

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Summary

On April 09, 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security held a legislative hearing to examine a diverse slate of twelve bills aimed at strengthening national security and departmental operations. The legislative package covers a broad range of issues, including H.R. 275, which focuses on reporting requirements for special interest aliens, and H.R. 1569, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, which seeks to improve contraband awareness technology. Other significant measures include H.R. 881, regarding restrictions on Chinese entities of concern, and a trio of bills (H.R. 2116, H.R. 2139, and H.R. 2158) designed to counter transnational repression by foreign actors against individuals within the United States. The committee also reviewed legislation intended to enhance public safety and infrastructure, such as H.R. 1608 for vehicular terrorism prevention and H.R. 2659 for cyber resilience against state-sponsored threats. Additionally, the hearing addressed administrative and humanitarian concerns through H.R. 820, which focuses on breastfeeding equipment screening, and H.R. 2285, which aims to improve accreditation for Department of Homeland Security basic training programs. These bills collectively represent an effort to modernize the department's response to both physical and digital threats while refining internal protocols. As a legislative hearing, this session served as a formal venue for committee members to discuss the merits and potential impacts of each proposal. While no witnesses were listed for this specific session, the committee typically uses such meetings to determine which bills warrant further consideration or amendment. This hearing is a preliminary step in the legislative process; it does not guarantee that any of the bills will be reported out of committee or receive a vote on the House floor.

Video

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-229.

Aug 15, 2025

Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 119-229.

Aug 15, 2025

CATCH Fentanyl Act

Summary

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Committee

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Committee

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Cosponsors (21)

Related Legislation (1)

House Committee on Homeland Security

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CATCH Fentanyl Act

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee

Summary

Video

Lifecycle of the Bill

Committee

Summary

Video

Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (22)

Cosponsors (21)

Policy Area

Legislative Subjects (9)

Related Legislation (1)

Related Legislation (1)

Committees (1)

House Committee on Homeland Security

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CBO Cost Estimate