H.R. 6439Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018

1 recorded action151 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Michael T. McCaul [R-TX-10]
Cosponsors: 12 · 11 Republicans · 1 Democrat
Policy area: Emergency Management
Committees: Homeland Security Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Latest action: Dec 5, 2018 · Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 724.

IntroducedJul 19, 2018
Passed the HouseSep 4, 2018
Passed the SenateNot yet reached
Sent to the PresidentNot yet reached
Became lawNot yet reached

What the measure doesCRS summary

Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP). That program was established to address and reduce national security, border security, and terrorist threats before such threats reach the international border of the United States.

In carrying out BITMAP operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must: (1) coordinate foreign and U.S. officials to facilitate the sharing of biometric and biographic information of foreign nationals to identify and screen such nationals for terrorism and threats to national or border security; (2) provide capabilities, including training and equipment, to collect and compare biometric and biographic identification data of foreign nationals to protect against national security, border security, or terrorist threats and illegal entries; and (3) ensure that such data are incorporated into appropriate government databases.

Before carrying out BITMAP operations in a foreign country, DHS must enter into an agreement with the government of such country that outlines such operations and must provide the congressional homeland security committees with a copy of the agreement.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing H.R. 6439 as passed House without amendment on Sep 4, 2018. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 381

House Sep 4, 2018

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

272 Yea 119 Nay 37 not voting

Crossed both parties 67 of 391 voting members broke with their own party: 59 Democrats, 8 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members428 members

Democratic193 members

Republican235 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors12 · 11 Republicans · 1 Democrat

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor H.R. 6439 and vote against it. 10 signed when it was filed.

Loading the public record

H.R. 6439Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 381

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors12 · 11 Republicans · 1 Democrat

H.R. 6439Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act of 2018

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 381

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors12 · 11 Republicans · 1 Democrat

Who lobbied on H.R. 64395 organizations

Who lobbied on H.R. 64395 organizations