H.R. 5517 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report to the Congress on potential terrorism and criminal threats at the northern border of the United States, and to update that analysis every two years. The bill also would direct the department to update its northern border strategy in 2026 and every two years thereafter. Finally, the bill would require DHS to develop performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of air and maritime security measures at the northern border.
On the basis of costs of similar activities, CBO expects that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026-2031 period. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
Previous CBO Estimate
On August 18, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for S. 850, the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act, as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on July 30, 2025. The two bills are similar; consequently, CBO’s estimates of the costs to implement the bills are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Rafferty. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
