Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/850
Last Updated: November 4, 2025

Sponsored by

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

ID: H001076

Follow the money

The bill

Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act

S. 850, 119th Congress β€” read as touching Law Enforcement & Surveillance Tech.

The sponsor

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$67,600 raised

20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 256.

November 2, 2025

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

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Floor Action

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Passed Senate

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House Review

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Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

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Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant example of congressional incompetence, masquerading as a solution to a non-existent problem. Let's dissect this farce.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act (S 850) claims to enhance security along the northern border by requiring updates to the threat analysis and strategy every few years. Wow, what a bold move! I'm sure the Canadians are shaking in their boots.

In reality, this bill is a classic case of "security theater" – all show, no substance. It's designed to make politicians look tough on national security while doing nothing meaningful to address actual threats.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Northern Border Security Review Act (Public Law 114-267) by requiring:

1. Updates to the northern border threat analysis every three years, including an assessment of recent changes in apprehensions. 2. Updates to the Department of Homeland Security's Northern Border strategy every five years, incorporating the results of the most recent threat analysis. 3. Classified briefings for congressional committees on each threat analysis.

These "updates" are nothing more than bureaucratic busywork, designed to justify the existence of various government agencies and provide a veneer of accountability.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects:

1. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Gets to update its strategy and provide briefings, because that's what they do best – produce paperwork. 2. Congressional committees: Get to receive classified briefings, which will undoubtedly be used as a photo op for politicians to pretend they're taking national security seriously. 3. Lobbyists and contractors: Will likely benefit from the increased funding (despite the bill claiming no additional funds are authorized) and bureaucratic expansion.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a perfect example of "legislative placebo effect" – it makes people feel like something is being done, but in reality, it's just a waste of time and resources. The actual impact will be:

1. Increased bureaucracy: More paperwork, more meetings, more briefings. 2. Wasted taxpayer dollars: Funding will likely increase to support the "updates" and "briefings," despite the bill's claims to the contrary. 3. No meaningful improvement in national security: This bill does nothing to address actual threats or vulnerabilities along the northern border.

In conclusion, S 850 is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation – a perfect blend of meaningless updates, bureaucratic expansion, and security theater. It's a testament to the boundless incompetence of our elected officials and their ability to waste taxpayer dollars on feel-good legislation that accomplishes nothing.

Related Topics

Immigration & Border Security
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$67,600
16 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$67,600

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
WOODS, ANDREW L.
2 transactions
$8,200
2
KORN, WILLIAM T.
2 transactions
$6,600
3
GEPHARDT, RICHARD
2 transactions
$6,600
4
ESTES, J. NORMAN
2 transactions
$6,600
5
BEKENSTEIN, ANITA
1 transaction
$3,300
6
BEKENSTEIN, JOSH
1 transaction
$3,300
7
HUNTER, DANIEL
1 transaction
$3,300
8
KLARMAN, SETH
1 transaction
$3,300
9
SCHWARTZ, GABRIEL
1 transaction
$3,300
10
SWINDELL, C. DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
11
RYAN, MICHAEL
1 transaction
$3,300
12
YOUNGMAN, ANDREW
1 transaction
$3,300
13
BARROSSE, DAVID E.
1 transaction
$3,300
14
EMERSON, WILLIAM
1 transaction
$3,300
15
KRAMER, ROBERT
1 transaction
$3,300
16
LOVIER, HEATHER
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]

ID: C001096

Top Contributors

10

1
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 14, 2024
3
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
OrganizationAGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,500
Jun 21, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 18, 2024
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Jun 6, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jun 6, 2023
7
WALSH, RICHARD
IndividualLAKE WORTH BEACH, FL
$6,700
Oct 16, 2024
8
JORDAN, BORIS
CURALEAF β€’ EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$6,600
Sep 15, 2023
9
SMITH, BRAD
MICROSOFT CORPORATION β€’ ATTORNEY
IndividualBELLEVUE, WA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
10
KAPLAN, DAVID
ARES MANAGEMENT β€’ CO-FOUNDER
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$6,600
Oct 11, 2023

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

ID: G000555

Top Contributors

10

1
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
2
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,000
Mar 15, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Jun 22, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jun 22, 2023
6
STRICKLER, DANIEL B. JR.
BEECHTREE CAPITAL PARTNERS INC. β€’ INVESTMENTS
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,200
Mar 24, 2023
7
ROSENWALD, E. JOHN JR.
JP MORGAN β€’ VICE CHAIRMAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,800
Oct 16, 2023
8
ROSENWALD, E. JOHN JR.
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,800
Nov 3, 2023
9
VENNERBERG, VAUGHN II
XTO ENERGY INC β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$5,800
Mar 14, 2023
10
VENNERBERG, VAUGHN II
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$5,800
Mar 27, 2023

Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]

ID: C001035

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
PACPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
2
SILBEY, ALEXANDER
ATS COMMUNICATIONS, INC, β€’ CONSULTANT
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$6,600
Jul 23, 2024
3
ARNOLD, LAURA
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Aug 10, 2024
4
READ, KURT
RSF PARTNERS β€’ PARTNER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
5
COATES, CHRIS
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualIRVING, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
6
READ, KURT
RSF PARTNERS β€’ PARTNER
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
7
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
8
COATES, CHRIS
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualIRVING, TX
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
CROTTY, THOMAS
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
YOUNGMAN, ANDREW
CITIZENS DISABILITY LLC β€’ CEO
IndividualWEST NEWTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 20, 2023

Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]

ID: H001061

Top Contributors

10

1
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE
OrganizationAGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,500
Jul 2, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Oct 30, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$550
Oct 5, 2023
5
ARTHAUD, JAMES R.
ND ENERGY β€’ CEO
IndividualMEDORA, ND
$5,000
Oct 30, 2024
6
GLYNN, RICHARD
BIOSCIENCE ASSOCIATION OF ND β€’ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualGRAND FORKS, ND
$5,000
Aug 5, 2024
7
LEPRINO, TERRY MS.
LEPRINO FOODS β€’ BOARD DIRECTOR
IndividualDENVER, CO
$3,300
Nov 7, 2024
8
DAVIS, ASHLEY
WEST FRONT STRATEGIES β€’ LOBBYIST
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jun 26, 2024
9
ARNOLD, JOHN
RETIRED β€’ RETIRED
IndividualHOUSTON, TX
$3,300
Aug 20, 2024
10
KELLY, RYAN
PRIMACY STRATEGY GROUP β€’ PRESIDENT
IndividualSAINT PAUL, MN
$2,500
Oct 4, 2024

Donor Network - Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 62 nodes and 32 connections (54 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $105,000

Top Donors - Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

Showing top 16 donors by contribution amount

16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • Section 2(a) and (b) require updates to the northern border threat analysis and strategy, which may lead to increased funding or resources for law enforcement and surveillance technology vendors, citing the need for 'an assessment of recent changes in the amount and demographics of apprehensions at the Northern Border'

  • Section 2(a) mentions 'apprehensions at the Northern Border', which could lead to an increase in detention needs, potentially benefiting private prison operators, although this is not explicitly stated

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent β€” they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

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