FASTER Act

This bill makes the Department of Homeland Security check the state of border structures and technology on the southern border every two years. The check must measure how many miles have no infrastructure and describe any problems with existing structures or technology. DHS must send a summary of each check to Congress within 90 days. The report is unclassified, but it can include a secret appendix if needed.

If DHS finds a problem, the bill tells the agency to fix it quickly. To speed things up, DHS can waive legal requirements to make repairs or improvements faster when there’s a clear deficiency, like equipment that doesn’t work or can’t do its job.

Key points

• Who is affected: DHS; communities along the southern border may see quicker fixes and upgrades.
• What changes: Regular surveys of border infrastructure and technology; reports to Congress; authority to waive certain laws to speed repairs when there are deficiencies.
• When: First survey within 180 days after the law takes effect, then every two years; reports due within 90 days after each survey.