SB42, titled the Build the Wall Act of 2025, would create a new account in the U.S. Treasury called the Southern Border Wall Construction Fund. The bill directs that all unobligated balances remaining in the Coronavirus State and local fiscal recovery funds be transferred into this new fund.
The money in the fund would be available to the Secretary of Homeland Security to construct and maintain physical barriers along the southern international border of the United States. In practical terms, the bill repurposes unused COVID-era state and local relief dollars for border wall and border barrier projects.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend the use of unobligated Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under the Social Security Act by redirecting those balances into a dedicated border construction fund. It would affect state and local governments that still have unspent ARPA relief money, as those funds would no longer remain available for their original fiscal recovery purposes. It would also expand the Department of Homeland Security’s funding authority for border barrier construction and maintenance.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or bipartisan support in the materials supplied. Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears strongly supportive of border wall construction and reflects a policy preference to prioritize border security over retaining unused pandemic relief funds for state and local governments.
Contention
The central point of contention is the redirection of unobligated coronavirus relief funds away from state and local governments and into border wall construction. Supporters are likely to frame the bill as a border security and fiscal reallocation measure, while opponents would likely object to using leftover pandemic aid for a controversial immigration enforcement project and to the federal override of how those funds might otherwise be used. Another likely dispute is whether physical barriers are an effective or appropriate border security strategy.
Fund and Complete the Border Wall ActThis bill establishes funding for a U.S.-Mexico border barrier and revises how border patrol agents are compensated for overtime.The Department of the Treasury shall set up an account for funding the design, construction, and maintenance of the barrier. The funds in the account are appropriated only for that purpose and for vehicles and equipment for border patrol agents.For each fiscal year, financial assistance to a country shall be reduced by $2,000 for each citizen or national of that country apprehended for illegally entering the United States through its southern border. The reduced amount shall be transferred to the border barrier account. The Department of State may opt not to reduce amounts appropriated to Mexico for various military and law enforcement-related activities.This bill establishes a 5% fee on foreign remittance transfers and increases the fee for the arrival/departure I-94 form for various aliens entering the United States, with part of the fees going to the border barrier account.By December 31, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security shall (1) take all actions necessary, including constructing barriers, to prevent illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico barrier; and (2) achieve operational control over all U.S. international borders.The bill changes how border patrol agents receive overtime pay when working up to 100 hours in a two-week period. For hours worked above 80, an agent shall receive at least 150% of the agent's regular hourly rate.
Fund and Complete the Border Wall Act This bill establishes funding for a U.S.-Mexico border barrier and revises how border patrol agents are compensated for overtime. The Department of the Treasury shall set up an account for funding the design, construction, and maintenance of the barrier. The funds in the account are appropriated only for that purpose and for vehicles and equipment for border patrol agents. For each fiscal year, financial assistance to a country shall be reduced by $2,000 for each citizen or national of that country apprehended for illegally entering the United States through its southern border. The reduced amount shall be transferred to the border barrier account. The Department of State may opt not to reduce amounts appropriated to Mexico for various military and law enforcement-related activities. This bill establishes a 5% fee on foreign remittance transfers and increases the fee for the arrival/departure I-94 form for various aliens entering the United States, with part of the fees to go into the border barrier account. By December 31, 2023, DHS shall (1) take all actions necessary, including constructing barriers, to prevent illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico barrier; and (2) achieve operational control over all U.S. international borders. The bill changes how border patrol agents receive overtime pay when working up to 100 hours in a two-week period. For hours worked above 80, an agent shall receive at least 150% of the agent's regular hourly rate.
Close Biden's Open Border Act This bill provides $15 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to construct a border wall along the southern border of the United States. It also imposes a two-year moratorium on funding for U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.). During the two-year period, funds may not be authorized or otherwise made available for contributions to the U.N.