WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, and Congressman Lou Correa, D-California, members of the House Committee on Homeland Security, recently re-introduced the bipartisan Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act.
This legislation will require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to present a comprehensive plan to Congress aimed at identifying, integrating, and deploying cutting-edge technologies to enhance border security operations.
The bill followed DHS’ announcement of its “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap” last year. The roadmap details DHS’s 2024 plans, including to test uses of the technologies that deliver meaningful benefits to the American public and advance homeland security, while ensuring that individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties are protected.
“As cartels and foreign adversaries grow more sophisticated, the United States must deploy the latest and most advanced technology to disrupt these threats,” Luttrell said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Correa to enhance the ongoing efforts from President Trump, Border Czar Tom Homan, and Secretary Noem to strengthen our border security. I’ll continue fighting for effective solutions that safeguard our country and enforce our laws.”
Specifically, the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act would:
• Require the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 180 days, to submit a comprehensive plan to Congress to identify, integrate, and deploy new, innovative, disruptive, or other emerging technologies into border security operations.
• Authorize one or more Customs and Border Protection Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies that are new, innovative, or disruptive into border security operations to address both capability gaps and urgent mission needs and assess their potential outcomes.
• Require each CBP Innovation Team to have both operating procedures that clarify roles and responsibilities within such team with respect to DHS and non-Federal partners as well as protocols for entering agreements to rapidly transition technologies into new or existing programs of record.
Luttrell also introduced the Specialist Joey Lenz Act of 2025, a bill designed to improve the health and well-being of America’s service members by expanding the medical tests included in routine health assessments. This legislation ensures more comprehensive and preventive evaluations to support the health and readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The bill is named in honor of Specialist Joey Lenz from Conroe, who served in the U.S. Army until his death on Feb. 1, 2022.
“Our service members dedicate their lives to defend us, and in return, we have a responsibility to ensure their health is protected,” Luttrell said. “By enhancing routine health assessments, the Specialist Joey Lenz Act honors Specialist Lenz’s legacy and takes a proactive approach to support the well-being of all who serve.”
Luttrell, Turner Introduce DHS Cybersecurity On-The-Job Training Program Act
A third bill, introduced by Luttrell and Congressman Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, introduced the DHS Cybersecurity On-The-Job Training Program Act, aimed at strengthening America’s cyber workforce. The legislation would establish a voluntary on-the-job training program within the Department of Homeland Security to equip employees who are not currently in cybersecurity roles with the skills needed to transition into the field.
Under this legislation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would develop and oversee the program, with a designated director responsible for designing the curriculum, recruiting participants, and submitting annual reports to Congress on program participation and outcomes. This effort seeks to expand the nation’s cybersecurity talent pool and enhance national security.
