President Obama likely will sign a bill in coming days to tighten security along the U.S. northern border after complaints that federal agencies there do not coordinate well enough.
The bill (S. 3467), the Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act, would require federal law enforcement agencies to produce a comprehensive, coordinated plan to combat the trade of illegal drugs across the U.S. northern border with Canada.
The U.S. southern border with Mexico has been the focus of funding to combat illegal drug trafficking and illegal immigration. A $600 million Homeland Security measure focusing on Texas, California and Arizona border security was passed earlier this year.
The bill S. 3467 specifically would amend the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006, tasking the director of National Drug Control Policy to provide Congress with a counternarcotics strategy for the northern border after consultation with relevant agencies. The bill also would target drug traffic specifically crossing American Indian reservations.
