S 1852119th CongressIn Committee

IBEM Act of 2025

Introduced: May 21, 2025

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act of 2025 (IBEM Act of 2025) would amend the International Bridge Act of 1972 to speed up the Presidential permit process for certain border infrastructure. Specifically, it expands the scope of projects eligible for Presidential permits to include not only international bridges but also land ports of entry along the U.S.‑Mexico and U.S.‑Canada borders. It also reorganizes and tightens the permitting framework across several sections to streamline reviews. A major and controversial provision would prohibit the Secretary from compiling or considering environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for these permit applications, effectively waiving environmental reviews for these projects. The bill was introduced in the Senate on May 21, 2025 by Senator Cruz (joined by Senator Luján) and referred to the Environment and Public Works Committee.

Key Points

1Expands permit scope: The bill adds land ports of entry to the list of projects eligible for Presidential permits, alongside international bridges between the United States and Mexico or Canada, and ensures allowance for land ports on both borders.
2Removes time-limited language: It strikes out a prior time window (December 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024) and solidifies four project categories as the basis for Presidential permits.
3Broadens and clarifies permit coverage: Throughout multiple subsections, the bill ensures that land ports of entry are treated the same as international bridges for purposes of the Presidential permitting process.
4NEPA environmental review waiver: The bill adds a clause prohibiting the Secretary from compiling or considering any environmental documents under Public Law 91-190 (NEPA) for a Presidential permit application under subsection (b). In effect, this removes environmental review requirements from the permitting decision for these projects.
5Administrative and procedural changes: The amendments adjust wording across subsections to reflect “in general” permitting and to ensure consistency in referencing land ports of entry in the permit process.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Border infrastructure developers and lenders: Companies and contractors seeking to build or upgrade international bridges or land ports of entry would be able to pursue Presidential permits more quickly, given the streamlined process and the absence of mandatory NEPA documentation.- Federal and state agencies involved in permitting: Agencies overseeing border infrastructure would implement the revised process, potentially shifting timelines and workload toward permit approvals.Secondary group/area affected- Border communities and cross-border commerce: Faster permitting could facilitate quicker construction and operation of bridges/ports, impacting trade flow, travel times, and economic activity on both sides of the border.Additional impacts- Environmental and conservation considerations: By waiving NEPA review for these projects, potential environmental impacts (air, water, habitat, noise, traffic, etc.) may receive less formal, public environmental analysis. This could raise concerns among environmental organizations, local residents, and Indigenous communities about mitigation, monitoring, and cumulative effects.- Public transparency and accountability: The removal of environmental documentation requirements may affect public access to assessment information and comment opportunities typically associated with NEPA processes.The bill is currently introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works; no House counterpart or enacted law status is indicated here.

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