PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Provisions of measure incorporated into Title XI, Section 1107 of H.R. 3619, as reported by the Committee on Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 81 · Passed House without amendment · Mar 24, 2009
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) conduct in the maritime environment a program for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security and for other purposes; (2) ensure such program's coordination with other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) biometric identification programs; and (3) submit to the appropriate congressional committees an analysis of the cost of expanding DHS biometric identification capabilities for use by departmental maritime assets, which may include a deployment plan that gives priority to vessels and units more likely to encounter individuals suspected of making unlawful border crossings through the maritime environment.
Defines "biometric identification" as the use of fingerprint and digital photography images.
People & committees
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-9] · R–FL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Provisions of measure incorporated into Title XI, Section 1107 of H.R. 3619, as reported by the Committee on Transportation.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3763)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3763)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1148.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3763-3765)
Mr. Carney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.1148 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1148 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1148 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1148 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.