Rashida Tlaib stands alone on House vote cracking down on Mexican drug cartels

The House of Representatives recently passed a bill with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 402 to 1 vote aimed at cracking down on Mexican cartels’ use of tunnels underneath the southwestern border to smuggle illegal immigrants and illicit items into the U.S. The lone dissenter was Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., who did not provide immediate comment.

The bill, titled the Subterranean Border Defense Act, was led by Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., and had bipartisan support from Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., as its co-sponsor. Additionally, six other House Republicans, including Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s subcommittee on border security, backed the legislation.

The bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit an annual report to Congress on cartels’ use of tunnels and law enforcement efforts to combat them. Rep. Crane highlighted the increase in tunnel activity since 2008, with over 140 tunnels discovered breaching the U.S. border since 1990.

During the debate on the bill, Rep. Correa expressed his belief that the legislation would enhance Congress’ efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnels and hold bad actors accountable. The brief debate lasted less than 10 minutes, with no opposition from lawmakers.

The House leaders fast-tracked the bill to a final vote under suspension of the rules, raising the passage threshold to two-thirds. This move is typically reserved for critical legislation with wide bipartisan support. Rep. Crane, known as one of the most conservative members of the House GOP, lauded this rare show of bipartisanship.

The passage of the Subterranean Border Defense Act signifies a significant step in addressing the ongoing challenges posed by Mexican cartels’ use of tunnels to smuggle illegal immigrants and illicit goods across the border. The legislation underscores the commitment of lawmakers to strengthen border security and combat transnational criminal organizations.

For more updates on this and other important news, stay tuned to Fox News Digital. Follow our politics reporter, Elizabeth Elkind, on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest updates. You can also send tips and feedback to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com.