The bill would let Homeland Security run a formal program for biometric checks abroad. Partner countries could collect fingerprints, photos, and basic personal details, then check them against U.S. security databases. Congress would get reports, and the program would end after six years unless renewed.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
BITMAP Authorization Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Latest action on H.R. 8253: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects migrants and other foreign nationals checked by partner countries while traveling toward or near the United States. It also affects foreign governments that join the program, Homeland Security staff who run it, and Congress, which would receive reports and audits. U.S. citizens could also be affected if their data gets collected during BITMAP work, because the bill sets a deletion rule for that data.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it could move some U.S. security checks farther from the border. It may help identify people who pose serious threats before they arrive in the United States. It could also mean more biometric checks for migrants and travelers in other countries. The privacy and rights effects are uncertain and would depend on how Homeland Security and partner countries run the program.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Officially: BITMAP Authorization Act
The bill would let Homeland Security run a formal program for biometric checks abroad. Partner countries could collect fingerprints, photos, and basic personal details, then check them against U.S. security databases. Congress would get reports, and the program would end after six years unless renewed.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR8253. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in Border Security and Enforcement
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. (4/14/2026)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to BITMAP Authorization Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (committee), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR8253, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
