WASHINGTON – Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan Continuing High-Quality Evaluations of Concerning and Known Persons of Interest through National Training Updates (CHECKPOINT) Act. This legislation will modernize and improve operations of the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints by formally codifying the Checkpoint Program Management Office to oversee performance, data collection, and interagency coordination, while enhancing training for agents. The CHECKPOINT Act will require regular updates to drug seizure data categories and training programs to ensure they reflect the evolving challenges faced by officers in the field.
“Fentanyl is pouring across our border and poisoning Arizona communities. Border Patrol agents are on the front lines of fighting this crisis, and we need to make sure they have the training and tools to do their jobs effectively,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to strengthen our border checkpoints and help agents keep dangerous criminals and drugs out of our communities.”
“The Trump administration is making tremendous strides to secure our border and combat fentanyl and other deadly drugs coming into our communities and devastating families across the country. Our bipartisan bill, the CHECKPOINT Act, will continue those efforts and provide tools, training, and resources to ensure our Border Patrol agents are equipped to respond to what on-the-ground agents see every day,” said Senator Scott. “This will help strengthen our checkpoints and ensure law enforcement can stop traffickers before they reach our communities and makes important updates to improve accountability and will regularly update how the U.S. Border Patrol manages, trains, and evaluates checkpoint operations. I am glad to have bipartisan support on this commonsense legislation to stop drugs from pouring into our nation and protect American lives.
Read the full legislation HERE.
This bill builds on Senator Gallego’s record of fighting to stop the flow of fentanyl in Arizona. In the Senate, he supported the Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful (CATCH) Fentanyl Act, Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act, and Combating Illicit Xylazine Actto strengthen border inspections, crack down on synthetic opioids, and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers. Senator Gallego also introduced the Buck Stops Here Act in the House to combat fentanyl money laundering.
6/23/25