Floor SpeechUrgent2026-04-29

TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA

ImmigrationTaxesForeign Policy

Context

On 2026-04-29, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delivered a floor speech titled "TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA" in the Senate. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes, foreign policy. It referenced legislation including S2100, S2280.

Full Text

TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2100] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 2280, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2280) to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. PAUL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 2280) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed as follows: S. 2280 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. TRANSFERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA. (a) Transfers.-- (1) Transfer to the commissioner of u.s. customs and border protection.-- (A) In general.--Administrative jurisdiction over approximately 25 acres of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Proposed Land Transfers'', numbered 385/176,677, and dated May 2021 (referred to in this section as the ``Map'') is transferred from the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to be administered as part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center in accordance with applicable law. (B) Exclusion from boundary.--The Federal land transferred by subparagraph (A) is excluded from the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. (2) Transfer to the secretary.--Administrative jurisdiction over 3 parcels of Federal land totaling approximately 71.51 acres in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as generally depicted on the Map, is transferred from the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the Secretary, to be administered by the Secretary-- (A) as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; and (B) in accordance with applicable law. (3) No reimbursement or consideration.--A transfer of administrative jurisdiction over Federal land under paragraph (1)(A) or (2) shall be without monetary reimbursement or additional consideration. (b) Land Surveys.-- (1) In general.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection-- (A) shall obtain a survey to finalize the exact acreage and legal description of the parcel of Federal land described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and (B) may, in consultation with the Secretary, modify any clerical and typographical errors in the Map. (2) Cost of survey.--The cost of the survey under paragraph (1)(A) shall be charged to an appropriation of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Information sharing.--On completion of the survey under paragraph (1)(A), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide to the Secretary a copy of the survey. (4) Reversion and restoration.-- (A) In general.--If the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that the Federal land transferred by subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) is no longer required for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Federal land described in that subparagraph to the Secretary in a manner and condition acceptable to the Secretary, to be included within the boundary of, and to be administered as part of, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. (B) Acreage limitation.--The acreage limitation under section 1(d) of the Act of June 30, 1944 (58 Stat. 645, chapter 328; 16 U.S.C. 450bb(d)) shall not apply to the inclusion within the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of the Federal land under subparagraph (A). The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S2280, S2280

View original source →

TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2100] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRANSFERRING ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 2280, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title. The legislative clerk read as follows: A bill (S. 2280) to transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and for other purposes. There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill. Mr. PAUL. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 2280) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed as follows: S. 2280 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. TRANSFERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER CERTAIN PARCELS OF FEDERAL LAND IN HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA. (a) Transfers.-- (1) Transfer to the commissioner of u.s. customs and border protection.-- (A) In general.--Administrative jurisdiction over approximately 25 acres of Federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Proposed Land Transfers'', numbered 385/176,677, and dated May 2021 (referred to in this section as the ``Map'') is transferred from the Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to be administered as part of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center in accordance with applicable law. (B) Exclusion from boundary.--The Federal land transferred by subparagraph (A) is excluded from the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. (2) Transfer to the secretary.--Administrative jurisdiction over 3 parcels of Federal land totaling approximately 71.51 acres in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, as generally depicted on the Map, is transferred from the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the Secretary, to be administered by the Secretary-- (A) as part of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park; and (B) in accordance with applicable law. (3) No reimbursement or consideration.--A transfer of administrative jurisdiction over Federal land under paragraph (1)(A) or (2) shall be without monetary reimbursement or additional consideration. (b) Land Surveys.-- (1) In general.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection-- (A) shall obtain a survey to finalize the exact acreage and legal description of the parcel of Federal land described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and (B) may, in consultation with the Secretary, modify any clerical and typographical errors in the Map. (2) Cost of survey.--The cost of the survey under paragraph (1)(A) shall be charged to an appropriation of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Information sharing.--On completion of the survey under paragraph (1)(A), the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall provide to the Secretary a copy of the survey. (4) Reversion and restoration.-- (A) In general.--If the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that the Federal land transferred by subparagraph (A) of subsection (a)(1) is no longer required for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Advanced Training Center, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Federal land described in that subparagraph to the Secretary in a manner and condition acceptable to the Secretary, to be included within the boundary of, and to be administered as part of, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. (B) Acreage limitation.--The acreage limitation under section 1(d) of the Act of June 30, 1944 (58 Stat. 645, chapter 328; 16 U.S.C. 450bb(d)) shall not apply to the inclusion within the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of the Federal land under subparagraph (A). The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Michigan. ____________________ Referenced legislation: S2280, S2280