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Bill Backed by Maine Senators Aims to Strengthen Northern Border Security

FORT KENT, Maine - A bill supported by Maine's U.S. senators that aims to strengthen security at the country's northern border has unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, co-sponsored the Northern Border Security Review Act, which passed the U.S. Senate last month. It passed the House late Tuesday.

The senators say the bill would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to evaluate security threats at the border by conducting a comprehensive examination of resources and personnel levels.

The bill now heads to President Barack Obama for signature.

The border of the United States and Canada is the world's longest common land border. It's 5,500 miles long and has 120 border crossings.

The senators say about 300,000 people cross the northern border daily.