Cruz Provision Advancing New Texas-Mexico Bridges Set to Become Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Texas Insider Report) — Texas and Mexico are one step closer to better transportation connections thanks to bipartisan legislation championed by Sen. Ted Cruz, said the Senator after a provision Cruz inserted into the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – and battled to keep in the final bill – scored an important victory that will help alleviate border crossing bottlenecks, expand trade, and create jobs.
Last night, House and Senate lawmakers announced an agreement on an annual defense authorization bill that includes language authored by Cruz, and pushed by a bipartisan and bicameral coalition of Texas legislators, to streamline a presidential permitting process for new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande in Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Texas.
Sen. Cruz’s amendment gives the State Department 60 days to issue a recommendation to the president about whether the president should issue a permit to allow four international Texas bridge projects. The president would then have 60 days to grant or deny the permits. The amendment adheres to the practice used by the prior administration where presidential permits could be issued contingent on successful completion of environmental reviews.
Upon the announcement, Sen. Cruz said,
“This is a huge win for South Texas. For months, I've worked hand in hand with my Democrat and Republican colleagues to ensure that this critical provision for Texas was included in legislation that could pass Congress and be signed into law. Construction of these four new and expanded cross-border bridges are vital for our state's economy.
"These Rio Grande bridges will help farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and small businesses throughout Texas. They will support international trade, fix supply chain bottlenecks, and support economic development and security for Texas border communities.
"And given the $800 billion in trade that Texas has with Mexico each year, shortening lengthy delays in crossings will help lower the cost of goods for American families, onshore manufacturing from China, enable economic growth in the Lone Star State, and create good jobs across Texas,” said the Senator
"These Rio Grande bridges will help farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and small businesses throughout Texas. They will support international trade, fix supply chain bottlenecks, and support economic development and security for Texas border communities.
"And given the $800 billion in trade that Texas has with Mexico each year, shortening lengthy delays in crossings will help lower the cost of goods for American families, onshore manufacturing from China, enable economic growth in the Lone Star State, and create good jobs across Texas,” said the Senator
BACKGROUND:
In July 2023, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee adopted Sen. Cruz’s amendment to streamline the presidential permitting process for building key bridges across the Rio Grande. The amendment, which was included in a bill authorizing funding for the State Department, was ultimately passed by the entire Senate as part of the annual defense policy bill, or National Defense Authorization Act, on July 27, 2023. Sen. Cruz vowed to keep working to see that his amendment is part of the final defense bill that is signed into law.
In June 2023, Sen. Cruz led the entire south Texas congressional delegation, both Democrats and Republicans, in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to resolve delays in providing permits for the four international Texas bridge projects.
Joining Sen. Cruz in sending the letter were Sen. Cornyn, and U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas), and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas).
- Read the full text of the letter here.
Joining Sen. Cruz in sending this letter were Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and U.S. Representatives Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas).
Sen. Cruz’s bipartisan effort to streamline the presidential permitting process for Texas-Mexico bridge projects are supported by a diverse group of stakeholders, including:
- Texas Association of Business
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Laredo Motor Carriers Association
- Border Trade Alliance
- American Trucking Associations
- Texas Trucking Association
- Texas International Produce Association
