National Security & Efficient Commerce Traffic Needed
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) has written White House Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Acting Director Jeffrey Zients urging him to include increased funding for land ports of entry along the Southwest border as part of the Presidents FY 2012 budget request.
The letter comes as a follow-up to discussions Sen. Cornyn had with community leaders and border officials during a recent border security and infrastructure roundtable meeting in McAllen.
Sen. Cornyn secured the signatures of the additional seven Southwest border Senators on his letter:
- Kay Bailey Hutchison R-TX
- John McCain R-AZ
- Jon Kyl R-AZ
- Barbara Boxer D-CA
- Dianne Feinstein D-CA
- Jeff Bingaman D-NM; and
- Tom Udall D-NM.
The bipartisan group of Senators wrote:
Strengthening Southwest land ports of entry should be a national priority. Providing vital funding for additional CBP officers and port infrastructure will ensure our border is more 
secure while enhancing the flow of trade and commerce."
The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) issued a statement in support of Sen. Cornyns efforts:
People on the border know that a single senator asking for a priority is one thing. Recruiting the Senates entire southwest border delegation for the effort is hard work. The Texas Border Coalition is grateful for Sen. Cornyns hard work on behalf of Texas and the Southwest border region.
Now the border region is depending on President Obamas leadership to help correct this imbalance at our land ports. The need is great and growing greater."
The entire
TBC statement can be read here.
The full text of Sen. Cornyns letter is below:
Mr. Jeffery Zients
Acting Director
Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street Northwest
Washington DC 20503
Dear Acting Director Zients:
We are writing to express support for increased funding for land ports of entry along the Southwest border as you develop the Presidents Fiscal Year 2012 budget request. Staffing levels have remained below demands for many years and aging infrastructure must be modernized to manage dramatic increases in trade with Mexico and new security measures such as southbound inspections.
Border commerce is vital to our nation yet increasing congestion at our ports of entry diminishes our security. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics cross border trade between the United States and Mexico was $27.8 billion in June of this yearup 41 percent from June 2009.
The Fiscal Year 2012 budget request presents an opportunity to address this challenge by devoting additional resources to combating the flow of drugs money people and weapons that are illegally transported between the United States and Mexico.
In this difficult budget climate your office faces substantial challenges. However strengthening Southwest land ports of entry should be a national priority. Providing vital funding for additional CBP officers and port infrastructure will ensure our border is more secure while enhancing the flow of trade and commerce.
We look forward to working with you to address this very important matter in Fiscal Year 2012. Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely
John Cornyn R-TX
Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison R-TX
John McCain R-AZ
Jon Kyl R-AZ
Barbara Boxer D-CA
Dianne Feinstein D-CA
Jeff Bingaman D-NM
Tom Udall D-NM
