Cornyn Hutchison Seek Critical Updates at U.S. Ports of Entry

by: admin
2012-06-12
Source: texasinsider
01/08/2020

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison R-Texas today introduced the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2012 which would provide new authorities for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enter into public-private partnerships with either local governments or private sector entities to fund additional staffing at ports of entry. The bill would also require the General Services Administration (GSA) to expedite review of alternative financing arrangements submitted by these partnerships for infrastructure improvements ensuring that proposals no longer sit on desks in Washington for decades. One bright spot for the U.S. economy has been our nations trade with Mexico which has grown by leaps and bounds over the past two decades and now supports roughly 6 million U.S. jobs. But in order to continue to foster this important business relationship and create more jobs and growth action must be taken to update our land ports of entry which lack the infrastructure and staffing necessary to support such robust levels of trade" Sen. Cornyn said. This legislation which results directly from the input of local stakeholders reflects the fiscal climate in Washington recognizes that the status quo for our ports of entry is unacceptable and facilitates positive changes without spending taxpayer dollars. I look forward to working with my colleagues Sen. Hutchison Congressman Cuellar and others to advance this legislation in Congress." Reducing border wait times and facilitating cross-border trade are two of my top priorities" said Sen. Hutchison. This legislation will go a long way toward addressing these problems and I look forward to working with my colleagues to find common-sense solutions for our border communities and businesses." Background

Since NAFTA took effect in 1994 U.S. exports to Mexico have increased by 289 percent while U.S. imports from Mexico have increased by 432 percent.
Approximately 6 million American jobs depend on trade with Mexico including more than 460000 Texas jobs.
In 2011 Texas sent more than $86 billion in merchandise exports to Mexicoroughly twice the amount sent to Canada China and Brazil combined.
Land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexican border have not kept pace with the rapid expansion of bilateral economic ties.
Texas border cities which have requested that bridges stay open longer and include more lanes for traffic have explored innovative funding options including public-private partnerships.
The Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2012 would allow Customs and Border Protection to create such partnerships with local governments and private companies or associations in order to improve services and conditions at our land-border ports of entry.

Support for the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2012