Foreign Relations Committee Unanimously Adopts Cruz Amendment to Expedite Project Reviews
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee adopted Senator Ted Cruz’s amendment to the bill authorizing funding for the State Department that would streamline the Presidential Permitting Process for building key bridges across the Rio Grande River in Brownsville, Laredo & Eagle Pass, Texas. The amendment secures a critical step in Sen. Cruz’s bi-cameral, bi-partisan effort to see four international bridges built that will help create jobs, increase trade, and improve the environment.
The amendment – which received bipartisan support – gives the State Department 60 days to issue a recommendation to the president on whether to provide permits to four international Texas bridge projects. The president would then have 60 days to make a decision.
The State Department Reauthorization Bill is likely to be adopted as part of the annual defense policy bill – the NDAA National Defense Authorization Act – which is currently scheduled to be considered by the Senate later this month.Sen. Cruz vowed to keep working to see that his amendment is part of the defense bill.
“I am proud to have secured an enormous, bipartisan victory for Texas Border Communities and the Lone Star State’s economy. I will fight to see that this amendment passes Congress and is signed into law so these vital South Texas bridge projects receive expedited review by the administration,” said Sen. Cruz.
"Together, these four bridges will shorten lengthy delays in crossings, help lower the cost of goods for American families, and spur significant job growth. I am thankful to my Senate colleagues, including Chairman Bob Menendez, and the administration for working with me to get these projects moving forward.
"Mexico is one of our nation’s most important trading partners, and these bridge projects stand to be an economic boon to the South Texas region,” said Sen. Cruz.
Sen. Cruz’s efforts to streamline the Presidential Permitting Process for cross-border bridges are supported by a bipartisan and diverse group of stakeholders, including:
- U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas)
- U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-Texas)
- U.S. Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas)
- U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)
- U.S. Representative Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas)
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Laredo Motor Carriers Association
- Texas Association of Business
- Border Trade Alliance
Joining Sen. Cruz in sending the letter were Sen. John Cornyn, and U.S. Representatives Gonzalez, Cuellar, Tony Gonzales, and Monica De La Cruz.
- Read the full text of the letter here.
