Authority of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Consolidate, Modify, or Reorganize Customs Revenue Functions

Floor Speech

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Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5862, the Global Trade Specialist Act.

I am proud to have introduced this bipartisan legislation with fellow Californian, Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

In the 20-plus years since Congress created the Department of Homeland Security, the world has changed drastically. That means reforms are needed to improve U.S. Customs and Border Protection's global trade operations.

For over 5 years, CBP has requested authorization to create a global trade specialist position within its International Trade Office. This position would improve trade law enforcement and facilitate legitimate trade.

My bill will make narrowly tailored updates to help CBP respond to ever-evolving trade challenges by better utilizing existing personnel within CBP.

Both the House and Senate already passed bills that would grant CBP the authority to create a global trade specialist position, but neither bill has yet been enacted into law.

The Ways and Means Committee has repeatedly heard hearing testimony about how a global trade specialist position within CBP will better serve the needs of American workers and safeguard supply chains. That is why the Ways and Means Committee passed the bill unanimously by a margin of 42-0 in November of last year.

As geopolitical relationships change more rapidly and drastically in the modern world, it is critical that we empower CBP to operate as efficiently as possible. This legislation will empower CBP to address the dynamic and urgent nature of U.S. trade enforcement and help maintain American dominance in the global economy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote to finally get this commonsense solution across the finish line for the American people.

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