Boustany and Richmond Team to PROTECT Louisiana Industries

Statement

Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., M.D., (R-South Louisiana) issued the following statement after introducing the Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act, or PROTECT Act, with Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-Louisiana). The PROTECT Act seeks to increase communication between agencies within the federal government and give them new tools to combat the evasion of import duties:

Boustany stated, "This legislation combats trade evasion problems stemming from illegal imports and fraudulent circumvention of antidumping duties by importers of foreign goods in South Louisiana. The remedy proposed in this bill will benefit many of our state's important industries ranging from agricultural producers, to the shrimp industry, to numerous industries associated with the Gulf Coast. These industries currently face unfair competition from abroad and suffer from a distinct competitive advantage. This bipartisan legislation increases cooperation between government agencies to combat import duty evasion harming South Louisiana's businesses and industries."

Congressman Richmond added, "I am pleased to join Rep. Boustany in re-introducing this important legislation to ensure that our shrimp industry is not harmed by unfair and illegal trade tactics from abroad. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this bill in the 113th Congress because effective and efficient trade enforcement will yield significant gains for Louisiana's economy."

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