Senator Cornyn, Representative Cuellar Introduce Bills to Encourage Public-Private Partnerships At Border

Press Release

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) today introduced the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2015 in the Senate and House of Representatives. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would encourage public-private partnerships to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without adding to the deficit.

"Trade is vital to the economy of communities in the Rio Grande Valley and all of Texas, which is why it is so important to find ways to increase the efficiency and amount of trade processed at our ports of entry," Senator Cornyn said. "I'm excited to work with leaders like Rep. Cuellar and local officials and business leaders to promote innovative solutions that enhance trade across the border region."

"Every day, billions of dollars in commerce passes across the United States' border with Mexico--one of our most important trade partners," Congressman Cuellar said. "It's important for both national security and the flow of goods between our countries that the process is as efficient and effective as possible and this legislation is an important step in that direction."

This legislation is based on input from border community leaders and is endorsed by: the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Border Trade Alliance; Texas Border Coalition; Rio Grande Valley Partnership; Cameron County; City of Eagle Pass; City of Mission; City of McAllen; City of Harlingen; City of Pharr; Anzalduas International Bridge; McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge; Pharr International Bridge; and the Starr-Camargo International Bridge Company.

The legislation would give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the General Services Administration (GSA) the authority to enter into innovative partnerships with local governments and private sector entities. As federal resources remain scarce, border community have sought alternate avenues to ensure essential needs are met in the face of continued federal inaction. This authority allows CBP and GSA to better leverage limited resources to speed up the flow of traffic at border ports of entry. Partnerships with local governments and the private sector will support improvements to port of entry facilities and infrastructure and enhance staffing levels at our border crossings.

Senator Cornyn and Congressman Cuellar introduced similar legislation to make positive changes at the border in the last Congress. Based on this bipartisan concept, Congress provided for a temporary, pilot program in 2013 that has already been used successfully to improve staffing at border crossings in El Paso and South Texas.

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