Broadcast-quality HD clips:
Senator Sinema’s opening remarks.
Senator Sinema’s questions.
Senator questioned Government Services Administration, CBP, and ICE on infrastructure investments, migrant crisis, border security technologies for efficient and secure travel and trade along the Southwest Border
WASHINGTON – As Chair of the Senate Government Operations and Border Management Subcommittee, Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema held a hearing on improving border security, trade, and travel at Southwest Border land ports of entry.
“I was proud to lead bipartisan negotiations in the Senate that produced the infrastructure package that was signed into law on Monday by the President. This historic legislation included $3.85 billion to modernize land ports of entry throughout the nation, including two ports in Arizona. This investment takes an important step in ensuring our ports have the right infrastructure footprint to meet our nation’s needs,” said Sinema, Chair of the Senate Government Operations and Border Management Subcommittee.
During the hearing, Sinema highlighted her Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act law that makes significant investments in Arizona’s ports of entry, providing more security and efficient trade and travel between the Arizona and Mexico. With security being a constant evolving challenge, Sinema called on Congress and the Administration to effectively plan for the future and ensure our nation starts developing today ports that will continue to meet Arizona’s needs 10 years from now.
Sinema questioned border security government officials on technologies needed to thwart criminal networks that target ports of entry and are constantly adapting their tactics in response to U.S. capabilities. Sinema also discussed the need to improve processing capacity for migrants at ports of entry to ensure they are treated fairly and humanely.
Sinema secured funds in her Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act law for the second half of the San Luis Port of Entry upgrade project, as well as $237.6 million for a new law port of entry in Douglas and $202.5 million for modernization of all existing structures and expanding processing capacity at the existing Raul Hector Castro Port.