Bipartisan bill grants CBP authority to conduct maintenance projects in a timely manner
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema, Chair of the Border Management Subcommittee, introduced bipartisan legislation with Republican Senator James Lankford (Okla.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, to grant the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) the authority to conduct maintenance projects at ports of entry along the Southwest border.
“Arizona’s ports are our first line of defense to stop dangerous drugs and individuals from entering the United States, and a key driver of our local economy. Our legislation builds on the historic investments strengthening America’s port infrastructure in my bipartisan infrastructure law by cutting red tape and allowing local CBP leadership to make repair decisions that work for their officers, without waiting for Washington,” said Sinema.
“During my visits to the southern border, it is evident that CBP needs to repair ports between the US and Mexico. Bureaucratic red tape has blocked CBP from making those simple fixes to increase border security and better manage trade. This bill is a straightforward solution that will ensure our CBP officers have the resources they need to keep the country secure,” said Lankford.
Sinema’s bipartisan legislation eliminates federal barriers to securing the border by authorizing CBP to make repairs to ports of entry in a timely manner – keeping communities safe without waiting for the approval of the General Services Administration.
As Chair of the Subcommittee on Government Oversight and Border Management, Sinema has been laser-focused on bringing colleagues and stakeholders together in search of common sense, lasting solutions that address the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis at the Southwest border. Sinema’s legislation granting CBP the authority to repair ports in a timely manner represents the latest step in Sinema’s plan to ensure the safety of Arizona communities and families through a strong and secure border.
Sinema recently succeeded in pushing for the increased utilization of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) which is proven to increase the number of seizures of narcotics and other contraband that take place at ports of entry across Arizona. In last year’s end of year bills, the Senator also helped secure $230 million for border security technologies, $99.9 million for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities construction and improvements, and $15 billion for CBP operations and support, helping ensure that CBP has the tools it needs to help keep dangerous drugs out of Arizona communities.