Proposed Bill To Upgrade Infrastructure And Increase Staff Ports Of Entry

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, introduced legislation to create a long-term solution to improve security and the timely movement of travelers and goods throughinternationalports of entry.

“Inadequate staffing and outdated infrastructure at our land ports of entry are detrimental to our national security and have led to long and frustrating delays for those who use them,” said Reyes.

Entitled as “Putting Our Resources Towards Security Act” (PORTS), the act will provide funding for an additional 5,000 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. The additional officers will be phased in during the next five years.

Officials also aid the act will provide for 350 additional support personnel and 1,200 agriculture specialists at CBP. Thiswill help ensure CBP officers are not pulled away from inspection duties to perform specialized or administrative work, they said.

Under the bill, theGeneral Services Administration(GSA) will alsoreceive $5 billion dollars over a period of five years. The funding will allow the agency to address infrastructure deficiencies at all international ports of entry. The agencywill be required to work with CBPto prioritize repair work, officials said.

“Our land ports are an important avenue for both travelers and commerce, and delays hurt the quality of life of border residents and the economy of our nation,” said Reyes, “we must increase funding to upgrade technology and infrastructure.”