Congressman Cuellar-Backed Legislation to Permanently Extend Starr-Camargo Bridge's Charter Passes House

Press Release

Today Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) passed the by unanimous consent S.2143, to grant permanent rights to the Starr-Camargo Bridge Company and its successors to operate an existing toll bridge across the Rio Grande at Rio Grande City, Texas. In 1962 Congress authorized the Starr-Camargo International Bridge Company to construct, operate, and maintain a private toll-bridge between the United States and Mexico near Rio Grande City. In doing so, Congress left a level of uncertainty in the law as it did not state what should happen to the bridge once the 66 years passed. That lack of permanent authority caused constraints in long-term investments. Today, with the passage of S.2143, we have removed that uncertainty.

Today the United States trades an estimated $531 billion in goods and services with Mexico, our nation's third largest trading partner, and this trade is only expected to grow in the future. This bill, by ending the authorization's sunset, will afford the bridge greater opportunities to pursue and finance projects that will enhance the capacity of the bridge and supporting facilities, and further support trade between the U.S. and Mexico long term.

The Starr-Camargo Bridge plays an important role in the South Texas economy as it currently supports the crossing of 200 to 300 commercial trucks per day and around 4,000 cars. The legislation had already passed the Senate by unanimous consent and passed the House this afternoon by unanimous consent. It now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

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