Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019

Floor Speech

I rise in support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019.

As we know, much of the food and agricultural goods we consume come from all over the world, whether it be fruit, vegetables, herbs, or cut flowers.

As food and other agricultural goods arrive at our ports of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists have a tremendous responsibility. They inspect those products to safeguard the U.S. food supply, the economy, and agriculture from potentially harmful or dangerous pests, pathogens, invasive plants, and agroterrorism.

CBP has advised Congress that there are hundreds of agriculture- related position vacancies at the agency on top of thousands of Border Patrol, customs officer, and other law enforcement vacancies. S. 2107 encourages CBP to hire, train, and assign agriculture specialists and associated support staff, technicians, and K-9 teams, and authorizes appropriations to do so.

The bill requires CBP to consider quantifiable inspection data, seasonal surge volumes, and projected changes in commercial forecasts at each port of entry when determining staffing needs.

The bill also directs the Comptroller General to conduct a review of Federal efforts to address risks to the agricultural supply that analyzes interagency coordination, effectiveness of inspections, and training and working conditions.

While I support this bill, I also encourage my colleagues to work across the aisle to provide CBP with the resources necessary to fill all of their sensitive position vacancies, including those at Border Patrol.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2107, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico.

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Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, agricultural inspectors at our ports of entry play a vital role in protecting one of the most important things there is: the food we eat.

This bill will help protect every American as they sit down at the dinner table. I commend my colleagues, Congressman Vela and Senator Peters, for their work on this important bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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