Securing America's Ports Act

Floor Speech

I rise today in support of H.R. 5273, the Securing America's Ports Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, and I thank my colleague from New Mexico for her work on this legislation.

Our ports of entry continue to be a preferred avenue for transnational criminal organizations and drug smugglers to transport narcotics and contraband into the United States.

In fact, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 455,000 pounds of narcotics at our ports in fiscal year 2019 alone.

The amount of fentanyl seized in 2019 was enough for more than 577 million lethal doses. That is more than the entire population of the United States.

H.R. 5273 forces the Department to act on securing the ports of entry by requiring the Secretary to develop a plan to scan all commercial and passenger vehicles entering the United States through land ports using nonintrusive inspection systems or similar systems within 180 days.

This bill encourages continued research and development, including consideration of emerging technology, to meet the inspection system plan requirements.

H.R. 5273 also requires the Secretary to establish benchmarks to evaluate progress toward 100 percent scanning, estimated costs, anticipated impacts on commerce, and anticipated impacts on border security operations, including staffing considerations.

Last year, Congress made a significant investment in funding nonintrusive inspection equipment for implementation across the land borders over a 5-year period, and this bill would ensure an appropriate plan is in place so that rollout runs smoothly, and taxpayer dollars are well spent.

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

Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and am prepared to close after the gentleman from Texas closes.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

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, again, it is vital that all vehicles entering the United States are scanned with NII systems or similar technology to combat the smuggling of drugs and other contraband into the country.

My legislation would help do just that by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to achieve 100 percent scanning rate of vehicles at each port of entry and reporting on progress annually until that goal is achieved.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Committee of Homeland Security for their unanimous support to favorably report my bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 5273, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source