Luján, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Land Port of Entry Permits

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act. This legislation expedites the presidential permitting process for all international bridges and land ports of entry.

“Ports of entry and international bridges are vital to the economic success of our border communities, supporting trade, business, and tourism. Yet, new border crossings are too often held up by the presidential permit process. I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that will help streamline this process and deliver real investments to Santa Teresa and Sunland Park in New Mexico,” said Senator Luján.

“Streamlining the permitting process for bridge infrastructure between Texas and Mexico has been a top priority of mine. This bill builds on and expands our success in securing presidential permits for four major international bridge projects in South Texas by streamlining the approval process for all future international bridges along the Texas–Mexico border. I strongly urge my colleagues to pass this bill so it can be sent to the President for signature,” said Senator Cruz.

Specifically, the International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act would:

• Expand the scope to include all international land ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders;
• Add the word “sole” before “basis” to clarify that the State Department should not consider other factors besides America’s foreign policy interest;
• Include language for the State Department to not consider NEPA during their decision making for the purpose of a presidential permit. NEPA would be considered for any new international bridge or port of entry before construction or expansion.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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