Austin News

WASHINGTON, DC– A bipartisan coalition of federal lawmakers representing Texas communities, led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to quickly implement a key provision in the recently enacted 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that advances several international bridge projects in Texas. The letter was also signed by Sen. John Cornyn and Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, Monica de la Cruz, Tony Gonzales, and Joaquin Castro.

Sen. Cruz emphasized the importance of swiftly implementing the provision, stating, "Now that our bipartisan legislation to expedite the permitting of South Texas cross-border bridges has become law, it is critical that the Biden administration swiftly implements this provision and grants the presidential permits for these critical projects. The lifeblood of South Texas is the roughly $800 billion in goods that cross the border with Mexico, and it supports jobs throughout the Lone Star State."

Rep. Cuellar echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need to avoid unnecessary construction delays and expand ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. He stated, "Laredo is the nation’s busiest port of entry, and recent changes to the Presidential permitting process will ensure that proposed construction projects at the World Trade Bridge, Colombia Solidarity Bridge, and other bridges along the U.S.-Mexico border avoid unnecessary construction delays."

The lawmakers' letter emphasized the economic importance of these international bridge projects, stating, "Mexico is one of the United States's most important trading partners with nearly $800 billion in goods exchanged in 2022. These international bridges will expand such trade, creating vital jobs and economic opportunities in the Texas border region and helping improve supply chains across our country."

The letter also highlighted the timeline and process outlined in the NDAA provision, stating, "Under this provision, the State Department has 60 days to recommend to the president whether he should approve or deny the applications for a presidential permit. It is clear the relevant international bridges in Texas are in the foreign policy interest of the United States given they will strengthen ties with our southern neighbor and bring benefits to international trade, supply chains, economic development, and job creation."

The lawmakers urged the State Department to adhere to the requirements of the NDAA provision and recommend to the president that he grant the presidential permits for these critical international bridge projects. They emphasized the urgency, stating, "The sooner the president approves the presidential permits for these projects, the sooner these projects will deliver more jobs, make supply chains more efficient, and improve relations with Mexico."

This letter follows previous efforts by Sen. Cruz and other Texas legislators to address delays in providing permits for international Texas bridge projects. In June 2023, Sen. Cruz led a bipartisan letter to Secretary Blinken urging the resolution of these delays. In July 2023, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee adopted Sen. Cruz's amendment to streamline the presidential permitting process for these bridges. In October, Sen. Cruz sent a letter to President Biden expressing frustration over the delays and urging swift approval of the projects. Finally, in December 2023, the annual defense authorization bill was passed with a provision to streamline the presidential permitting process for new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande in Brownsville, Laredo, and Eagle Pass, Texas.

Sen. Cruz and Rep. Cuellar have been vocal advocates for these bridge projects, hosting a press conference earlier this month to celebrate the signing of the legislation. Their bipartisan effort is supported by various stakeholders, including the Texas Association of Business, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Motor Carriers Association, Border Trade Alliance, American Trucking Associations, Texas Trucking Association, and Texas International Produce Association.

With the bipartisan support of federal lawmakers and the backing of key stakeholders, it is expected that the Biden administration will swiftly implement the streamlined bridge permitting law and grant the necessary permits for these critical international bridge projects in Texas.