Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn, Tom Carper, James Lankford, and Maggie Hassan have announced that their legislation to enhance the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program has been signed into law. The new law aims to bolster cross-border trade while addressing terrorism concerns.

Senator Cornyn emphasized the importance of maintaining open, efficient, and secure ports for America's competitiveness in global markets. "This law will allow additional trusted trading partners to expedite shipments important to Texas’ economy while protecting against illegal goods and national security threats," he stated.

Senator Carper highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation, saying, "This commonsense bill will improve the reliability and efficiency of our supply chains in expediting the customs clearance process for trusted merchants." He noted that the CTPAT Pilot Program would help reduce port congestion and strengthen national security.

Senator Lankford pointed out the significance of supply chain security for sustaining businesses and food availability. He remarked, "This bill will create a new pilot program to strengthen standards for border security while streamlining our trade with other nations."

Senator Hassan expressed satisfaction with President Biden's approval of the bill. She commented on its potential impact on economic competitiveness: "This bill will help our economy continue to thrive and stay competitive in today’s ever changing world."

The House representatives involved in introducing this legislation were Morgan Luttrell, Elissa Slotkin, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Robert Menendez.

The CTPAT was initially established under the SAFE Port Act of 2006 to facilitate secure cross-border trade by fast-tracking customs clearance for merchants adhering to enhanced security screenings. The newly signed law introduces a pilot program allowing up to 20 third-party logistic providers (3PLs) to become CTPAT certified by meeting stringent security requirements alongside Customs and Border Protection inspections throughout cargo transit.