For immediate release
Contact: Dave Perera
(202) 770-7899
dave.perera@mail.house.gov
House passes homeland security bill with Barragán language to improve security at our nation’s ports
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) issued the following statement after the House approved H.R. 3551, the “C-TPAT Reauthorization Act of 2017”:
“Today, the House took steps to continue and improve the C-TPAT program and ensure that America’s ports of entry can continue transporting cargo through our borders, quickly and securely.
Over the past few months, Democrats and Republicans have worked together in the House Homeland Security Committee to reauthorize this important post-9/11 supply chain security program. Today our work paid off.
I’m proud the final bill includes my amendment to make the program more efficient and responsive to national security threats.
More than $270 billion worth of cargo passes through the Port of LA each year. At a time when U.S. ports of entry are experiencing CBP staffing shortages, the C-TPAT program helps the supply chain be more efficient and safe.
My thanks to Rep. Martha McSally, who sponsored this bill, and Rep. Bennie Thompson, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, and to Rep. Michael McCaul, the committee chairman.”
The Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAP) is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program where Customs and Border Protection works with the trade community to provide high level cargo security through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers. More than 11,400 certified partners spanning the gamut of the trade community have been accepted into the program.
Rep. Barragán offered an amendment to H.R. 3551 during the House Homeland Security Committee markup of the bill last month to improve reporting of suspicious activates by C-TPAT partners.
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.