Senators Cruz and Lujan present legislation to accelerate permit approval for cross-border international bridges and entry ports.
A bipartisan bill, co-authored by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), aims to streamline the presidential permitting process for international bridges and ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders. Dubbed the International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act, the legislation seeks to expedite approvals, particularly for border crossings along the Texas-Mexico frontier.
This bill is an expansion of earlier efforts by Sen. Cruz, who successfully fast-tracked permits for international bridges in Eagle Pass, Laredo, and Brownsville, Texas. The new legislation intends to modernize the approval process and reduce bureaucratic delays to accelerate the development and updating of vital border infrastructure. This, in turn, is expected to boost cross-border trade, enhance national security, and foster economic prosperity in border regions.
Sen. Cruz emphasized the bill's importance in a news release, stating, "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." He urged Congress to pass the bill for approval by President Donald Trump.
Sen. Luján also spoke about the bill, expressing pride in introducing bipartisan legislation that promises real benefits for New Mexico's economy. He highlighted the importance of ports of entry and international bridges for the success of border communities, supporting trade, business, and tourism. Johana Bencomo, Luján's communications director, noted that the bill would create job opportunities and spur economic growth in the region.
Mayor Victor Trevino of Laredo extended his gratitude to both senators for collaborating on the bill, praising it for being a significant step toward modernizing the development and expansion of cross-border infrastructure by introducing efficiency and predictability into the presidential permitting process. He urged Congress to pass the bill to enable President Trump to sign it.
The bill also features a provision that bars future administrations from considering environmental documents, including those created under the National Environmental Policy Act, in the permitting process. Our website Digital has reached out to Sen. Cruz's office for comment on this matter.
This bill, entitled the International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act, not only aims to expedite approvals for future international bridges along the Texas-Mexico border, but also includes a provision that restricts future administrations from considering certain environmental documents during the permitting process. The legislation, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Ben Ray Luján, is expected to boost cross-border trade, enhance national security, and foster economic prosperity in border regions by modernizing the approval process and reducing bureaucratic delays. The bill has garnered support from various stakeholders, including Senators Cruz and Luján, Mayer Victor Trevino of Laredo, and other advocates who believe it will create job opportunities and spur economic growth in the region.
