[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2604-S2605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 444. Mr. CRUZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2024 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction,

[[Page S2605]]

and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe 
military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other 
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. PERMITTING FOR INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES.

       The International Bridge Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 535 et 
     seq.) is amended by inserting after section 5 the following:

     ``SEC. 6. PERMITTING FOR INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible applicant.--The term `eligible applicant' 
     means an entity that has submitted an application for a 
     Presidential permit during the period beginning on December 
     1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2024, for any of the 
     following:
       ``(A) 1 or more international bridges in Webb County, 
     Texas.
       ``(B) An international bridge in Cameron County, Texas.
       ``(C) An international bridge in Maverick County, Texas.
       ``(2) Presidential permit.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `Presidential permit' means--
       ``(i) an approval by the President to construct, maintain, 
     and operate an international bridge under section 4; or
       ``(ii) an approval by the President to construct, maintain, 
     and operate an international bridge pursuant to a process 
     described in Executive Order 13867 (84 Fed. Reg. 15491; 
     relating to Issuance of Permits With Respect to Facilities 
     and Land Transportation Crossings at the International 
     Boundaries of the United States) (or any successor Executive 
     Order).
       ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `Presidential permit' includes 
     an amendment to an approval described in clause (i) or (ii) 
     of subparagraph (A).
       ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of State.
       ``(b) Application.--An eligible applicant for a 
     Presidential permit to construct, maintain, and operate an 
     international bridge shall submit an application for the 
     permit to the Secretary.
       ``(c) Recommendation.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
     which the Secretary receives an application under subsection 
     (b), the Secretary shall make a recommendation to the 
     President--
       ``(A) to grant the Presidential permit; or
       ``(B) to deny the Presidential permit.
       ``(2) Consideration.--The sole basis for a recommendation 
     under paragraph (1) shall be whether the international bridge 
     is in the foreign policy interests of the United States.
       ``(d) Presidential Action.--
       ``(1) In general.--The President shall grant or deny the 
     Presidential permit for an application under subsection (b) 
     by not later than 60 days after the earlier of--
       ``(A) the date on which the Secretary makes a 
     recommendation under subsection (c)(1); and
       ``(B) the date on which the Secretary is required to make a 
     recommendation under subsection (c)(1).
       ``(2) No action.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), if the 
     President does not grant or deny the Presidential permit for 
     an application under subsection (b) by the deadline described 
     in paragraph (1), the Presidential permit shall be considered 
     to have been granted as of that deadline.
       ``(B) Requirement.--As a condition on a Presidential permit 
     considered to be granted under subparagraph (A), the eligible 
     applicant shall complete all applicable environmental 
     documents required pursuant to Public Law 91-190 (42 U.S.C. 
     4321 et seq.).
       ``(e) Document Requirements.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary shall not require an eligible 
     applicant for a Presidential permit--
       ``(1) to include in the application under subsection (b) 
     environmental documents prepared pursuant to Public Law 91-
     190 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); or
       ``(2) to have completed any environmental review under 
     Public Law 91-190 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) prior to the 
     President granting a Presidential permit under subsection 
     (d).
       ``(f) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section--
       ``(1) prohibits the President from granting a Presidential 
     permit conditioned on the eligible applicant completing all 
     environmental documents pursuant to Public Law 91-190 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
       ``(2) prohibits the Secretary from requesting a list of all 
     permits and approvals from Federal, State, and local agencies 
     that the eligible applicant believes are required in 
     connection with the international bridge, or a brief 
     description of how those permits and approvals will be 
     acquired; or
       ``(3) exempts an eligible applicant from the requirement to 
     complete all environmental documents pursuant to Public Law 
     91-190 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) prior to construction of an 
     international bridge.''.
                                 ______