[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5594-H5595]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CUSTOMS TRADE PARTNERSHIP AGAINST TERRORISM PILOT PROGRAM ACT OF 2023

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (S. 794) to require a pilot program on the participation 
of non-asset-based third-party logistics providers in the Customs-Trade 
Partnership Against Terrorism.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 S. 794

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Customs Trade Partnership 
     Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2023'' or the ``CTPAT 
     Pilot Program Act of 2023''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
     Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
       (2) CTPAT.--The term ``CTPAT'' means the Customs Trade 
     Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of 
     title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port 
     Act (6 U.S.C. 961 et seq.).

     SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM ON PARTICIPATION OF THIRD-PARTY 
                   LOGISTICS PROVIDERS IN CTPAT.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     carry out a pilot program to assess whether allowing entities 
     described in subsection (b) to participate in CTPAT would 
     enhance port security, combat terrorism, prevent supply chain 
     security breaches, or otherwise meet the goals of CTPAT.
       (2) Federal register notice.--Not later than one year after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     publish in the Federal Register a notice specifying the 
     requirements for the pilot program required by paragraph (1).
       (b) Entities Described.--An entity described in this 
     subsection is--
       (1) a non-asset-based third-party logistics provider that--
       (A) arranges international transportation of freight and is 
     licensed by the Department of Transportation; and
       (B) meets such other requirements as the Secretary 
     specifies in the Federal Register notice required by 
     subsection (a)(2); or
       (2) an asset-based third-party logistics provider that--
       (A) facilitates cross border activity and is licensed or 
     bonded by the Federal Maritime Commission, the Transportation 
     Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 
     or the Department of Transportation;
       (B) manages and executes logistics services using its own 
     warehousing assets and resources on behalf of its customers; 
     and
       (C) meets such other requirements as the Secretary 
     specifies in the Federal Register notice required by 
     subsection (a)(2).
       (c) Requirements.--In carrying out the pilot program 
     required by subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall--
       (1) ensure that--
       (A) not more than 10 entities described in paragraph (1) of 
     subsection (b) participate in the pilot program; and
       (B) not more than 10 entities described in paragraph (2) of 
     that subsection participate in the program;
       (2) provide for the participation of those entities on a 
     voluntary basis;
       (3) continue the program for a period of not less than one 
     year after the date on which the Secretary publishes the 
     Federal Register notice required by subsection (a)(2); and
       (4) terminate the pilot program not more than 5 years after 
     that date.
       (d) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     termination of the pilot program under subsection (c)(4), the 
     Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report on the findings of, and any 
     recommendations arising from, the pilot program concerning 
     the participation in CTPAT of entities described in 
     subsection (b), including an assessment of participation by 
     those entities.

     SEC. 4. REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CTPAT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report assessing the effectiveness of CTPAT.
       (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An analysis of--
       (A) security incidents in the cargo supply chain during the 
     5-year period preceding submission of the report that 
     involved criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human 
     smuggling, commercial fraud, or terrorist activity; and
       (B) whether those incidents involved participants in CTPAT 
     or entities not participating in CTPAT.
       (2) An analysis of causes for the suspension or removal of 
     entities from participating in CTPAT as a result of security 
     incidents during that 5-year period.
       (3) An analysis of the number of active CTPAT participants 
     involved in one or more security incidents while maintaining 
     their status as participants.
       (4) Recommendations to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection for improvements to CTPAT to improve 
     prevention of security incidents in the cargo supply chain 
     involving participants in CTPAT.

     SEC. 5. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

       No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for 
     the purpose of carrying out this Act.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on S. 794.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 794, the CTPAT Pilot Program Act 
of 2023, which would establish a pilot program to assess the security 
benefits of providers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against 
Terrorism program. I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are here today to consider S. 794, 
the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 
2023. This important legislation will further strengthen the security 
of cargo shipments arriving in the United States.
  As we work to build a resilient supply chain and prevent dangerous 
threats from reaching our communities, it is critical that customs 
officers work closely with importers, shippers, carriers, and others to 
ensure both fast and secure travel. The CTPAT program encourages this.
  In response to faster processing at our ports of entry, members of 
the trade community participating in this program adopt tighter 
security measures throughout their global supply chain. Today, more 
than 11,400 companies currently participate in the CTPAT program, 
accounting for about 52 percent of cargo imports into the United 
States.
  Despite the success of the program, certain third-party logistics 
providers are excluded from even applying for membership. Further 
expanding access to CTPAT will help U.S. businesses and improve supply 
chain security to prevent terrorists and terrorist threats from 
reaching our communities.
  Specifically, this bill establishes a 5-year pilot program to allow 
certain third-party logistics providers to join this very important 
program. We hope to see how the participation of third-party logistics 
providers helps CBP enhance port security and mitigate supply chain 
breaches.
  I thank Senator Cornyn for leading this legislation in the Senate and 
my colleague, Representative Elissa Slotkin, for leading this 
legislation in the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Higgins), the chairman of 
the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Green for 
recognizing me for such time as I may consume, whereas any other Member 
of Congress would need only about 1 minute to provide this commentary.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 794, the CTPAT Pilot Program Act 
of 2023.
  Since 2001, the United States Customs and Border Protection's CTPAT 
program has been reducing vulnerability throughout the supply chain by 
incentivizing greater security measures with certified trade partners.

[[Page H5595]]

Today, more than 11,400 certified partners have been accepted into the 
program.
  The CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2023 expands upon this already 
successful program by requiring CBP to establish a pilot program to 
assess the benefits of allowing non-asset-based third-party logistics 
providers, 3PLs, and additional asset-based 3PLs to participate in this 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope all Members will support this critical 
legislation today, as it strengthens our efforts to combat the threat 
of terrorism in the global supply chain.
  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill would help American businesses thrive and also 
enhance the safety of our communities. By expanding access to CTPAT, 
more of our trusted trading partners can expedite cargo into our local 
communities and our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support S. 794, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, S. 794.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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