[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 302]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             FULL FUNDING FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

  (Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the Peace Bridge, located along the 
northern border of my western New York district, facilitates the 
transport of over $30 billion in commerce annually. However, increasing 
wait times and delays pose a significant threat to our Nation's 
economy.
  While I am encouraged by the start of the preinspection pilot at the 
Peace Bridge for commercial vehicles, which would allow trucks entering 
the United States to be prescreened on the Canadian side of the border, 
I am concerned about staffing levels with Customs agents at the border.
  I have called on Customs and Border Protection to increase staffing 
levels at the bridge to facilitate easier accessibility at northern 
border crossings and also encouraged the FY 2014 Homeland Security 
appropriations budget to include full funding for Customs and Border 
Protection officer staffing requests.
  The streamlined flow of people and goods across the border is 
critical to the western New York economy and to the Nation's economy. I 
am committed to fighting to preserve and improve our relationship with 
Canada and our economic relationship.

                          ____________________