WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen border security and address personnel shortages at ports of entry. The Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act would fully staff America’s airports, seaports, and land ports of entry by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hire no less than 600 additional officers a year until the agency’s staffing needs are met. Michigan is home to some of the nation’s busiest border crossings including ports of entry in Detroit and Port Huron.
“Dedicated Customs and Border Protection officers need more support to swiftly process lawful trade and travel coming through our ports of entry, as well as prevent illegal activities like drug trafficking at our borders,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill will address shortages of these officers so Customs and Border Protection can effectively and efficiently operate and secure our borders – and maintain Michigan’s status as a hub of international commerce.”
CBP continues to face ongoing shortages of officers. In addition to hiring more CBP officers, the bill also authorizes the annual hiring of mission support staff and technicians to perform non-law enforcement functions in support of CBP. These professionals will allow CBP officers to focus their efforts on law enforcement priorities, such as preventing drugs trafficking, while supporting lawful international commerce through the nation’s ports of entry. Nearly 85% of fentanyl seized by CBP in 2022 was interdicted at ports of entry. The bill also requires reporting on infrastructure improvements at ports of entry that would enhance drug interdiction, information on detection equipment that would help officers better identify drugs, and safety equipment to protect officers from accidental exposure to dangerous toxins. Addressing a shortage of CBP officers would also help to reduce waiting times for merchandise, agriculture, luggage, and travelers coming through our ports of entry.
Below are statements in support of Peters’ bipartisan legislation:
“Detroit is especially sensitive to CBP’s staffing shortage because the Detroit-Windsor corridor is the Northern border’s busiest port of entry and the Gordie Howe international Bridge is scheduled to open in 2025 adding 35 lanes of cross-border traffic. We simply do not have enough CBP officers and other port personnel to handle the increasing workloads, which is why we are pleased to support Sen. Peters’ legislation to increase hiring. The CBP workforce, which makes essential contributions to the nation’s economy and security every single day, needs the additional support,” said Robert Holland, President of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 173 in Detroit.
“AAAE and airport executives across the country are grateful to Chair Peters and Senator Cornyn for their continued leadership in reintroducing urgently needed legislation to bolster CBP staffing at our nation’s gateway airports. Long lines and overworked CBP officers are not the way we want to welcome arriving passengers to the United States,” said Todd Hauptli, CEO of the American Association of Airport Executives.
“To continue supporting the growth of our West Michigan community, we need Customs and Border Protection Officers committed to a new Federal Inspection Station at the airport to process international travelers. Since 2019, we have completed Phase 1 of our Federal Inspection Station and have an airline interested in providing nonstop international service. By equipping our Airport with additional CBP staffing we could realize an additional regional economic impact of $136 million per year by international travelers,” said Tory Richardson, President and CEO of Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “We commend Senators Peters and Cornyn for leading the charge in providing a solution to the Customs and Border Protection staffing shortage. This bipartisan legislation will alleviate the strain on regional Airports and strengthen the transportation sector by expanding air travel to underserved markets.”
“The ongoing staffing shortage at ports of entry across the country must be reversed. The men and women who serve at the ports welcome this important bill to authorize additional employees. With international travel rising, a constant flow of legitimate goods and cargo, and the ongoing efforts to move illegal products and drugs into our country, we must assist the current workforce by bringing in much-needed reinforcements. NTEU appreciates the efforts of Chairman Gary Peters to address this for the good of the employees who are working forced overtime, the safety of our country, and the success of our economy,” said Tony Reardon, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union.
The airport industry greatly appreciates the continued leadership of Senators Peters and Cornyn in introducing this important bill to increase the authorized number of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at our ports-of-entry. International travel and trade are back, but staffing shortfalls are hampering CBP’s ability to handle the growing volumes of passengers and cargo,” said Kevin M. Burke, President and CEO of Airports Council International – North America. “CBP’s Workload Staffing Model demonstrates the agency needs additional front-line officers to provide adequate coverage across the system, including at airport international arrival halls and preclearance locations, maritime ports, express-carrier facilities, and land-border crossings. Adding new CBP officers is crucial to America’s continued economic progress by helping CBP meet its current and future staffing needs.”
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plays a critical role in the Great Lakes region. CBP staff inspect and clear both cargo and passengers at our ports, ensuring the safe flow of commerce,” said Steve Fisher, Executive Director of the American Great Lakes Ports Association. “Staff shortages at CBP not only hinder the flow of trade but limit growth of the economy. We support Senators Peters and Cornyn bipartisan legislation and commend their leadership on this important issue.”
As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has led efforts to support frontline Customs and Border Protection Officers and promote safe and efficient travel and trade at ports of entry. Peters reintroduced bipartisan legislation to ensure U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers receive the retirement benefits they were promised. Peters previously helped secure $87 million for non-intrusive inspection systems, which have enabled CBP officers prevent illegal activities, like drug trafficking, at our ports of entry. He also helped secure $3.8 billion as a part of the bipartisan infrastructure law to help CBP upgrade border facilities to more efficiently and securely process travelers and trade at land border crossings.
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Senate Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Resolution Supporting National Safe Digging Month
Resolution Designates April as National Safe Digging Month to Promote Safety for Homeowners and Utility Workers
DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) applauded Senate passage of his bipartisan resolution designating April as National Safe Digging Month, to build awareness of safe digging practices that protect homeowners and utility workers from damaging underground utility lines during excavation projects.
“When underground utility lines are struck by digging projects, it not only can cause interruptions to critical services infrastructure, but also can result in personal injuries and harm to the surrounding environment,” said Senator Peters. “I commend the Common Ground Alliance for their work to create National Safe Digging Month – and this bipartisan resolution I led will help build on their efforts by raising awareness on best practices during excavation projects.”
“Given the current pace of construction, infrastructure installation, and improvement across the country, the Common Ground Alliance appreciates the passage of the U.S. Senate’s resolution recognizing April as National Safe Digging Month,” said Sarah K. Magruder Lyle, CEO and President of the Common Ground Alliance, the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities. “Whether digging with a backhoe or a shovel, Americans should always contact 811 beforehand to find out the approximate location of buried utilities and avoid striking essential infrastructure that we depend on every day.”
“Calling 811 is free, it’s the law, and it can save you and your family from having to call 911,” said Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown. “Thanks to Senators Peters, Young, Cantwell, and Cruz for their continued leadership in pipeline safety efforts and this effort to raise awareness about the need to call 811 before you dig.”
The full text of the resolution can be found here.
Each year, unsafe digging and excavation projects damage our environment and infrastructure, interrupt services and cause severe injuries or even death. Millions of Americans rely on this critical infrastructure, including pipelines, electric, gas, telecommunication, water, sewer, and cable television lines. Established by the Common Ground Alliance, National Safe Digging Month is designed to promote and foster safe digging practices. This includes their “Call 811” campaign, which encourages homeowners and excavators to call 811 before digging to avoid unintentionally digging into a utility line. Peters’ resolution designates April as National Safe Digging Month, as April marks the beginning of the peak period of digging projects across the country, further emphasizing the need for digging safety and awareness.
Peters has been a strong supporter of enhancing pipeline safety, specifically to protect the Great Lakes. Peters introduced a similar bipartisan resolution last year designating April 2022 as National Safe Digging Month. Peters’ Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act was passed into law in 2016, which has helped improve pipeline safety and oversight within our Great Lakes and across the nation. This legislation also included additional safety measures for the storage of hazardous materials, including directing the Department of Transportation to issue minimum safety standards for the operation and integrity management of underground natural gas storage facilities, as well as a provision to promote mapping technology to help prevent accidental pipeline damage during underground excavations. Last year, Peters introduced legislation to strengthen federal pipeline safety and oil spill response efforts.
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