Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) has joined a bipartisan initiative led by Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) to expedite repairs for low-cost projects at land ports of entry. The Reducing Excessive Vetting Authorities to Maintain our Ports (REVAMP) Act (H.R. 8150), aims to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out minor repairs at land ports of entry without the involvement of the General Services Administration (GSA). This would help streamline updates and repairs at these locations, enabling GSA to concentrate its resources on larger-scale projects.

“Thousands of Arizonans rely on our ports of entry and they facilitate thousands of dollars worth of trade and commerce every day,” said Ciscomani. “As we saw in December with the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry, when these locations close, even temporarily, it can have crushing effects on the economy and everyday lives on both sides of the border. It’s critical that CBP is able to quickly and efficiently make upgrades or repairs without disrupting the everyday operations of our ports of entry, which is exactly what this legislation allows them to do.”

Gonzales also highlighted the importance of keeping land ports operational for economic success. “Each year, billions of dollars flow into our economy through our land ports of entry. These gateways are vital to our nation’s economic success, and it is essential that our LPOEs remain fully operational,” said Gonzales. “I reintroduced the REVAMP Act to provide Customs and Border Protection personnel more flexibility to conduct repairs at our LPOEs as needed. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bipartisan legislation over the finish line.”

With six land ports along the Arizona-Mexico border facilitating nearly $36 billion in imports and exports between Arizona and Mexico, these locations play a crucial role in trade. Last month, Ciscomani visited the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales with a bipartisan group of his colleagues to hear from CBP officers and agents about their daily operations.