Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, introduced a bill
that would prevent any future shutdowns of rail crossings between the U.S. and
Mexico.
The Keeping International Land Ports of
Entry Open Act, introduced on Feb. 8 with Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Marsha
Blackburn, R-Tenn.; and Rick Scott, R-Fla., as co-sponsors, requires that
Department of Homeland Security staff are not removed from rail crossings into
Mexico unless other measures are in place to keep the flow of goods intact.
NGFA said the bill takes needed steps to
ensure the free flow of trade across the U.S.-Mexico border, “which is critical
to food security for our countries and the region at large.”
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s
(CBP) five-day closure of the two rail crossings in December immediately
impacted the flow of grain, oilseeds and related products for both humans and
livestock.
“Since that incident,
NGFA has insisted that governments of both nations ensure a plan is in place to
avoid shutting down rail commerce across the border,” NGFA noted. “Mexico is
the top U.S. export market for corn and wheat and second for soybeans.