Washington D.C. – In a bipartisan initiative, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) as the top ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee along with senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebr.) as well as Six Republican colleagues in calling on to the Biden Administration to open trade in railroads along southbound border. Senators stressed the need for a robust set of policy adjustments to deal with the growing security, humanitarian, and economic calamity on the borders.
The demand for action is as a result of the recent closing of the Eagle Pass and El Paso railway crossings by the Administration to handle migrants who are entering into the United States illegally. The closures took place on the first day of this week, raising concern over the economic consequences and a per day cost to the U.S. economy of $200 million. Union Pacific Railroad, covering 23 states, said that the closures of its railway gateways comprise 45% of their trans-border transportation, and urged for the Biden Administration to swiftly reopen these vital crossings.
Senator Britt expressed his displeasure with the administration’s policy, saying, “The continued refusal by this Administration to implement strong policies regarding the border is irresponsible in the extreme, not sustainable, and unpalatable. This is an issue of national security, human rights economic, and security crisis that is the fault of President Biden and he has continued to show no signs of a desire to change the course.”
The senators’ letters led to an answer by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) who announced the reopening of railway crossings in the afternoon of Friday. Senators stressed the importance of dealing with the border crisis by highlighting the economic impact and the necessity of efficient policies.
Border crossings that are illegal are set to reach 300,000 in the next month, setting an all-time record. Senator Ricketts has criticized Biden’s handling of this issue, saying “It’s absurd that American customers and businesses have to pay the price for Biden’s lack of competence.”
The letter was which was signed by Senators Britt, Ricketts, John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo. ), Roger Marshall (R-Kans. ), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jerry Moran (R-Kans. ) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) They expressed deep concern over CBP’s decision to suspend crossings of international railroads within Eagle Pass and El Paso. They emphasized the effect on the ability of carriers to move goods and disruptions to supply chains.
The letter ended by urging Secretary Mayorkas to open the port of entry for rail and to cooperate with Congress to make significant policy changes to tackle the many challenges facing the border with Mexico.
