Steny Hoyer: “The United States Customs Service has a long and proud history that dates back over 200 years. It was at its outset, of…”

“The United States Customs Service has a long and proud history that dates back over 200 years. It was at its outset, of course, our principal funding agency. It is now one of our principal trade facilitation agencies and law enforcement agencies. To most of us, they are the men and women in blue uniform that process us through international ports of entry. But they do so very much more. With nearly 20,000 employees, the Customs Service collects $22 billion in revenue each year, it prohibits illegal drugs from crossing our borders, it enforces against illegal trade practices, and prevents individuals with destructive intentions from entering our country... The men and women of the Customs Service are truly on the front line in the war on terrorism.”