Political Quotes

“on May 20, 2004, I introduced legislation along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Shaw), the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), and the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2005 and 2006 for the Customs and Border Protection, or CBP; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE; the Office of the United States Trade Representative, or USTR; and the International Trade Commission, ITC. This legislation is necessitated by the expiration at the end of this fiscal year of the existing authorization for the former U.S. Customs Service. It is also a part of our ongoing process of exercising oversight and focusing on the critical importance of the efficient flow of trade across our borders. The Customs Service has a long and distinguished history. It was the first agency of the Federal Government to be created over 220 years ago to collect revenue and to ensure that imports flow smoothly across the border. Today, Customs collects more than $20 billion in revenue each year. With international trade comprising nearly 25 percent of our gross domestic product, CBP's mission to move goods across the border in a smooth, efficient, and predictable manner is a vital part of our economic strength and viability.”