Senators: U.S. must invest in infrastructure, personnel at international bridges

October 02, 2010 9:26 PM
By JARED JANES, The Monitor
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators who represent the four U.S.-Mexico border states want more funding for land ports of entry strained by increased trade with Mexico and new security measures.

Led by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who toured the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge in late August, the eight senators have signed a letter asking President Barack Obama to increase funding for land ports of entry along the Southwest border as he develops his fiscal year 2012 budget request.

The letter — signed by both senators from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California — says staffing levels have remained below demands for many years. It adds that aging infrastructure must be replaced to handle trade increases and new security measures, such as southbound inspections, to combat the drug cartels.

“Strengthening Southwest land ports of entry should be a national priority,â€