Congress authorized the program in fiscal year 1988 and has appropriated $357 million through fiscal year 1991 for the renovation. replacement. and construction of processing and inspection facilities in the four customs districts on the U.S. side of the border. According to the GAO report. the Laredo district processed 46 percent of all United StatesMexico trade along the southwest border and received $122.4 million. or 34 percent of Capital Improvement Program funds. the Nogales district processed almost 10 percent of our bilateral trade and received 11 percent of the funds. the San Diego district processed only 13 percent of the trade and received 35 percent of the funds. and the El Paso district. which experienced an 88 percent increase In northbound commercial cargo truck Lrafficthe greatest increase of all the districts--processed 17 percent of bilateral trade and received a mere 14 percent of the funds. I am concerned that the funds did not go to districts in proportion to the level of commercial activities and may not have taken into account the significant increases in cargo truck traffic some border crossings have experienced. With negotiations underway on NAFTA and the increase in commercial traffic that will result along our southern border. I would appreciate working with the chairman to ensure that future projects and personnel are funded on a more equitable basis and are planned with our longterm interest in mind.
Keywords matched
border crossing