Speech #1060018791

Customs must be able to shift both personnel and funding as threat and need dictate. States. such as Florida. that depend on the presence of Customs personnel to facilitate international trade. must be assured that sufficient Customs assets are in place to inspect and process both international passengers and cargo as they arrive in our seaports and airports. The Comprehensive Border Protection Act of 1999 establishes a more accountable Customs Service by requiring Customs to report to this body. no later than 120 days after this legislation is enacted. on the methods utilized to identify enforcement priorities and trade facilitation objectives. This legislation requires that Customs establish performance standards and objectives against which we may evaluate the progress toward the goals identified in the customs annual plan. This legislation is a significant step toward giving customs the ability and authority to reallocate resources in order to meet enforcement demands and commercial operations needs.