Lack of Support, Resources for CBP Trade Mission Costly, NTEU Leader Says
Without the resources and focus it needs, the trade mission of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is not being fully met, and that is costing our nation hundreds of millions of dollars, NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley told a House subcommittee.
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“Lack of sufficient focus and resources costs the U.S. Treasury in terms of customs duties and revenue loss and costs American companies in terms of lost business to unlawful imports,” said Kelley in testimony submitted to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade.
With the mission of regulating and facilitating trade, Kelley noted that CBP enforces more than 400 U.S. trade and tariff laws and regulations to ensure fair and competitive trade, while also stemming the flow of illegal imports and contraband. Moreover, CBP is the second-largest source of federal revenues, collecting $38 billion in duties and fees on imports valued at more than $2.3 trillion in 2011.
However, the NTEU leader said the agency is not receiving the resources it needs to fulfill this mission. “NTEU is deeply concerned with the lack of resources, both in dollars and manpower, devoted to CBP’s trade functions,” Kelley said. “Lack of sufficient focus and resources costs the U.S. Treasury in terms of customs duties and revenue loss and costs American companies in terms of lost business to unlawful imports.” More
NTEU Applauds Senate Committee’s Recognition
of CBP Agriculture Specialists’ Vital Mission
NTEU commended a Senate committee for approving legislation that recognizes the important work of CBP Agriculture Specialists and provides them the structure and support they deserve.
The Faces of NTEU
Chapter leaders at a recent NTEU training event show their union pride as part of a new campaign titled "I Am NTEU." |
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“We saw an important step toward providing CBP Agriculture Specialists with the support they need to strengthen their vital mission of safeguarding our nation’s food and agriculture from invasive foreign pests and disease,” said NTEU Colleen M. Kelley.
In marking up the Safeguarding American Agriculture Act (S. 1673), the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved by voice vote an amendment by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) that creates an Agriculture Specialist’s career track within CBP that includes criteria for qualified CBP Technicians to be promoted to CBP Agriculture Specialist positions.
Prior to the vote, Kelley sent a letter to each committee member asking for their support of the Akaka amendment.
“For years, NTEU has championed the CBP Agriculture Specialists' vital mission and their service to our nation,” Kelley said. “However, we have regularly discovered these dedicated federal employees felt their mission was undervalued, while they also cited problems with the CBP chain of command, promotion opportunities within CBP and inadequate training, equipment, and supplies.” More