Rep. Cuellar discusses Starr Camargo Bridge bill in Congress

Rio Grande Guardian's Podcast

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - International trade between the United States and Mexico has increased to $1.4 million per minute, reports Congressman Henry Cuellar.

Cuellar spoke about border commerce on the floor of the House of Representatives as he thanked his colleagues for passing legislation to help Starr Camargo Bridge.

“Trade between the U.S. and Mexico has been tremendous,” Cuellar said. “In fact, just last year, trade between the U.S. and Mexico, our number one trading partner, reached $798.9 billion.

“I would say that in the next four or five years, trade between the U.S. and Mexico will increase to a trillion dollars. And if you look at it right now, every minute, you have $1.4 million of trade between the U.S. and Mexico.

"What does that mean? That means jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Explaining the bill that helps the Starr Camargo Bridge Company, Cuellar said the Starr Camargo Bridge Expansion Act would give authority to increase the number of lanes for the bridge between Rio Grande City, Texas, and Camargo, Mexico.

Cuellar said the bridge’s previous authorization for construction expired, and an extension is required to pursue a planned expansion project and rail bridge addition.

Cuellar said the bridge will not require a Presidential permit to expand since the bridge predates the 1972 International Bridge Act.

“This bill allows the Starr Camargo bridge, a privately-owned toll bridge between Texas and Mexico, to expand and become multimodal. This bridge’s previous authorization for construction expired. So, we are coming back for an extension to make sure that we pursue the planned expansion project and also add a rail bridge.

“Also, the planned expansion will ease congestion, reduce truck idling and waiting at the port of entry, and alleviate the supply chain issues.”

Cuellar added: “This expansion will be paid by tolls, at no cost to any of the taxpayers. But this bridge also will serve as a vital trade link between the United States and Mexico.”

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera supported the legislation.

“The passage of the Starr Camargo Bridge Expansion Act is a significant step towards continuing our promotion of efficient cross-border commerce,” Vera said. “In addition, the ability for multimodal growth will greatly increase the capacity for diverse trade and enhanced economic opportunities. We congratulate everyone involved in making this effort a reality.”

Cuellar’s legislation in the House was cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul of Austin, Texas, Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Texas, and Michael Lawler of New York.

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