{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://gonzales.house.gov/2025/12/rep-tony-gonzales-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-border-infrastructure-security-and-trade-at-land-ports-of-entry", "Rep. Tony Gonzales, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Border Infrastructure, Security, and Trade at Land Ports of Entry", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Tony Gonzales", "G000594", "gonzales.house.gov", "gonzales", "https://gonzales.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Congressman Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), alongside U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Congresswoman Julie Johnson (D-Texas), introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize infrastructure at U.S. land ports of entry (LPOEs) and in the surrounding communities that support them.\n\nThe Strong Borders, Strong Communities Act would create the first dedicated funding stream for the construction and modernization of land port of entry-related infrastructure to enhance border security, improve the efficiency of lawful trade and travel, and support rural border communities. Funds allocated from this bill can be used for a variety of projects, including roads, bridges, wastewater treatment, and other related community infrastructure enhancements that are of particular value to border communities.\n\n\u201cLand ports of entry along the border are critical to our national economy. However, to truly capture the value of cross-border trade, we must ensure our international bridges are modernized and properly maintained. This new legislation, the Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act, repurposes federal funding to make targeted and meaningful investments for unique local infrastructure needs along the border. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to move this bill forward and keep border communities thriving,\u201d said Congressman Tony Gonzales.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the Border Trade Alliance and Fresh Produce Association.\n\n\u201cTexas is proudly home to more land ports of entry than any other state and plays a critical role in our nation\u2019s international trade and border security,\u201d said Senator John Cornyn. \u201cI am proud to join Senator Gallego and Congressman Gonzales in introducing this legislation, which will strengthen infrastructure at our ports of entry to ensure lawful trade, improve border security, and support surrounding communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cLand ports of entry handle nearly 20 percent of our country\u2019s international trade and play a critical role in preventing dangerous drugs, contraband, and human trafficking from entering our communities. But too many of ports and surrounding towns are being stretched to the breaking point,\u201d said Senator Ruben Gallego. \u201cAt ports like Nogales, tens of thousands of trucks cross into Arizona every month, putting a significant burden on local roads and bridges. When I met with officials in Douglas and Nogales, they made it clear that their communities can\u2019t shoulder these costs alone. This bill delivers the dedicated support these ports and communities need to keep trade moving, strengthen security, and protect the people who live and work there.\u201d\n\n\u201cPorts of entry are critical to our economy and our national security \u2014 but for too long, the communities that support them have been left to shoulder the cost alone,\u201d said Congresswoman Julie Johnson. \u201cThe Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act delivers targeted, bipartisan investment to modernize our land ports of entry, reduce congestion, and strengthen the local infrastructure families and businesses rely on every day. This is exactly the kind of practical work Texans expect from both parties in Congress.\u201d\n\nFor bill text, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://gonzales.house.gov/2025/12/rep-tony-gonzales-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-border-infrastructure-security-and-trade-at-land-ports-of-entry"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6144910585135221, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}