Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter to Senate Committee on Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch and Ranking Member Ron Wyden urging the committee to swiftly vote on Kevin McAleenan’s nomination for commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Signed by U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley, the letter reads:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of every size, sector, and region, respectfully urges the Senate’s prompt consideration of the nomination of Kevin McAleenan to be commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The dual role of CBP is to secure the homeland and facilitate legitimate trade and travel. This is a tremendous undertaking considering that it puts the agency on the frontline in the fight against international terrorism, as well as promotes travel and tourism, international trade, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. The agency needs to be guided by someone who has a strong vision to lead and a productive history in engaging the private sector to achieve these shared goals.
Mr. McAleenan has had a distinguished career and has repeatedly shown that he is capable of the transformative leadership needed to modernize CBP’s capabilities for security and commerce in the 21st century. The Chamber encourages a swift vote on his nomination and stands ready to work with him as the next commissioner of CBP.
Read the original letter here.
