News Release
FOR RELEASE - July 15, 2025
Contact: Shawn Balcomb, press@aapa-ports.org
American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org
Washington, D.C. — Today, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) commends U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) on the reintroduction of the CBP Securing Ports and America’s Commerce and Economy (SPACE) Act, legislation to address overreach by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at our nation's ports by establishing a fair, transparent, and sustainable funding source for key trade and travel security partners.
“CBP Officers' work is crucial to the safety, health, and vitality of America’s ports and we sincerely thank them," said Cary Davis, AAPA President and CEO. "However, the costs of government inspection operations are historically and Constitutionally, a Federal Government responsibility. Moreover, port commerce generates hundreds of millions of dollars in public tax revenue -- taxpayers benefit when those funds are reinvested in the activities that generate future revenues in a virtuous cycle. Our sincere appreciation goes out to Reps Lee and Gluesenkamp Perez, along with Reps Buchanan, Brownley, and Carter for sponsoring the CBP SPACE Act, legislation which will ensure that ports can focus on and invest wisely in the assets necessary for our main mission: moving cargo.”
The CBP SPACE Act would provide CBP and its facilities with the resources it needs by setting up a sustainable funding mechanism via existing user fees it already collects, while also establishing greater transparency and oversight of what CBP charges local partners.
Original cosponsors included Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Troy Carter (D-LA-02). The bill was first introduced November 2023 during the 118th Congress.
The bill is supported by a diverse coalition of 27 trade, transportation, supply chain, logistics, and agriculture organizations.
“This is welcome news that Congresswomen Laurel Lee and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez have reintroduced the CBP SPACE Act” said Richard J. Hendrick, Port of Albany CEO and AAPA Board of Directors Vice Chair. “In our post-COVID world, more people are now aware of the supply chain and the interconnectedness between ports and all of the partners necessary to keep product and people moving. At the Port of Albany-Rensselaer in Upstate NY, we are an inland port located 124 nautical miles north of New York harbor, and we are a Port of Entry. With key and collegial support from Customs and Border Protection, US Coast Guard, local law enforcement, and our own award-winning Security team, we remain vigilant to protect the safety and security of our leasing tenants, our community, the environment, when we come together and efficiently and effectively work as one.”
"Ports’ roles as economic engines and gateways for American products are strengthened when CBP is doing all it can to support them," stated Julianna Marler, Port of Vancouver USA CEO and AAPA Board Member. "On behalf of ports up and down the Columbia River and across the nation, the Port of Vancouver USA is grateful to Representatives Lee and Gluesenkamp Perez for their commitment to this legislative solution that would place the financial responsibility and support with the appropriate agency.”
“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with CBP and commend the bipartisan sponsors for proposing the SPACE Act,” said Joseph Morris, CEO and Port Director of Port Everglades. “Ensuring that CBP is properly funded to execute its critical mission at seaports is of vital importance to U.S. trade.”
"Our partners at Customs and Border Protection play an invaluable role in keeping U.S. seaports, including Port Tampa Bay, secure and safe. In order to be efficient, they need adequate resources and funding. I appreciate Representatives Lee and Gluesenkamp Perez's efforts to appropriately fund CBP through the federal government, which improves ports' ability to optimize their own operations and increase supply chain resiliency," explained A. Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.
“Ports are gateways to the global economy, and the Port of Boston plays a vital role in connecting New England to the world," said Massport Port Director Lauren Gleason. "Our strong partnership with CBP ensures both security and the efficient flow of goods. We appreciate the leadership of Congresswomen Lee and Gluesenkamp Perez, as well as the advocacy of the American Association of Port Authorities, in advancing legislation that supports operational clarity and collaboration at our nation’s seaports."
"SeaPort Manatee, Southwest Florida’s primary seaport, sincerely appreciates the leadership of U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and their bipartisan cohort of representatives from California, Louisiana and Washington in reintroducing the CBP SPACE Act for consideration by the 119th Congress," stated Carlos Buqueras, SeaPort Manatee Executive Director. "For a number of years, Congress has used often-ignored appropriation report language to direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide estimates of funding needed for staffing, facilities and technology, so that Congress can adequately fund the federal mission. The CBP SPACE Act puts Congress’s long-held directives into law and provides a framework for using federally collected funds to appropriately pay for federal expenses. Once enacted into law, the CBP SPACE Act will allow individual CBP officers to restore their full focus to the nation’s economy and security; will eliminate a culture of demanding practices and imposition of requirements; and will allow for the critically needed strengthening of relationships between CBP and its seaport partners."
Read an industry letter of support from 27 allied organizations here.
Read the full CBP SPACE Act legislation here.
About AAPA:
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the unified voice of port leaders and maritime industry partners across the Western Hemisphere which serve a vital role in job-creation, international competitiveness, and economic prosperity. Connecting small business owners, retailers, and manufacturers to the global marketplace, AAPA member organizations advocate for national policies and infrastructure investments in support of a resilient global supply chain and a positive impact on the way people live, work, travel, and engage in commerce.
