Once passed, the U.S. customs reauthorization bill would update customs laws and procedures to streamline importing and exporting, contributing to economic growth and reduced costs for American businesses. On January 15, USCIB joined 18 other business organizations urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel to quickly schedule a vote on customs reauthorization legislation.

“We have worked for over a decade to bring this long-overdue legislation to passage, and so we urge you to quickly schedule a vote on the conference report,” USCIB and the other business organizations stated in a letter to Senator McConnel. The letter’s signatories represent a broad cross-section of the American economy, whose members include manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and service providers.

The customs bill, contained in a conference report passed by the House in December, has been delayed due to an unrelated provision including an Internet access tax ban.

“It is critical that the Senate complete passage of this bi-partisan legislation and get it to the President’s desk as the efficiencies contained in the bill will contribute to the growth of the U.S. economy,” the letter concluded.