Gallego, Cornyn, Gonzales, Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Infrastructure, Security, and Trade at Land Ports of Entry

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX), alongside Representatives Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23) and Julie Johnson (D-TX-32), introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize infrastructure at U.S. land ports of entry (LPOEs) and in the surrounding communities that support them. The Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act would establish a dedicated federal funding stream for infrastructure projects that directly benefit LPOEs and help ease the disproportionate strain they place on nearby local infrastructure.

“Land ports of entry handle nearly 20 percent of our country’s 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,” said Senator Gallego. “At 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’t 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.”

“Texas is proudly home to more land ports of entry than any other state and plays a critical role in our nation’s international trade and border security,” said Senator Cornyn. “I 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.”

“Land 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,” said Representative Gonzales.

“Ports of entry are critical to our economy and our national security — but for too long, the communities that support them have been left to shoulder the cost alone,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The 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.”

Despite their national economic and security importance, many LPOEs and the local infrastructure that supports them are outdated, overburdened, and in desperate need of modernization. Additionally, the communities surrounding these ports, many of which are rural, often lack the resources necessary to maintain and upgrade the expensive infrastructure necessary to support LPOEs on their own.

The Strong Borders, Strong Communities Act would create the first dedicated funding stream for the construction and modernization of land port of entry-related infrastructure in order to enhance border security, improve the efficiency of lawful trade and travel, and support rural border communities.

The legislation is endorsed by the National Treasury Employees Union, Border Trade Alliance, Fresh Produce Association, Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority, the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Douglas.

“The Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program will provide a critical source of federal support to communities near land ports of entry, including the new commercial port in Douglas. The city of Douglas simply cannot shoulder the costs of the infrastructure necessary to support the new port on its own. We welcome and thank Senator Gallego for his leadership in ensuring the federal government supports communities like ours. These investments will not only support the port but will bolster cross-border trade and spur further economic opportunity in our community,” said Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva.

“Modern, efficient, and resilient land ports of entry are essential to North American trade and to the vitality of border communities. The Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act gives states, municipalities, and Tribal governments the tools they need to address long-overdue infrastructure challenges that directly impact the flow of legitimate commerce and travel. The Border Trade Alliance applauds Senators Gallego and Cornyn for their bipartisan leadership and is proud to support this legislation,” said Britton Mullen, President of the Border Trade Alliance.

“This legislation is the recognition that ports of entry are not just a piece of local infrastructure but rather are national assets. They are essential to national security, trade and tourism, and keystone projects for regional economic development. We are grateful to Senator Gallego, Senator Cornyn and their colleagues in the House, Representatives Tony Gonzales and Julie Johnson, for championing the needs of border communities,” stated Josh Rubin, Chairman of the Greater Nogales Santa Cruz County Port Authority. “In any given day, our population will double or triple due to visitors, without this help we simply cannot meet all these challenges.”  

“The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents frontline Customs and Border Protection Officers at the nation’s ports of entry, commends Senators Gallego and Cornyn for introducing this legislation that will improve infrastructure, housing and economic development in communities surrounding land ports of entry and enhance the quality of life for the CBP employees and their families who work at these land ports,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union.  

“The Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act represents the kind of forward thinking leadership our border regions have long deserved. Senators Gallego and Cornyn understand that when we strengthen the communities around our ports of entry, we strengthen the nation as a whole,” said Rob Elias, President and CEO of the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “This bill recognizes a simple truth. Safe and efficient ports do not stand apart from the people who live and work beside them. They are connected. They rise together. By investing in transportation, utilities, workforce quality of life, and the environmental health of our border communities, this legislation gives us the tools to build a future that is more secure, more prosperous, and more resilient. It reflects the belief that progress is possible when we honor the people who make our economy move and when we invest in infrastructure that lifts everyone. Southern Arizona depends on these ports, and with this bill, we have a real opportunity to move forward together.”

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

A one-pager of the bill is available HERE.

Earlier this year, Senator Gallego toured ports of entry in Douglas and Nogales and attended the groundbreaking of a new Commercial Port of Entry in Douglas. In April, Senator Gallego also urged President Trump to expedite completion and maintain full funding for modernization efforts at Arizona’s land ports of entry.

12/16/25