News release from U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI):

Backlogs Persist at Seattle, Long Beach, and Los Angeles Ports Holding Up American Exports. Letter Follows Concerns from Ohio Companies That Backlog Was Impacting Their Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, April 2, 2015) – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to increase Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing at the Ports of Seattle, Long Beach, and Los Angeles to give these ports the ability to expeditiously process their container backlogs, which the ports estimate could take up to two months.

“Efficient ports are key to American competitiveness and to boosting U.S. exports,” said the Senators in their letter. “We urge you to increase CBP personnel at west coast ports quickly so the backlog of containers can be processed. In addition, we ask you to work with us to make investments in U.S. port infrastructure a priority.”

The letter follows concerns from Ohio companies whose businesses were affected because of the backlogs, underscoring the importance of port efficiency to American competitiveness.

CBP personnel at ports are responsible for inspecting cargo and passengers at U.S. ports. Last month, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) reached a tentative agreement to address short-term productivity issues at the ports. While ports have made progress, backlogs continue and more personnel are needed. President Obama’s FY 2016 Budget calls for resources to hire and train up to 2,000 new CBP officers to help process and inspect cargo.