It’s no big surprise, the federal government is spending less money. This is across all departments and branches, including at DHS, or one agency very near and dear to our heart, Customs and Border Protection.
The President’s budget for this year proposes cutbacks in several areas, including ACE development. They also plan on scaling back investments in people and capital infrastructure.
Even here in Chicago, we pay attention to what happens in other ports such as Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and the like. The reason is that our customers have cargo which not only terminates in those places, but passes through them as well. As a result, when there are cutbacks which impact CBP’s ability to do business, we feel it across several places.
A bulletin was issued by CBP Los Angeles, breaking the blunt news to the trade that reductions in funding mean that plans that were on the drawing board for both passenger and cargo enhancements are likely tabled for the foreseeable future.
While we respect that our government must do what is necessary to get its financial house in order and there should be no “sacred cows”, there are still places where recognition should be given to, and thoughtful consideration directed towards, appropriate places where spending money makes money and facilitates and grows trade, both import and export.
