Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statements after President Obama signed their legislation to grant the Starr-Camargo Bridge permanent operating authority into law Friday:

"As the representative for the Starr-Camargo Bridge, I understand how extending the bridge company's charter will bring economic certainty to the region," said Congressman Cuellar. "Today the United States trades an estimated $531 billion in goods and services with Mexico, our nation's third-largest trading partner, and this trade is only expected to grow in the future, especially under the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Contributing to this trade the Starr-Camargo Bridge supports the transit of 200-300 commercial trucks a day and around 4,000 cars.  Unfortunately, the uncertainty of the charter’s sunset had begun slowing down investment in and around the bridge, at a time when we need the certainty this bill creates. I thank Sen. Cornyn for working on this legislation with me and advancing it through the Senate. I also thank Ed Royce, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Eliot L. Engel, ranking member of the committee, for their support in advancing the bill through the House. Finally, I would like to thank House Majority Whip Steve Scalise for bringing this legislation to the floor."

“Because of the bipartisan efforts of federal, state, and local officials, those who depend on the Starr-Camargo International Bridge finally have the long-term certainty they need,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I want to thank Rep. Cuellar for working with me as we continue to streamline efforts to boost trade and strengthen the relationship between south Texas and Mexico.”

Operating authority for the Starr-Camargo International Bridge would have expired in 2032, according to the temporary authorization provided by Congress in 1962. Congressman Cuellar and Sen. Cornyn’s bill to authorize permanent operating authority passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday, March 17^th, and the House on Monday, May 16^th.  The Starr-Camargo Bridge will now be on equal footing with other permanently-authorized international bridges in Texas and throughout the country.