House approves trade bill

Airlines for America (A4A), which serves as the industry trade organization for the top U.S. airlines, congratulated the U.S. House of Representatives for approving the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2014, HR 644, Friday.

A4A also encouraged the U.S. Senate to pass the legislation before 2015 ends. The bill is important to the border clearance process as it serves to help with shipping and promotes economic activity.

The bill, which will improve the collaboration between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the trade community, has received strong support from both political parties.

The bill also provides provisions concerning the preclearance facilities of the U.S. CBP to guarantee that these facilities are responsible for how the standards affect the U.S. economy and security.

The A4A supports the bill’s goal of improving U.S. national security. It also gives exporters, importers and air carrier partners a better interface.

“Airlines for America appreciates the recent House and Senate agreement on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644),” Nicholas E. Calio, A4A president and CEO, said. “Continued customs modernization is essential to providing CBP the tools needed to protect the United States while simultaneously enabling the movement of goods and people.”