U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today issued the following statement applauding the administration’s decision to grant a presidential permit for the expansion of the Pharr International Bridge:
“Texas is home to some of the nation’s busiest border crossings and the Pharr International Bridge serves as an important port of entry to facilitate the United States’ trade and commerce with Mexico. I am grateful the Trump Administration recognized the importance of expanding the Pharr International Bridge to further enhance the U.S.-Mexico trade partnership and increase commerce between the two nations.
“I’d like to commend the leadership of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, City of Pharr City Council, the staff at the City of Pharr, and community leaders for their diligent work on this project and working with our office to help ensure this project was permitted in record time.
“I was proud to support the Pharr International Bridge expansion project as millions of jobs, in Texas and across the country, depend upon trade with Mexico. I will continue working to ensure future trade opportunities benefit Texas and put American jobs first.”
Background:
Read the presidential permit here. Sen. Cruz has worked with the City of Pharr, Texas, and the Trump Administration to ensure the City of Pharr’s permit was expeditiously reviewed by the administration.
In September 2019, Senator Cruz helped initiate a meeting with White House officials and the city to discuss permitting the project and to address some of the earlier permitting barriers.
In March 2020, Senator Cruz met with City of Pharr leaders to discuss the project’s progress.
In September 2020, Senator Cruz sent a letter to the State Department supporting the City of Pharr’s application for a presidential permit to add a second span to the Pharr International Bridge, which would expand it from four lanes to eight lanes.
