WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following the House of Representatives passing the Extending U.S. Customs Waters Act, Senator Rick Scott and Representative Michael Waltz released the following statements of support for this important bipartisan bill to keep families in Florida and around our nation safe.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) keep families in Florida and around our nation safe by patrolling beaches, shore waters and maritime territory, and fighting to stop drug and human trafficking. Our bill, the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act, will extend the United States’ customs waters territory to help ensure our Coast Guard and CBP AMO have the jurisdiction and authority needed to stop drug and human trafficking so that families everywhere remain safe. I am thankful for the bipartisan support of this important bill, and I am glad to see it pass the House of Representatives. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this important bill and send it to the president’s desk for his signature.”

Senator Kyrsten Sinema said, “I am thrilled that our bipartisan bill stopping the flow of drugs and migrants across our borders passed the U.S. House. I urge the U.S. Senate to pass our legislation to help keep Americans safe and secure.” 

Representative Michael Waltz said, “We cannot leave Florida’s coastline wide-open like the Biden administration has our southern border. We must protect Floridians and all Americans by securing our country’s borders, especially as the situation in Haiti worsens. That is why I am proud to pass this important legislation in the House to double the distance offshore for CBP and our Coast Guard to intercept migrants and drug smugglers trying to illegally enter our country from the water. Now, I hope to see this bill pass in the Senate and signed into law.”

The Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act:

• Would formally extend the law enforcement authorities of CBP AMO and codify the U.S. Coast Guard maritime authority in U.S. Customs Waters from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles.
• Would update a number of existing laws, and codify the 1999 Presidential Proclamation 7219—The Contiguous Zone of the United States, which formally established the United States’ contiguous zone from the 12 nautical mile limit of the U.S. Customs Waters to 24 nautical miles. By extending jurisdiction into the near shore waters and doubling the area of operation, AMO, USCG, and other federal authorities can properly enforce U.S. customs, fiscal and sanitary laws at sea.

###