Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan, bicameral Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Water Act, introduced by U.S. Congressman Mike Waltz (FL-06), to secure U.S. coastal borders, including Florida’s, from drug and human trafficking.

The bill was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). This legislation would double the U.S. coastline authorized for Coastal and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) and the U.S. Coast Guard to intercept bad actors from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles.

“We cannot leave Florida’s coastline wide-open like the Biden administration has our southern border,” said Rep. Waltz. “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 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," said Senator Scott. "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 has 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 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.”

CBP AMO also issued a public statement of support for the bill last month.

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