Joco Today

WICHITA, KS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will resume rail operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso following intense scrutiny and repeated calls from U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. and his GOP Senate colleagues. The sudden closure of the El Paso and Eagle Pass railroad crossings by CBP on Monday had created a crisis in international commerce, leaving millions of dollars worth of goods stranded and causing significant disruptions to various industries.

"The Biden Administration creates one crisis and tries to 'solve' it by creating another crisis," said Senator Marshall. "Monday's ill-advised decision left millions of dollars of goods, many from Kansas, stranded on the tracks right before Christmas. We immediately started demanding answers from CBP and explaining the ripple effect of this decision on international commerce. I am glad the Biden Administration now understands that you can't close down major rail routes overnight- but I do remain very concerned that international commerce and many people's livelihoods in rural America was an afterthought to this Administration."

The closure of the railroad crossings without any prior notice had a detrimental impact on the agriculture, rail, and automotive industries, particularly in Kansas. Producers were left with their agriculture commodities stuck in limbo, hurting their bottom lines just before the holiday season.

Senator Marshall and his GOP Senate colleagues wasted no time in advocating for a resolution to this crisis. They shared the stories they were hearing from the affected industries, emphasizing the urgent need to address the situation. Their efforts have now led to CBP reversing its decision and reopening the rail operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso immediately.

The reversal by CBP is a relief for the industries that were severely affected. The closure had disrupted international commerce and caused significant financial losses. The resumption of rail operations will help alleviate the burden on producers and ensure the smooth flow of goods.

However, Senator Marshall remains concerned that international commerce and the livelihoods of rural Americans were an afterthought to the Biden Administration. The sudden closure of the railroad crossings demonstrated the need for better communication and coordination between government agencies to prevent such disruptions in the future.

The swift action taken by Senator Marshall and his colleagues highlights their commitment to delivering results for Kansas and their dedication to protecting the interests of industries and businesses in their state. Their advocacy has once again shown the importance of strong leadership in addressing crises and ensuring the smooth functioning of vital transportation routes.

As the holiday season approaches, the reopening of the railroad crossings brings much-needed relief to Kansas and other affected areas. It serves as a reminder of the importance of effective governance and the impact that policy decisions can have on the livelihoods of everyday Americans.

The efforts of Senator Marshall and his GOP Senate colleagues have demonstrated their commitment to holding the Biden Administration accountable and ensuring that the needs of industries and businesses in Kansas and across the country are not overlooked. Their actions have resulted in the reversal of a disastrous decision and have delivered tangible results for their constituents.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshall-delivers-results-for-kansas-cbp-reverses-disastrous-railway-closure/