TIA responds to broker inclusion in Custom Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) released the below statement following the introduction of legislation that would finally allow Department of Transportation (DOT) licensed property brokers to participate in the Custom Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Since the program's inception in 2006, TIA members have been barred from participating, not because of their merits but because of a bias against DOT-licensed property brokers.

H.R. 6876, the "C-TPAT Pilot Program Act," is bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-7th/Mich.), Morgan Luttrell (R-8th/Texas), Rob Menendez (D-8th/N.J.), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-1st/Iowa).

"For years, TIA members were purposefully omitted from a program that was developed in the aftermath of 9/11," said Anne Reinke, TIA president & CEO. "C-TPAT does a great job securing our homeland and defending our supply chain. 3PL's add value to this effort and we look forward to doing our part to ensure that freight being transported cross-border is done to the highest safety standards."

The "C-TPAT Pilot Program Act" will grant 10 previously neglected companies an opportunity to join a pilot program that will enable them with C-TPAT certification, if they meet the minimum requirements.

"This is a common-sense approach to a problem that never should have taken place," says Chris Burroughs, TIA vice president of Government Affairs. "The status quo is contrary to legislative intent. Our members play an integral role in national security. This legislation is about national security, jobs and fairness."