Congressman Suozzi Releases Statement on the Administration's De Minimis Actions

"Today the President issued an executive order to help close the de minimis loophole that the Chinese Communist Party and related businesses and shipping companies have been using to flood America with 4 million uninspected packages a day that include fentanyl and goods made with forced labor.  

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues, Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Earl Blumenauer, in sending a letter to the president urging him to take decisive action to close this dangerous de minimis trade loophole. This quick turnaround by the White House is welcome.   

The loophole has allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the country without inspection, paperwork, or adherence to other laws. As a result, the Chinese Communist Party has allowed international drug cartels and e-commerce businesses to inundate our nation with fentanyl precursors, and substandard goods, thereby undermining American workers, manufacturers, retailers, and efforts to prevent goods produced by Uyghurs in forced labor camps in China from entering our country. The consequences are dire, as our families are put at risk.  

While bipartisan efforts have been made through H.R. 4148, The Import Security and Fairness Act, with 30 bipartisan cosponsors to permanently close this loophole, immediate executive action is imperative.   

Today's announcement from the Administration about taking such action is a step in the right direction. It will help to address current abuses, protect American consumers, and begin to create a fair playing field for American workers and manufacturers. Furthermore, it will safeguard our children and families from illicit fentanyl and related products. Ultimately, it is our bipartisan legislation that will ensure the permanent closure of the de minimis trade loophole." 

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