Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 529 - Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

(House Rules)
(Rep. Waltz, R-FL, and 32 cosponsors)

The Administration supports H.R. 529, the Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act. Current maritime law enforcement authority is limited to areas within the historical "customs waters" - or 12 nautical miles from the coastline - of the United States. This geographic constraint limits the ability of Federal law enforcement authorities to effectively respond to current threats and situations, essentially curtailing their ability to decide how and where to engage with suspect vessels and often preventing timely interdiction of vessels to prevent their escape. H.R. 529 would extend and align customs law enforcement authorities in establishing the Territorial Sea at 12 nautical miles, and extend the customs waters from 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles. Removal of the 12-nautical-mile limitation would enable Federal law enforcement to fully leverage its cross-domain authorities, enhance its response to the modern and sophisticated capabilities of transnational criminal organizations, better support its law enforcement partners, and increase detection, interdiction, and ultimately, prosecution of those conducting illegal smuggling, unsafe entry, or other violations of U.S. law. By expanding law enforcement jurisdiction into the near shore waters, Federal authorities could better enforce U.S. customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws at sea.