U.S. Senator Rand Paul | U.S. Senator Rand Paul official website
U.S. Senator Rand Paul | U.S. Senator Rand Paul official website
On May 10, 2024, the Senate passed an amendment championed by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to designate Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Port of Entry. The amendment, #1952, was included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3935). This legislation aims to streamline the layover of goods at CVG, one of the largest airports in cargo volume.
The amendment acknowledges the crucial role of CVG by initiating its addition to USFWS's list of Designated Ports. This designation will allow CVG to directly process shipments of wildlife and wildlife-derived products, eliminating logistical challenges, significantly reducing costs, and creating job opportunities for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
"Adding Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport as a Designated Port is a strategic move that enhances efficiency, reduces costs, creates jobs for Kentucky, and aligns it with the demands of global commerce," said Dr. Paul. "My amendment is a win-win, not just for our Commonwealth but for the national economy."
Despite its impressive performance in 2022 when it ranked as the sixth busiest cargo airport in the United States handling over eight billion pounds of landed cargo, CVG currently faces significant inefficiencies. Couriers at CVG must drive wildlife goods elsewhere for inspection by USFWS. In some instances, couriers ship wildlife goods 100 miles to Louisville for inspection by USFWS before returning to CVG and shipping the goods to their intended destinations.
Dr. Paul's amendment seeks to rectify this bureaucratic oversight and enable rapid movement of goods through one of America's busiest cargo hubs.
The legislation also includes a provision allowing USFWS to accept donations from private entities. This provision offers stakeholders in aviation and trade industries an opportunity to contribute towards necessary changes to include CVG among its designated ports.
The full amendment can be accessed HERE.
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