NRF Supports Nominee To Lead Customs Agency

McAleenan Would Balance National Security and Trade Facilitation Needs

The National Retail Federation recently called on the Senate to confirm U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan as the permanent head of the agency.

“CPB has a distinct role of not only securing our homeland from a multitude of threats but also facilitating legitimate trade and travel to help grow our economy,” NRF Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French said. “Because of this significant dual mission, the agency needs a leader who understands the unique nature of CPB. … Acting Commissioner McAleenan has the history and experience to lead such an effort.”

French’s comments came in a letter to members of the Senate Finance Committee, which is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing on McAleenan’s nomination on Thursday.

Retailers view CBP as a vital partner in their global supply chains and work closely with the agency on multiple fronts to improve supply chain security and trade enforcement as well as movement of goods across borders.

About The National Retail Federation
NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6T to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.