U.S. Sen. Cruz Reacts to Ports-to-Plains Being Named 'Interstate 27'

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a statement reacting to the Ports-to-Plains corridor being named “Interstate 27”.

“Naming Ports-to-Plains as Interstate 27, combined with expediting the permitting of new bridges along the Texas-Mexico border, will bring more jobs to our state, fix broken supply chains, and spur faster economic growth for both our state and country,” said Sen. Cruz.

The Texas senator was joined in his legislation by Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). 

“I was proud to spearhead this bipartisan legislation with @SenatorLujan, and will continue to work for better infrastructure to benefit Texans across the Lone Star State.”

Sen. Luján celebrated the passing of the bill by reminiscing on the bill’s inception last Congress.

“Last Congress, we made great progress by designating the Ports to Plains Corridor in New Mexico and Texas as a future federal interstate route. Last week, the Senate passed legislation to officially name that corridor Interstate 27,” stated Sen. Luján.

“Updating our critical infrastructure is vital to economic growth, and today’s vote brings this project one step closer to the finish line.”

Supporters of this bipartisan bill state that it will help the economy in a bevy of ways.

“From Clayton to Raton, this legislation will create jobs, grow the economy, better connect trade and commerce, and improve transportation safety. I was proud to join my colleagues in getting this legislation passed in the Senate,” said Sen. Heinrich.

“With this bipartisan Ports-to-Plains victory, we are bringing this project one step closer to becoming reality. I look forward to getting this through the House and signed into law next.”

The president of the Ports-to-Plains alliance had high remarks for Cruz and the various members of Congress who passed the bipartisan legislation.

“The Ports-to-Plains Alliance is very appreciative of the ongoing support from Senator Ted Cruz for the Future Interstate Highway in Texas and New Mexico. Senator Cruz continues to work in a bipartisan way to move this project forward,” said Ports-to-Plains Alliance President/CEO Lauren Garduño.

“With the support of Senator Cornyn and both Senators Lujan and Heinrich from New Mexico,  Senator Cruz worked to pass the future interstate designation into law in 2022.  Now Senator Cruz has been instrumental in passing the route numbering bill in the U.S. Senate.  Once this bill passes the House and is signed into law this will represent another big win for West and South Texas and for Texas and New Mexico in general.  Thank you, Senator Cruz, for your continued support for this important corridor.”

Sen. Cornyn celebrated the positive effect the new interstate could have for the Southwest.

“Officially designating the Ports-to-Plains corridor between Texas and New Mexico as Interstate 27 will reflect the impact this project has had on trade, agricultural opportunities, and economic growth for Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn.

“I am grateful to my Senate colleagues for their support of this important designation, and I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Cruz and Congressman Arrington to get this over the finish line.”

Cornyn and Cruz are no strangers to working with each other. Earlier this month, Sen. Cornyn, Cruz and Mark Kelly (R-AZ) worked together to get the Starr-Camargo Bridge Expansion Act to pass the Senate.

According to the statement, “The bill would give authority to increase the number of lanes for the toll bridge or allow a rail line to be built that runs from Rio Grande City, Texas, to Mexico and facilitates hundreds of millions of dollars in cross-border trade.”