The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), which reauthorizes and modernizes The Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).

The legislation, which marks McSally’s ninth bill to pass in the U.S.  House of Representatives since January, aims to improve the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) global supply chain security program.

“In the past 11 years, our economy has become more global while terrorists have become more sophisticated,” McSally said in a press release. “C-TPAT is an innovative solution that boosts our national security while benefiting our economy.”

C-TPAT allows companies to partner with the CBP for pre-vetted privileges in exchange for meeting high-security standards.

“This highly successful program enhances cross-border commerce, reduces wait times and inspections for pre-vetted companies at our overburdened and undermanned ports of entry, and boosts our global supply chains national security,” McSally said in a statement. “These important upgrades reflect our modern world, and I am thankful the House acted in bipartisan support of my bill.”

The new legislation makes three updates to the C-TPAT program which include requiring the CBP to work with industry stakeholders to implement new security criteria, reducing inspections on pre-vetted cargo, and giving the CBP a way to expel or suspend those not abiding by security requirements. 

The new legislation also allows the CBP to continuously vet C-TPAT participants under Congressional oversight.