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The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) is pleased that today the Senate Finance Committee and business leaders discussed the key roles played by Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Import Specialists, in both in facilitating U.S. trade and securing the nation’s border. As acknowledged, there are serious problems posed by the understaffing of Import Specialists. Since fiscal 2001, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has allowed the number of Import Specialists to dwindle from 1,080 to only 948 nationwide in fiscal 2005. Not only does this threaten our national well-being—as Import Specialists are responsible for determining what products may enter the country under public health and trade laws—but it violates a congressional mandate. The 2002 Homeland Security Act prohibits cuts to staffing and resources affecting the trade-related functions of the former Customs Service. NTEU is supporting legislation introduced by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) that would require DHS to comply with the law and at least meet the number of Import Specialists on the job in fiscal 2001—increasing the ranks by some 14 percent.