BTA Advocacy Advantage

For more than 25 years, the BTA has worked through our constituents in border communities and with local, state and federal policymakers to advance policy solutions that are based on firsthand, real-world cross-border trade experience.

Effective in Washington: Advocate, facilitate, educate and collaborate

Federal committee/task force participation

BTA’s service on departmental advisory committees and task forces such as the USTR International Trade Advisory Committee ensures BTA members have a seat at the table in Washington, making their voice heard in the decision-making process.

Effective implementation of policy agenda

When a bill is signed into law or a policy is adopted, BTA’s job isn’t done. We’re there throughout the rulemaking and implementation process ensuring that federal agencies are acting in the best interest of the cross-border trade and security communities.

Legislative collaboration and cooperation

The BTA is often the first organization looked to by congressional lawmakers in developing and leveraging effective legislation or appropriations that serve border communities and trade interests. In fact, the BTA was the first non-governmental organization to address legislators at the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission.

Congressional briefings and testimony

BTA continues to contribute directly to the development of better border policy through frequent testimony before congressional committees and ongoing interaction with Capitol Hill and federal agencies. Congressional staff briefings ensure BTA members get a hearing beyond the border.

Raising visibility: national media coverage, implementing solutions

Media awareness

BTA works to increase the visibility of border issues by extending our reach with the media beyond the border regions. Frequent coverage in national media outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, C-SPAN and Univision just to name a few, as well as our online and social media presence, helps to ensure that we’re leveraging all tools to advance our policy agenda.

Public-Private Partnerships

BTA helps to facilitate collaborative efforts between federal, state and local governments and private sector stakeholders to address specific infrastructure needs or secure trade program issues. BTA’s strong working relationships with federal agencies and Congress allows our members to work with our public sector partners to identify specific actionable solutions to border region challenges.

Border Community Focus: Local solutions, national impact

Grassroots approach and representation

Our strength comes from collaboration with border communities to accurately convey the current challenges facing the border to government agencies and officials, as well as among private sector BTA members.

Shared interests across borders

BTA brings leaders together from border regions north and south to share best practices in meeting border challenges and opportunities.

BTA events

BTA forums along the northern and southern borders showcase communities’ approaches to addressing their unique border-related issues while giving local stakeholders the opportunity to voice their concerns directly to the appropriate government agencies, as well as gain insight into federal actions with local impact.

Representation in expert policy committees

Our issue committees are comprised of experts in their respective fields. They’re charged with shaping the positions we take and with formulating the BTA’s policy agenda that we carry to Capitol Hill and to federal agencies each year.