The Senate on Monday evening confirmed Kevin McAleenan to serve as commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by a vote of 77-19.
McAleenan had served as acting commissioner since the start of the Trump administration, after serving as deputy commissioner from 2014 to 2017, and prior to that, as assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations and area port director of the Los Angeles International Airport.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) were among the organizations expressing their support for the confirmation of McAleenan.
“As Acting Commissioner, he has demonstrated strong, skilled and knowledgeable direction to CBP,” USCIB CEO Peter Robinson said in a statement. “Under his leadership, the agency is positioned to move forward effectively in addressing the challenges and complexities of the trading environment in the U.S.”
AAFA is “thrilled” McAleenan will continue to lead CBP, after he contributed “years” of valuable experience to the agency, as CBP is partners with AAFA, including in “supporting lawful trade and preventing the import of counterfeit products,” AAFA CEO Rick Helfenbein said in a statement.
“AAFA commends the Senate for confirming Mr. McAleenan as Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection,” Helfenbein said in a statement. “Imports are essential to the success of the apparel and footwear industry and our ability to employ nearly four million Americans and provide affordable products for American families.”