WASHINGTON - The Airforwarders Association, representing 360 companies and more than 300,000 employees who move air cargo through the supply chain, today commended the House and Senate who came together on a compromise measure to advance the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (H.R. 644).  The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature which is expected to happen shortly.  This legislation is key to both streamlining the border clearance process and modernizing procedures that will facilitate better access for small and medium-sized companies trading into the 21st Century economy. Outdated Customs rules are costing freight shippers millions of dollars per year by preventing them from moving their products in and out of the United States efficiently. This bill will reduce red tape and streamline the clearance process so that forwarders can deliver their goods to market faster.  "AfA commends both the House and Senate's efforts to modernize and streamline many functions to help facilitate trade and improve enforcement of import regulations. Today's action will allow our customers to compete more effectively in global markets," said Brandon Fried, Executive Director of The Airforwarders Association. A key component of this legislation is to ensure that the benefits of CBP's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program are transparent and available to all shippers participating in securing the global supply chain. CBP will also be required to report to Congress on the progress and effectiveness of these and other security-focused program. Fried, serving his second term on the prestigious Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or COAC, has been tapped by CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske to co-chair a committee to review the C-TPAT program. Now in its fifteenth year, the Commissioner has asked him to analyze C-TPAT and determine what changes or enhancements can be made for the modern day supply chain.