Washington D.C. – On December 20, 2024, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senators Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in speaking on the Senate floor to advocate for American companies facing challenges abroad. Their focus centered on Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials Company, which has been engaged in a prolonged dispute with the Mexican government over the unlawful seizure of its deepwater port and facilities in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Vulcan Materials Company alleges that its property was expropriated by the Mexican government, disrupting its longstanding operations in the region. The company initiated legal proceedings under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2018 after facing harassment, land-use changes, and shutdowns ordered by Mexican authorities. The dispute escalated in 2023 when Mexican military forces seized Vulcan’s port facility at gunpoint. While Mexican forces eventually withdrew, tensions have persisted.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Britt criticized the Biden Administration’s handling of trade negotiations and its perceived lack of response to international challenges. She pointed to reports alleging that changes to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement could undermine protections for American companies like Vulcan.
“This reaffirmation by SACSCOC is a testament to the tireless dedication of our faculty, staff, and leadership team to uphold the highest academic and operational excellence standards,” Britt stated. “The Biden Administration’s actions should be a front-page story in every newspaper across this nation.”
Senator Britt also expressed her support for the Defending American Property Abroad Act, legislation introduced by Senator Hagerty and co-sponsored by several lawmakers, including Britt, Kaine, and Tuberville. The bill aims to prohibit the Mexican government from profiting from its alleged unlawful seizures and would impose retaliatory measures if the property is exploited further.
Senators from both parties have highlighted the importance of defending American companies and ensuring that foreign governments respect the rule of law. The Defending American Property Abroad Act seeks to safeguard American investments while signaling the U.S. commitment to holding other nations accountable.
“American interests, American families, American values, and Americans’ securities must come first,” Britt emphasized. She called for a reassertion of U.S. leadership on the global stage to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Vulcan Materials Company, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, has operated in Mexico for more than 35 years. Its facilities in Quintana Roo have played a crucial role in the company’s operations, producing and exporting limestone. The ongoing dispute raises concerns about the treatment of American businesses abroad and the implications for international trade agreements.
In recent months, U.S. lawmakers have urged the Mexican government to resolve the dispute amicably. A bipartisan letter sent to the Mexican Ambassador to the United States emphasized the need for dialogue and the reversal of actions taken against Vulcan.
The situation continues to unfold as lawmakers push for measures to protect American companies operating overseas, with Vulcan Materials Company remaining a focal point of these efforts.
