Letter to the Hon. Joseph R. Biden, President - Stefanik Joins Fischbach in Letter to President Biden on Northern Border Closure

Letter

Dear Mr. President,

We write today regarding the upcoming July 21st deadline for border restrictions between the United States and Canada. Given the progress in vaccination rates and continually low infection rates in the U.S., we urge you not to extend the current restrictions. If a phased reopening of the border to non-essential travel cannot be established, we urge you to allow the restrictions to expire in order to restore travel between one of our closest trading partners.

The U.S. has fully vaccinated nearly half of its total population and 67% of its adult population. In addition, around 80% of adults aged 65 and older are vaccinated. This has corresponded with a plunge in daily new cases to just 5% of our peak levels at the beginning of this year. Americans have sacrificed much to get to where they are today, and a return to normalcy as much as possible and practical is sorely needed.

Your Administration took an important first step in this regard when you issued guidance recommending the lifting of various social restrictions for those who are vaccinated. However, travel restrictions, including those related to crossing our northern border remain as a last vestige of the sacrifices Americans have made to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions not only affect Americans ability to travel but impede their ability to economically sustain themselves as well.

Unfortunately, efforts to find a mutually agreeable solution to reopen the northern border have so far been unsuccessful. The Canadian government's indication that they will allow vaccinated Americans to enter Canada beginning in mid-August is a welcome step forward, though also a reminder that each nation has set their own criteria for entry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and will chart their own reopening. The U.S. has an opportunity to provide leadership in safely resuming travel across the northern border for the benefit of both nations. We agree with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) when he said recently American businesses cannot afford "another summer like the last", and that it's "time to finally take the first move in good faith to safely reopen the border..." These calls have been echoed on both sides of the border for months.

We urge you to take this opportunity to implement a plan to fully restore travel into the U.S. across the northern border, or simply allow the restrictions to expire on July 21st. The United States lead the world in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is time for the U.S. to lead the world out of the pandemic as well.

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