Border progress applauded as federal bill calls for transparency

SARATOGA | As local officials applaud word of possible progress with Canadian plans toward interim reopening measures for the northern border, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has cosponsored legislation calling for more transparency in the United States current reopening efforts. After recently calling for unilateral action and progress on the United State's behalf if bilateral national planning remained stalled, Stefanik announced the new legislation June 9-just days ahead of planned interactions between the Biden Administration and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The bill, led by Rep. Chris Jacobs (NY-27), would require the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and the Centers for Disease Control to produce a report within 30 days of its enactment. That report would then be relayed to relevant federal committees to provide a detailed accounting of all information regarding efforts to reopen the U.S. – Canada border. "For several months, I have repeatedly called on the United States and Canada to establish a bilateral, metrics-based plan to reopen our northern border. I have heard from countless community leaders, small businesses, and families who have been increasingly frustrated by the monthly extensions and lack of meaningful signs of collaboration or progress. This bill would require the Biden Administration to be transparent with Northern Border communities regarding their efforts to develop a concrete plan for reopening." The current border restrictions are again soon set to expire and local lawmakers, businesses, and families are worried about another 30-day extension without interim reopening progress. Last week, Stefanik urged the Department of Homeland Security to unilaterally ease restrictions for non-essential travel if a bilateral reopening plan is not established by the approaching June expiration-a move quickly applauded by local advocates, including the North Country Chamber of Commerce. A day earlier, the North Country Chamber welcomed word of possible progress toward interim measures, including Canada's possible elimination of quarantine requirements for travelers who have been fully vaccinated. "These reports are providing some long-sought hope for the start of a phased reopening process. Clearly, strong recent progress in the vaccination efforts in Canada as well as in the U.S. has helped," Chamber President Garry Douglas said. "We also have seen stronger calls from U.S. and Canadian leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Northern Border Caucus Co-Chairs Stefanik and Higgins, and a growing chorus of calls within Canada for a plan with first steps soon. We will continue to be part of these voices, openly and through all available private channels, while hoping we are seeing the first bit of light at the end of the tunnel." With President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau expected to meet in the U.K. at the G-7 summit later this week, Douglas said "We hope the border will be a key subject, leading to some agreement, even if it involves differences at first." Assemblyman Billy Jones also applauded the possible Canadian progress and said "The most recent news that the Canadian Government is actively considering interim reopening steps that include eliminating the quarantine requirement for those who are quarantined is indicative that our pleas for a phased approach to reopening are finally being heard." Jones said he's thrilled the end of the border closure might finally be in sight and said "Living in a border community like the North Country, everyone is impacted by the border closure in some way. Folks on both sides of the border have been separated from their families for far too long, and businesses continue to struggle without their loyal Canadian customers. That is why I have repeatedly called on both governments to make steps toward reopening the border and most recently called on New York specifically to vaccinate essential travelers from Canada." "Considering that the North Country continues to have low infection rates and our northern neighbors continue to see a decline as well, it is an opportune time to take these first steps to reopen the border.

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Border progress applauded as federal bill calls for transparency

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