Mike Levin: “as my colleagues know, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, WHTI, currently requires anyone entering the United…”

“as my colleagues know, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, WHTI, currently requires anyone entering the United States via a U.S.-Canadian land border to have a passport or other acceptable alternative document by January 1, 2008. I am pleased to join my colleagues from Alaska and Vermont as a cosponsor of their amendment to extend the WHTI implementation deadline by 18 months to June 1, 2009. The WHTI will play an important role in securing our borders, but it must be implemented in a reasonable, fair, and well-thought-out manner. This amendment responds to concerns I have heard from various constituents, including those in the travel, tourism, and shipping industries. My home State of Michigan, like other northern border States, enjoys a close economic and social relationship with Canada. It is important that the WHTI be implemented in a way that minimizes negative impacts on trade, travel, and tourism. We must ensure that our border crossings are both secure and efficient. This amendment would provide additional time for the Departments of State and Homeland Security to study the various implementation issues related to the WHTI.…”