Pete Domenici: “First, I am pleased that the conferees accepted a modification of my amendment to exempt signatories to the North…”

“First, I am pleased that the conferees accepted a modification of my amendment to exempt signatories to the North American Free-Trade Agreement from the new visa fees that are authorized in the act. The provision retains the exemption, but provides the Secretary of State with discretionary authority to impose these fees if either Canada or Mexico charge a visa fee to citizens of the United States. I would hope and expect that the State Department will only use such authority if it fails in attempts to persuade either Canada or Mexico to eliminate current or future visa fees. In my view, this authority should be used as a method of reducing fees that could impede cross-border traffic, not as an excuse to impose new fees. In any event, I would expect the Department will not use such authority in the near future and that it will consult with Congress prior to any action in this regard.”