Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is working to ensure that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) does not hurt travel and trade on our common border with Canada. WHTI, which requires travelers at the Peace Arch and other ports of entry to present a secure travel card, went into effect on Monday, June 1st. This week, Larsen cosponsored legislation (The IMPACTT Act, HR 2670) to provide strong oversight of WHTI and quickly identify any problems so steps can be taken to maintain a secure and efficient border.

“Millions of American jobs depend on the quick and efficient transport of goods and passengers across our Northern border,” said Larsen, a member of the Northern Border Caucus and co-chair of the 2010 Olympics Task Force. “In 2008 alone, over $596 billion in commerce crossed our common border with Canada. We need to ensure that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative does not hurt trade, tourism and our local economy.” 

This WHTI oversight legislation, written by Rep. Louise Slaughter (NY-28), will measure the economic impact of WHTI, track WHTI's impact on travel and trade, measure enrollment into frequent traveler cards including NEXUS, analyze staffing and infrastructure levels at land and sea ports of entry, and study the effect of WHTI on border delays and overall border security.

Larsen has long worked to ensure that WHTI does not have a negative impact on travel and trade on our Northern border, and in 2007 was part of an effort delay the implementation of WHTI from January, 2008 until June, 2009. 

“As the clock ticks closer to the 2010 Olympics, it is critical that we quickly identify any problems with WHTI so we can find solutions to keep our common border with Canada running securely and efficiently,” Larsen continued.

The WHTI IMPACTT Act (Implementation Monitoring Plan to Assure Continued Travel and Trade) will require the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to jointly submit reports to Congress on December 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010 with the following information:

• The effects of WHTI implementation on travel and trade across the Northern border, including an analysis of the economic impact of WHTI, monthly figures for passenger and freight border crossings, and its effects, if any, on travel delays at major border crossings.
• Enrollment levels for frequent traveler programs such as NEXUS and Passport Cards.
• Information on Customs and Border Protection staffing levels on the northern border crossings.
• Analysis of the effect of WHTI on overall northern border security
  

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