Elected Officials

"Despite Administration claims that the air rule implementation was proceeding smoothly, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced last week a temporary delay in implementation of the air provisions of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) due to the logistical failure in processing passport applications nationwide. We feel this was a necessary adjustment in response to these backlogs."

"In light of this decision to delay implementation of the rule for air travelers, we hope your agencies now will take all the necessary time allowed under the law to implement the land and sea provisions properly. Air composes a fraction of the overall cross border travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. There is another train wreck on the horizon if your agencies continue pushing forward with full implementation of the WHTI before the necessary policies and procedures are in place to handle the lengthy delays that are sure to come....We urge you to announce that your agencies will use the time allotted by Congress - until June 2009 under current law - to execute the WHTI sensibly."

"Alaskans are very concerned about the impact this initiative will have on travel to and from our state"

"The implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in January created a significant influx, with which passport offices have been struggling to keep up. With an expected record of 209 million people expected to travel this summer, the situation was quickly spiraling out of control....Easing the passport rules will ensure that family vacation plans are not disrupted because of a passport system unable to keep up with demand."

"Allowing those who have applied for passports the ability to show an official receipt and keep their travel plans is a common-sense solution to dealing with the backlog of applications," Crapo noted. "Even so, I still advise travelers to plan far ahead for when they might be traveling outside the country and will need a passport to do so. I encourage the Department of Homeland Security to continue to work with affected travelers to meet their travel documentation needs."

"There is a crisis looming at our Northern Border. The WHTI, if handled incorrectly, will drive a wedge between the United States and our largest trading partner and closest ally...The PACT Act assures that the Departments of Homeland Security and State promulgate a regulation that will provide greater protection to our homeland while still facilitating legitimate travel and commerce."

"In 2003 alone, there were 34.5 million visits by Canadians to the U.S., which had a $10.9 billion impact on our economy. Thus, if handled incorrectly, the WHTI travel document requirements could have serious detrimental effect on the United States economy."

"I believe that, in certain circumstances, Canadian provincial driver's licenses and U.S. state driver's licenses should be accepted as border crossing documents. I also believe that when children accompany a legal guardian across the United States-Canadian border, they should not have to provide separate travel documents from their guardian. After all, a parent should not have to suffer economic loss to verify that their three year old is not a terrorist."

"I'm glad that the State Department is finally acting to clean up the passport mess, but in many ways their actions are too little, too late. They had over three years to implement new rules for travel to Canada and Mexico, yet they were still entirely unprepared to handle the increase in applications that resulted. I hope Congress will investigate the causes of this debacle and act to prevent similar problems in the future."

Boyda added, "The 9/11 Commission suggested that America require passports for travel to Canada and Mexico as a way of protecting homeland security. Although waiving these passport requirements may make sense as a temporary response to a crisis, it is only a stopgap measure. I hope the State Department swiftly reimposes its travel regulations in a manner that respects both homeland security and the needs of travelers."

"For the department to impose an additional requirement of a birth certificate, which many residents do not have at hand, and to no longer accept common documents such as baptismal certificates and student ID cards as a supplement to license checks could well cause considerable difficulties and back-ups at the border."

"For many Mainers, quick and easy border crossing is crucial in order to access essential services, to travel to their jobs, to attend church and to visit family and friends," Collins added. "It is important that we strike a balance between the security of our nation’s borders and the free flow of commerce and travel to and from the United States."

"We need to come up with a system that keeps our enemies out but lets our friends in and does not interfere with normal trade and travel. That's my goal and I think we should start by postponing the requirement until June of 2009, that's what many of us are working on so that we can get better systems in place."

"It is positive news that DHS is utilizing some of the flexibility provided to the Department by Congress to use forms of identification alternative to passports to satisfy the requirements of WHTI. But I believe that six months is not enough time to address the staffing shortfalls at the State Department that caused the Department to be overwhelmed by passport applications earlier this year. And one year is not enough time to fully implement and evaluate the pilot program scheduled to begin in Washington State early next year. Lessons learned from this pilot program will be critical to helping ensure that WHTI operates smoothly with minimal delays at border crossings."

"For many Maine residents, quick and easy border crossing is essential. They need access to vital services, to travel to their jobs, to attend church, and to visit family and friends. It is critical that we strike a balance between the security of our nation's borders and the free flow of commerce and travel to and from the United States."

"DHS' announcement today is welcome news. The cost to families to meet the passport requirement, and the burden it would have put on group chaperones and teachers, may have prevented some children from taking part in class trips and competitive sports across the border. So this makes good sense to allow some flexibility on the requirements for children." said Senator Collins. "We must continue to balance the need to secure our borders with the need to ensure that we do not impose an undue burden on Americans who live near the border. For many Maine residents, quick and easy border crossing is necessary in order to access essential services, travel to their jobs or school and sporting events, to attend church, and to visit family and friends.

"I will continue to press DHS to move forward on developing procedures to accept alternative forms of identification for all Americans, instead of just passports, when the WHTI is fully implemented at our borders."

"The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department must work together to strengthen border security and ensure that we are not allowing people into the country who may want to do harm. However, I feel strongly that the initiative must balance the need to strengthen border security with the needs of people living on the border. In my home state of Maine, for example, many citizens rely on the ability to quickly and easily cross the border to travel to their jobs, attend church, and visit family and friends. Many Canadians also frequently cross the border into Maine in order to visit family and friends, shop in our stores, dine in our restaurants, and work in our health care facilities in border towns."

"There is a long history of close cooperation with the Canadians on the management of the border and addressing our mutual border concerns. Last year, $3.9 billion in products crossed the border between my state of Maine and Canada. Many Maine businesses depend for their survival on the timely importation of products from Canada. Delays in receiving inventories and supplies through a poorly managed inspection regime could do serious harm to these businesses. In addition, a user fee on the products crossing the border will act as a tax on these goods, raising costs and harming the competitiveness of U.S. companies."

"Everyone recognizes the need to prevent terrorists and criminals from entering this country, but we must also ensure that we do not place an onerous burden on our border communities and their residents," said Snowe. "With this announcement, I am hopeful that the State Department and DHS are working toward a reasonable solution, and I look forward to learning the details of the new border crossing card as it is developed. It is imperative that the program that is ultimately produced does not make travel between the U.S. and Canada more difficult."

"Although we all share the goals of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to make our borders as secure as they can be, we need to make sure that we are achieving that goal in a way that will not cause economic harm to our States. I am also pleased that language was included in the bill that I worked with Senator Coleman on to require the Department of Homeland Security to sign a memorandum of understanding with one or more States to conduct a pilot project to see whether secure driver's licenses could be used as a form of documentation for travel between the U.S. and Canada under the WHTI. The amendment also provides that DHS must evaluate the pilot project and map out next steps, including an expansion if appropriate."

"We all share the goals of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: to make our borders as secure as they can be," said Levin. "We need to make sure, however, that we are achieving that goal in a pragmatic, cost-effective manner. I'm glad the committee approved my amendments today that ask the Department to conduct further economic analysis of the initiative and to test an alternate solution that would enable citizens to use dual-purpose driver's licenses at the border rather than obtaining an additional piece of ID."

"Protecting our citizens and ensuring their safety and security is, as stated, of the utmost importance, but there remains a great deal of concern that WHTI's requirement could lead to significant problems at Detroit Windsor and other land borders, including delays that will stifle trade and commerce across the northern border. We are talking about 174,000 Michigan jobs supported by trade between the United States and Canada. Given what is at stake for our northern border States, I would urge DHS and the State Department to carefully review and map out all possible options before undertaking actions that are not necessary for security that comes first but may harm the flow of trade between our two countries."

"If this law continues to inaccurately view and treat our Canadian border as it does the Mexican border, our state's economy will be significantly hurt"

"The Detroit Windsor Tunnel is one of the cornerstones of the close economic relationship between the United States and Canada. The United States and Canada trade $1.2 billion worth of goods and services each day that supports 5.2 million jobs. Trade between the United States and Canada is valued over $400 billion per year. Michigan's trade with Canada represents 19 percent of the United States land-based trade and supports 174,000 Michigan jobs."

"Safe and secure border crossings are critical to our national security needs. We understand the importance for Customs and Border Patrol agents to have the necessary tools to effectively carry out this mission. However, protecting the border must be balanced with the need to safely and securely transport people and goods across the border with our largest trading partner. The Shared Border Management Initiative will reduce regulation, red tape, and allow efficient movement of commerce, trade, and tourism between the United States and Canada. This program is critical to further encourage economic development in northern border communities."

"News that the Department of Homeland Security will not require children to have passports when crossing the U.S.-Canadian border is a positive first step towards addressing practical concerns with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative," Stupak said. "This is welcome news for many northern Michigan residents. For instance, a youth hockey team in Sault Ste. Marie that regularly plays in Canada should not be subjected to excessive passport fees."

"Commerce and trade between the U.S. and Canada is an economic engine that generates upwards of $400 billion per year for our country and supports over 170,000 Michigan jobs," Stupak said. "While we certainly must ensure safe and secure borders, we can achieve that goal without damaging the trade, tourism and commerce that benefit both of our countries."

"Each day Canada and the US do roughly $1.4 billion in trade and have 300,000 trips across the border. This makes up the world’s largest bilateral trading partnership...We need additional input from Members of Congress in order to ensure a safe and smoothly functioning border, mindful of both the homeland security needs and cross-border trade."

"Prior to 9/11, American citizens would cross into Canada and return without carrying a passport or other international travel document. As a result, trade and tourism between the U.S. and Canada has thrived. In 2004 alone, trade between the U.S. and Canada topped $411 billion dollars. Fifteen million Americans traveled into Canada in 2004, and 14 million Canadians traveled to the U.S., bringing millions of dollars into our tourism and travel industries. In total, Canadian trade supports at least 174,000 Michigan jobs...Along with colleagues from both parties, I have been working to reform WHTI, so that we can secure our border without damaging the trade and travel that support millions of American jobs."

"Security measures that protect both our homeland and hometowns must be both effective, feasible for states, yet still contain mechanisms to protect the privacy of our citizens. As you know, the National Governors Association, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and the National Conference of State Legislatures have already commented on the need for adequate time and flexibility for states to implement their own innovations while ensuring compliance with the federal statute. For example, Michigan intends to pursue a driver's license that will allow our citizens to hold one document that complies with both REAL ID and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Such efforts will require a sustained and focused partnership between state and federal agencies at a level not yet fully demonstrated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)."

"Millions of Michigan residents stand to benefit from a new initiative to enhance the security of our driver's licenses.

"Secretary Chertoff's comments that those objecting to the plan need to 'grow up' indicates that the department still doesn't understand the practical effects of DHS policies on the everyday lives of border community residents."

"The rule issued today should, at least for the moment, bring some relief to Minnesotans worried about what will happen in January of next year for land border travel," Coleman said. "I am pleased that the Administration has heeded the concerns of the public and those of us in Congress that have urged them to address this problem before land implementation. At the same time, I am somewhat concerned that the proposal aims for a summer 2008 deadline and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress who are advocating a summer 2009 deadline instead. That said, I am pleased with the Departments' indication that the ultimate timing of this phase will be determined not by an artificial timetable, but rather the availability of alternative documents, including enhanced driver's licenses and passport cards, as well as alternative documents for Canadians."

"After the fiasco we experienced with massive passport backlogs following the air rule change earlier this year, it is essential that we take every step to avoid travel disruption during the land phase, which by all predictions will be even more of a headache," said Coleman. "With the recent improvements in driver's license security, we would be foolish not to allow Americans to voluntarily enroll in a program to allow their use for driving to Canada. The Washington state pilot, something I have advocated for over a year, should be tested and applied nationwide, sooner rather than later."

"I welcome today's announcement that children under 16 will not be required to purchase passports or passport equivalents as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. This will help address the concerns I have raised about the cost to border residents, as well as the Initiative's impact on hockey teams near the border, school trips, and other low-risk travel. While I will press ahead to address some other concerns related to the Initiative, such as enabling a secure drivers license to be used as an alternative to a passport and ensuring adequate time and resources for implementation, I think today's news shows the Department of Homeland Security is listening to the valid concerns myself and others have heard from folks living along the border."

"The reality is that driver's licenses are becoming more secure and should be explored as a potential form of documentation for travel to and from Canada...This amendment will not delay the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, but will require DHS to study a possible solution that makes sense to many Americans, particularly those in border communities".

"Canada is America's most important trading partner, with over $1.6 billion worth of goods crossing the border each day, 16 million Canadians visiting the United States each year, and 14.2 million Americans visiting Canada annually. While it is important for us to enhance the security of our borders, we need to do so in a way that does not disrupt our economic relations. Requiring a passport, in my judgment, is over the top."

"The northern border needs to be shored up as part of a comprehensive border security plan, but requiring passports for Montanans that do business in Canada everyday is unnecessary. There are alternatives being considered by the Department of Homeland Security that will make a lot more sense for Montana. The folks that live up on the Hi-line rely on tourists from Canada and the good trading partners they have developed to create and sustain jobs. Endangering that relationship just doesn’t make sense...I know there are businesses in northern border states across the U.S. that are concerned about this initiative and rightfully so. Canada has been the largest and most reliable U.S. trading partner for decades and we need to nurture that relationship, not make it contentious."

"Travel between the United States and Canada is routine for thousands of New Hampshire residents, as it is for our northern neighbors. Federal rules requiring every man, woman and child to have a passport for such travel represents an over-sized solution that does not reflect the way of life in border states.

"Travel between the United States and Canada is routine for thousands of New Hampshire residents, as it is for our northern neighbors. Federal rules requiring every man, woman and child to have a passport for such travel represents an over-sized solution that does not reflect the way of life in border states. We can provide flexibility for travelers without undermining our national security needs," said Sununu. "Mandating that residents and visitors purchase costly passports will inevitably lead to fewer cross-border trips, ultimately discouraging the flow of commerce. This legislation puts the brakes on existing plans to implement these burdensome and unrealistic requirements, and provides more time to see if secure driver's licenses can be used for travel between the U.S. and Canada."

"The City of Buffalo, the State of New York, the Peace Bridge Authority and the entire New York Congressional delegation have been waiting for nearly three years for a resolution to the Shared Border Management (SBM) issue and it is extremely disappointing to hear from you today that you are unable to resolve the differences with the Canadian Government and come to an agreement acceptable to all parties."

"There is tremendous and legitimate concern that the Initiative would not only devastate the tourism and retail industry, but also greatly disrupt life on both sides of the American-Canadian border. To date, State and DHS's efforts to impose WHTI's identification requirements have completely neglected these concerns. At the root of the Initiative's problems are the cost and the burden it would impose on United States citizen travelers. In addition to cost, the proposal imposes several hurdles to attaining the passport card. No exception is allowed for the elderly or groups of minors on trips. No provision is made for day passes or those who appear at a border crossing without the proper documentation."

"The exchange of goods between the United States and Canada is the largest trading relationship in the world. On average, $1.1 billion in goods cross the border each day. This number is likely to decrease dramatically if an individual is forced to purchase a $45 passport card - or an even more expensive passport - several weeks in advance in order to cross the border. A decrease in cross-border travel would be devastating to the economies of both the U.S. and Canada. The impact would cripple border communities such as the Buffalo-Niagara region in New York. According to the Buffalo Niagara Partnership (Partnership), which represents nearly 3,000 employer members, requiring a passport for entry into the U.S. will devastate the tourism and retail industry on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border."

"We have to keep pushing...I'm very worried about the impact it (WHTI) will have on the Buffalo economy."

"The proposed rule is a matter of tremendous importance to my constituents in New York, as well as all American who live along the northern border. The security of our nation and its borders must be our greatest priority. However, in imposing new travel restrictions at the border, we must remain sensitive to the profound economic and social impact new restrictions can have on border communities. There is tremendous and legitimate concern that the Initiative would not only devastate the tourism and retail industry, but also greatly disrupt life on both sides of the American-Canadian border."

"As I have long maintained, national security and, in particular, security at our borders, must be paramount... However, it is crucial that any new identification requirements for travel between the United States and Canada be sensitive to the potentially serious impact on families, tourism, and the regional economies along our northern border. There is tremendous concern among New Yorkers that the Initiative’s identification requirement would not only devastate the tourism and retail industry, but also greatly disrupt life on both sides of the American-Canadian border."

"National security and, in particular, security at our borders, must continue to be paramount and I have made security at New York's northern border a top priority since joining the Senate. However, it is crucial that any new requirement be sensitive to the potentially serious impact of this proposal on tourism and the regional economy. I would urge that your departments [DHS and DoS] consider this proposal very carefully and take into account the very real concerns of the business and residential communities along New York's northern border."

"'It's high time that we get a crystal-clear picture of what is causing these huge delays at New York state's border crossings, which have the potential to both jeopardize cross-border commerce and stifle regional tourism,' he said. 'New Yorkers are all too familiar with the frustration that comes with sitting in your car for hours during family vacations or even shopping trips, waiting to cross the border."

"We need to need to move fast to prevent DHS from ramming something through that would cripple cross-border commerce for a generation," Schumer said.

"WHTI was poorly thought out from the get-go and any effort by DHS to rush this through must be stopped dead in its tracks. I fully support efforts to improve security along our borders; however, we must at the same time protect commerce and the way of life along the border."

"We need to stop DHS once and for all from rushing headlong into new rules that could well be disastrous," Schumer said. "Right now, DHS is trying to do an end-run around the will of the people of Western New York, northern border communities across the country, and the intent of the United States Congress. DHS needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a proposal that achieves the security goals of WHTI without crippling cross-border commerce for a generation. My legislation will beat back any effort by DHS to rush this rule through and will set vital convenience and affordability requirements for any future proposals."

"I fully share your Administration's commitment to enhancing security along the northern border, and I believe that shared border management will contribute to this goal. Two years into negotiations, the time for a final agreement is now. The people of New York and officials from both the United States and Canada have invested too much for us to abandon these efforts. With your leadership, Mr. President, and the leadership of Canadian Prime Minister Harper, I believe that over the course of a multi-day border summit we can have a resolution for shared border management."

"We know that requiring passports could cripple the economy in upstate New York, and this meeting is an important step in making [sure] the opinions of residents of the North County are heard," Schumer said. "This discussion will ensure that the federal agencies understand the implications this proposal has and how important cross-border commerce is to the North Country. We need to think of a plan that both secures the border but also protects commerce, since this could cause huge economic hardship from Buffalo to Plattsburgh and across the Canadian border. The Feds are here asking for suggestions and now New Yorkers to express directly to them how they will be impacted by this proposal directly."

"We can have both security and cross-border commerce. This plan [WHTI] was poorly thought out and did not take into account how the border works in New York, where people cross it all the time for work, shopping, and leisure."

"'We're not arguing that we don't do it,' McHugh said of the new rules. 'We're asking, "What are you going to do to publicize it?" We're now a little more than two weeks away from this being implemented, and as far as I know, they haven't done any outreach on the border.'

"Commerce and trade between the U.S. and Canada is an economic engine that generates upwards of $400 billion per year for our country and supports over 170,000 Michigan jobs," Stupak said. "This most recent decision by Homeland Security is jeopardizing an initiative that could safely reduce the delays at border crossings and help ensure the swift and secure movement of people and goods across the U.S.-Canadian border."

"Studies by the Canadian Tourism Commission and other groups have suggested very clearly that American businesses stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars if the new requirements, as expected, significantly interfere with existing trade and tourism. The stakes for Northern Border interests are extremely high, with so many communities and businesses dependent upon the ease of travel between the two nations. Simply put, any economic or bureaucratic impediments to travel could jeopardize thousands of local jobs in border states."

"I am deeply disappointed by this unilateral decision by DHS to terminate negotiations over Shared Border Management with our largest trading partner," McHugh stated. "By walking away from the table over Peace Bridge negotiations, DHS has endangered the future of an efficient and worthwhile program."

"What incentive do the Canadians have to remain invested in Shared Border Management if we've taken our biggest chip off the table? Each year $20 billion in trade comes in through the Peace Bridge, and $8 billion in trade occurs at the Thousand Islands Bridge," McHugh continued. "U.S. — Canadian trade over these bridges has increased significantly since Shared Border Management negotiations began. That alone speaks volumes to the potential effectiveness of the program and is an outstanding reason to stay at the negotiating table."

"I must say that the decision to end negotiations regarding Shared Border Management on the Peace Bridge is incredibly irresponsible," said Rep. McHugh. "The attitude that the Department of Homeland Security has shown toward northern border issues shows a serious lack of vision for long-term trade with Canada."

"GAO's findings reaffirm my belief that the WHTI proposal holds significant implications for our upstate New York communities. Not only is the agency concerned about the impact it would have on commerce, but they have underscored the effects a passport requirement would have on travel and particularly spontaneous trips. Simply put, it is critical that DHS and State address the very valid concerns raised in this report, and that WHTI not move ahead until better solutions are at hand."

"Homeland Security's ambitious rush ahead with its passport requirement is not grounded in reality," Rep. Slaughter said. "The Administration has yet to complete the driver's license pilot program in Washington State, or develop a low-cost alternative passport card. Until then, announcements like the one today are premature and serve to only further confuse the traveling public."

"I am especially concerned with the Administration's economic analysis because it does not accurately assess WHTI's impact on the Buffalo economy and cross-border trade nor does it estimate the impact of a decline of Canadian visits into the US."

"Travel and trade which cross the northern border every day between America and Canada are critical to our economy and to northern economic security, and we must never sacrifice our relationship with Canada in a misguided attempt to increase border security. I have long said that economic security and physical security are not mutually exclusive. We can, and must, have both."

"The idea of implementing [The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative] as soon as this January is a pipe dream. Canada is our biggest trading partner - it's our life's blood. A large part of the economies of northern states depends on easy access and trade with Canada."

"I am pleased that the House has taken an important first step toward fixing the Bush Administration's ill-conceived WHTI proposal. The provisions I authored will require the Department of Homeland Security to take the time to implement common-sense border policies that work for Western New York...We won't sit idly by while the local economies of Western New York are severely damaged by disastrous proposals like WHTI."

"WHTI is a looming crisis that has the potential to greatly harm the strong and mutually-beneficial relationship America has long shared with Canada," Rep. Slaughter said. "We must do all we can to prevent this crisis from reaching the breaking point. We can have a smart and secure shared border, but only if the Departments of Homeland Security and State take a step-back and realize that their current plan will devastate cross border travel and trade."

Letter to Secretary Chertoff, Secretary Rice, and Secretary Gutierrez on SPP.

"I am encouraged that the Administration is expected to announce a WHTI exemption for children, a step I have been advocating for nearly two years...And I expect that the Administration will soon announce a delay in the imposition of agricultural inspection fees. But we need to go much further and look at our northern border policies as a whole. Otherwise, we risk unintentionally curbing legitimate travel and trade with Canada."

"U.S.-Canada trade supports 5.2 million jobs and generates tens of billions of dollars in revenue each year. Western New York's four bi-national bridges, including the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, are some of the busiest in the country. 160 million dollars in trade, and 20,000 vehicles, cross the Peace Bridge every single day."

"In addition to its importance to international trade, the Niagara frontier is also a gateway for millions of tourists each year. Our economy is heavily dependent on Canadian visits to our sporting events, cultural institutions, and local wineries. A loss of just a fraction of these visitors would prove devastating for the people of Western New York."

"And yet, I am convinced that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - as it is currently envisioned by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State - will destroy the dynamics of our shared border communities."

"GAO has confirmed our longstanding concerns with the implementation of WHTI... We need an extension of the WHTI deadline, and then we have to go back to the drawing board and figure this out"

"The proposed passport regulation, if accepted as-is, will cause serious economic damage to our border communities. It is imperative that we not allow security procedures to unnecessarily impede trade and tourism with our Canadian neighbors. What we need to do is come together and offer real alternatives to this passport requirement, alternatives like those presented by the NEXUS program, which I and many of my colleagues have been advocating for years."

"I remain concerned about the implementation of the WHTI. As a fellow New Yorker, I am acutely aware of the need to take forward steps to improve our security. That being said, all potential improvements require thorough review. Our security needs to be maintained, and so does our economic prosperity. A clear distinction should be made between the path of improved national security and the path of economic isolationism."

"Today's announcement delays the passport requirement until next summer, but it doesn't go nearly far enough," said Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27). "An enhanced driver's license is a solution that balances the need for better security at our borders with the demand for seamless travel and trade that fuels the economies in Western New York and Southern Ontario."

"Just last week the University at Buffalo Regional Institute released a report which found that last year alone, $75 billion in commodities crossed the WNY/Ontario border, making the local border the second busiest US/Canadian crossing by volume. The following data compiled by the Regional Institute at the University at Buffalo in their policy brief entitled "Defining the Region's Edge" suggests the extent to which a reduction in Canadian visits to the US would cripple the already-struggling local economy:"

• 40% of the students who attend D'Youville College are Canadians.
• Hospital visits by Canadians have a local economic impact of $42 million.
• Approximately 15,000 visitors to a typical Buffalo Bills home game are Canadians.
• 12% of Buffalo Sabres season ticket holders are Canadians.
• 35% of the skiers at Holiday Valley Resort are Canadians.
• Approximately 1/3 of patrons at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport are Canadians.

"Killing it will clarify a lot of perceptions for a lot of people...Killing the passport plan would help repair the damage that's already been done."

"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative would decimate the economic viability and cultural and social fabric of my district," said Congressman Higgins. "I fail to see how requiring the use of one form of a passport or PASS card is more secure than the documents currently required for cross-border travel."

"The people of Western New York have had close relationships with our Canadian neighbors for hundreds of years. Our communities are woven together and our economies are interdependent...The easy flow of people over the border is equally as important as commerce. Many of the students in my district go to universities along the Canadian shoreline, and Canadian students comprise a major component of our local colleges. Canadians support Buffalo’s arts and culture. They visit our zoo, shop our stores, and go to our local theaters; they are a large percentage of the fans in the seats at Bills, Sabres, and Bisons games."

"This (passport requirement) makes taking the family to see the Canadian side of Niagara Falls or driving the kids up to Toronto to see a Blue Jays game a lot more costly for the average Western New York family. Likewise for the Canadians, who visit Western New York often and spend their money at places such as the Corning Glass Museum, the racetrack at Watkins Glen, ski resorts, parks, colleges, wineries and supporting small businesses...These examples show that Western New York and the southern Ontario province in Canada have intertwined economies and communities. There is over $1 billion worth of trade flowing freely across the border we share with Canada every day. We can’t afford to put up a big road block at the border that could have a net affect of turning legitimate visitors and business away."

"We must continue to put pressure on [DHS and State] to protect our borders and let us know who is coming in," concluded Reynolds. "However, while we work to secure our borders, State and DHS must develop a common sense system for U.S. citizens that wish to travel to Canada that meets three principles. It has to be: Simple, Economical, and Accessible for all U.S. citizens."

"With a turf battle between the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security over WHTI, I want to know how they plan on dealing with an influx of passport demands in the future," state Congressman Reynolds. "While the news of a temporary delay was certainly welcome, I think the actions of DHS and the State Department are arrogant and borderline incompetent. We must continue to put pressure on these two departments to come up with a solution that is simple, economical, and accessible."

"It's quite clear we're going to have a mess on the northern border. It will, in my judgment, add nothing to security."

"This is a victory especially for families who live near the Canadian border," said Dorgan. "Requiring a passport for children would be a ridiculous expense for families and place an undue burden on travel. We have to provide for security at our borders - that is important - but we don't want to shutdown cross-border travel with rules and regulation that cost families a great deal of extra money. DHS is making a step in the right direction."

"This plan is a significant improvement over the Administration’s original proposal that would have cost hundreds of dollars for a family going to Winnipeg for the weekend. But $45 for adults and $35 for children is still an undue burden in my judgment. We need to tighten security on our borders, but we need to do it in a way that doesn’t stifle economic activity in our border communities that depend on cross-border travel. I’m going to keep pushing the Administration to bring these fees down and find solutions that are fair to residents of North Dakota and other border states."

"It's critical to protect this country from terrorists, but that doesn't mean placing unfair financial burdens on American families who wish to travel back and forth to Canada to visit Grandma and Grandpa"

"The pilot program announced today by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Canadian Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day and Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, [where] enhanced driver licenses would be issued upon proof of citizenship, identity and residency, which can be used instead of a passport by citizens crossing the border between Washington and British Columbia, "is a very positive step toward finding a solution that will keep crossings at the U.S. and Canadian border both simple and secure. Requiring a federal passport for travel between the U.S. and Canada puts an extra burden on normal traffic and hurts tourism and commerce in border states like North Dakota," Congressman Pomeroy said. "I am hopeful that this pilot program will be a success. I will continue to urge the Department of Homeland Security to work with Northern border states to ultimately write a regulation that makes sense."

"The Department of Homeland Security has at last acknowledged that the passport for everyone requirement went too far. This onerous requirement would have placed an extra burden on normal traffic and commerce between the U.S. and Canada. Cities like Grand Forks that rely on trade and tourism with Canada would be hit especially hard," Congressman Pomeroy said. "I believe exempting children is only the obvious first step in ultimately forging a regulation that makes sense."

"I am urging the Department of Homeland Security not to impose the requirement on everyone next January as they are discussing, but take the additional time allotted by Congress to get the regulation right".

"Securing our borders is tremendously important. This funding puts more enforcement on the front lines, making it harder to enter our country illegally and do us harm," said Pomeroy. "But we must take into account the differences between the northern and southern borders and how best to meet the challenges posed by each...The department needs extra time to consider the impact of the passport proposal and look for alternatives so any changes that are made should enhance security without hampering the cross-border relationship between North Dakota and Canada harming our communities and economy".

"Representing a border State, the cross border traffic is not just economically important to us; it is really a way of life up our way. We have North Dakota and 39 other States have Canada as its leading export market. In 2005, Canadians made 37.8 million trips to the United States, including 22.3 million same day auto trips. We are seeing, with the realignment of the dollar versus the Canadian dollar, a significant uptick in same day cross border shopping traffic. This has been something that is very beneficial to the economy in my State and something we have long hoped for, but what we are scared to death about is this Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) really slamming the door effectively on a lot of this same day casual traffic, Winnipeg/Grand Forks, just as is replicated across communities all across the border. The General Accountability Office (GAO) has indicated an economic analysis of WHTI is vital to fully understanding what we are going into as well as evaluating the various alternative cards that may achieve the security dimension needed without unduly disrupting the economic integration of our countries. Yet, I am informed that an economic analysis has effectively not even begun, and I am wondering what the status of that is. How can we possibly get the technology right without looking at the consequential impact of it on the economies of the northern tier States?"

"I do think it is a system failure to be moving at such a dramatic new requirement for cross border traffic along the northern border without fully understanding what might result by way of economic impact to the northern tier communities...I believe the United States owes much more to the citizens along the northern tier as well as, for that matter, our friends to the north to fully understand what we are getting into from an economic standpoint."

"The delay in passport requirements for land and sea crossings is] a good first step, and I'll keep an eye on how they do," LaTourette said. "My hunch is they're being overly optimistic they'll be ready a year from now. Still, I appreciate the fact they're giving themselves some wiggle room and could delay implementation further if needed."

"If the goal of the federal government is to ruin travel by air, land and sea then we should stick with the January launch [of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Air rule]," he said. "If we want to get it right, let's take a breather and give Homeland Security until June 2009."

"I'm pleased the administration agreed that immediate relief was greatly needed," Sen. Voinovich said. "While too many people faced an undue burden during this process, it will hopefully serve as a lesson as we stare down the January 2008 deadline requiring passports for land and sea travel between the United States, Canada and Mexico. While Congress has provided the administration with the flexibility to extend the deadline for land and sea travel until June 1, 2009, they continue to insist on the January deadline. I will work to ensure they reconsider if it looks like what happened this summer becomes a possibility this winter."

"As you are aware, WHTI represents significant changes in border crossing behaviour between the United States and Canada. While the enhanced identification requirements are necessary to safeguard national security, WHTI has the potential to negatively impact businesses and individuals. It is therefore critical that the Administration develops and implements the regulations in a manner which minimizes border delays, harm to business and tourism, and inconvenience for individuals."

"Our neighbors to the North have long served as an asset in helping to boost the local economy of northwestern Pennsylvania. While securing America's borders remains a top priority for Congress, we must be careful to craft a balanced plan that will harden our borders without hindering the free flow of commercial and recreational travel between our closely-tied communities."

"Although the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is well intended, Congress should balance the economic impact of making travel between Canada and America expensive and difficult. In this case I believe the potential benefit of hardening the Canadian border is significantly outweighed by the damage which would be done to our local economy."

"[W]ith concerns about a recession on the way, the timing [of WHTI] for clamping down on billions of dollars in trade and travel could not be worse. I can think of nothing that would push the northern border states over the edge more surely than this heavy-handed, ill-timed and misguided government mandate."

"When it comes to the Northern Border, the muddled thinking and poor planning at DHS seems to have no bounds, and the agency that botched Katrina seems to have no shame and no memory to boot."

"There is another train wreck on the horizon if they continue pushing forward with full implementation of WHTI before the necessary policies and procedures are in place to handle the surge in applications, to resolve potential complications in producing a new and untested passport card, and to prepare for the lengthy border delays that are in the offing....By maintaining the fiction that they will be ready to implement the largest phase of this program next January, they are recklessly risking the travel plans of millions of Americans and the economies of scores of states and communities."

"Despite Administration claims that the air rule implementation was proceeding smoothly, the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced last week a temporary delay in implementation of the air provisions of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) due to the logistical failure in processing passport applications nationwide. We feel this was a necessary adjustment in response to these backlogs."

"In light of this decision to delay implementation of the rule for air travelers, we hope your agencies now will take all the necessary time allowed under the law to implement the land and sea provisions properly. Air composes a fraction of the overall cross border travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. There is another train wreck on the horizon if your agencies continue pushing forward with full implementation of the WHTI before the necessary policies and procedures are in place to handle the lengthy delays that are sure to come....We urge you to announce that your agencies will use the time allotted by Congress - until June 2009 under current law - to execute the WHTI sensibly."

"In the very same announcement about emergency steps to deal with this [passport] crisis, DHS maintains the fiction that they will be ready to implement the biggest phase of [The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative] next January. They are recklessly risking the travel plans of millions of Americans and the economies of scores of states and communities."

"They have followed our congressional directive by developing a sensible plan to protect missing and exploited children at our borders, while recognizing the low security risk of travel by children."

"After months of seeming to ignore Congress on WHTI implementation issues, these agencies have reached consensus on a step that meets the first of seven criteria enacted last year in the Leahy-Stevens Amendment."

"I welcome this and hope it signals closer attention by the Bush Administration to our other reforms to fix the new border-crossing ID system before it goes into effect."

"This has been shaping up as a bureaucratic nightmare that could clog our borders while making us even less secure"

"We've got an economic and cultural train wreck on the horizon. I can just see a complete screw-up on the border come Jan. 1, 2008. Our closest friend in this hemisphere is going to be, like, what happened? Are we pariahs?"

"And finally, regardless of how the Administration implements the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, there is another half of this equation, which DHS seems to be ignoring: Our close allies, friends, and in my state, our relatives, who live across the border in Canada. The Canadian government is not moving under the same deadline for a similar card for their citizens. Thus DHS is simply expecting more Canadians to apply for passports. While DHS recognizes the need to have a lower-cost alternative for U.S. citizens, its disregard for our Canadian friends and neighbors is stunning, not to mention counterproductive."

"In 2005, the departments announced a proposed plan entitled the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) to implement this requirement in two phases beginning in 2007. While I support the general goal of this initiative, there are smarter, more efficient ways to go about it. Implementing the program on the northern border as proposed would have a detrimental impact on the legitimate trade, tourism and travel on which the economies of northern border communities rely."

"For citizens of Washington [S]tate, it is absolutely critical that WHTI be implemented in a manner that minimizes any adverse effects on our citizens and economy. It must be proven to work. It must strike the right balance. With the best technologies and an appropriate plan for implementation, border security and efficient, cross-border commerce can work in tandem. That's why the costs for obtaining any new credential must be affordable so that those Americans who live in our border communities and travel frequently between the U.S. and Canada are not unduly restricted in their travels."

"The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will have a big impact on cross-border trade, and it's essential that we move forward in the right way. While this pilot project is a step in the right direction, many challenges lie ahead. For the sake of our Northwest economy, we must keep Northern border crossings safe, fast and convenient."

"Cities across our Northern Border like Blaine, Sumas, Lynden and Bellingham will be hurt economically by this "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" (WHTI) unless the Departments of Homeland Security and State ensure that commerce, travel and tourism flow freely during implementation. These travel restrictions could create a logistical nightmare for Washington State and slow the economic benefits we hope to gain from the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, BC"