[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 61 (Wednesday, May 17, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      EXTENDING THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE DEADLINE

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, 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. This delay would enable a 
more in-depth examination of issues including the economic impact of 
the WHTI, the civil liberties and security concerns related to new 
passport technologies, and the feasibility of creating a single border 
crossing identification card that will satisfy the requirements of both 
the WHTI and the REAL ID Act.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

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