[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE WHTI IMPLEMENTATION MONITORING PLAN TO ASSURE 
            CONTINUED TRAVEL AND TRADE (IMPACTT) ACT OF 2009

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                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2009

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the WHTI 
IMPACTT Act. As with many people who live along the U.S.-Canada border, 
we in Western New York do not think of the bi-national Buffalo-Niagara 
region as two separate countries, but rather as one community with a 
river running through it. We have shared principles and values, and 
rely on an intertwining economic relationship that is vital to our 
prosperity.
  In the Buffalo-Niagara region and all across the border, the most 
pressing issue facing border communities is the implementation of the 
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). It is clear that our 
economy relies on the smart functioning of the Northern border and the 
increased documentation requirements under WHTI presents a difficult 
challenge for smooth travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada.
  I recognize that there are security concerns at our border, and that 
in the post-9/11 world it is important that we know that those entering 
both of our countries arc who they say they are, mean us no harm, and 
have the secure documents to prove it. That is why I agree with the 
intent of WHTI. We must be confident that the documents individuals 
present for entry into the United States are secure and authentic. 
However, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to our border 
concerns. We cannot simply flip a switch and move from having the 
world's largest open border to requiring expensive new crossing 
documentation.
  Recognizing this, in 2007 I led the charge in Congress to delay the 
implementation of WHTI from January 2008 until June 2009. Language 
mandating this delay was successfully included in the FY08 Omnibus 
appropriations bill which was signed into law in December 2007.
  It has become clear over the past year that this delay has proved to 
be absolutely necessary. Consider what has been done since the original 
January 2008 deadline in Western New York alone towards WHTI 
implementation:
  The first NEXUS enrollment center in Western New York was not opened 
until September of 2008, and the RFID technology that is so critical to 
the success of Passport cards, NEXUS cards, and Enhanced Driver's 
Licenses, did not ``go live'' at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo until this 
past November.
  At other important border crossings in New York State and Michigan, 
this vital technology was not set to be working and active until April; 
less than two months before yesterday's final WHTI implementation.
  Despite this progress being made, and despite DHS and State 
Department issuing their WHTI certification, I, along with a number of 
my colleagues, remain wary of the readiness of WHTI and committed to 
ensuring that it is implemented in a way that will not harm the cross 
border trade and travel that is so critical to our border communities.
  During President Obama's visit to Ottawa earlier this year, he and 
Prime Minister Harper stressed the importance of a healthy U.S.-Canada 
trade relationship to bringing both countries out of the current 
economic recession. I would contend that a successful WHTI 
implementation is an important aspect of this trade relationship, and a 
failed WHTI implementation could have a devastating effect not only on 
border communities, but on the broader national economy.
  The economic downturn facing both countries has already dramatically 
affected cross border travel and trade. Statistics from the Public 
Border Operators Association show that passenger, truck and bus 
crossings at all New York and Michigan border crossings in January of 
2009 decreased by an average of over 16% from January 2008 levels. In 
Western New York, traffic at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and the 
Peace Bridge decreased by 19% and 13% respectively. If WHTI is not 
implemented properly it will only compound the current negative trend 
in commerce across the border.
  For this reason, today I introduce the WHTI Implementation Monitoring 
Plan to Assure Continued Travel and Trade Act, or the WHTI IMPACTT Act. 
This legislation will place significant oversight on the implementation 
of WHTI to identify and mitigate any harmful effects of the new 
requirements. It will require joint reports to Congress from the State 
Department and the Department of Homeland Security on December 1, 2009, 
and June 1, 2010, that detail the effect of WHTI on freight and 
passenger travel across the border, enrollment levels in frequent 
traveler programs, the effectiveness on RFID technology, CBP staffing 
levels, and its effect on overall border security. It will also require 
the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the impact 
of WHTI on border economies and overall domestic security.
  This legislation will allow Congress to partner with DHS and State to 
identify any problems with WHTI implementation prior to the 2010 
Olympics and the 2010 tourist season, and hopefully quickly determine 
what actions need to be taken to ensure that our border and our 
regional economies are healthy.

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