Pasha_Lake
06-22-2007, 01:28 PM
Hello All -
Good news on the passport issue...
The final decision has been delayed until mid 2009. Therefore, you will not need a passport to enter Canada or return to the US until, at least, 2009. Please pass along to others.
GREAT NEWS!
Representative Louise M. Slaughter
Chairwoman, House Committee on Rules
Representing New York's 28th District
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 15, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT
Frank Benenati (202) 225-2888
John Santore (202) 225-2888
House Votes to Delay Implementation of
WHTI Until June 2009
Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee,
today announced that the House overwhelmingly voted to prohibit the implementation of Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) anytime before June 2009. The FY 2008 Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 268 to 150.
In addition to delaying WHTI, the bill also included language authored by Rep. Slaughter to withhold $100
million from the funds required by the Department of Homeland Security to implement WHTI until DHS
has determined if driver's licenses can be enhanced to meet the WHTI's requirements.
The Slaughter language also requires DHS to fully test its proposed passport card before making it publicly
available and develop a plan for land implementation that will be shared with the public. Finally, Rep.
Slaughter's provision requires that DHS submit a report to Congress on the success of the driver's license
pilot program, and reveal its overall WHTI roadmap before being allowed to put the proposed WHTI
documentary requirements into place.
"After over two and a half years of fighting against WHTI, I am pleased to see that Congress
overwhelmingly rebuked the Administration today by delaying the implementation of the flawed
program until mid-2009," said Rep. Slaughter. "We sent a clear signal that we don't trust the
Administration to get WHTI done right."
"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."
###
Good news on the passport issue...
The final decision has been delayed until mid 2009. Therefore, you will not need a passport to enter Canada or return to the US until, at least, 2009. Please pass along to others.
GREAT NEWS!
Representative Louise M. Slaughter
Chairwoman, House Committee on Rules
Representing New York's 28th District
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 15, 2007
MEDIA CONTACT
Frank Benenati (202) 225-2888
John Santore (202) 225-2888
House Votes to Delay Implementation of
WHTI Until June 2009
Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28), Chairwoman of the House Rules Committee,
today announced that the House overwhelmingly voted to prohibit the implementation of Western
Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) anytime before June 2009. The FY 2008 Homeland Security
Appropriations Bill passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 268 to 150.
In addition to delaying WHTI, the bill also included language authored by Rep. Slaughter to withhold $100
million from the funds required by the Department of Homeland Security to implement WHTI until DHS
has determined if driver's licenses can be enhanced to meet the WHTI's requirements.
The Slaughter language also requires DHS to fully test its proposed passport card before making it publicly
available and develop a plan for land implementation that will be shared with the public. Finally, Rep.
Slaughter's provision requires that DHS submit a report to Congress on the success of the driver's license
pilot program, and reveal its overall WHTI roadmap before being allowed to put the proposed WHTI
documentary requirements into place.
"After over two and a half years of fighting against WHTI, I am pleased to see that Congress
overwhelmingly rebuked the Administration today by delaying the implementation of the flawed
program until mid-2009," said Rep. Slaughter. "We sent a clear signal that we don't trust the
Administration to get WHTI done right."
"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."
###