Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) today joined several of her Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to drop all vaccine requirements for persons entering the United States from Canada. This comes after Canada lifted its vaccine mandates for international travelers entering the country, despite President Biden upholding the mandate for those entering the United States.

Cathy understands the importance of international travel between the United States and Canada to families who call Northeastern Washington home. Since the beginning of the pandemic, she has encouraged both nations to work together to ease border restrictions to help towns who rely on border travel for everyday goods and services. 

Below are excerpts from the letter the lawmakers sent today:

“​We write to you to urge the Department of Homeland Security to drop the current COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place for persons traveling to the United States from Canada by land, air, and sea ports of entry. Removal of this policy is long overdue, and we have reached a collective point where it is safe for international travel, business and personal, to once again be unhindered by outdated health mandates.

“​In northern border states, the ability to move products back and forth between the United States and Canada is of paramount necessity, so that the industries that sustain our economies will be able to obtain the materials and products needed to continue operating. This vaccine mandate, and travel delays that accompany it, are hurting American producers and industries.

“​It is for these reasons that we once again strongly urge the Department to remove this mandate and reopen the United States’ northern border for business. We look forward to working with you and the Department to rectify this issue.”

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

CLICK HERE to read Cathy’s July 2020 letter.

CLICK HERE to read Cathy’s January 2021 letter.

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