Washington, D.C. - Wednesday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA) and the rest of Washington state’s Congressional delegation to warn against potential restrictions of the proposed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on legitimate travel and commerce between the United States and Canada.  The Bush Administration plans to require American and Canadian citizens to present a passport or other secure identification before crossing into the United States.

“These restrictions could cut off border communities, slow tourism, and deliver a damaging blow to our economy,” said Cantwell.  “With the 2010 Winter Olympics coming to Vancouver, we can’t bring our border to a standstill.  Our economy depends on trade, tourism, and a border open to legitimate travel.  National security is our top priority, but the administration must take the needs of our economy into account when it comes to new travel restrictions.”

“As co-chair of Washington state’s 2010 Olympics Task Force, my goal is to ensure a safe and secure border that facilitates the free flow of travel and commerce,” Larsen said.  “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 a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Cantwell and Larsen cautioned that tightening the border without careful consideration could cause significant harm to Washington state commerce and border communities, and significantly impede travel between the U.S. and Canada during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. 

To minimize the restrictions’ impact, Cantwell and Larsen requested the implementation date for air and sea travel be pushed back one year, and called for secure but affordable alternative forms of identification.  They also emphasized the importance of enhancing national security while ensuring a smooth transition to new restrictions for cross-border travel, and called for local public forums on proposed policy changes.  The planned restrictions under WHTI would apply to Americans, Canadians, and citizens and residents of certain other Western Hemisphere countries.

[The text of the letter to Secretaries Rice and Chertoff follows below]