U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines made the following statement after President Joe Biden finally heeded Daines’ calls and took the first step to reopen the northern border by allowing vaccinated Canadians into the U.S. starting in November. Daines believes the Biden administration should lift all restrictions and fully reopen the northern border to help support Montana businesses, workers and families.
“Montana families, small businesses and communities will finally be able to feel some of the relief they’ve been seeking for months now that the northern border is partially reopened. While I’m glad to see President Biden take this initial step to reopen the U.S-Canada border for vaccinated Canadians, I urge him to end all restrictions and fully reopen the northern border—Montanans are depending on it,” Daines said.
Daines has been leading efforts in Congress to urge the Biden administration to open the northern border and last week took to the Senate floor to pass his bill. Senate Democrats blocked passage of Daines’ bill, despite several saying they support opening the northern border. Watch and download the remarks HERE.
Background:
On September 20, 2021, Daines denounced President Biden for once again extending the closure of the northern border until at least October 21.
On September 1, 2021, Daines and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik called on Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi to take action on their bill, the “Restoring Northern Border Travel Act,” which would finally reopen the U.S.-Canada border.
On August 20, 2021, Daines blasted President Biden’s choice to extend the closure of the northern border despite Canada reopening the border for fully vaccinated Americans on August 9th.
On August 9, 2021, Daines slammed President Biden for using COVID-19 as a ploy to keep the northern border closed to Montana families and businesses, while keeping the southern border wide open to illegal drugs and illegal immigrants, many of them potentially COVID-19 positive.
On June 24, 2021, Daines introduced a bill with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik to require the Biden administration to open the northern border.
On March 10, 2021, Daines sent a letter to the Biden Administration, urging them to safely reopen the border in support of Montana’s economy.
On June 17, 2020, Daines sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security urging them to safely reopen the border as soon as possible.
On April 3, 2020, Daines urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection to keep Montana’s ports of entry open to Montana agricultural and trade during the pandemic.
On March 20, 2020, Daines wrote President Trump about the importance of trade and travel over the Canadian border during the pandemic.
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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler