Collins, Colleagues Push Administration to Reverse Vaccine Mandate for Truckers Crossing the Northern Border
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined 13 of her Senate colleagues in expressing opposition to the Administration’s vaccine mandate that will impact truckers and other essential travelers trying to cross the U.S.-Canada border. The Senators emphasized that the mandate will further exacerbate the ongoing supply chain crisis and force American workers out of their jobs. The restrictions on essential travel across the border will begin on January 22nd.
“Trucking is the largest mode of surface trade with Canada; every day, there are approximately 14,000 total truck entries along the U.S.-Canada border hauling more than $846 million of goods. Any disruptions to the continuity of U.S.-Canada trade would likely have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond our shared border,” the Senators wrote.
“…we fear that the imposition of vaccination mandates as a requirement to cross the land border will exacerbate the existing challenges facing our freight networks and supply chain, and could further fuel inflation and rising prices on top of what Americans are already seeing. Our nation’s truck drivers worked diligently during the pandemic to facilitate critical cross-border freight movements that helped to feed and clothe American communities. Now, implementing these policies could cost them their jobs,” the Senators continued.
In addition to Senator Collins, the letter was co-signed by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), John Thune (R-SD), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Roger Wicker (R-MS.), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Pat Toomey (R-PA).
Click HERE to read the full letter.
+++
Senator Collins has repeatedly pushed to adjust or reevaluate restrictions on non-essential travel across the U.S.-Canada border. Last month, she applauded the Canadian government’s adjusted testing requirements for vaccinated travelers and the official reopening of the U.S.-Canada land border to fully vaccinated Canadians.
###
