Lawmakers call out Biden administration for extending Canadian border restriction

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Democrats and Republicans call on Biden’s administration to extend restriction on Canadian border.

“I think it’s a cheek,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (DN.Y.).

Gillibrand is disappointed that travel restrictions on the Canadian border will remain in place until at least October 21st.

“We need this border open to our economies and to families and communities that depend on those borders and cross-border transactions,” said Gillibrand.

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Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) Says Port Roberts, Washington is particularly suffering.

“Their local economy depends on Canadian tourists, especially since the only ferry between Port Roberts and the rest of Washington state is closed because of the pandemic, by the way,” said Murray.

In a statement, MP Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) said the extended closure was “devastating” to northern New York.

Current restrictions allow air travel between countries, but the Biden government says it is unwilling to facilitate local border crossings.

“Getting vaccinations is a health decision, and we wanted to do it in a fair way,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.

But Senator Maggie Hassan (DN.H.) says the health justification does not make sense.

“Unvaccinated Canadians who have a negative COVID test can get on a plane and fly to the United States, but vaccinated Canadians who have a higher vaccination rate than us cannot cross a port of entry into our country,” said Hassan called.

Lawmakers say it will continue to pressure the president to lift the restriction next month.