Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) voted yes on H.R. 185, a bill terminating the COVID vaccine requirement on foreign travelers entering the United States by air.
Congressman Higgins said, “I support vaccines and their use, as well as science and data to inform public health measures. But Western New Yorkers have struggled with the seemingly arbitrary and inconsistent requirements in crossing the border since the start of the pandemic. This bill is not perfect – I wish it would have included my amendment on Northern Border Land Ports of Entry – but it provides reciprocity with Canada and many of our allies on crossing requirements.”
Higgins, who has long advocated for a return to normal US-Canada border crossing procedures following pandemic-related disruptions, introduced an amendment to the bill which would have ended the requirement for Canadians to show proof of COVID vaccination when entering the United States by land. On Monday, February 6, the House Rules Committee ruled Higgins’ amendment and others related to the Northern Border crossings out of order, so they did not receive consideration on the House Floor.
H.R. 185 passed the House of Representatives on February 8, 2023 and will now move to the Senate for consideration.
Canada lifted its vaccine requirement on October 1, 2022. Higgins is currently working with bipartisan colleagues to pursue other means to end the U.S. mandate.
Congressman Higgins serves as co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group and the Congressional Northern Border Caucus. His Western New York district borders southern Ontario and includes the Cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
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