(WWJ) Two Congresswomen from Michigan are calling on President Joe Biden to intervene in the ongoing closure of the U.S.-Canadian border.
Democrat Haley Stevens (M-11), along with Debbie Dingell (M-12) want Biden to urge Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider the science.
"This isn't to be critical, but I think it is to be considerate and responsive to the current reality, which is we've had a border closed with our greatest ally," Stevens said.
Stevens said she's heard from many constituents who have suffered from the border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, including couples who have been separated and others were not able to see relatives in the final moments of their lives.
She said, in addition to the human cost, the ongoing closure has resulted in billions of dollars in lost revenue.
"What we are hoping is that the diplomatic channels can be used and that we maybe can just see a slight easing on the side of the Canadians," Stevens said.
As the deadline approaches next week to decide whether to extend the border closures, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Biden, “To defeat this virus once and for all, it is imperative we continue supporting efforts to keep Americans healthy and safe. Yet, over the past sixteen months, many individuals, families, and businesses across Michigan have been adversely affected by restrictions for international travelers between the United States and Canada. As our nation begins to make a strong recovery, we respectfully add our support to the group of members who have recently written to you and urge your administration to adopt an evidence-based strategy to safely reopen international travel along the northern border.
“For over a year, our offices have spoken with distressed families, workers, and businesses in Michigan who have been impacted by the continued travel restrictions. Due to Michigan’s close proximity to the northern border, these issues are particularly salient in our communities. Under current regulations, friends, families, and loved ones continue to be separated, and Americans who own property in Canada are prohibited from safely traveling to their residences. We have also heard from countless businesses who have been financially hurt by the steep decline in international travel and tourism.”
To view the full letter, click here.