U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (Mont.), John Thune (S.D.), Kevin Cramer (N.D.), John Hoeven (N.D.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Jim Risch (Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (Wyo.), Mike Braun (Ind.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Susan Collins (Maine), Roger Marshall (Kan.), Jerry Moran (Kan.) and Pat Toomey (Penn.) are pushing back against President Biden’s vaccine mandates that will impact truckers and other essential travelers trying to cross the U.S.-Canada border. The senators stressed the impact of the vaccine mandate in further exacerbating the ongoing supply chain crisis and forcing American workers out of their jobs.
“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 write.
“…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 continue.
Daines also issued this separate statement after sending the letter: “President Biden imposing a vaccine mandate for essential American workers trying to cross the northern border for their job, while not imposing any sort of mandate for the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants coming across the southern border is beyond hypocritical. The President needs to stop putting illegal immigrants over American workers.”
Read the full letter HERE.
Biden’s restrictions on essential travel across the Canadian border will begin on January 22.
Statements of Support:
“Cross-border trade with Canada is a crucial component of our national supply chain, with thousands of truckload crossings every day that our economy depends upon. Ill-advised mandates imposed on our essential workforce threaten to impede this critical flow of freight, further disrupting key industries like auto-manufacturing at a time when supply is already extremely tight. We thank Senator Daines and his colleagues for recognizing the seriousness of this matter and working to resolve it. It’s imperative and in our mutual interest that officials on both sides of the border work to remove these costly and undue barriers to entry.” – Bob Costello, American Trucking Associations Chief Economist & Senior Vice President, International Trade Policy & Cross Border Operations.
“TFI appreciates Sen. Daines’ leadership to protect America’s supply chains and farmers. As a global commodity, the fertilizer market is already beset by high energy prices, lingering delays from significant weather events, and export restrictions and sanctions from major fertilizer exporting countries. American farmers, for example, receive 80% of the potash they use from Canada. The cross-border vaccine mandate will further constrain fertilizer supply, especially in the northern states, and just before the Spring planting season.” – The Fertilizer Institute
“NAMA is grateful to see members of Congress taking action on this issue and we fully support the sentiments of Senator Daines’ letter. Throughout the pandemic, critical infrastructure sectors have worked diligently to ensure that Americans have access to the goods they depend on every day. Transportation and weather challenges have already taxed the grain supply this year, and this policy will further impact the American miller’s ability to meet the consumer’s demand for everyday foods like oatmeal and bread.” – North American Millers Association President Jane DeMarchi
“The members of the Motor Carriers of Montana appreciate Senator Daines’ and his staff’s efforts in understanding the impacts and helping to remove the Canadian border crossing vaccine mandate for truck drivers.” – Motor Carriers of Montana
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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler