Rail Passengers Association honor legislators work in improving US-Canadian travel, commerce

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The National Association of Rail Passengers recently recognized U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH) for their work in creating legislation enabling travel and commerce between the United States and Canada, which advanced and improved border security.

The Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act was signed into law in December 2016 and allows for upgrades of U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities. While the bipartisan bill now makes is easier for people and goods to move through rail, land, marine and air ports, it also expands U.S. preclearance operations to train stations, making it easier for Americans and Canadians to travel between the countries by train.

“Increasing commerce with our Canadian neighbors is a top economic priority for my district, and this legislation will help build increased economic ties while supporting travel, commerce and tourism between our two nations,” Stefanik said. “Furthermore, this legislation will help build integrated defense capabilities to maintain a secure Northern border. Importantly for the North Country, this legislation will facilitate Amtrak service from Montreal to the North Country, and will reinforce the future of small border crossings by allowing joint operations along the border.”

The act bolsters the U.S. rail manufacturing and supply industry, which employs 90,000 Americans in 39 states and is used by more than 750 companies, many of which are small businesses.

“Passenger rail holds tremendous potential to expand transportation options, and we know that if our small businesses can reach new customers they can sell more goods, grow our economy and create new jobs,” Kuster said. “Streamlining the travel process between the United States and Canada is commonsense and will not only help businesses, it will encourage more tourism, all while improving our security.”