Alexandria, Va., Oct. 2, 2006? The American Society of Travel Agent (ASTA) is continuing to recommend that consumers apply for United States passports as soon as possible, despite the Congressional extension of deadlines for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Before leaving town on Sept. 30, for pre-election campaigns, Congress passed the FY 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (H.R. 5441), which included the Stevens-Leahy provision extending the deadline for WHTI from Jan. 1, 2008 until June 1, 2009. The extension provision does not affect the Jan. 8, 2007 deadline that requires all U.S. citizens traveling by air to have a valid passport for exiting and reentering the United States, but it does endorse an alternate instrument, a new economical travel document known as the Passenger Access Security Service Card (PASS) for sea and land border use in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
?ASTA supported the action of Congress to extend the deadline for the implementation of WHTI and the PASS Card,? said Cheryl Hudak, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. ?As travel industry representatives, the safety and security of our borders are our No. 1 priority; however, we are equally committed to protecting the rights of consumers, who are constantly effected by the rising costs related to travel. ASTA, speaking for itself and on behalf of several industry organizations, was the first association to raise the issue of substitute documentation in its testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs in June 2005.?
The Stevens-Leahy provision specifies set criteria that the Departments of State (DOS) and Homeland Security (DHS) must meet prior to implementing the PASS card for sea and land ports of entry. Accordingly, DOS and DHS are required to implement WHTI no later than three months after the security criteria are met, or by June 1, 2009; whichever is earlier. Initially, the WHTI deadline was set for Jan. 1, 2008 as mandated in the 2004 Intelligence Reform Bill.
ASTA salutes the many elected officials for their steadfast commitment in working with the travel and tourism industry in achieving this extension of the WHTI deadline. In particular, we thank Senators Stevens (R-AK), Leahy (D-VT), Coleman (R-MN) and Gregg (R-NH). Representatives Slaughter (D-NY), McHugh (D-NY), Sweeney (R-NY), Reynolds (R-NY) Rogers (R-KY), Lewis (R-CA), Sabo (D-MN) and Obey (D-WI).
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The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents and its affiliated organizations is to enhance the professionalism and profitability of members worldwide through effective representation in industry and government affairs, education and training, and by identifying and meeting the needs of the traveling public. The Society is the world's largest and most influential travel trade association with over 20,000 members in 140 countries.
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