{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-vermont-is-a-crucial-step-closer-to-improved-air-and-rail-travel-with-canada", "Leahy: Vermont Is A Crucial Step Closer To Improved Air And Rail Travel With Canada", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Patrick Leahy", "L000174", "www.leahy.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.17\n\t\t\t Leahy: Vermont Is A Crucial Step Closer To Improved Air And Rail Travel With Canada \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tSenator Patrick Leahy hails action this week by the Canadian Parliament to pass new customs preclearance language into law that will make possible improved rail and air travel between Vermont \u2013 and other points in the United States -- and Canada.\r\nThe Canadian Senate passed the legislation, known as C-23, last week, and the bill took its last step in the Canadian legislative process on Tuesday night, receiving Royal Assent.\u00a0 The bill is companion legislation to Leahy\u2019s Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act, which became law in 2016. \u00a0With the law\u2019s adoption, streamlined customs procedures will be implemented for air travel \u2013 and eventually passenger rail service \u2013 between Burlington and Canadian cities, and between other U.S. and Canadian destinations. \u00a0Following enactment of C-23, the Canadian government will work to adopt implementing regulations.\r\nLeahy said:\u00a0 \u201cPassage of C-23 is a major milestone that brings Vermont another crucial step closer to smoother travel to Canada.\u00a0 I had a very positive call this week with the Canadian Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, about the vital ways that expanded preclearance will help strengthen ties between Vermont and Canada.\u00a0 With this legislation now in place, Canada and the United States \u2013 and especially Vermont -- are poised to reap the rewards of improved border security and better economic growth.\u00a0 I look forward to continuing my work and partnership with the Canadian government to make expanded preclearance a reality.\u201d\r\nThe international agreement advances two of Leahy\u2019s key national goals: enhancing U.S. national security, and increasing efficiency for travelers and commercial exchanges. \u00a0Leahy has long advocated improving cross-border travel and was the driving force behind this effort, writing the bill, forging the bipartisan and bicameral coalition, and guiding its passage through the Senate and into law.\r\nThe United States currently operates preclearance facilities at 15 airports in 6 countries, including Canada. \u00a0These facilities allow individuals to pass through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspections prior to traveling, expediting their arrival in the United States, and protecting national security by preventing those who should not be traveling to the United States from doing so before they arrive. \u00a0Under a new agreement, the United States will expand its preclearance operations in Canada. \u00a0The Leahy-authored legislation ensures that the United States has the legal authority to hold U.S. officials accountable if they engage in wrongdoing while stationed in Canada \u2013 a necessary prerequisite to full implementation of this agreement.\r\nThese international, cross-border efforts remove all legislative hurdles to the creation of a preclearance facility at Montreal\u2019s Central Station, for reestablishing passenger train service between Vermont and Montreal, and is a step forward to improve air service between Burlington International Airport and Toronto City Airport. \u00a0The United States currently stations CBP officers in select locations in Canada to inspect passengers and cargo bound for the United States before they leave Canada.\u00a0 These preclearance operations relieve congestion at U.S. airports, improve commerce, save money, and provide national security benefits.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\tDavid Carle: 202-224-3693\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/leahy-vermont-is-a-crucial-step-closer-to-improved-air-and-rail-travel-with-canada"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.376706175506115, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}