WASHINGTON DC – The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a bill to stop requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for foreign travelers arriving in the country by plane.
The regulation received 227 votes in favor and 201 against and must now continue its processing in the Senate, where the Democrats, who oppose eliminating that requirement, have 48 seats plus the tiebreaking vote of the vice president, Kamala Harris; while Republicans hold another 49 and there are 3 independents with a progressive tendency.
The bill states that, as soon as it is enacted, foreign travelers will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccinations and that federal funds will no longer be used to enforce those requirements.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that non-US citizens and immigrants living outside the country must present proof of complete vaccination schedule.
As of January 5, travelers arriving by plane from China, Hong Kong or Macao, or who have been there in the 10 days prior to their departure, are also required to have a negative COVID-19 test before boarding. or a recovery certificate.
“This bill represents a return to normalcy,” Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie argued on Wednesday, while Democrat Frank Pallone said his group is “concerned” about public health and that the CDC maintains that this requirement “is necessary to protect the United States.”
