WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined his Senate colleagues in introducing bicameral, bipartisan legislation requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) hours of operations at northern ports to match or exceed pre-pandemic hours. The bill’s creation was spurred by CBP’s recent announcement it will reduce hours at certain northern ports and maintain adjusted hours at others. This includes entry at Maida, Northgate, and Sherwood in North Dakota.
“Life is back to normal, and we all know the COVID-19 pandemic is over,” said Senator Cramer. “Instead of returning all Northern Border Port of Entry hours to pre-pandemic levels, North Dakotans and border communities are forced to contend with shorter hours. It’s time to restore hours of operation at our border to previous levels and end this saga.”
Joining Senator Cramer are U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jon Tester (D-MT), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), and U.S. Representatives Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Russ Fulcher (R-ID-01), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA-05), Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT-02).
Click here for bill text.
Background:
In June, Senator Cramer joined his colleagues in sending a letter to CBP demanding northern ports expand the hours of operations at ports of entry in North Dakota and other northern states or, at minimum, match the operating hours with their adjacent Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) ports.