This afternoon the House unanimously passed four bills and resolutions in support of the people of Hong Kong and their right to protest for democracy, free speech, and recognition of their human rights, and condemning China's interference with those freedoms.
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Brian Higgins
@RepBrianHiggins
Official account for the Office of Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) representing portions of Erie and Niagara counties. on.fb.me/repbrianhiggins
Brian Higgins’s Tweets
The ArriveCAN app continues to be a barrier for those crossing the Northern Border.
It's time to end the ArriveCAN mandate so our cross-border economies can return to pre-pandemic activity.
Full Statement ⤵️
There’s no other way to say it: another month’s delay is bullshit. #LetUsReunite
There is no room for your hate and division here . We are a community looking to heal. Your words only seek to tear us apart. Stop.
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Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?
A 30-day extension of the US-Canada border shutdown with no further exceptions for those vaccinated, no goals to expand crossings, no family reunification & no plan is unacceptable. We need progress on reopening the border. It is essential to families & our bi-national economies.
There have been 3,865 mass shootings since Sandy Hook.
Let's end the filibuster & pass common sense gun legislation. It's long overdue.
I stand by what I said one month ago, the GOP bill "is deceitful, cold, cruel and wrong." I will #VoteNoAHCA
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Under the GOP #RxForDisaster, 24 million will lose coverage and seniors will be left out in the cold. That’s completely unacceptable.
GIF
This President's actions endangered our democracy. To ensure the orderly transition of power, I have cosponsored impeachment resolutions to hold the President accountable, should the VP & Cabinet not invoke the 25th Amendment.
Congratulations to on becoming Majority Leader in the U.S Senate! Western NY will benefit from your tireless work to finally crush COVID-19, rebuild our economy, and heal our country. Proud to work with you in Congress.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The US will lift all COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the Canadian Border starting May 11.
After 3 years of restrictions, we can finally reunite families, return to pre-pandemic cross-border travel & continue rebuilding our deeply connected economies.
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US-Canada border restrictions have kept loved ones separated for 395 days & the order has been extended thru May 21.
People deserve to know when & how they can reunite with their property or family.
We can open the border safely & successfully. We need a plan to get it done.
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Americans have a right to know if stands to personally gain from proposals he asks Congress to consider. #CongressMustRequest
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Principled stands require pragmatic outlooks to achieve success. I remain committed to new ideas in the 116th Congress, but I will vote for Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
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Leading a bipartisan push calling on the U.S. and Canada to begin preparing guidance for the reopening of the Northern Border higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
If Canada can make a plan and provide exemptions for teams to come together to play hockey, they can certainly do the same for families who have been separated for 15 months due to border restrictions.
This is a long time coming. Both the US and Canada need to end the pandemic border management policies, including the ArriveCAN mandate and vaccination requirements.
70,000 fewer passenger vehicles crossed the Peace Bridge into Canada in May 2022 vs. prior to COVID in May 2019.
The ArriveCAN app is unnecessary at this point & a barrier to returning to pre-pandemic travel that benefits US & Canadian economies.
Hear more on
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I have an idea. Everyone wins if we reopen the border.
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You’re on pal. #GoBolts twitter.com/JustinTrudeau/…
At long last, there is action by the U.S. to open the doors & welcome back our Canadian neighbors beginning in November.
This is good news for businesses & families that have suffered under the continued border shutdown.
Further details coming tomorrow.
My statement here ⬇️
Vaccinated travelers should not be required to undergo expensive & unnecessary testing upon returning to Canada.
As the US prepares to welcome our Canadian neighbors back across the border on 11/8, we are urging Canada to remove this redundant step.
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The United States will re-open its border to Canadians one week from Monday.
bit.ly/3buAX3i
Horrified by the mass shooting in Buffalo. We are in communication with local leaders and authorities to offer any federal support necessary.
If exemptions are made allowing hockey teams to cross the U.S.-Canada Border, then they should also be made to with loved ones.
Let’s lay out a strategy to reopen the border.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
Canada: so close and yet so far. It is time for the to welcome our Canadian neighbors back and
If you can take a 9 hour flight to Paris, France you should be able to take a 90 minute drive to Paris, Ontario.
As the EU plans to lift restrictions, reopening travel with the US, we are pushing for similar action at the US-Canada border. higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
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People living on either side of the U.S. – Canada border have already lost a year of time with their loved ones and they should not have to wait one more day.
That is the message we delivered to the Secretary of :
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
Now, it’s time for action.
Our families & businesses cannot keep waiting for border reopening plans that will reconnect our communities, help us economically recover & with loved ones
The US-Canada border needs to open.
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US/Canada border issues remain murky. Latest from @RepBrianHiggins, plus thoughts on hold up in fed funds flowing to live music venues: audacy.com/wben/podcasts/
Back on the Hill to join my colleagues in fighting against the reckless Executive Order that sends the world the wrong msg about US values
Weapons of war have no place in our schools, grocery stores, or neighborhoods.
Buffalo, Nashville, & hundreds of other cities & towns understand this.
It's time to pass the #AssaultWeaponsBan to save the lives of our children and neighbors.
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I call on Congress again to pass my assault weapons ban.
It's about time we make some more progress.
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Our hearts are with the Buffalo Fire Department on this difficult day.
The Special Counsel should be free from political interference to follow the facts to understand the breadth and scope of criminal foreign interference in US elections to protect our democracy. I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan bill that would do that.
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Today, I introduced legislation to protect the Special Counsel from improper interference. Now, Congress is taking action to protect Mueller's investigation and the rule of law. You can read about the Special Counsel Independence & Integrity Act here: nadler.house.gov/press-release/
Right now, and paying their respects to the victims outside Tops on Jefferson.
📷:
COVID-19 Vaccines are a scientific marvel. Americans were told they are the inflection point. Our letter urges to follow science and drop travel restrictions for vaccinated and COVID negative Americans. #LetUsReunite
The proof of vaccination requirement for Canadians entering the US at the Northern Border hurts families & our economy.
Removing this mandate is long-overdue. That's why we submitted an amendment under consideration this week to end this requirement.
It has been a long 19 months for families, businesses and border communities impacted by the shutdown of the Northern Border.
Today we are thrilled to welcome back our Canadian neighbors.
The failure to make opening the U.S. - Canada border the priority that it should be is a huge mistake. It is beyond disappointing; it is hurtful both at a human and economic level.
Full Statement:
I am proud to continue to work with my friend to improve access and quality of coverage for all Americans.
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We pay more per capita for health care than any other country in the world — yet leave more than 87 million people uninsured or underinsured.
TODAY, I’m reintroducing Medicare for All — it’s time to guarantee health care to everyone as a human right.
Buffalo's infrastructure decade is here 🛣️
We welcomed to Buffalo to meet with community advocates & celebrate a $55M Reconnecting Communities grant, funded by the #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw, that will finally restore Humboldt Parkway.
Unacceptable.
This doesn’t adequately explain why the border is closed to VACCINATED Canadians.
And it certainly doesn’t explain why our Canadian neighbors CAN fly to Buffalo-Niagara in a crowded airplane but CAN'T take the short car drive across the border.
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Responding to questions from The Buffalo News after a speech at the National Press Club, @SecMayorkas offered the most detailed comments the Biden administration has offered about why the border remains closed to vaccinated Canadians. buffalonews.com/news/local/sta via @TheBuffaloNews
There is just one week left in the existing order closing the US-Canada border to non-essential travel.
We can't continue with the status quo. There must be a strategy to reunite families and reopen the border.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
Families have been torn apart & our economies are suffering. We need a safe, bilateral cross-border plan and goals for reopening the border.
The assault weapons ban expired in 2004. Since then, we've seen some of the deadliest mass shootings in America History; a tragedy that Buffalo knows all too well.
Today the House will take up legislation to #BanAssaultWeapons. I am proud to support this lifesaving measure.
As an elected official, I take an oath of office to uphold the U.S. Constitution. The actions of our outgoing President today to unleash chaos mocks that oath. We are currently safe, but this is a disgraceful day for our country.
How great would it be to hop on a train in Niagara Falls, NY & be in Toronto in a couple of hours for a sports game, shopping or business?
Today with Canada's Minister of Public Safety we discussed the binational coordination needed to get this done.
Connecting separated families with their loved ones is ESSENTIAL.
We need expanded exemptions, we need a swift plan to #OpenTheBorder & we will continue to push for both.
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know how to work together to get things done:
☑️Infrastructure Law
☑️Honoring our PACT Act
☑️Safer Communities Act
☑️Inflation Reduction Act
☑️Respect for Marriage Act
☑️CHIPS & Science Act
☑️American Rescue Plan
Western New Yorkers are anxious to see their Canadian family, friends, and neighbors.
Sharing excess vaccine supply by allowing Canadians to make appointments in New York State can help expedite a reopening of the border and save lives. We are pushing to make that happen.
Obstruction of justice is an impeachable offense. The multiple instances laid out in the Mueller report necessitate that the House launch an impeachment inquiry.
It's official - Canada is lifting pandemic related border restrictions including making ArriveCAN voluntary & ending random testing & vaccine requirements.
It has been a long 2 1/2 years for border communities.
Canada's decision is the right one. The US should follow.
Thank you for your leadership and advocacy in the fight to help families and loved ones reunite, give constituents access to property, and to finally re-open our shared border with Canada. #letusreunite
wgrz.com/article/news/h
Over 180 days ago, we were promised a plan to address reopening travel between the United States and Canada.
We are still waiting.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
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Additional exemptions for sports teams should not be made before exemptions are extended to allow people to reconnect with their families and property.
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"It would be arbitrary." Congressman Brian Higgins reacts to a possible Blue Jays border exemption. @RepBrianHiggins
audacy.com/wben/news/loca
Trini Ross is an excellent choice as United States Attorney for the Western District of NY. A native Buffalonian, her breadth and depth of experience ensures a steady hand in leading this critical office. I'm pleased to join Sen. Schumer in support of Ms. Ross's nomination.
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.@SenSchumer backs first African American woman for U.S. attorney in WNY buffalonews.com/news/local/sch via @TheBuffaloNews
#BREAKING Buffalo has been awarded a $55M Restoring Communities Grant from to transform the #Kensington Expressway.
This funding will play a critical role in reconnecting our community & restoring the former Olmsted parkway.
After a long 19 months we are finally seeing progress that will reunite families and our local economies. The next steps will be advocating for an early November reopening date & working with the Canadian government to relax redundant testing requirements.
Canada's reopening of the border to Americans represented progress in our fight to reconnect with Canadian neighbors, but we need action on the U.S. side.
Continued closure of the U.S. land border to vaccinated Canadians is completely unnecessary & unexplained.
Statement:
We agree with you and will keep fighting. No more milestones and memories missed. We need a plan to reunite families today. #letusreunite
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Today, #LetUsReunite sent a letter to @SecMayorkas, asking @DHSgov to work with @POTUS @WhiteHouse and @WHCOVIDResponse & immediately create family travel exemptions at the US land border. 14 months has been long enough #FamilyIsEssential #LoveIsNotTourism
The U.S. should open its border to Canadians and .
We are pushing to make sure has the staffing and resources needed when that happens.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
With & colleagues on House Floor to demand action on common sense gun legislation #NoBillNoBreak #Enough
The decision to extend Northern Border restrictions through August 21 harms economic recovery, hurts families and is completely unnecessary.
Full statement below:
As a member of the , I am responsible for oversight of the tax code.
And the public must have full confidence that no one is above the law, not even a president.
That's why I voted to publicly release Trump's tax returns.
Full statement: higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
Expedited travel between NY & Toronto would be a game-changer.
A cross-border operations report required under the #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw suggests consolidating inspections at the Niagara Falls Station.
Let's make it happen. higgins.house.gov/news/documents
As Canada expands U.S.-Canada border exemptions to allow immediate family members to reunite with their family, the U.S. should do the same. Our letter to President Trump calls for changes to our border guidelines to help families currently separated.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
WNY has struggled with inconsistent border crossing requirements since the start of COVID-19. I voted for H.R.185 because it supports reciprocity with our Canadian neighbors.
Now let's end the vaccine mandate at the Northern Border.
Full statement:
Buffalo is a special place. We are
proud,
strong,
welcoming,
resilient, and
compassionate.
Today's #Pride Parade was a wonderful display of all that is great about this community.
Should the Trump Administration succeed in their lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act, they would be taking away these healthcare protections gained under ACA. #protectourcare
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Breaking News: The Affordable Care Act, which has survived 2 major Supreme Court challenges, will be tested again in a case with the potential to wipe it out nyti.ms/2IhMWm1
The COVID-19 vaccine is a modern marvel. We were told they would be an inflection point. Canada has led on re-opening our shared border. Now it is time for the to reciprocate and .
See my op-ed with in
Five months ago issued an executive order calling for U.S. departments to work with Canadian agencies to develop a border reopening plan within 14-days.
The American people deserve action. Our loved ones & families cannot wait.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
Canada announcing it will begin allowing asymptomatic vaccinated Americans to cross the Northern Border starting August 9th is a major victory for separated families who have long awaited the opportunity to reunite
The U.S. must follow suit.
Despite increasing, highly effective vaccinations, families on both sides of the border have been separated for a year and a half. It's time to listen to the science and data & reopen the border to vaccinated travelers.
While House votes require I remain in DC, my heart is at home in Buffalo with & as we fight for WNY to receive the federal disaster aid from , and other sources, that our community deserves.
It is clearly the beginning of the end of the border shutdown between the U.S. & Canada. Conversations are underway. If we can do it for some, we can surely find a way to do it for all.
If we can make exemptions to bring teams together, we can do the same to bring families together.
Continuing to close the U.S. border to Canadians harms separated families & hurts opportunities for economic recovery.
The time to act is long overdue.
Where is the US plan to reopen the border to Canada & ?
My view in :
New policy blueprint calls on the government to ease travel restrictions by July 15th.
The White House is indicating the U.S. will start allowing vaccinated Canadians to enter the U.S. through land ports of entry beginning on November 8.
Letting vaccinated Canadian travelers fly into the US, but not drive across the border makes no sense.
makes that point in today's editorial: buffalonews.com/opinion/editor
US policies should consistently follow the science.
WNYers are owed an explanation from the why border restrictions continue. The silence is inexcusable.
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“We will communicate that clearly to the White House” - NY Democrat @RepBrianHiggins threatens to vote against POTUS agenda in retaliation against US decision to extend closure of northern border #cdnpoli
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It's time for those filibustering in the Senate to allow a vote on common sense gun safety legislation broadly supported by the American people.
#CanadaDay & #IndependenceDay will be much different due to the failure of both countries to plan for a safe reopening of the US-Canada border.
Vaccines provide the bridge that allows people to come together.
We need leadership to open those bridges & #LetusReunite.
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Vaccinated Americans can cross the Canadian Border starting August 9th.
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Government of Canada announces easing of border measures for fully vaccinated travellers ow.ly/IuBt102Q9YB
The US-Canada border has been closed for 16 months and counting. People deserve answers.
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A week after the U.S. government surprised many by announcing the land border with Canada would remain closed for the time being, the exact reasons for that decision remain shrouded in secrecy. By @LizT1
cbc.ca/news/politics/
Bridges are intended to connect people.
Policy that continues to keep Canadians out of the U.S. is damaging and defies science.
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.@tomcostellonbc is at the Canadian border to show American travelers what they need to enter the country. Some drivers lined up at midnight, eager to reunite with family members in Canada.
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Momentum is building. Science and progress addressing the pandemic are on our side. We will continue to fight to reopen the US-Canada border and
Proud to join so #CongressCanRequest tax returns to learn abt any conflicts of interest. #transparency
30 people from 19 countries became US citizens today, sworn in on same day at same location as Pres Theodore Roosevelt when he took oath
Overwhelming evidence recently released clearly shows that Bishop Malone has exhibited poor leadership and knew about children and others put in harm's way. He must resign. Flynn & Underwood must immediately launch a full investigation.
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The finish line is finally in sight for people who have been separated from their families and properties for way too long.
Read more ⬇️
This is a heartbreaking example of the unnecessary stress and pain families are experiencing due to the policy continuing the shutdown of the Northern Border.
Glad to see Western New Yorkers making their voices heard with peaceful protest today through . Protecting the integrity of the Mueller investigation is imperative in showing that the President is #NotAboveTheLaw.
We have made incredible progress protecting the public with vaccines. So, the asks a good question: “Why can’t U.S. Residents Travel to Canada?” But there is no good answer. #LetusReunite
Over 12 yrs ago the Affordable Care Act expanded access to quality, low-cost health coverage for Americans.
Today is building on ACA's progress, with an Executive Order making health care more affordable & accessible for families.
The Affordable Care Act delivered⤵️
Northern border restrictions & NEXUS backlog continue to have a negative impact on both the US & Canadian economies.
As travels to Canada this week to meet with , we wrote a letter a letter calling on the leaders to address these key issues.
The Skyway, Kensington, Scajaquada & Robert Moses Parkway have served to obstruct & separate rather than connect people & neighborhoods.
Buttigieg is prioritizing infrastructure investment righting historic wrongs. He can start here in WNY.
higgins.house.gov/media-center/p
