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Congressman Kennedy Joins Bipartisan Letter Urging CDC to Delay Pet Travel Rule

CDC Rule Would Require Dogs Entering US from Canadian Border to have CDC-Approved Dog Import Form - Adding a New Burden to Cross-Border Travel Rule Will Impact Binational Families, American Tourists, International Truckers, and More

Washington, July 17, 2024

BUFFALO, NY—Today, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) released the following statement after joining a bipartisan letter urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen to delay new rules that would require dogs entering the U.S. from Canada to be older than six months and have a CDC-approved Dog Import Form, among other things.

“I am working across the aisle to ensure people can continue to cross the Northern Border with their canine family members,” Congressman Kennedy said. “This CDC policy places an excessive burden on U.S. citizens, especially in border communities like ours, which will contribute to increased processing time, longer border backups, and diminished economic returns. The CDC must delay implementing this rule until we find a more balanced approach.”

In the letter, Reps. Kennedy (NY-26), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Marc Molinaro (NY-19), Michael Lawler (NY-17), and Nick LaLota (NY-01), wrote, “One main concern is that strict requirements, such as the minimum age for importation, may disproportionately affect low-risk importations without commensurate public health benefits…. [we] urge you to delay implementation of the blanket requirements that impact low-risk dogs personally owned by individuals who wish to remain compliant with important public health protocols but also not incur undue burden in their daily activities. Specifically, [we] strongly request that the CDC implement an 18-month delay to this rule.”

The bipartisan letter can be found here. This follows Congressman Kennedy’s letter to the CDC from May 28, 2024. The rule goes into effect August 1, 2024. Find more information about the CDC rule here.

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