The US lower house approved this Wednesday a bill designed to stop requiring a proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to foreign travelers arriving in the country by plane.
The regulations, according to reports from efereceived 227 votes in favor and 201 against.
It must now continue its processing in the Senate, where the Democrats, who oppose eliminating the requirement, have 48 seats plus the tie-breaking vote of the vice president, Kamala Harris; while Republicans hold another 49 and there are 3 independents with a progressive tendency.
Republicans are bringing their second bill in as many weeks to the House floor today that questions the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and undermines our public health agencies. I’m leading the opposition to this dangerous bill. pic.twitter.com/INb0Zeqmrg
— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) February 8, 2023
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) establishes that non-US citizens and immigrants who do not live in the country must present documentation that proves the complete vaccination schedule.
Since last January 5, travelers traveling from China, Hong Kong or Macao, or who have been there in the ten days prior to their displacement, are also required before boarding a negative test against COVID-19 or a recovery certificate.
WHO expects a “significant” reduction in COVID-19 and monkeypox by 2023
“This bill represents a return to normality,” Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie argued on Wednesday, while Democrat Frank Pallone pointed out that his group is “concerned” about public health and that the CDC maintains that this requirement “is necessary to protect USA”.
