The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved my resolution calling on President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reopen the border between the United States and Canada.

The ongoing bans on travel between the two nations are having a huge effect on our respective economies and on hardworking people throughout Michigan. The bans are hurting our economy by limiting trade and tourism with our closest ally and economic partner. They’re also hurting Michigan families who are currently unable to visit loved ones in Canada. And it’s all completely unnecessary.

Americans who have been vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test can travel overseas, but they can’t cross the Detroit River to visit family in Canada. That doesn’t make any sense.

The U.S.-Canadian border has been closed to all non-essential travel since March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and is scheduled to remain closed until at least July 21.

Senate Resolution 76 says the American Travel Association estimated that the border closure has cost the American economy $340 million per week. Travel restrictions have been estimated to have led to a loss of as many as half a million Canadian jobs.

Shortly after the passage of the resolution, Canada has begun talks about allowing vaccinated individuals to enter the country.

Click here to watch my remarks on this resolution during session.

After hearing about the reasons for the reform in committee, I supported legislation to allow off road vehicle (ORV) racing activities to continue at designated areas at Silver Lake State Park.

The Silver Lake dunes are the only sand dunes east of the Mississippi River that are open to ORVs, which attracts many visitors from across the country. I have heard from many families in West Michigan who enjoy our state parks and the Silver Lake dunes. Dune racing at Silver Lake has been a huge tourism asset for years, and this measure would allow it to continue for many more.

Silver Lake State Park is an approximately 3,000-acre park along Lake Michigan with about 2,000 acres of sand dunes that can be used for camping and ORV riding. It includes an ORV scramble area where riders can test their equipment.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently prohibited drag racing at the park’s ORV area after the attorney general determined the drag racing ban in the Michigan Vehicle Code applies to state parks.

House Bill 4980 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt drag racing activities at Silver Lake State Park authorized by the DNR from the drag racing prohibition.

You can click here to watch the Senate committee hearing on the bill.