Rep. Calvert Votes to Remove COVID-19 Restrictions for Coachella Valley and U.S. Tourism

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority (226-201) of the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 185, legislation that would end the requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers. Rep. Calvert is a cosponsor of H.R. 185.

“The United States is the only major Western country still mandating COVID vaccinations for international travelers,” Calvert said in a statement. “According to the U.S. Travel Association, this mandate is estimated to have cost the United States nearly $90 billion of international travel spending in 2022.

“Tourism is a major economic driver in Coachella Valley. When tourism completely shut down due to the pandemic, economists estimated the Valley lost nearly $3.5 billion in visitor revenue and more than 24,000 jobs. Thankfully, as restrictions have eased, visitors are returning to Coachella Valley – but one hurdle remains – the vaccine mandate for international travelers. Removing this mandate is critical for widely-attended international events like the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, happening next month.”

“It defies logic and science that someone can illegally cross our southern border unvaccinated, but they cannot fly into our country without proof of vaccination. House Republicans took steps to restore common sense and end this unnecessary restriction. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 185, which ends the international visitor vaccination requirement, because it is time to remove unnecessary restrictions keeping people out of the Coachella Valley and other tourist destinations throughout America.”

 

 

Image Sources

  • Covid-19 vaccine: Shutterstock