In a joint statement, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said: “We welcome and commend the Biden Administration’s decision to safely reopen the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. Like so many communities along both borders, Vermont towns have close, longstanding ties with Canadian ones. It is good news that fully vaccinated family members and loved ones will now be able to reunify and businesses will once again be able to welcome Canadian visitors with ease. We know how much personal and financial hardship has been experienced on both sides of the border, and see the reopening as an important step in a long road to recovery.”