Correction: WHTI not delayed — yet

WASHINGTON — Contrary to some published reports, a U.S. House of Representatives vote to delay the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) until June 2009 is not the final word on the matter, and the controversial passport rule could still go ahead as planned.

A U.S. Customs expert tells TodaysTrucking.com that the amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill is just a “first step” towards delaying the program and must still clear a Senate vote and be signed into law by President Bush.

In fact, by then, the amendment — which passed in the House by a vote of 268 to 150 — may be taken out of the bill for 2008. “It’s a long, long way from being a done deal,” said the source.

WHTI requires anyone entering the U.S. to show a valid passport.

There’s been talk of allowing FAST-approved truckers to use their FAST card in lieu of a passport (as the Canadian Trucking Alliance is lobbying for), or allowing travelers to apply for a smaller, cheaper “PASS” card as a substitute.
However, because a final WHTI rule for land port implementation has not been published in the Federal Register, the issue remains hazy for truckers.