H.R. 185 - Termination of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Foreign Travelers

H.R. 185 - Termination of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Foreign Travelers

This bill aims to end the obligation set by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for foreign travelers to prove they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It also includes other provisions.

Section 1: Terminating CDC Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Foreign Travelers

Subsection (a): Starting from the day this bill becomes a law, the vaccination requirement for foreign travelers taking flights will no longer be mandatory.

Subsection (b): From the day this bill becomes a law, federal funds cannot be used to enforce, implement, or administer the vaccination requirement for foreign travelers.

Subsection (c): In this bill, the term "air travel vaccination requirement for foreign travelers" refers to the requirement stated in two specific orders:

The order issued by the CDC Director titled "Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID–19 Pandemic," published on April 7, 2022, which demands proof of COVID-19 vaccination for air travelers falling under defined categories.
Any successor or subsequent order by the CDC that requires foreign individuals traveling by air to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition to enter the United States.

Section 2: Report

Subsection 2: The CDC Director will submit a report to Congress within 90 days after the bill becomes a law. The report will detail the number of visitors who were denied entry based on the requirements mentioned in subsection (c)(1) during the period from April 7, 2022, to the date the bill becomes a law.

Section 3: Rule of Construction

Subsection 3: This section clarifies that nothing in this bill should be interpreted as suggesting that the provisions in section 1 will have any effect on the order issued by the CDC Director titled "Requirements for Negative Pre-Departure COVID–19 Test Results or Documentation of Recovery from COVID–19 for Aircraft Passengers Traveling to the United States From the People’s Republic of China" published on January 5, 2023. This particular order requires proof of negative COVID-19 test results or recovery documentation for passengers traveling to the United States from China within ten days of departure.

Passed in the House of Representatives on February 8, 2023.

Attest: Clerk.

Rep. Anna Luna

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