The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011, H.R. 2042, cosponsored by Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, which makes travel to APEC countries easier for American business and government travelers.

The Senate version, S.1487, introduced by Sens. Daniel K. Akaka, Daniel K. Inouye, and Maria Cantwell, passed the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee last week and is now pending before the full Senate.

The bill would enable travelers that have been screened, are not security risks, and have an APEC card to have their visa requests reviewed faster, use the same customs lanes as air crews at airports, and take multiple trips to the 21 APEC countries for three years without getting a new visa each time.

The APEC Business Travel Card program was started in 1997 and has already been adopted by 18 of the 21 APEC member countries.

The legislation is supported by the National Center for APEC, National Foreign Trade Council, US-ASEAN Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, US-China Business Council, and U.S. Council for International Business.

Source: Office of Sen. Daniel K. Akaka