The omnibus spending bill being negotiated in Washington currently includes language that would prohibit the border crossing fees that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had proposed to study.

In announcing that development, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, noted that New York has 17 border crossings with Canada. Gillibrand and North Country congressman Bill Owens argued that any fee would hurt local economics across New York which relies on commerce with Canada. According to National Geographic, Gillibrand said, 75 percent of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the American border.

“A new border fee would have been a major setback to our efforts to promote cross-border commerce and tourism, and limit New York’s potential for economic growth at one of the worst possible times,” said Gillibrand. “I will continue working directly with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure New York’s economic priorities are a chief concern at every step of the way on any potential study.”