Congress has reportedly approved a $5.50 customs inspections fee, which would apply to Canadian and other visitors arriving by air or water.

The fee proposal was defeated along with the 2012 budget plan submitted to lawmakers by President Barack Obama, but has apparently resurfaced in a trade agreement with Colombia

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Canadian officials are miffed that the fee has been approved after being scuttled once before.

The Journal quotes a spokesman for the Canadian Trade Minister who said the minister was "disappointed," and would ask for a reconsideration.

Watertown Republican Matt Doheny says the fee “will eat into already thin profit margins for our tourism-based businesses, not to mention the sales tax revenues that our Canadian visitors provide.”

He is urging Congress to undo the fee.

“At a minimum, Congress must exempt ferries and other tourist-based boats from this onerous measure,” he said.

The Colombian Free Trade Agreement, sponsored by Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, was approved in the House on a vote of 262-167. Republicans voted for it by a count of 231-9; Democrats voted against it 31-158.

A spokesman for Congressman Owens voted against the legislation and is currently working on legislation that would repeal the fee.
It was one of the issues that Owens discussed with Canadian officials when he was in Ottawa last week, spokesman Sean Magers said.

Doheny is running again to try to take the 23rd District seat from Democrat Owens, who won the seat in a three-way race last year with Doheny and Conservative Doug Hoffman.