Press Releases

A bill authored by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, to promote U.S. exports to the Asia-Pacific region became law today. President Obama signed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 at the APEC business summit in Hawaii this morning. The law will allow American business and government personnel traveling to the Asia-Pacific region access to expedited visa processing and designated airport travel lanes. Foreign travel card holders in 18 other economies already have access to these privileges when traveling to the United States.

“The president’s signature on this bill means American business men and women will be able to travel more freely to the Asia-Pacific region, expanding opportunities to export American goods to these important markets,” Larsen said. “This travel card will level the playing field for American business people traveling overseas, giving them the same expedited travel benefits that foreign travel card holders enjoy when they come to the United States.”