The U.S. Senate voted to pass the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, which would allow large cruise ships to visit Alaska. The Act suspends the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 until February 29, 2022, which requires large foreign ships to either stop in a foreign port or start their voyages in a foreign port. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada prohibited Alaska-bound cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters.
Sen. Dan Sullivan on the Senate floor Thursday:
The Senate just passed Sen. @LisaMurkowski‘s & my bill to temporarily waive the federal requirement for cruise ships transiting to Alaska to stop in Canada.
I thank my colleagues for coming together & giving our constituents a fighting chance at a 2021 cruise ship season. pic.twitter.com/7wrX8HWB8f
— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) May 13, 2021
The bill passed the Senate with an amendment by voice vote. It is now on its way to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Sullivan said that Rep. Don Young will be working with his colleagues to quickly pass the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act in the House.
