extending until 1 Jun 2009 the effective date for rules requiring all U.S. citizens to show passports or other "secure documents"

The U.S. Senate approved an amendment when returning to their countries after intra-North American trips. The rule first was proposed by the Bush Administration in 2004 as part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, originally scheduled to go into force by 1 Jan 2008 and including a similar re-entry component to be implemented by the Canadian government. The amendment is part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which the Senate is expected to vote on this week.