Larsen introduces bipartisan legislation to support Point Roberts and pene-exclave communities

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08) to introduce the Ensuring Exclave Communities are Listened to and their Voices are Examined (EXCLAVE) Act. 

“People in Point Roberts must cross the U.S.-Canada border to go to work, attend school, receive medical care and access veterinary services,” said Rep. Larsen. “These residents deserve to be heard when new regulations will impact their everyday life. I am proud to lead this legislation to help ensure that federal rulemaking takes into account folks in Point Roberts.” 

“Pene-exclaves, like the Northwest Angle, are distinctive and remote places that are too often overlooked by the federal government,” said Rep. Stauber. “Minnesotans choose to live in the Angle because of its unrivaled beauty and geographic isolation, but that same isolation can mean that federal actions have significant consequences for the people who live there. That is why I am proud to join my friend Rep. Larsen to fight to make sure every American’s voice is heard, no matter where they live in this great nation.” 

In the United States, pene-exclaves are communities that can only be accessed by land by traveling through Canada. When federal agencies make rules that impact cross-border travel, the agencies fail to consider the unique circumstances of pene-exclave residents who cross the border frequently to buy groceries, access veterinary care, go to the doctor, get help from emergency management and conduct business. The EXCLAVE Act would require federal government agencies to consult with pene-exclave communities before finalizing any rules that would hinder the residents’ ability to cross the border and access essential services. 

In January, Rep. Larsen visited Point Roberts and met with members of the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee, Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, and Point Roberts Taxpayers Association to hear about the issues community members face when crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Rep. Larsen has been working on the EXCLAVE Act since 2024 when members of the Point Roberts community shared concerns about the local impacts of new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) rules around travel across the border with dogs that did not take into consideration the unique situation of pene-exclaves.  

The EXCLAVE Act is supported by pene-exclave communities in Washington state and Minnesota. 

“Through the EXCLAVE Act of 2026, Rep. Larsen has created a dynamic, enforceable mechanism for the resolution and/or removal of impediments inherent within Point Roberts and all exclave communities,” said the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee. “His work will help level the playing field by ensuring citizens’ safe cross-border passage, access to essential life services, whether food, fuel, sanitation or medical, and through the removal of circumstantial barriers to trade and livelihoods.” 

“Following 9/11, Point Roberts businesses lost access to beneficial procedures that had been in place locally to facilitate issuance of work visas for seasonal unskilled Canadian workers such as restaurant staff,” said Mark Robbins, President of the Point Roberts Taxpayers Association. “This has placed an added burden on our small business community that might be lifted if the law allowed for some exceptions in pene-exclaves like Point Roberts. We hope that Rep. Larsen’s proposed EXCLAVE Act will create a framework for allowing appropriate regulatory exceptions.” 

“On behalf of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank U.S. Representative Rick Larsen for his vision, forethought, and affirmative action with the soon to be introduced act titled Ensuring Exclave Communities are Listened to and their Voices are Examined Act of 2026,” said Wayne Lyle, President of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce. “Not only does this bill recognize our potential challenges, both historical and in the future, but it provides a mechanism and concise timeline for us to be heard. We are also very proud that it was our own representative that spearheaded and drove this initiative. We look forward to the successful acceptance of this bill by both the House and Senate, and our amazing community of Point Roberts being active participants within the bill’s parameters in the future.” 

“The Northwest Angle is one of the best freshwater fisheries and most beautiful areas in our country.  Often, policy changes greatly affect both the locals who live here and the tourism industry this area relies upon for its livelihood,” explains Joe Henry, Executive Director, Lake of the Woods Tourism. “Agencies in Washington aren’t always aware of exclaves and make decisions without considering how those decisions negatively affect people’s lives.  We are grateful for the opportunity to be represented and heard.” 

The full text of the bill can be found here.