APEC-related legislation introduced by Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye — along with Washington Democrat Maria Cantwell — moved forward on Wednesday. 

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs unanimously approved a bill to make it easier for senior government and business officials involved with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to travel between the 21 economies that are considered APEC members. 

The House and Senate will now have to consider bill, which would involve issuing APEC Business Travel Cards, before it can become law.