Letter to Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, and Leader Schumer - Kathleen Rice Leads Bipartisan Effort to Support Tourism Industry

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell and Leader Schumer:

Thank you for working tirelessly to pass important measures to protect our economy and
working families from the COVID-19 outbreak. New programs,such as the Economic Injury
Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), have extended critical relief to
many segments of our economy. However, this relief has not been felt everywhere. The travel
and tourism industry is currently losing significant business, but the PPP is limited in its ability
to help. As Congress considers reforming the PPP, we urge you to expand PPP eligibility to our
country's destination marketing organizations (DMOs), conventions and visitors' bureaus
(CVBs), and state tourism offices.

DMOs, CVBs and state tourism offices are primary drivers of economic activity that encourage
tourism and travel in New York and every state and community across the country. In New
York, especially, these institutions also provide thousands of meaningful jobs for individuals
who are, unfortunately, now experiencing layoffs and furloughs. Despite the important role
DMOs, CVBs, and state tourism offices play in driving customers to local small businesses and
supporting local jobs, they are ineligible for relief provided to other employers through the PPP.

When the economy does reopen, it will be critical for these institutions to be fully staffed and
capable to quickly restore economic development for communities nationwide.

We urge you to expand eligibility for the PPP to include DMOs, CVBs, and state tourism offices
classified as 501(c)(6) or 501(c)(4) nonprofits and travel-related government organizations.
Thank you for your attention and support as we continue to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak
and ensure a swift and robust economic recovery.