American Music Tourism Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 617) to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 617

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``American Music Tourism Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM.

(a) Domestic Travel and Tourism.--Section 605(b) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

``(4) identify locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitate and promote domestic travel and tourism to those locations and events.''.

(b) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--Section 605 of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

``(d) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--The Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall strive to increase and facilitate international business and leisure travel to the United States and ensure competitiveness by--

``(1) facilitating large meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions in the United States;

``(2) emphasizing rural and other destinations in the United States that are rich in cultural heritage or ecological tourism, among other uniquely American destinations, as locations for hosting international meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions;

``(3) facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to sports and recreation events and activities in the United States; and

``(4) identifying locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to those locations and events.''.

(c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 605(f) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(4) Report on goals relating to domestic and international travel.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report of activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities relating to the goals described in subsections (a) through (d).''.

(d) Definition.--Section 600 of title VI of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (15 U.S.C. 9801) is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;

(2) by striking ``In this title, the term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--'' and inserting the following:

``In this title:

``(1) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

``(2) Music tourism.--The term `music tourism' means--

``(A) the act of traveling to a State or locality to visit historic or modern day music-related attractions, including museums, studios, venues of all sizes, and other sites related to music; or

``(B) the act of traveling to a State or locality to attend a music festival, a concert, or other live musical performance or music-related special event.''.
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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, led by the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend and a great member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation directs the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international tourism to U.S. music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions.

Music tourism is a significant economic driver. It is estimated that, by 2032, it will become a $13.8 billion industry. By enhancing our promotion of music-related tourism, we can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and showcase America's rich cultural heritage.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R.
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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, the speaker on the floor of the House of Representatives in the great State of Florida used to begin his speeches by saying, ``I am fired up.'' I am fired up, Mr. Speaker, because we are going to pass a great bill that promotes America.

With the previous bill honoring the 1980 USA Gold Medal hockey team, this is a great day in D.C. and all over the United States of America.

In closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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