Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his good work on this bill, as well as his leadership on this very important subcommittee, and I appreciate it very much.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act, which would reauthorize Brand USA for a limited time, adds numerous accountability measures and strengthens the transparency of the public-private partnership that promotes increased tourism to the United States.

Passage of H.R. 4450 will be good for the economy. It is a jobs bill, Mr. Speaker. A recent analysis performed by the independent firm Oxford Economics estimated that, in fiscal year 2013, Brand USA generated 1.1 million additional international visitors who spent an estimated $3.4 billion, generating economic revenue and supporting job creation in communities across America.

Brand USA does not impose a cost upon the Federal Government. It has helped to reduce the deficit during the last 2 fiscal years and is expected to continue to do so. In fact, the respected and nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that H.R. 4450 will reduce the deficit by $231 million over 10 years. It is a win-win, Mr. Speaker.

It is important to note that Federal taxpayer dollars are not used to fund Brand USA. Brand USA is supported by international visitors and voluntary private sector contributors.

After it receives contribution from the private sector, Brand USA can only collect up to $100 million in matching funds from fees paid by foreign travelers. Amounts collected in excess of that cap are returned to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

Finally, given the benefits to the economy across State lines, as well as the competitive nature of foreign competitors in travel promotion, Congress is well within its authority under the Commerce Clause to extend the Travel Promotion Act. Small State and local tourism offices and local small businesses across America are some of the strongest supporters of the Travel Promotion Act and benefit greatly from international tourism. Brand USA helps bridge these communities and opens up new markets to American competition.

I appreciate consideration of this legislation, which several commentators have noted includes important reforms. This bill improves an already existing partnership, Mr. Speaker.

I thank Chairman Upton for his leadership, again, the subcommittee chair, Chairman Terry, doing an outstanding job, all those who have contributed to this bill, our lead cosponsor, Mr. Peter Welch, and the cochair of the Tourism Caucus, Mr. Farr--who I believe will speak in a few minutes--for their work on this legislation, and also the ranking member of the subcommittee, Ms. Schakowsky. I urge support of this prudent and narrow reauthorization of the Travel Promotion Act.

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