Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA Act; VISIT USA Act
Summary
H.R. 6128, also known as the VISIT USA Act, proposes to transfer $160 million from the Travel Promotion Fund to Brand USA. This funding aims to support and sustain international tourism to the United States. The bill specifies that the funds should come from unobligated balances collected before October 1, 2025, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Expected Effects
The transfer of funds to Brand USA is intended to boost international tourism. This could lead to increased revenue for businesses in the tourism sector. The bill also exempts this transfer from certain limitations and ensures matching requirements still apply.
Potential Benefits
- Increased international tourism to the USA.
- Potential revenue boost for businesses in the tourism sector.
- Support for Brand USA's promotional activities.
- Utilization of existing funds for a specific purpose.
- May indirectly support job creation in tourism-related industries.
Potential Disadvantages
- Depletion of the Travel Promotion Fund, potentially impacting other travel-related initiatives.
- Possible debate over the allocation of funds and whether tourism should be prioritized over other needs.
- Risk that the funds may not be used effectively by Brand USA.
- Potential for unintended consequences due to the exemption from maximum transfer amount.
- Dependence on international tourism, which can be affected by global events.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The allocation of funds does not seem to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations. The act of appropriating funds is a power explicitly granted to Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).