VISIT USA Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6128
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:06:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The VISIT USA Act (H.R. 6128) aims to support international tourism promotion in the United States by transferring federal funds to Brand USA, a nonprofit corporation responsible for marketing the U.S. as a travel destination. This funding is intended to sustain and enhance efforts to attract foreign visitors, boosting the economy through tourism.
Key Provisions
- Fund Transfer: The Secretary of the Treasury must transfer $160,000,000 from unobligated (unused) balances in the Travel Promotion Fund to Brand USA within 30 days of the bill's enactment.
- Source of Funds: The money comes from fees collected under the Immigration and Nationality Act (related to the Visa Waiver Program) before October 1, 2025, which were deposited into the Travel Promotion Fund established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.
- Exemptions and Requirements:
- The transfer is exempt from the existing cap on maximum fund transfers under the Travel Promotion Act.
- Brand USA must match the federal funds with private contributions (a "matching requirement").
- Unused portions of the transferred funds can be carried forward for future use.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Override of Transfer Limit: This bill modifies the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 by exempting this specific $160 million transfer from the law's annual cap on funds available to Brand USA, allowing a one-time infusion beyond normal limits.
- Preservation of Other Rules: It maintains the matching requirement (where Brand USA must raise an equal amount from non-federal sources) and carryforward provisions, ensuring accountability without altering those core mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of the Treasury will handle the transfer, reducing balances in the Travel Promotion Fund but freeing up resources for tourism promotion without new taxpayer spending.
- On Citizens and Economy: U.S. citizens in the tourism sector (e.g., hotels, airlines, attractions) may benefit from increased international visitors, potentially creating jobs and stimulating local economies in travel-dependent areas.
- On International Relations: Enhanced U.S. marketing could improve the country's global image as a welcoming destination, fostering cultural exchanges and tourism ties with other nations, though it does not directly affect visas or borders.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Brand USA (Corporation for Travel Promotion): Receives the funds to expand marketing campaigns.
- Tourism Industry: Businesses like travel agencies, hospitality providers, and airlines that rely on international visitors.
- U.S. Government: The Treasury Department executes the transfer; Congress oversees the fund's use.
- International Travelers: Potential beneficiaries through increased promotion, making U.S. travel more accessible and appealing.
- Taxpayers: Indirectly affected, as the funds originate from existing visa fees rather than new appropriations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses existing fee revenues, avoiding new appropriations and complying with budget rules; it requires prompt action (30-day transfer) to ensure timely support for tourism recovery. No challenges to separation of powers are evident, as it directs an executive agency (Treasury) under congressional authority.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, by reallocating dedicated fees for a public purpose (economic promotion) without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill introduced by representatives from tourism-heavy states (e.g., Florida), it highlights priorities for economic growth post-pandemic; it could set a precedent for future targeted transfers to public-private partnerships like Brand USA, potentially influencing debates on federal support for industries.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Lee, Laurel M. [R-FL-15]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA Act — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (2 pages)