Washington, D.C., 2013-06-06 — /travelprnews.com/ — The U.S. Travel Association today applauded U.S. Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) for his leadership on travel-related legislative initiatives for economic growth.
Topping that agenda is the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act, a bipartisan bill cosponsored by Rep. Amodei that would leverage the benefits of inbound international travel to the United States to create jobs and boost tax revenues. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, which will play a key role in deliberations on the legislation, Rep. Amodei’s support is particularly important. The bill was introduced in the House by his delegation colleague, Rep. Joe Heck.
Rep. Amodei has also led a bipartisan effort by the entire Nevada congressional delegation for legislation (HR 1880) to stop the practice by federal agencies of blacklisting particular cities or types of hotel properties from hosting government employee meetings or conferences. The bill seeks to address the economic impact of cancellations of legitimate federal meetings at venues in destinations nationwide, including in Nevada.
The JOLT Act, currently with 44 House cosponsors, would:
- Modernize and expand the Visa Waiver Program, which buttresses national security while allowing more travelers from countries closely allied to the United States;
- Authorize a pilot program to test the feasibility of secure videoconference technology for visa interviews in large countries where U.S. consulates are far apart;
- Expand the Global Entry Program that allows pre-approved, low-risk international travelers access to an expedited clearance process upon entry into the U.S.; and
- Reduce visa wait times to facilitate more and easier travel for international visitors.
“Each of these reforms would bring more overseas travelers to the United States, for leisure and business, and generate opportunity in northern Nevada and across the nation,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Rep. Amodei’s leadership has been critical to our work on these initiatives.”
Travel is America’s number one services export, supporting one in eight U.S. jobs and generating $2.0 trillion in economic output last year. Learn more about the JOLT Act here.
Contact:
Cathy Keefe (202) 408-2183
The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry that generates $2.0 trillion in economic output and supports 14.6 million jobs. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
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