Rep. Bilirakis Commends Senate Commerce Committee on Passage of Brand USA Reauthorization

Press Release

Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), commended his counterparts in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for passing legislation, without opposition, to reauthorize Brand USA.

"Tourism is an integral part of our economy -- especially in Florida. Increased tourism means more American and Floridian jobs. My legislation -- H.R. 4450, the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act -- means job growth without utilizing a dime of taxpayer dollars. Millions of Americans across the country are still struggling, and H.R. 4450 will help them get back to work. Brand USA reauthorization is a jobs bill," Bilirakis declared.

"S. 2250 -- the companion bill to H.R. 4450 -- today passed the Senate Commerce Committee without opposition. I particularly want to thank Senator Rubio and Senator Nelson for their commitment to this legislation and to boosting Florida's economy. This is a great step towards getting this job creating, deficit reducing legislation signed into law," Bilirakis continued.

H.R. 4450 passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 347-57 in the House of Representatives. Bilirakis' legislation will strengthen the United States' competitiveness in the global travel and tourism markets by reauthorizing Brand USA -- a public-private partnership designed to encourage tourism to the United States. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Brand USA will reduce the deficit by $231 million.

The travel and tourism sector is the top industry in Florida, employing more than one million Floridians and generating nearly $71.5 billion in spending. Nationally, the sector is the country's largest service export, fueling one in every nine jobs. International visitors add more than $180 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

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