{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-colleagues-introduce-visit-usa-act-to-restore-brand-usa-funding-promote-us-tourism", "Capito, Colleagues Introduce VISIT USA Act to Restore Brand USA Funding, Promote U.S. Tourism", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "WV", "Shelley Moore Capito", "C001047", "www.capito.senate.gov", "capito", "https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)\u2014all members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee\u2014have introduced the Vital Investment in Sustaining International Tourism to the USA (VISIT USA) Act to fully restore Brand USA\u2019s funding in Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 and 2027.\n\nBrand USA is a public-private partnership charged with promoting America as a premier international travel destination and clearly communicating U.S. visa and entry policies abroad. This legislation will fully fund Brand USA to promote the United States as an international travel destination ahead of several significant events hosted in the U.S., including the 250th anniversary of America\u2019s independence, the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympic games. President Trump\u2019s FY 2026 budget request also calls for fully funding Brand USA.\n\n\u201cAs the United States prepares to host major global events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, it is more important than ever that we put our best foot forward to attract international visitors. Tourism is a powerful economic driver for states like West Virginia and communities across the country, supporting local jobs and small businesses. This legislation will allow Brand USA to access existing surplus visa fee revenues, which will in turn help strengthen America\u2019s ability to welcome travelers, promote our communities, and compete on the world stage,\u201d Senator Capito said.\n\n\u201cThe United States is the third most visited country in the world. As we prepare to host several once-in-a-generation global events\u2014from America250, to the FIFA World Cup, to the 2028 Olympic Games\u2014there has never been a better moment to showcase all that our country has to offer,\u201d Senator Sullivan said. \u201cRestoring Brand USA\u2019s full funding will help us welcome more international visitors, strengthen our tourism economy, and support the thousands of small businesses that make America and Alaska such remarkable places to experience.\u201d\n\n\u201cTravel and tourism powers economic growth in communities in Minnesota and across our country,\u201d Senator Klobuchar said. \u201cOur bipartisan legislation will restore funding for Brand USA, providing the resources it needs to continue to support an additional 1.6 million visitors, $6 billion in spending, and nearly 80,000 jobs every year\u2014all at no cost to taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\u201cNevada is a world-class destination with so much to offer, from entertainment and sports to National Parks,\u201d Senator Rosen said. \u201cOur economy relies heavily on international tourism, which is why I\u2019m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation to fully restore funding for Brand USA over the next two years and show the world all of the wonderful things we have to offer. At a time when international visitation numbers are down, we need to do everything we can to encourage more tourists to come and visit our wonderful nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation is an important step forward, and we are grateful for Senators Sullivan and Klobuchar for leading this effort,\u201d Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said. \u201cWith the World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the U.S. has a pivotal chance to capture global attention. By restoring Brand USA\u2019s resources, Congress can help drive new visitors, support jobs nationwide and ensure the United States stands out on the world stage.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-colleagues-introduce-visit-usa-act-to-restore-brand-usa-funding-promote-us-tourism"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7592539079487324, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}