Bipartisan Policy Center: May Bipartisan Champions Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Joe Heck (R-NV)
The following article appeared on the Bipartisan Policy Center blog on May 19, 2014. A link to the article can be found here.
This month, BPC highlights Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Joe Heck (R-NV) for their bipartisan effort to improve the U.S. economy and create jobs by making it easier for foreign visitors to travel to the U.S. The Congressmen have worked together to introduce H.R. 1354, the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act.
PHOTO: Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Joe Heck.
The JOLT Act includes a number of provisions designed to attract international travelers, many of whom spend significant amounts of money during their travels, to the United States. The money these international visitors spend while in the U.S. - on transportation, hotel accommodations, food and entertainment, sightseeing, and shopping, greatly benefits all sectors of the travel and tourism industry throughout the United States, improving the economy and increasing job opportunities for Americans.
The JOLT Act seeks to make to easier for international travelers to visit the United States. Specifically, H.R. 1354 seeks to modernize and expand the Visa Waiver Program to allow more travelers from allied countries visa-free entry to the U.S., to facilitate the use of and expand the current Global Entry Program to allow pre-approved travelers expedited Customs clearance upon arrival in the U.S., and make use of new technologies such as videoconferencing when conducting visa interviews.
H.R. 1354 has more than 150 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle and is currently awaiting consideration before the House Committee on the Judiciary. BPC salutes Rep. Quigley and Rep. Heck for their bipartisan efforts to attract international travelers to the U.S. and give our travel and tourism businesses an important boost.