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| Press Releases |
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Inouye, Stevens, and Dorgan Introduce Travel Promotion Act
Bill Would Increase Travel to America, Improve U.S. Image Abroad |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Committee Vice Chairman Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to cosponsor the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, introduced by Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee Chairman Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.). The measure would create an independent body to manage and coordinate a nationwide travel promotions campaign, establish an Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel Promotion, and seek to encourage international travelers to visit the United States.
“Although the travel and tourism industry is a driving force for our nation’s economy, our government has relegated travel and tourism to a second tier status,” Senator Inouye said. “In order to strengthen our competitiveness and recover lost international market share, we must improve and better explain the process for travelers coming to America. The world needs to know that the United States welcomes business and leisure travelers. The Travel Promotion Act of 2007 will enhance our competitiveness and improve our image abroad.”
“The travel and tourism industry impacts every portion of Alaska’s economy by providing jobs to our residents and increasing sales for our businesses,” Senator Stevens said. “By encouraging international tourists to visit Alaska and the rest of the United States, the Travel Promotion Act will help a vital sector of our economy continue to grow.”
“After 9/11, the number of overseas travelers to the U.S. decreased dramatically and has still not fully recovered,” Senator Dorgan said. “The U.S. offers unique and diverse destinations for travelers, yet we have lacked a coordinated program to promote travel to our country. This bill will help increase the number of international travelers to the U.S. and improve their perceptions of the U.S.”
The Travel Promotion Act of 2007 would:
· Establish a non-profit Travel Promotion Corporation with a 14-member board consisting of representatives of states, the federal government, and the travel industry. The Corporation would be authorized to:
- Promote international travel to the United States through advertising, outreach to trade shows, and other promotions;
- Maximize the economic and diplomatic benefits of travel to the United States;
- Correct misperceptions regarding U.S. travel policy around the world;
- Prioritize the Corporation’s efforts based on countries and populations most likely to travel to the United States; and
- Ensure that international travel benefits all states.
· Require the Corporation to establish annual objectives, approved by the Secretary of Commerce and to provide an annual budget report to the Secretary and an annual report to the Congress on its activities.
· Allow the Corporation to borrow $10 million from the Treasury in 2008 to cover its initial expenses but require the Corporation to pay the funds back by 2012. Starting in 2009, the Corporation would be required to raise non-federal funds and in-kind contributions. Based on the amount raised by the Corporation, up to $100 million in federal matching funds would be made available annually from the Travel Promotion Fund established in the Treasury. At least 20% of the matching contributions would be in cash. If the travel industry agrees, based on a referendum, the Corporation would have the authority to levy an assessment on industry members, except airlines, educational institutions, and small businesses, to assist in raising matching funds.
· Authorize the U.S. government to charge a $10 user fee, plus an amount necessary to cover the operational costs of any system the U.S. government implements to collect biographical information on travelers under the visa waiver program. The non-overhead portion of the fee shall be transmitted to the Treasury for use in the Travel Promotion Fund.
- Serve as a liaison to the Corporation;
- Work with the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to improve the entry process for travelers;
- Support state, regional, and private sector initiatives to promote travel;
- Supervise the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI);
- Work to improve the entry and departure experience for international visitors; and
- Report to Congress annually on the status and progress of all efforts to improve the entry process.
· Direct the OTTI to continue and expand certain travel research programs.
Senator Inouye’s full statement for the record is below:
International tourism brings more than economic returns. International travelers who visit our country can advance our standing overseas. Studies have shown that, after visiting the United States and interacting with Americans, 74 percent of visitors have a more favorable opinion of our country.
In recent years, overseas travel to the United States has suffered. In the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, the United States made a number of necessary changes in the visa and entry processes to improve security, but some of those changes have confused and deterred visitors from even the friendliest countries. Many in the travel industry have continued to express concerns about the perception that the U.S. entry process is unnecessarily antagonistic.
In order to strengthen our competitiveness and recover lost international market share, we must improve and better explain the process for travelers coming to America. The world needs to know that the United States welcomes business and leisure travelers.
In addressing these concerns, and in recognizing the benefits of travel promotion, I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senator Dorgan and Vice Chairman Stevens, in introducing the Travel Promotion Act of 2007. The bill establishes a nonprofit, independent corporation charged with reaching out to potential international travelers, clarifying the ease of travel to America, and encouraging them to visit. As experts have testified in hearings before the Commerce Committee, a unified effort to promote tourism to all areas of the United States is necessary and cannot be achieved by the industry alone.
The proposed Corporation will be run by fourteen board members, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, who represent all aspects of the travel industry, including state tourism boards, hotels, and airlines, as well as the federal government. A small fee collected from international travelers to the United States will help fund the Corporation, but its costs will be truly shared with industry. In order to receive the funds collected by the government, the Corporation will need to raise matching funds from the travel industry. By working together, the federal and state governments and business will be able to revitalize the travel industry and make America a stronger and more welcoming destination.
In most developed countries, the minister of tourism is one of the most powerful and important positions in the government. For too long, our government has relegated travel and tourism to a second tier status. The bill seeks to improve that status by creating an Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel Promotion who would work with the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Corporation, to improve travel promotion efforts and the entry process for international travelers.
The travel and tourism industry helps drive the U.S. economy. The Travel Promotion Act of 2007 will enhance our competitiveness while improving our image abroad, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.”
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| 28th - |
Stevens Applauds FDA Ban on Farm-Raised Seafood from China
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today released the following statement after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a broad import control order to restrict all Chinese farm-raised seafood entering the United States. The FDA stated it will detain these products until they are &...
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| 28th - |
Committee Approves Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation yesterday approved the Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act (S. 950), which is co-sponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) introduced this legislation on March 21, 2007. The bill addresses the need for a sustained, national, an...
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| 27th - |
Truth in Caller ID Act Passes Senate Commerce Committee
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation has passed S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act, which is cosponsored by Vice-Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). The bill was introduced in February by Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and passed the Committee today during an executive session. The bill now awaits consideration by the ...
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| 27th - |
Committee Approves Stevens - Inouye Bill to Encourage Travel to the U.S.
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved the Travel Promotion Act of 2007 (S. 1661) cosponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and sponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.). The overall bill would encourage international travelers to visit the United States and establish the non-profit Cor...
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| 22nd - |
Vice Admiral Lautenbacher to Testify at NOAA Budget and Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee announced today that Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will testify at the Oversight Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmo...
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| 21st - |
Senator Stevens Cosponsors Truth in Caller ID Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation announced that he would cosponsor S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act, sponsored by Senator Ben Nelson (D-Fla.). Senator Stevens made the announcement during a Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing today on the issue.
The bill would make it a...
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| 21st - |
Senate Adopts Bipartisan Fuel Economy Compromise
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate adopted a bipartisan compromise amendment today to increase fuel economy standards by 10 miles per gallon over 10 years.
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), the original sponsors of the Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act, joined Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Senators Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Byron Dorga...
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| 21st - |
U.S. Senate Approves Increase in Fuel Economy Standard [ Audio Clip ]
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in more than three decades, the U.S. Senate voted to increase the average fuel economy standard for cars, trucks, and SUVs by 10 miles per gallon over ten years. The fuel economy provision comes as part of the Senate-amended H.R. 6, the Energy Act, which the full Senate adopted today by a vote of 65-27.
Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)...
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| 21st - |
Senate Adopts Compromise Fuel Economy Measure [ Audio Clip ]
- To view the CAFE Press Conference click here.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate tonight unanimously approved compromise fuel efficiency legislation sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Thomas Carper (D-Del.), Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Bil...
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| 20th - |
current Press Release |
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| 20th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces June 27 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Executive Session for Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items:
1. S. 950, Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2007
2. S....
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| 20th - |
Statement by Senator Stevens on Introducation of Travel and Tourism Legislation
- Mr. President, I am pleased to speak in support of the Travel Promotion Act of 2007, which I introduced late yesterday with Senator INOUYE and Senator DORGAN. Our legislation has a simple purpose: To increase the number of foreign tourists who visit the United States. To accomplish this goal, two complementary strategies must be undertaken: existing travel problems must be resolved, and fundamenta...
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| 19th - |
Witnesses Announced for Hearing on Energy Efficiency Technologies
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee released today a witness list for the Energy Efficiency Technologies and Programs hearing. The witnesses are listed below.
Witnesses will discuss currently available technologies, and both state-sponsored and corporate programs that reduce total energy use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Efficiency ...
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| 19th - |
Commerce Committee Releases Witness List for Caller ID Spoofing Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today the witness list for the full Committee hearing on Caller ID Spoofing. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing will examine legislation introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007. The Act seeks to protect consumers from deceptive practices invol...
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| 18th - |
Aviation Subcommittee Announces Witnesses for Foreign Repair Stations Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee released today a witnesses list for the hearing on Oversight of Foreign Aviation Repair Stations.
The Subcommittee will examine the growing aviation industry practice of outsourcing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for and provides oversight...
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| 18th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces Caller ID Spoofing, Media Violence Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces two full Committee communications hearings on Caller ID Spoofing and Number Porting and the Impact of Media Violence on Children.
The Caller ID Spoofing and Number Porting hearing will focus on legislation introduced by Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), S. 704, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007. The Act...
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| 13th - |
Inouye Introduces by Request Administration’s Offshore Aquaculture Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) introduced today, by request of the Administration, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act. Chairman Inouye simultaneously introduced three amendments, and cosponsored a fourth amendment introduced by Vice Chairman Stevens, that bolster environmental safeguards and protect nativ...
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| 13th - |
The Hill Op-Ed -- Improving public safety communications is matter of life and death in emergencies
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Great progress has been made during the last two years regarding the advancement of public safety’s communication needs. One key legislative initiative was the digital television transition legislation that established a date certain when 24 MHz of prime spectrum will be put into the hands of first responders. The legislation also requires that 60 MHz of prime spectrum be auctioned and di...
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| 12th - |
Lautenberg Introduces Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) joined Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee Chairman Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) to introduce today the Maritime Hazardous Cargo Security Act of 2007, which would improve the safety and security for shipping facilities and vessels handling hazardous materials.
&ldqu...
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| 12th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Hold Oversight Hearing on Foreign Repair Stations
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on the Oversight of Foreign Aviation Repair Stations.
The Subcommittee will examine the growing aviation industry practice of outsourcing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is r...
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| 12th - |
Oceans Subcommittee to Hold NOAA Budget and Oversight Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency within the Department of Commerce, provides vital s...
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| 12th - |
Innovation Subcommittee to Explore Energy Technology Programs
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing on Energy Efficiency Technologies and Programs.
Members of the Subcommittee will consider currently available technologies, and both state-sponsored and corporate programs that reduce total energy use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions....
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| 12th - |
Senator Stevens Calls for Universal Service Reform
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for the reform of the Universal Service Fund during a Commerce Committee hearing to assess recent recommendations made by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service. The hearing focused on a proposed cap on wireless universal service support, w...
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| 11th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on 700 MHz Auction
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released today a witness list for the full committee hearing on The 700 MHz Auction: Public Safety and Competition Issues.
Scheduled for Thursday, June, 14, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, the hearing will examine a variety of issues related to the auction of spectrum at the...
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| 8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces USF Hearing Witness List
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released today a witness list for the full committee hearing on The Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board.
Scheduled for Tuesday, June, 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, the hearing will examine the Federal-State Joint Boar...
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| 7th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Works to Protect Nation’s Oceans, Coastline
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – In honor of Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2007, the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and several other members of Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation joined to introduce a group of bills today that provides for sustainable use and protection of our nation’s ocean and coastal areas. The bills include:
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amend...
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| 7th - |
Inouye and Stevens Sponsor Oceans Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced several oceans bills that would strengthen hydrographic surveys, improve management of invasive species in ballast water, and protect coral reefs. Today marks the last day of the 2007 Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
“...
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| 6th - |
Stevens Recognized as Oceans Advocate by Fishing Associations
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, yesterday was recognized by several fishing and oceans advocacy associations for his work to promote and enhance sport fishing and healthy fisheries through the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 (HR 5946). The Magnuson-Stevens Act was approved by Congress ...
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| 6th - |
NASA IG Investigation Oversight Hearing Witnesses List Revised
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Space, Aeronautics, and Related Sciences and the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight revised the witness list for the Joint Hearing on the Oversight Review of the Investigation of the NASA Inspector General scheduled for Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 2:00...
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| 4th - |
Inouye: Disappointed with Second Circuit Decision
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) released the following statement today in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decision overruling the Federal Communications Commission policy of prohibiting the use of expletives on broadcast television.
"It is disappointing that a divided Second Circuit panel chose to invalidate the...
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| 4th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Schedules USF, 700 MHz Action Hearings
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces two Full Committee communications hearings - Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board and The 700 MHz Auction: Public Safety and Competition Issues.
The Universal Service Fund: Assessing the Recommendations of the Federal-State Joint Board hearing is sc...
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| 4th - |
Commerce Committee Postpones U.S. Trade Relations with China Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed the Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on U.S. Trade Relations with China originally scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2007, at 2:30 p.m.
A rescheduled date and time will be forthcoming.
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