AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT OF 2025

On 2025-04-28, Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-1) delivered a floor speech titled "AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT OF 2025" in the House.

AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT OF 2025

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1635-H1637] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AMERICAN MUSIC TOURISM ACT OF 2025 Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 617) to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 617 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``American Music Tourism Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM. (a) Domestic Travel and Tourism.--Section 605(b) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(4) identify locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitate and promote domestic travel and tourism to those locations and events.''. (b) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--Section 605 of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: ``(d) Facilitation of International Business and Leisure Travel.--The Assistant Secretary, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall strive to increase and facilitate international business and leisure travel to the United States and ensure competitiveness by-- ``(1) facilitating large meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions in the United States; ``(2) emphasizing rural and other destinations in the United States that are rich in cultural heritage or ecological tourism, among other uniquely American destinations, as locations for hosting international [[Page H1636]] meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions; ``(3) facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to sports and recreation events and activities in the United States; and ``(4) identifying locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism and facilitating and promoting international travel and tourism to those locations and events.''. (c) Reporting Requirements.--Section 605(f) of the Visit America Act (15 U.S.C. 9803(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(4) Report on goals relating to domestic and international travel.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, and every 2 years thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report of activities, findings, achievements, and vulnerabilities relating to the goals described in subsections (a) through (d).''. (d) Definition.--Section 600 of title VI of division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (15 U.S.C. 9801) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; (2) by striking ``In this title, the term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--'' and inserting the following: ``In this title: ``(1) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term `COVID-19 public health emergency'--''; and (3) by adding at the end the following: ``(2) Music tourism.--The term `music tourism' means-- ``(A) the act of traveling to a State or locality to visit historic or modern day music-related attractions, including museums, studios, venues of all sizes, and other sites related to music; or ``(B) the act of traveling to a State or locality to attend a music festival, a concert, or other live musical performance or music-related special event.''. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida. General Leave Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Florida? There was no objection. Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, led by the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend and a great member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation directs the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international tourism to U.S. music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions. Music tourism is a significant economic driver. It is estimated that, by 2032, it will become a $13.8 billion industry. By enhancing our promotion of music-related tourism, we can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and showcase America's rich cultural heritage. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 617, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act. Madam Speaker, I know Republicans want to pretend like it is business as usual around here, but the daily chaos and illegal activity that we are seeing from the Trump administration is not business as usual. The reality is that 15 of the 16 bills we are considering today from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, including this one, should already be law. They were already agreed to last year as part of a bipartisan, bicameral legislative package that was set to be passed and signed into law in December before Elon Musk intervened and killed the agreement. {time} 1430 That package included important provisions that would have lowered costs for hardworking Americans, but instead of passing it and sending it to the President's desk to be signed into law, my Republican colleagues allowed Elon Musk to decide what becomes law. What is especially upsetting about this is that my Republican colleagues know this was a good agreement that would have helped people. It included provisions to lower prescription drug prices, crack down on junk fees, lower gas prices, ensure our water is safe to drink, and fund community health centers and teaching health centers. Instead, Speaker Johnson chose to cave to Elon Musk. Though it may be delayed, I am pleased to be supporting the passage today of the American Music Tourism Act. Americans are fortunate to have a rich musical heritage. Throughout the United States, you can find countless venues where talented musicians perform. These venues attract millions of people from around the country and the world who want to see their favorite artists or visit the place where famous musicians have launched their careers, all of which contribute significantly to our local communities. Music and musical venues are very important to my district in New Jersey. Asbury Park has been the home of the legendary Stone Pony for over 50 years, one of the places where New Jersey's famous son, Bruce Springsteen, got his start. Redbank, New Jersey, is the site of the Count Basie Theatre named in honor of William ``Count'' Basie, who revolutionized jazz music and whose legacy continues through the theater, which continues to support and inspire new generations of local musicians. This is why I am pleased to support the American Music Tourism Act. This bill would direct the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international travel and tourism to U.S. venues like The Stone Pony and the Count Basie Theatre. It will help expand the already significant economic contributions that these venues bring to our local and national economies. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Barragan for her leadership on this issue and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation. These bills, for the most part, that we are going to be considering today were part of that original package that Elon Musk negated, but we are going to try to move those bills today despite what he did to try to scuttle everything. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend. Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Chairman Gus Bilirakis, who I affectionately call Gus, and Ranking Member Pallone for supporting this act. We have the opportunity today to vote on legislation centered around something that brings us all together, and that is music. Today, we will take the American Music Tourism Act under consideration. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation that I am proud to have led through the House alongside my co-lead, Representative Nanette Barragan. It will require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to develop a plan to boost music tourism, welcoming both domestic and international visitors to experience the rich musical heritage we have across America. It also ensures that Congress stays informed, with regular reports on our progress, our success, and any challenges that we face. Importantly, let me emphasize this bill will not require any additional taxpayer dollars. It is a smart, efficient, and unique way to support our economy without increasing spending. Whether it is New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz; Seattle, where they rock out to grunge; the cradles of hip hop, which are L.A. and

Referenced legislation: HR617, HR617