May 23, 2017

Today Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District released the following statement on the news that President Trump’s FY2018 Budget Request will cut all funding for Brand USA, the nation’s first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination.

“The proposal to eliminate Brand USA demonstrates how out of touch the Trump Administration is with reality. Brand USA is a bipartisan, deficit-reducing program that has attracted millions of visitors who have spent billions of dollars in Las Vegas and other destinations across the county, creating jobs and improving our economy. This draconian decision highlights the administration’s top priority: crushing programs that benefit working families so the nation’s wealthiest individuals can ultimately get a tax break.”   

BACKGROUND

Taxpayers do not fund Brand USA. The organization’s operations are supported by a combination of nonfederal contributions from destinations, travel brands, and private-sector organizations plus matching funds collected by the U.S. government from international travelers who visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Budget proposes to eliminate the Corporation for Travel Promotion (also known as Brand USA) and redirect the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) surcharge currently deposited in the Travel Promotion Fund to the ESTA account at Customs and Border Protection.