AH&LA Endorses Reintroduced JOLT Act
Legislative Action Summit to Focus on the Business of Travel
Washington, DC - March 25, 2013 - The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has put its full support behind the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act reintroduced today in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Joe Heck (R-NV) and Mike Quigley (D-IL). The JOLT Act will be a key topic during the AH&LA Legislative Action Summit (LAS), April 23-24, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
The JOLT Act, originally introduced with strong bipartisan support in the 112th Congress, will expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), establish a pilot program for the use of secure videoconferencing for visa processing, and reduce wait times for visa processing. These provisions will grow U.S. exports, create additional U.S. jobs, and generate increased U.S. tax revenue - all while strengthening domestic and international security.
“AH&LA is bringing hundreds of hoteliers to Washington, D.C. this April to tell Congress we need to pass this legislation,” said AH&LA Executive Vice President for Public Policy Marlene Colucci. “Increasing travel to the United States is the most effective form of economic stimulus - creating millions of new American jobs, adding billions to the U.S. economy, and benefitting every community around the country. We need to pass the JOLT Act this Congress.”
The legislation will be discussed during the LAS panel titled, Travel & Tourism: Boosting America's Economy with Visa Reform, alongside other panels on immigration and labor issues. A robust LAS program is being finalized that will include high-level Congressional speakers, meetings between hoteliers and their members of Congress, and a reception in the historic Mansfield Room in the U.S. Capitol.
Registration for LAS is now open. Visit www.ahla.com/LAS for more information and to register for this critical and timely event.
About the AH&LA
Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
For more about AH&LA, visit www.ahla.com
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