WASHINGTON — August 24, 2021 — U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the U.S. House of Representatives advancing the U.S. Senate-passed, bipartisan infrastructure bill:
“With this bipartisan bill there is a real opportunity to strengthen America’s aging travel infrastructure and revolutionize the way people move around the United States. By investing in the future of infrastructure today, we can ensure greater long-term competitiveness and emerge from the pandemic with stronger systems than ever before.
“In addition to providing necessary funding to U.S. airports, roads and bridges, and other innovative projects such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure and high-speed rail, the bill also establishes a key leadership role at the Department of Transportation to help coordinate travel and tourism policy—a crucial asset as we rebuild our industry and prepare to welcome back visitors from around the world.
“Months of bipartisan efforts went into this infrastructure package, which will provide significant value to communities in every pocket of the country. U.S. Travel urges the House to continue the Senate’s important work and vote quickly to deliver a truly bipartisan, comprehensive infrastructure package to the American people.”
