Travel America Now

We need to get America moving again.

In addition to the many lives tragically lost in the terrorist attacks of September 11, our economy was hit hard, putting many Americans out of work.

To come to the aid of these Americans and revive our economy, we recently authored legislation, with the support of Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) and Congressman Neil Abercromie, a Democrat from Hawaii, to directly aid the segment of the economy most severely damaged by the economic downturn: America’s travel and tourism industry.

This bipartisan legislation encourages Americans to travel again – and would provide needed relief to the travel and tourism industry. We propose a $500 tax credit per person ($1,000 for a couple filing jointly) for personal travel expenses for travel originating within the United States (airplane, cruise, train, and bus tickets, hotel and motel accommodations, and rental cars, but now meals) to be effective from the date of the bill’s enactment until the end of the year.

This bill, the Travel America Now Act, is an important step toward resuming, as much as possible, our normal way of life. When we alter our normal behavior, the terrorists win. By getting back on airplanes, taking trips, visiting family, going out on the road, we show those who tried to take our liberties away that America is a stronger nation than they think.

In short, everyone benefits when you travel America. This tax credit is the simplest and most cost-effective way to encourage Americans to get back in the air and on the road. It will provide an enormous boost to our state and national economies at a critical time.

In addition to being the biggest source of revenue for states like Arizona – which is blessed with spectacular scenic attractions – the travel and tourism industry is also one of the true mainstays of our entire national economy. It is one of America’s largest employers and provides local, state, and federal governments nearly $100 billion annually in tax revenues. Without such revenue, in fact, U.S. households would have to pay an additional $964 in taxes.

Unfortunately, the September 11 attacks have devastated the industry. Airline and airports were shut down for days. Most planes are less than half full. Hotels are reporting room cancellations and severely reduced occupancy rates. As many as 25 percent of conventions and meetings scheduled before the end of this year have been canceled in just the last two weeks.

Analysts predict that tourism in the United States may drop by nearly a third this year. Let’s prove them wrong. By getting out and seeing America, we can make a positive difference for our economy and for those facing job losses in various sectors – maids at hotels, engineers building airplanes, cashiers at restaurants.

The Bush administration and members of Congress are already at work on an economic stimulus package to revive the ailing economy. This is a good idea – a stimulus is badly needed to help those who have been laid off and to encourage consumers to spend again.

But we also believe that we must include legislation in any stimulus package that would directly aid the segment of the economy hit hardest by these events.

It is time for Americans to travel again.

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