Category: Tourism

Roundtable, Industry Coalition Voice Concerns That “Enhanced Vetting” Proposal Could Dampen Economy by Deterring International Visitors to U.S.

Posted on by Trey Jackson

A multi-industry travel and tourism coalition that includes The Real Estate Roundtable submitted formal comments on May 29 urging the State Department to withdraw an “enhanced vetting” proposal for visitors traveling to the U.S. – a dramatic expansion of information collection that could further reduce the downward trend of in-bound tourism and its significant economic benefits.  The Roundtable is also part of the  VisitUS Coalition , which expressed concerns about the proposal in April.  [Roundtable Weekly, April 13, 2018.] 

A multi-industry travel and tourism coalition that includes The Real Estate Roundtable submitted  formal comments  on May 29 urging the State Department to withdraw an  “enhanced vetting” proposal  for visitors traveling to the U.S . 

The business coalition concerns submitted this week addressed: 

  • The “highly competitive” global market to capture foreign travelers “is sensitive to new and evolving security protocols.”  The comments also address the department’s proposal to require all visitors seeking a U.S. visa – about 15 million applicants each year – to provide extensive information on social media use, history of international travel, and other matters.  Currently, only a much smaller subset of visa applicants identified as presenting a “threat profile” to national security must answer these questions. 
  • “New requirements that make it more challenging to obtain U.S. visas can affect the willingness and interest of international travelers to visit the United States rather than other countries,” the coalition wrote.  “Safeguarding national security and growing the U.S. economy by encouraging international visitors are compatible, significant objectives. America can be both the most secure and the most visited country in the world.”     
  • Noting that the U.S. has attracted 7.4 million fewer overseas travelers in 2016-2017 – with corollary declines in visitor spending at American hotels, resorts, stores and attraction properties – the coalition urged the State Department to re-think its “enhanced vetting” proposal.  
  • The comments also explained that the dip in the U.S. share of the global travel market hinders the Trump Administration’s foreign trade goals.  “Money spent here by foreign travelers counts as an export for the United States; indeed, international travel is our country’s largest export of services accounting for $245 billion in total travel exports, and the second largest of any economic sector,” the coalition wrote.  

Roundtable Panel on Enhancing International Travel and Tourism

  • The Trump Administration also announced this week that it will begin limiting the length of validity for some visas issued to Chinese citizens, starting June 11.  (Bloomberg, May 29) 
  • To address policies that may encourage or discourage in-bound travel to the U.S.– as well as the impact of  the travel and tourism market on CRE – The Roundtable will host a panel discussion during its June 14 Annual Meeting. 

The American Hotel & Lodging Association and the U.S. Travel Association lead the multi-industry VisitUS coalition, which also includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association.  (VisitU.S. Policy Agenda, Roundtable Weekly, March 2)

Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act Aims to Encourage Tourism to the U.S. and Bolster Job Creation

Posted on by Trey Jackson

Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Tom Rice (R-SC) reintroduced the bipartisan Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2019 (H.R. 2187) on April 9 to improve national security, increase international tourism, create jobs and reform visa laws. 

The Visit U.S. Coalition endorsed the introduction of the JOLT Act last year and again this month on its reintroduction. (Roundtable Weekly, July 27, 2018 and Visit U.S., April 9)  The coalition, led by the U.S. Travel Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, includes The Real Estate Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association.  

The Visit U.S. Coalition endorsed the introduction of the JOLT Act last year and again this month on its reintroduction. (Roundtable Weekly, July 27, 2018 and Visit U.S., April 9)  The coalition, led by the U.S. Travel Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, includes The Real Estate Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association.   

The JOLT Act proposes to: 

  • Strengthen visa processing by setting timely goals for applicants; 
  • Create a pilot program at the State Department to utilize videoconferencing technology for applicants who lack easy access to U.S. embassies;
  • Rename the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) the Secure Travel Partnership to more accurately reflect the realities of security and travel facilitation within the program;””
  • Modify the VWP to prevent overstays, and increase the ability of secure countries to participate;
  • Increase the ability of Canadians to stay up to 240 days per year;
  • Improve coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. 

“Welcoming international travelers to American shores has undeniable benefits – from boosting the economy with spending at hotels, restaurants, and retail stores, to showing the world what makes America great,” said Visit U.S. Coalition spokesperson Andrea Riccio.   According to the coalition, each overseas traveler spends approximately $4,200 when they visit the U.S., directly supporting 1.2 million jobs and $33.7 billion in wages.  (Visit U.S. news release, April 9) 

A panel discussion at last year’s Annual Roundtable Meeting focused on travel and tourism, economic growth and commercial real estate.  Participants included Roger Dow, President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association; Katherine Lugar, (former) President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association; Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Anthony E. Malkin  (Chairman and CEO, Empire State Realty Trust).  (Roundtable Weekly, June 15, 2018)

Trump 2016 Campaign Advisor: Boost Foreign Tourism to Lower the Trade Deficit

Posted on by Trey Jackson

Club for Growth founder and economic advisor to the Trump 2016 campaign, Stephen Moore, writes in an August 15 op-ed that boosting foreign tourism to the United States will increase economic growth and lower the trade deficit — a view shared by the VisitU.S. Coalition.  (Boston Herald, Aug. 15)

The economic importance of foreign travel and tourism to the United States’ economy and commercial real estate industry was the focus of a panel discussion during The Roundtable’s 2018 Annual Meeting in June. 
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  • Moore notes in his commentary, “Washington is ignoring one easy way to trim the trade deficit without new tariff threats or complicated trade deals that could take years to consummate.  Get more foreigners to travel to the United States and buy things here. Recently, I met with officials from the Visit U.S. Coalition – which is made up of owners of businesses such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, amusement parks and shopping centers – and they alerted me to this lost opportunity.”
  • Led by the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA), the VisitU.S. Coalition includes The Real Estate Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association.  The multi-industry coalition aims to safely and securely welcome more overseas visitors, who stay an average of 18 nights and spend an estimated $4,360 at U.S. hotels, stores, restaurants and attraction properties.
  • Moore also comments in his op-ed: “Prior to 9/11, the U.S. was the destination for about 1 in 6 international trips, but now we are the destination for about 1 in 8.  The travel industry economists calculate that this decline has reduced foreign purchases of American goods and services by some $32 billion. They estimate about 100,000 fewer jobs have been created as a result of fewer tourists arriving from abroad.”  
  • To address the drop of 7.4 million international visitors to America from 2015-2017, the VisitU.S. coalition encourages policies to help the nation regain its lost share of the global travel market by 2020 and help achieve the Administration’s economic goals. (Roundtable Weekly, Jan. 19 and  Feb. 9)  

    VisitU.S. Coalition video on the State of International Travel. 
  • Specifically, the coalition is urging Congress to reauthorize the Brand USA program — the nation’s first public-private partnership that markets the U.S. as a premier travel destination and communicates U.S. visa and entry policies.  “The travel industry itself needs to do a better and more comprehensive job marketing America and our natural and man-made wonders,” Moore noted in his editorial.   
  • Entry fees on foreign visitors – not federal taxpayer dollars – support Brand USA.  An FY2017 return on investment analysis showed each dollar of Brand USA marketing generated almost 28 dollars in visitor spending.  Brand USA is also estimated to have produced 486 million dollars in federal tax revenue, and another $526 million  in state and local tax revenue.  

Travel and tourism policies to boost economic growth were addressed in a panel discussion during The Real Estate Roundtable’s June 14 Annual Meeting.  Participants included USTA’s Roger Dow, AH&LA’s Katherine Lugar, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Anthony E. Malkin (Chairman and CEO, Empire State Realty Trust).  (Roundtable Weekly, June 15, 2018.)

 

Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act Introduced to Spur International Tourism and Job Creation Issues

Posted on by Trey Jackson

In a bipartisan effort to spur tourism to the U.S., create jobs, reform outdated visa laws and increase national security, Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Tom Rice (R-SC) yesterday introduced the Jobs Originating through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2018.

“By improving the visa process, strengthening national security, and welcoming vetted travelers, the U.S. will be able to realize economic benefits at hotels, restaurants, retail store, and attractions around the country,” said VisitU.S. Coalition spokesman Amos Snead.  (VisitU.S. News Release, July 26)

  • Rep. Quigley said, “By updating outdated visa laws, we can drive tourism and job growth in our cities and assist the U.S. intelligence community with their mission to spot and stop terrorist threats. The JOLT Act accomplishes both of those objectives by stimulating economic activity and improving national security.”
  • Rep. Rice added, “The JOLT Act will enhance our economic competitiveness and strengthen national security by modernizing the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which facilitates streamlined travel into the United States for pre-approved travelers from member countries.”
  • In 2016, 22 million people traveled to the U.S. from VWP countries, accounting for 59% of overseas arrivals to the U.S.  Travelers from these countries generated more than $90 billion for the U.S. economy.  (Rep. Quigley News Release, July 26)
  • The VisitU.S. Coalition applauded introduction of the Act. Coalition spokesman Amos Snead commented, “By improving the visa process, strengthening national security, and welcoming vetted travelers, the U.S. will be able to realize economic benefits at hotels, restaurants, retail store, and attractions around the country,” said VisitU.S. Coalition spokesman Amos Snead.  (VisitU.S. News Release, July 26)
  • Led by the U.S. Travel Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the VisitU.S. coalition  also includes The Real Estate Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association. 
  • The coalition is also urging Congress to reauthorize the Brand USA program, which is funded through fees on foreign visitors who do not require a visa when entering the U.S.  Legislation is needed to authorize the program beyond 2020 – and ensure that visitor fees authorized for collection from 2021 to 2027 will not be diverted to the Treasury Department, as currently scheduled. (Roundtable Weekly, June 29)

A panel discussion at The Roundtable’s June 14 Annual Meeting focused on travel and tourism, economic growth and CRE.  Participants included Roger Dow, President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association; Katherine Lugar, President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association; Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Anthony E. Malkin  (Chairman and CEO, Empire State Realty Trust).  (Roundtable Weekly, June 15, 2018.)

“VisitU.S.” Advocates Reauthorization of Brand USA Travel and Tourism Program; Improving Efficiency of Visa Application Process

Posted on by Trey Jackson

The significant, positive role of international travel and tourism in boosting the U.S. economy, creating American jobs and helping the foreign trade imbalance was the focus of efforts by the VisitU.S. Coalition this week on Capitol Hill. 

A VisitU.S.  coalition video with CEO testimonials  was released to address the drop of 7.4 million international visitors to America from 2015-2017.   Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, above.

  • Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey D. DeBoer joined coalition CEOs on Wednesday in Congressional meetings. The following day, a coalition video with CEO testimonials was released to address the drop of 7.4 million international visitors to America from 2015-2017.  While foreign travel has increased globally, the U.S.’s reduced market share translates to 32 billion dollars in lost spending and 100,000 fewer jobs in this country. The drop in foreign visitation also widens the foreign trade imbalance, as spending by international visitors is the U.S.’s top service export accounting for 245 billion dollars in total travel exports in 2017.  (Roundtable Weekly, June 8, 2018.)
  • Wyndham Hotel Group President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said, “We have had five or six great years of record growth in terms of international inbounds but the share that we are capturing is continuing to slip and that’s what we are all very focused on – maintaining that great market share.” (VisitU.S. video, June 28) 
  • The coalition is urging Congress to reauthorize the Brand USAprogram, which is not supported by taxpayer dollars, but through fees on foreign visitors who do not require a visa when entering the U.S.  Legislation is needed to authorize the program beyond 2020 — and ensure that visitor fees authorized for collection from 2021 to 2027 will not be diverted to the Treasury Department, as currently scheduled.  
  • An FY2017 return on investment analysis showed each dollar of Brand USA marketing generated almost 28 dollars in visitor spending.  Moreover, Brand USA-generated international visitor spending is estimated to have produced 486 million dollars in federal tax revenue, and another 526 million dollars in state and local tax revenue.  

    The economic importance of foreign travel and tourism to the United States’ economy and commercial real estate industry was the focus of a panel discussion during The Roundtable’s 2018 Annual Meeting this month. 
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  • “Robust international travel helps to power the U.S. commercial real estate markets, not only hospitality properties but retail, attraction, health and investment properties as well,” said DeBoer. “National tourism policies that boost overall economic growth, support and create jobs, and generate revenues help modernize our infrastructure, and generally improve the quality of life in our communities. The Real Estate Roundtable will continue our work with the VisitU.S. Coalition to emphasize that America is a uniquely welcoming, interesting and safe travel destination for international visitors,” DeBoer added.
  • The meetings on Capitol Hill also focused on the need to improve the visa application process for foreign visitors.  Other CEOs joining DeBoer in Wednesday’s congressional visits were Roger Dow with the U.S. Travel Association; Katherine Lugar with the American Hotel & Lodging Association;  Robert Cresanti with the International Franchise Association; Chip Rogers with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association; and Steve Shur with Travel Tech.   

A panel discussion at The Roundtable’s June 14 Annual Meeting focused on the travel and tourism issue.  Participants included USTA’s Roger Dow, AH&LA’s Katherine Lugar, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Anthony E. Malkin  (Chairman and CEO, Empire State Realty Trust).  (Roundtable Weekly, June 15, 2018.)

Trump Administration Proposes Increased Vetting of Foreign Tourists; Visit U.S. Coalition Encourages International Travel as Key to Domestic Growth

Posted on by Trey Jackson

The State Department recently announced a proposal to require visa applicants to provide further extensive information on their social media presence, email addresses, and work histories when applying to travel to America.  Inbound tourists, business and convention travelers, students, and other non-immigrants would be subject to such “extreme vetting” policies proposed by the Trump Administration, along with immigrants seeking permanent U.S. residency.    

The Visit U.S. Coalition released “ America is Open for Business ,” a video highlighting international travel as a key driver of the health of America’s economy.

This newly proposed screening requirements would have affected nearly 15 million travelers last year alone from key long-haul markets such as China, India, Mexico and other nations that do not participate in the visa waiver program (VWP) with the U.S.  ( Visit U.S. Coalition, April 11.)  The new proposal would not affect travelers from countries granted visa-free travel status to the U.S. including most of Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan.

Under the proposed new requirements, U.S. visa applicants would be required to submit five years’ worth of personal information regarding telephone numbers, email addresses and details about their social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.  Fifteen years’ worth of physical address, employment, and foreign travel history would also be required.  (See State Department Form 5535.)  Currently, such information is only requested on a case-by-case basis when particular visa applications are flagged to warrant additional scrutiny due to terrorism or national security-related concerns.  The new proposal would require the additional information as a matter of course to supplement the already-exhaustive online visa form that tourists and other non-immigrants must currently submit when seeking U.S. entry.

“We should be encouraging international tourism and promoting policies that not only make the visa system more secure and accessible, but also streamline the process,” said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, President and CEO of The Real Estate Roundtable. “Increasing inbound international travel to the U.S. helps power the commercial real estate industry here at home through spending at hospitality, retail, attraction, health, and investment properties – all of which generate revenues to boost overall economic growth and create American jobs.”

Last month, the multi-industry Visit U.S. Coalition (which includes The Roundtable) released its policy agendaaimed at promoting and increasing inbound international travel to the United States. The coalition advocates for policies to regain the nation’s lost share of the global travel market by 2020, which will result in 88 million international visitors who directly support 1.3 million U.S. jobs and spend 294 billion dollars in travel exports – crucial to achieving the Administration’s economic goals. (Roundtable Weekly, March 2)

Following the State Department’s announcement of further intense screening for foreign inbound travelers, on Wednesday the Visit U.S. Coalition released “America is Open for Business,” a video highlighting international travel as a key driver of the health of America’s economy.

The State Department will be accepting public comments on the proposed enhanced vetting requirements until May 29.

“Visit U.S. Coalition” Unveils Policy Goals to Encourage Foreign Tourism and Boost Job Growth

Posted on by Trey Jackson

The multi-industry Visit U.S. Coalition (which includes The Real Estate Roundtable) on Wednesday released its policy agenda aimed at promoting and increasing inbound international travel to the United States. (VisitU.S.Policy Agenda, Feb. 28)

The multi-industry Visit U.S. Coalition  (which includes The Real Estate Roundtable) on Wednesday released its policy agenda aimed at promoting and increasing inbound international travel to the United States. ( VisitU.S. Policy Agenda , Feb. 28)  

The coalition advocates for policies that urge the Trump Administration and Congress to regain the nation’s lost share of the global travel market by 2020, which will result in 88 million international visitors who directly support 1.3 million U.S. jobs and $294 billion in travel exports – crucial to achieving the Administration’s economic goals. (Roundtable Weekly, Jan. 19 and Feb. 9)
 
“Robust international travel helps to power the U.S. commercial real estate markets, not only hospitality properties but retail, attraction, health and investment properties as well,” said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, President and CEO of The Real Estate Roundtable.  “We look forward to continuing to work to emphasize that America is a uniquely welcoming, interesting and safe travel destination for international visitors.  Positive national tourism policies boost overall economic growth, support and create jobs, generate revenues to help modernize our infrastructure, and generally improve the quality of life in our communities,” DeBoer added.
 
The coalition aims to safely and securely welcome more overseas travelers to the U.S. – who stay an average of 18 nights and spend approximately $4,360 at hotels, stores, restaurants and attraction properties on business and leisure trips. The coalition’s agenda encourages federal policy makers to:

  • Embrace International Travel to the U.S. as a National Priority
  • Expand Intelligence Sharing and Streamline the Travel Entry Process
  • Make America’s Visa System More Secure and Accessible to International Travelers
  • Increase Security and Efficiency in America’s Travel Screening Systems at U.S Ports of Entry

Led by the U.S. Travel Association and the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the coalition also includes the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Resort Development Association.

International Visitor Spending in the U.S. Drops; “Visit U.S.” Coalition Aims to Spur Tourism and Economic Growth

Posted on by Trey Jackson

Spending by international travelers to the U.S. decreased 3.1 percent over the past year, the second consecutive annual drop in 15 years, according to Department of Commerce data released Tuesday.  (U.S. Travel Association, Feb. 7)

Travel Exports vs. All Other Exports  
(U.S. Travel Association)

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As the U.S. hospitality sector is a vital component of the commercial real estate industry – providing significant capital investment, opportunities and infrastructure improvements in local communities throughout the country – The Real Estate Roundtable recently joined 12 other national trade organizations as a member of the “Visit U.S.” Coalition to work with policymakers in reversing the decline. (Roundtable Weekly, Jan. 19).  

The two-year fall-off in international visitor spending confirmed by Commerce data also tracks America’s loss in long-haul market share – a decrease from 13.6 percent in 2015 to 11.9 percent in 2017.  Overall travel volume increased 7.9 percent in the same period – meaning that foreign travelers are opting to visit other countries than the US and spending their money elsewhere. (U.S. Travel Association, Travel Exports vs. All Other Exports, Feb. 2)

“The slide (in international travel to the U.S.) has deprived our economy of an estimated $32 billion in additional spending and 100,000 additional jobs.”

 U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow     

“We are certainly concerned about the statistics,” said Craig Kalkut, vice president of government affairs at the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) – a founding member of the Visit U.S. coalition.  Kalkut added, “It’s important for the hotel industry but also the businesses that surround [and occupy] hotels and the economy overall, so it’s time to take some action.” (Commercial Observer, Feb. 8)

USTA President and CEO Roger Dow stated, “International inbound travel is America’s No. 2 export overall; directly supports more than a million American jobs; and brings in $245 billion a year to our economy. But the U.S. share of the growing global long-haul travel market has been eroding since before the start of the Trump administration … That slide has deprived our economy of an estimated $32 billion in additional spending and 100,000 additional jobs. The good news? The problem is fixable, through balanced messaging and sound policymaking.”  (USTA, International Visitors Are Crucial to President Trump’s Priorities, Feb. 7)

In the coming weeks, Visit U.S. will advance policy recommendations that support its shared objectives with the Trump administration. (Visit U.S., Jan. 16)

The Roundtable Joins “Visit U.S.” Coalition to Spur International Tourism, Domestic Job Creation and Economic Growth

Posted on by Trey Jackson

The Real Estate Roundtable joined 10 national trade organizations as a member of the “Visit U.S.” Coalition, which launched on Wednesday with the goals of spurring job creation and economic growth while reversing a decline in international visitors to the United States.  (Visit U.S., Jan. 16).

According to the U.S. Travel Association, global travel volume to the United States from 2015 to 2017 fell from 13.6 percent to 11.9 percent — the first decline after more than a decade of consistent growth.  The statistics also show that if the U.S. had maintained its 2015 international travel market share, its economy would have gained an additional 4 million international visitors, $32.2 billion in spending and 100,000 jobs. 

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The coalition represents a broad cross-section of industries that have come together to address the recent drop in travel to the U.S. and resulting opportunity cost to the economy and jobs.  According to the U.S. Travel Association, global travel volume to the United States from 2015 to 2017 fell from 13.6 percent to 11.9 percent — the first decline after more than a decade of consistent growth.  The statistics also show that if the U.S. had maintained its 2015 international travel market share, its economy would have gained an additional 4 million international visitors, $32.2 billion in spending and 100,000 jobs. 

“As a vital component of the commercial real estate industry, the U.S. hospitality sector provides significant capital investment, creates enormous job opportunities and encourages infrastructure improvements in local communities throughout the country,” said Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer.  “CRE is the provider of secure spaces where people live and play in the United States, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the Trump Administration and our coalition partners to encourage a positive uptick in international tourism to our cities, towns, destinations and attractions,” added DeBoer. 

Roundtable members were recently briefed on the drop in foreign travel to the United States and the economic ramifications by Katherine Lugar, president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) — the largest trade association representing the U.S. lodging industry.  (Roundtable Weekly, Oct. 6, 2017) 

AHLA, a founding member of Visit U.S., supports policy initiatives such as reforms that enable safe and secure processing of visitor visas to strengthen business and leisure travel — as well as the H-2B program to provide valuable support for businesses looking to supplement their workforce with temporary seasonal employees when American workers are unavailable. 

During the travel coalition’s launch this week, Lugar said, “Fewer visitors means fewer hotel stays, fewer meals eaten in our restaurants, fewer goods purchased in our retail stores, and fewer visits to our national attractions. It also means fewer American jobs and a loss to our economy. We are committed to working together with the Administration to balance a welcome message with strong security to ensure we don’t fall behind to other countries.” 

U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow, another founding member of Visit U.S., added, “America is the best country in the world to visit, but we’re losing the competition for international travelers and the dollars they spend when they come here.  The Visit U.S. Coalition is founded on the principle that we can have strong security but at the same time welcome robust numbers of international business and leisure travelers. We can do both.” 

Left to Right: Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer,   American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO  Katherine Lugar , and Roundtable Chairman William C. Rudin (  Rudin Management Company, Inc  .)

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“The U.S. economy is on the upswing, but we can grow even more by encouraging more travel to America,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue, also part of the coalition. “Travel creates jobs and economic activity across a swath of industries and sectors as people visit the U.S. and spend their time and money with American businesses. The Chamber is proud to join with our partners in the business community to make the case for a renewed focus on travel as a driver of economic growth and American prosperity.”

Media coverage regarding the coalition’s launch includes: