Congress, President Recognize Lodging Industry Priorities
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008. President Bush signed into law today legislation that would help restore the original intent of the American with Disabilities Act, while the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed one of the top legislative priorities of AH&LA, the Tourism Promotion Act.
"Both of these actions are significant steps forward for the American lodging industry," from Marlene Colucci, AH&LA executive vice president for public policy. "Both pieces of legislation help define and adjust the government's policies taken in light of external necessities. I urge the Senate to take up the Tourism Promotion Act as an effective measure to help boost the nation's economy in a time when decisive action is needed."
The ADA Amendments Act (H.R. 3195) restores common-sense employment protections to the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill restores the definition of a covered disability, which recent U.S. Supreme Court cases had begun to narrow despite the original intentions of the landmark 1990 ADA law. President Bush supported the legislation and signed it into law today (Public Law 110-325).
The House's late Thursday evening passage of the Tourist Promotion Act (H.R. 3232) by voice vote is a significant step toward boosting the faltering American economy by increasing tourism from overseas. This bill will create thousands of new American jobs and bring billions of dollars of additional revenue into the country through new international visitors. Negotiations with key Senators are ongoing to bring the legislation up for a vote before the Senate adjourns as early as this weekend.
Tourism to the U.S. declined after the September 2001 attacks, costing American businesses $140 billion in lost spending and the absence of 46 million potential international visitors. The decline in tourism also cost the government $23 billion in lost tax receipts.
"The Tourism Promotion Act will be instrumental in our nation's efforts to welcome more international visitors to America's hotels and lodges," said Colucci.
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