VISIT USA Act
Term Dictionary
If you come across any unfamiliar words while reading, these resources can help make everything clearer. Pick whichever one works best for you!
- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
- Transfers $160 million in existing visitor fees to Brand USA, the agency that advertises the U.S. as a travel destination to people abroad.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: hotels, airlines, theme parks, restaurants, and tourism workers in cities relying on foreign visitors.
- Loses: critics who want those visa fees spent on border processing or returned to general Treasury funds.
What it does
- Orders the Treasury to move the funds within 30 days of enactment.
- Pulls money from Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees collected before October 1, 2025.
- Waives the normal annual transfer cap in the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.
- Keeps the existing rule that Brand USA must match federal dollars with private industry contributions.
Why should I care?
Supporters say international tourism dropped sharply and the U.S. loses billions when travelers pick other countries; ads abroad bring jobs home. Critics argue Brand USA is corporate welfare and visa fees should fund immigration services instead. Tourism jobs are often the first jobs teens get. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.