USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
- Committees
- Finance Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 5, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to boost the North American travel and tourism industry by creating a dedicated USMCA working group to foster collaboration and address trade-related issues.
What it actually does
This bill directs the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to prioritize the establishment of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during the next joint review. The working group would include representatives from various U.S. federal agencies, seek input from the travel and tourism industry, and focus on enhancing competitiveness, increasing exports of services, and fostering economic growth in North America through travel and tourism.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that formalizing a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group under the USMCA will strengthen cooperation on a vital economic sector, addressing specific challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in cross-border travel. This initiative is expected to support jobs, increase services exports, and drive economic growth across the United States, Canada, and Mexico by creating a focused forum for policy coordination.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that existing bilateral or multilateral mechanisms are sufficient for addressing travel and tourism issues, and that establishing another working group could add unnecessary bureaucracy without guaranteeing substantial new benefits. Some may also argue that the USTR's resources might be better allocated to broader trade negotiations rather than a sector-specific focus, or that the economic impact of such a group is speculative.
The bill is very short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for a quick and thorough evaluation by any interested reader.
Section 1
Short Title
This section establishes the official short title of the Act as the 'USMCA Travel and Tourism Resiliency Act.' This provides a concise and recognizable name for the legislation, making it easier to reference and discuss.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that a clear and descriptive short title helps in easily identifying and communicating the purpose of the legislation to the public and other stakeholders.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the short title of a bill, as it is primarily for identification and administrative convenience.
Tradeoffs
None. This is a standard legislative practice.
Section 3
Sense of Congress on Travel and Tourism Importance
This section outlines Congress's view on the significant economic contribution of the travel and tourism industry to the United States, citing its value, job support, and status as a top services export. It highlights Canada and Mexico as crucial trading partners for U.S. tourism and asserts that a USMCA Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group would support continued industry growth and job creation.
Section 4
Establishment of USMCA Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group
This is the core operative provision, directing the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to advocate for the creation of a Travel and Tourism Trade Working Group under the USMCA during the next joint review. It specifies the working group's structure, requiring co-chairs from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with U.S. representation from various federal agencies (e.g., USTR, Commerce, State, Homeland Security). The group is mandated to seek input from the travel and tourism industry, including the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and to engage in discussions and activities to enhance competitiveness, increase services exports, and create jobs in North America. It also requires annual meetings and regular briefings to Congress.