Congressman Krishnamoorthi Introduces the Brand USA Restoration Act to Restore Funding for America’s International Tourism Marketing Program

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced the Brand USA Restoration Act, legislation to restore $80 million in federal funding for Brand USA, the nation’s public-private tourism partnership. The bill replenishes the Travel Promotion Fund to offset drastic cuts made in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which slashed Brand USA’s federal match by 80 percent. Brand USA plays a critical role in marketing the United States to international travelers, supporting millions of American jobs in the hospitality and tourism sectors. The organization is especially vital as the country prepares for global events like the America 250 celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Restoring Brand USA’s funding is about protecting American jobs and strengthening our economy,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When we attract visitors from around the world, we support American workers, small businesses, and communities in every state. This bill ensures that the United States continues to compete globally and remains a top destination for international travel.”

The legislation has been strongly endorsed by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), which represents thousands of hotel owners across the United States.

“Restoring full funding to Brand USA was a top priority at our Fall National Advocacy Conference because this is about keeping international travelers coming to the United States and protecting our members’ businesses,” said Kamalesh (KP) Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “Brand USA has generated $140 billion in economic impact and supported over 300,000 American jobs, yet recent funding cuts threaten to slow this momentum. Ensuring full funding is critical to sustaining hotel occupancy, supporting communities, and keeping America competitive in the global travel market.”

Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA President and CEO, added: “Restoring Brand USA’s full funding is exactly what we were advocating for at our Fall National Advocacy Conference. Brand USA drives millions of international travelers to the U.S., generating tens of billions in visitor spending and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. For AAHOA Members, who own over 60 percent of U.S. hotels, this funding is a major step forward—every $1 dollar for Brand USA creates $20 in visitor spending. We thank Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi for championing this effort and helping America remain fiercely competitive in the global travel market.”

The text of the Brand USA Restoration Act is available here.