U.S. Travel Association commends Congress for avoiding Government shutdown

WASHINGTON – U.S. Travel Association commends Congress for its bipartisan effort to pass a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the federal government open and funded through December 20. This crucial action prevented a government shutdown that would have cost the U.S. travel economy an estimated $140 million per day.

U.S. Travel Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes released the following statement:

“We appreciate Congress’ important steps to avoid a shutdown, but the country simply cannot afford the uncertainty of temporary funding resolutions. As we look beyond the November elections, Congress must prioritize passing full-year appropriations that address what so many traveling Americans deserve: investments in modernizing the air travel system, adequate staffing for Air Traffic Controllers and additional funding for both U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Voters expect – and deserve – a fully functioning government and a system that works.”

A federal government shutdown is estimated to cost the U.S. travel economy as much as $140 million a day, according to new analysis for the U.S. Travel Association – underscoring the dire consequences of Congress failing to pass a short-term extension by September 30.  “Each day that passes will cost the travel economy $140 million, an unacceptable prospect that Congress must avoid before the clock runs out and the damages mount,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “The federal government is already failing the traveler – a shutdown would be further proof of Washington’s inability to find reasonable solutions to problems that affect Americans nationwide.”

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation’s economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States.

The article U.S. Travel Association commends Congress for avoiding Government shutdown first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.