Sunshine Matters

Visa reform is a quick way back to new jobs through increased visitation and economic development from international markets.  These reforms will have significant positive impact on Florida’s tourism industry.  I urge you to read the alert below from the Power of Travel Coalition and support the cause as directed.

Urgent Action: Contact Congress to Support Visa Reform
in the State Department Funding Bill

The clock is ticking! While Congress decides how to keep the federal government funded through 2012, we need your help to ensure that important reforms to our visa system are included in any final spending bill.  In September, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2012 State Department funding bill (S. 1601), which includes reforms that make the U.S. visa system more efficient.  Now, both the full House and Senate must approve this bill before it becomes law.

TAKE ACTION NOW

WHAT YOU CAN DO: As both Chambers negotiate the final FY2012 federal government funding bills, we need you to email or call your Representative and Senators and urge them to ensure that these visa reforms are included in the final package. Visit travelcoalition.org to find your legislators’ contact info. Then forward this alert to your networks and urge them to take action!

Learn more.

Call Script

**Introduce yourself and state where you are from.

I am calling to urge Representative/Senator ___ to support the visa reform provisions in the FY2012 State Department funding bill as passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and ensure their inclusion in any final State Department funding bill passed this year by Congress.

Increasing travel to the United States is the most effective form of economic stimulus, but for far too long the U.S. visa system has stood as a barrier for travel to the U.S.

The travel industry can create more than one million jobs if the visa system is reformed and the barriers to international visitation are reduced.

Important reforms to the U.S. visa system were included in Section 7079 of the Fiscal Year 2012 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill (S. 1601) that was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The proposed changes in S. 1601 will improve efficiency of the U.S. visa process for legitimate international visitors while at the same time maintaining – and in some cases increasing – security.

I urge Senator/Representative X to support the visa provisions in Section 7079 of S. 1601 and ensure their inclusion in any final State Department funding bill passed this year by Congress.

Thank you.