American Music Tourism Act of 2025

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/617
Last Updated: July 12, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

ID: H001086

Follow the money

The bill

American Music Tourism Act of 2025

HR. 617, 119th Congress — read as touching Entertainment & Streaming.

The sponsor

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$91,470 raised

20 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

70% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Trade" section, p. 849-851 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 59.

April 28, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 - because what this country really needs is more bureaucratic meddling in the music industry.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's stated purpose is to "promote music tourism" and amend the Visit America Act to facilitate domestic and international travel to music-related attractions and events. How quaint. In reality, it's just another excuse for politicians to grandstand about supporting the arts while lining their pockets with campaign contributions from the music industry.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill makes some minor tweaks to existing law, adding a new section to the Visit America Act that requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to "identify locations and events in the United States that are important to music tourism" and facilitate travel to those destinations. Oh, wow. I bet the Assistant Secretary is just thrilled to have this exciting new responsibility.

The bill also adds a definition of "music tourism," because apparently, Congress needs to define what constitutes traveling to see live music or visit music-related attractions. One can only assume that without this clarification, Americans would be wandering aimlessly, unsure of how to experience music in their own country.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The music industry, travel and tourism boards, and local governments will all be affected by this bill. But let's be real - the real stakeholders here are the politicians who sponsored this bill and the lobbyists who wrote it for them. They're the ones who'll benefit from the campaign contributions and photo ops with musicians.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** The impact of this bill will be negligible, except perhaps to create a few more bureaucratic jobs and provide some token funding for music-related initiatives. But hey, who needs actual policy substance when you can just slap a catchy title on a bill and call it a day?

In conclusion, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025 is a perfect example of legislative malpractice - a pointless exercise in self-aggrandizement that will do nothing to address the real issues facing this country. But hey, at least our politicians can say they're "supporting the arts." Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$91,470
19 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$0
Committees
$0
Individuals
$91,470

No PAC contributions found

No organization contributions found

No committee contributions found

1
BROWN, NANCY I.
1 transaction
$6,600
2
NANCY, BROWN
1 transaction
$6,600
3
GREGORY, LUCINDA
1 transaction
$6,600
4
BANKE, BARBARA R
1 transaction
$6,600
5
MORRIS, GLENN
1 transaction
$6,600
6
TAYLOR, MARGARETTA J MISS
1 transaction
$6,600
7
WAGNER, SHARI
2 transactions
$6,600
8
EGER, MORDECHI
1 transaction
$5,000
9
BORDEAU, BRAD
1 transaction
$5,000
10
BENTZ, KAREN
1 transaction
$5,000
11
MOUNTAIN, MONICA
1 transaction
$3,600
12
STOWERS, WES
1 transaction
$3,435
13
VACIRCA, JEFF
1 transaction
$3,435
14
DOWLER, ANN
1 transaction
$3,300
15
RAY, RICHIE
1 transaction
$3,300
16
SPARKS, L DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
17
VIDRINE, ERIC
1 transaction
$3,300
18
PATEL, GOPESH
1 transaction
$3,300
19
WAGNER, JOHN
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

ID: B001300

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Mar 5, 2024
3
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 14, 2023
4
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Apr 22, 2024
5
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 19, 2023
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Dec 14, 2023
7
FISHER, CYNTHIA
PATIENTRIGHTSADVOCATE.ORG • FOUNDER
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
8
GURAL, JEFFREY R.
GFP REAL ESTATE • CHAIRMAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
9
MILLER, LOUIS
MILLER BARONDESS • ATTORNEY
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
10
TUCHIN, MICHAEL
KTBS LAW LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Dec 9, 2023

Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

ID: D000399

Top Contributors

10

1
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE OF TEXAS
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 1, 2024
2
DENNISON, ROBERT A. III
SELF-EMPLOYED • ATTORNEY
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
3
WEBER, THOMAS M
MCELROY, SULLIVAN, MILLER, & WEBER LLP • ATTORNEY
IndividualWEST LAKE HILLS, TX
$3,300
Apr 19, 2024
4
CONYNGHAM, JIM
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Jun 28, 2024
5
BARNES, BEN F.
BEN BARNES GROUP • CONSULTANT
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Apr 24, 2024
6
LOOK JAMESON, MARION
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 1, 2023
7
MOK, AMY WONG
ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER • EDUCATION
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Aug 29, 2023
8
LINEBARGER, DALE
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 18, 2023
9
VARNEY, LANA K.
KING & SPALDING • ATTORNEY
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Sep 17, 2023
10
YANCY, HOWARD CHARLES
ZYDECO DEVELOPMENT • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Aug 28, 2023

Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

ID: C001055

Top Contributors

10

1
CHUGACH ALASKA CORPORATION PAC (CAC PAC)
PACANCHORAGE, AK
$5,000
Feb 8, 2024
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jan 16, 2024
3
TUNICA-BILOXI TRIBE OF LOUISIANA
OrganizationMANSURA, LA
$2,500
Mar 29, 2024
4
CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Nov 6, 2023
5
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Jun 17, 2024
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Jun 30, 2024
7
CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$1,000
Sep 28, 2023
8
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Sep 30, 2023
9
SAMISH TYEE
OrganizationANACORTES, WA
$1,000
Aug 22, 2023
10
LOUI, STEVEN
PACIFIC MARINE AND SUPPLY COMP • CHAIRMAN
IndividualHONOLULU, HI
$5,000
Mar 22, 2024

Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

ID: N000191

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,500
Oct 13, 2024
3
YUROK TRIBE
OrganizationKLAMATH, CA
$1,000
Feb 1, 2023
4
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Jun 9, 2024
5
EKLUND, PAUL
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Oct 3, 2023
6
EKLUND, PAUL
P.N. EKLUND INTERESTS INC. • REAL ESTATE
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$6,400
Sep 30, 2023
7
KLARMAN, SETH
THE BAUPOST GROUP • CEO
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
8
GROSS, DAVID
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO • INSTRUCTOR
IndividualBOULDER, CO
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
9
WEAVER, LINDSAY
SELF • ENGINEER
IndividualPAGOSA SPRINGS, CO
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
10
BLOOM, BRADLEY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERS LLC • INVESTMENTS
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024

Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

ID: L000590

Top Contributors

10

1
EMILY'S LIST
CONDUIT TOTAL LISTED IN AGG. FIELD
PACWASHINGTON, DC
$250
Feb 13, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Jun 27, 2023
4
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$3,000
Dec 31, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 5, 2023
6
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
May 9, 2024
7
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$1,500
Jun 30, 2024
8
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$1,000
Dec 28, 2023
9
RENO SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
OrganizationRENO, NV
$1,000
Jun 21, 2024
10
BRONZE CAFE
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$550
Mar 30, 2023

Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5]

ID: L000566

Top Contributors

10

1
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Mar 5, 2024
2
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Sep 18, 2023
3
WATKINS & EAGER PLLC
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
4
SENECA COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
OrganizationTIFFIN, OH
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
5
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
6
CRAWFORD COUNTY CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION
OrganizationMARYSVILLE, OH
$500
Mar 15, 2024
7
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Jun 18, 2023
8
MURPHY, JAMES
INVENERGY LLC • PRESIDENT
IndividualBARRINGTON, IL
$3,300
Oct 20, 2024
9
TAYLOR, KENNETH
OHIO CAT • PRESIDENT/OWNER
IndividualROCKY RIVER, OH
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
10
ERGEN, CANDY MRS.
DISH NETWORK • SR ADVISOR
IndividualENGLEWOOD, CO
$3,300
Dec 25, 2023

Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]

ID: V000129

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
2
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
3
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Dec 20, 2023
4
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
7
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$3,300
May 25, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 29, 2024
9
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
OrganizationOROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 26, 2024
10
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024

Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

ID: S001201

Top Contributors

10

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Aug 3, 2024
2
SCOTTO LLC
OrganizationWOODBURY, NY
$1,650
Aug 30, 2024
3
PATROON OPERATING CO. LLC
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$1,000
May 13, 2024
4
THE KLAR ORGANIZATION
OrganizationEAST MEADOW, NY
$1,000
Aug 8, 2024
5
TERIAN, OLIVIA
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$9,400
May 2, 2024
6
TERIAN, OLIVIA
OLIVIA TERIAN ART & DESIGN • BUSINESS OWNER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Mar 8, 2024
7
MORAN, MARY
NOT EMPLOYED • RETIRED
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
8
MORAN, MARY
IndividualGREENWICH, CT
$6,600
May 2, 2024
9
FAIVUS, HARRY E.
MOUNT SINAI • PHYSICIAN
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$5,000
Oct 31, 2024
10
SOSNICK, AARON
IndividualRENO, NV
$3,392
Jun 25, 2024

Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]

ID: G000568

Top Contributors

10

1
BUNN, JAMES O.
CENTRAL COAL CO • MINING ENGINEER
IndividualBRISTOL, VA
$3,300
Dec 18, 2024
2
CHARLES, DAVID
MOOD PRODUCTS GROUP LLC • EXECUTIVE
IndividualAUSTIN, TX
$3,300
Dec 4, 2023
3
HAMER, JONATHAN S.
MASTERY CONSULTING • BUSINESS CONSULTANT
IndividualRANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
4
JOURNAY, JUSTIN
3CHI • EXECUTIVE
IndividualFISHERS, IN
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
5
PATEL, GOPESH
VLS PHARMACY INC • PHARMACIST
IndividualNEW HYDE PARK, NY
$3,300
Oct 26, 2023
6
RAY, RICHIE
RICHIE'S SPECIALTY PHARMACY • PHARMACIST
IndividualTHE WOODLANDS, TX
$3,300
Oct 27, 2023
7
RAY, RICHIE
RICHIE'S SPECIALTY PHARMACY • PHARMACIST
IndividualTHE WOODLANDS, TX
$3,300
Oct 27, 2023
8
WORLEY, JEFFREY
COLUMBIA CONSULTING • EXECUTIVE
IndividualARGYLE, TX
$3,300
Dec 6, 2023
9
BLUMENFELD, JACOB
QUEST MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC • REAL ESTATE
IndividualBALTIMORE, MD
$3,300
Feb 23, 2024
10
CRANE, DAVID
BOSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS GROUP • CONSULTANT
IndividualALEXANDRIA, VA
$3,300
Mar 6, 2024

Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

ID: A000380

Top Contributors

10

1
HOFFMAN, REID
GREYLOCK PARTNERS • VENTURE CAPITALIST
IndividualANACORTES, WA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
2
HOFFMAN, REID
GREYLOCK PARTNERS • VENTURE CAPITALIST
IndividualANACORTES, WA
$6,600
Sep 29, 2023
3
CHACE, ARNOLD
CORNISH ASSOCIATES • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualPROVIDENCE, RI
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
4
FISHER, CYNTHIA
PATIENTRIGHTSADVOCATE.ORG • FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN
IndividualPALM BEACH, FL
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
5
MOCARSKI, THADEUS
NOVACAP MANAGEMENT • INVESTOR
IndividualTIVERTON, RI
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
6
SCHOENFELDER, LUKE
ALTAMIRA HOLDING COMPANY • CHAIRMAN
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
7
LANDRY, BARRIE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
8
LAVINE, JEANNIE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
9
LAVINE, JONATHAN
BAIN CAPITAL • INVESTOR
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
10
HIRSCH, JEFFREY
STARZ • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBEVERLY HILLS, CA
$3,300
Feb 22, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 62 nodes and 35 connections (51 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $132,620

Top Donors - Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]

Showing top 19 donors by contribution amount

19 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 helped.

  • Section 2(a)(3) adds a duty to identify locations and events important to music tourism and facilitate domestic travel to them; Section 2(b)(4) adds similar duty for international travel. This promotes music festivals, concerts, venues, benefiting entertainment and streaming industries tied to live music events.

  • Promotion of music tourism may increase coverage and advertising for music events, benefiting media outlets that report on or broadcast such events.

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Trade

Moderate
Vector: 60%
Pages: 849-851AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill promotes tourism as a form of cultural and economic engagement, which aligns with Project 2025's emphasis on people-to-people exchanges and cultural outreach in trade policy, particularly with China. However, the bill does not specifically address China or the generational, non-government-directed engagement approach highlighted in the Project 2025 text."

Key themes:tourismcultural exchangeeconomic engagement

— 817 — Trade Internet memes, fashion, movies, student exchange programs, tourism, and more. China’s leaders are set in their ways, especially with Xi Jinping presumably now in power for life, but the younger generation is more open than their parents were—more individualistic and open to change. Effective outreach to the Chinese people will need the same humility that other sound trade policies require. Government-directed cultural and economic outreach risks being heavy-handed and could backfire. Everyone involved needs to know that the process is generational in scope and will not work overnight. At the very least, Washington should stay out of the way as much as possible when regular people want to contact each other across national, language, and cultural divides. Each of these many components, from tariffs to trade agreements to culture, is a small part of a larger China policy. Many are not attention-grabbing and cannot be put into sound bites. Cultural engagement is not something Washington can plan. China’s own demographic and debt problems, along with aging leadership and growing discontent over the zero-COVID policy, might even cause an internal collapse. American policy must therefore be prepared to face any contingency. CONCLUSION A conservative trade policy needs a conservative vision. America’s found- ing institutions, based on free trade and entrepreneurship, have made America the world’s leading economy and will help keep America strong through the next century. However, recent departures from those principles have hurt America’s econ- omy and weakened alliances that are necessary to contain threats from Russia and China. Reaffirming those principles through policies of openness, dynamism, and free trade will boost America’s economy, make us more resilient against crises, and remove opportunities for progressives and rent-seekers to use the levers of gov- ernment for their own purposes. Rediscovering conservative principles on trade policy and embracing America’s long history as the world’s leading commercial republic are an important part of restoring a government of, by, and for the people. AUTHOR’S NOTE: The preparation of this analysis could not have been completed without the valuable support of a small, sturdy, and principled community of trade policy experts. Among them, my colleagues at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, Ryan Young, Iain Murray, and Ivan Osorio were essential. The author alone is responsible for this report. No views herein should be attributed to any other individual or institution. — 818 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise ENDNOTES 1. Warren E. Buffett and Carol J. Loomis, “America’s Growing Trade Deficit Is Selling the Nation Out from Under Us. Here’s a Way to Fix the Problem—And We Need to Do It Now,” Fortune, November 10, 2003, https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2003/11/10/352872/index.htm (accessed February 25, 2023). 2. 2017 Annual Report to Congress of the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission, 115th Congress, 1st Session, November 2017, p. 24, https://www.uscc.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/2017_Annual_Report_to_ Congress.pdf (accessed February 25, 2023). 3. JayEtta Z. Hecker, Associate Director, International Relations and Trade Issues, National Security and International Affairs Division, U.S. Government Accountability Office, “China Trade: WTO Membership and Most-Favored-Nation Status,” Testimony before the Subcommittee on Trade, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of Representatives, GAO/T-NSIAD-98-209, June 17, 1998, p. 1, https://www.gao.gov/assets/t- nsiad-98-209.pdf (accessed February 25, 2023). 4. News release, “U.S. Trade in International Goods and Services, December and Annual 2022,” U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, February 7, 2023, https://www.bea.gov/news/2023/us- international-trade-goods-and-services-december-and-annual-2022 (accessed February 25, 2023); “Table 1. U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Exports, Imports, and Balances,” U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, last updated November 3, 2022, https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/ files/2022-11/trad-time-series-0922.xlsx (accessed February 25, 2023). 5. U.S. Department of State, “Fact Sheet: Activity at the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” January 15, 2021, https://2017-2021.state.gov/fact-sheet-activity-at-the-wuhan-institute-of-virology/index.html (accessed February 25, 2023); Interim Report, An Analysis of the Origins of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Minority Oversight Staff, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senate, October 2022, https://www.help. senate.gov/imo/media/doc/report_an_analysis_of_the_origins_of_covid-19_102722.pdf (accessed February 25, 2023). 6. Barmini Chakraborty, “China Hints at Denying Americans Life-Saving Coronavirus Drugs,” Fox News, March 13, 2020, https://www.foxnews.com/world/chinese-deny-americans-coronavirus-drugs (accessed February 25, 2023). 7. Jim Garamone, “Trump Announces New Whole-of-Government National Security Strategy,” U.S. Department of Defense, December 18, 2017, https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/1399392/ trump-announces-new-whole-of-government-national-security-strategy/ (accessed February 26, 2023). Emphasis added. 8. “Remarks by President Trump in State of the Union Address,” The White House, February 5, 2019, https:// trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-state-union-address-2/ (accessed February 25, 2023). 9. White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, The United States Reciprocal Trade Act: Estimated Job & Trade Deficit Effects, May 2019, https://www.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/RTAReport. pdf?mod=article_inline (accessed February 26, 2023); United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, “Trade Analysis Information System,” https://databank.worldbank.org/source/unctad-%5E-trade-analysis- information-system-(trains) (accessed February 26, 2023); Trefor Moss, “China to Cut Import Tariff on Autos to 15% from 25%,” The Wall Street Journal, updated May 22, 2018, https://www.wsj.com/articles/ china-to-cut-import-tariff-on-autos-to-15-from-25-1526980760 (accessed February 26, 2023); U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2019 Revision 3), https://hts.usitc.gov/view/ release?release=2019HTSAREV3 (accessed February 26, 2023). 10. This code is commonly used to determine customs duty classifications for goods internationally. 11. White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, The United States Reciprocal Trade Act: Estimated Job & Trade Deficit Effects, p. 15. 12. H.R.764, United States Reciprocal Trade Act, 116th Congress, introduced January 24, 2019, https://www. congress.gov/116/bills/hr764/BILLS-116hr764ih.pdf (accessed February 26, 2023). 13. Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll, “Monthly Harvard–Harris Poll: February 2019,” https://harvardharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HHP_Feb2019_RV_topline.pdf (accessed February 26, 2023).

Department of Labor and Related Agencies

Weak
Vector: 62%
Pages: 645-647AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on promoting music tourism and cultural heritage, while the Project 2025 labor section centers on hiring preferences, visa fraud enforcement, and international labor standards; any connection is indirect through potential job creation in the tourism sector."

Key themes:economic growthjob creationAmerican workers

— 613 — Department of Labor and Related Agencies l Congress must amend the law so that employers can again have the freedom to make hiring Americans a priority. Despite the significant advantages that preferring citizens over (work-authorized) aliens in hiring would provide to American workers, businesses, and the country at large, such a practice has been illegal since 1986.25 This makes no sense. Alternative View Some conservatives believe that the government has a duty to limit its spending in order to limit how much it takes from American families. This means that when the government spends money, it must find the most econom- ical and effective way to do so. Excessive government spending will be borne by American workers and families through reduced incomes and purchasing power. There may be good reasons to require a certain percentage of American workers on federal contracts, but those decisions should be based on economy and efficiency as opposed to arbitrary quotas. Visa Fraud. American businesses that commit visa fraud and hire illegal immi- grants should not be the beneficiaries of federal spending. But a 2020 report by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) examined the depart- ment’s process for excluding employers who commit visa fraud and abuse from federal contracts and found much to be desired. l To protect the American workforce from unscrupulous immigration lawyers, employers, and labor brokers, the department must follow the recommendations of the OIG and institute more robust investigations for suspected visa fraud and speedier debarments for those found guilty. INTERNATIONAL LABOR POLICY Leveling the International Playing Field for Workers. As recent decades of intense import competition and offshoring have made clear, American workers suffer when the U.S. opens its markets to foreign nations’ minimal labor standards and exploitative conditions. While federal law already prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor, the prohibitions are toothless without effective means of enforcement and cover only the most basic of workers’ rights. The Trump Administration and its United States Trade Representative (USTR) took unprece- dented steps to redress the issue for workers. The U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) contained the strongest and most far-reaching labor provisions of any free trade agreement (FTA), with protections and commitments to reduce labor abuses and raise wages. It also established new modes of enforcement. For future FTAs, the USTR should replicate the labor provisions of USMCA, especially the provisions to: — 614 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labor. l Protect workers’ rights to organize and participate voluntarily in a union without employer interference or discrimination. l Create a rapid-response mechanism to provide for an independent panel investigation of denial of labor rights at covered facilities. l Shift the burden of proof by presuming that an alleged violation affects trade and investment, unless otherwise demonstrated. For future authorizations of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the President should urge Congress to: l Create mechanisms for supply-chain transparency. l Institute a general prohibition on forced labor conditions. Investigate Foreign Labor Violations That Undermine American Work- ers. The United States’ embrace of globalization has exposed American workers to unfair competition from nations with cheap, abundant, and often exploited labor. American workers have, as a consequence, seen their earning power erode. While negotiating stronger trade agreements with robust labor provisions should be the primary tool with which to regulate international labor competition, the federal government can also take steps to identify the worst labor abuses and rule breakers. DOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) plays a critical role in monitor- ing and enforcing the labor provisions of U.S. trade agreements and trade preference programs as well as investigating child labor and human trafficking violations. l The next Administration should focus ILAB investigations on foreign labor violations that do the most to damage American workers’ earning power, specifically regimes that engage in child and forced labor, fail to protect workers’ organizing rights, and permit hazardous or otherwise exploitative working conditions. Alternative/Additional View. Conservatives share a belief in protecting and pro- moting American workers and their families and orienting international policies with Americans’ interests first. Some conservatives believe that the best way to put Amer- ica first is by making America more attractive. In addition to restrictions imposed on other countries, removing existing barriers to American manufacturing, employ- ment, and commerce can help American workers, entrepreneurs, and families.

Department of Labor and Related Agencies

Weak
Vector: 59%
Pages: 645-647AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on promoting music tourism and related economic benefits, while the Project 2025 excerpt centers on labor immigration policies (H-2A/H-2B visas, hiring preferences, visa fraud). Any alignment is indirect, limited to the potential seasonal employment effects of tourism growth."

Key themes:tourismseasonal employmenteconomic growth

— 612 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise Alternative View. Some conservatives believe that temporary worker programs help to fill jobs that Americans will not fill, prevent illegal immigration by giving farmers and others who hire low-skilled labor access to workers, and keep down the prices of food and other products and services produced by the temporary workers. Some credibly argue that, absent the H-2A program, many farmers would have to drastically increase wages, raising the price of food for all Americans, and that even such wage increases may not be sufficient to attract enough temporary American workers to complete the necessary farm tasks to get food products to market since those jobs are, by their nature, seasonal. Those who share this view argue that any plan to phase out the program should weigh the program’s current costs (relatively low) and the program’s current benefits (makes American farming more profitable and sustainable while keeping down food costs). l Phase out the H-2B visa program. The H-2B visa, for nonagricultural seasonal workers, suffers from many of the same harms and abuses as H-2A, albeit of lesser scope because of its cap and distribution across many sectors. Congress should immediately cap this program at its current levels and establish a schedule for its gradual and predictable phasedown over no more than 10 years. Alternative View. As with the H-2A program, some conservatives see the H-2B program as a valuable program that provides low-cost temporary workers in jobs that American companies, by and large, cannot find enough American workers to fill (e.g., tourist season childcare providers at ski resorts, swimming instructors at summer camps, housekeepers and groundskeepers at amusement parks, and extra summer cooks at restaurants that serve national park patrons).These seasonal jobs are less desirable to Americans who predominantly prefer year-round work. Labor shortages after the pandemic support this belief. Absent the H-2B program, many of these seasonal businesses would be forced to cut their hours or even close altogether. Any plan to phase out the program should weigh the program's current costs (relatively low) and the program’s current benefits (makes seasonal business more feasible). Hire American Requirements. When government purchases goods or ser- vices, if at all possible, not only should the company be an American company and the products be manufactured in America, but the companies should also be encouraged to hire American workers. Likewise, private employers should be free to prefer our own countrymen. l Congress should mandate that all new federal contracts require at least 70 percent of the contractor’s employees to be U.S. citizens, with the percentage increasing to at least 95 percent over a 10-year period. — 613 — Department of Labor and Related Agencies l Congress must amend the law so that employers can again have the freedom to make hiring Americans a priority. Despite the significant advantages that preferring citizens over (work-authorized) aliens in hiring would provide to American workers, businesses, and the country at large, such a practice has been illegal since 1986.25 This makes no sense. Alternative View Some conservatives believe that the government has a duty to limit its spending in order to limit how much it takes from American families. This means that when the government spends money, it must find the most econom- ical and effective way to do so. Excessive government spending will be borne by American workers and families through reduced incomes and purchasing power. There may be good reasons to require a certain percentage of American workers on federal contracts, but those decisions should be based on economy and efficiency as opposed to arbitrary quotas. Visa Fraud. American businesses that commit visa fraud and hire illegal immi- grants should not be the beneficiaries of federal spending. But a 2020 report by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) examined the depart- ment’s process for excluding employers who commit visa fraud and abuse from federal contracts and found much to be desired. l To protect the American workforce from unscrupulous immigration lawyers, employers, and labor brokers, the department must follow the recommendations of the OIG and institute more robust investigations for suspected visa fraud and speedier debarments for those found guilty. INTERNATIONAL LABOR POLICY Leveling the International Playing Field for Workers. As recent decades of intense import competition and offshoring have made clear, American workers suffer when the U.S. opens its markets to foreign nations’ minimal labor standards and exploitative conditions. While federal law already prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor, the prohibitions are toothless without effective means of enforcement and cover only the most basic of workers’ rights. The Trump Administration and its United States Trade Representative (USTR) took unprece- dented steps to redress the issue for workers. The U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) contained the strongest and most far-reaching labor provisions of any free trade agreement (FTA), with protections and commitments to reduce labor abuses and raise wages. It also established new modes of enforcement. For future FTAs, the USTR should replicate the labor provisions of USMCA, especially the provisions to:

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text

Related Bills