American Music Tourism Act of 2025

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act.

Madam Speaker, I know Republicans want to pretend like it is business as usual around here, but the daily chaos and illegal activity that we are seeing from the Trump administration is not business as usual.

The reality is that 15 of the 16 bills we are considering today from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, including this one, should already be law. They were already agreed to last year as part of a bipartisan, bicameral legislative package that was set to be passed and signed into law in December before Elon Musk intervened and killed the agreement.

That package included important provisions that would have lowered costs for hardworking Americans, but instead of passing it and sending it to the President's desk to be signed into law, my Republican colleagues allowed Elon Musk to decide what becomes law.

What is especially upsetting about this is that my Republican colleagues know this was a good agreement that would have helped people. It included provisions to lower prescription drug prices, crack down on junk fees, lower gas prices, ensure our water is safe to drink, and fund community health centers and teaching health centers. Instead, Speaker Johnson chose to cave to Elon Musk.

Though it may be delayed, I am pleased to be supporting the passage today of the American Music Tourism Act. Americans are fortunate to have a rich musical heritage. Throughout the United States, you can find countless venues where talented musicians perform. These venues attract millions of people from around the country and the world who want to see their favorite artists or visit the place where famous musicians have launched their careers, all of which contribute significantly to our local communities.

Music and musical venues are very important to my district in New Jersey. Asbury Park has been the home of the legendary Stone Pony for over 50 years, one of the places where New Jersey's famous son, Bruce Springsteen, got his start. Redbank, New Jersey, is the site of the Count Basie Theatre named in honor of William ``Count'' Basie, who revolutionized jazz music and whose legacy continues through the theater, which continues to support and inspire new generations of local musicians.

This is why I am pleased to support the American Music Tourism Act. This bill would direct the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international travel and tourism to U.S. venues like The Stone Pony and the Count Basie Theatre. It will help expand the already significant economic contributions that these venues bring to our local and national economies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Barragan for her leadership on this issue and encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

These bills, for the most part, that we are going to be considering today were part of that original package that Elon Musk negated, but we are going to try to move those bills today despite what he did to try to scuttle everything.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill, as I said, was part of that bipartisan package that we had hoped would be passed last December but for Elon Musk.

This bill is important. I know that back in Asbury Park, in particular, they will be very happy to know that our Congress is paying so much attention to American music tourism.

Mr. Speaker, I ask for support on both sides of the aisle for the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Chairman Gus Bilirakis, who I affectionately call Gus, and Ranking Member Pallone for supporting this act.

We have the opportunity today to vote on legislation centered around something that brings us all together, and that is music. Today, we will take the American Music Tourism Act under consideration. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation that I am proud to have led through the House alongside my co-lead, Representative Nanette Barragan.

It will require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to develop a plan to boost music tourism, welcoming both domestic and international visitors to experience the rich musical heritage we have across America.

It also ensures that Congress stays informed, with regular reports on our progress, our success, and any challenges that we face.

Importantly, let me emphasize this bill will not require any additional taxpayer dollars. It is a smart, efficient, and unique way to support our economy without increasing spending.

Whether it is New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz; Seattle, where they rock out to grunge; the cradles of hip hop, which are L.A. and New York; or Austin, which proudly calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, our Nation is overflowing with the rich history of music.

For those of us in Tennessee's First District, which I represent, this bill is especially personal. We are home to

treasures like Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, the home of Dolly Parton, and the Birthplace of Country Music, which is in Bristol, Tennessee--places that just don't celebrate our culture but also drive tourism, create jobs, and strengthen our communities. I can't forget a little town in my district called Sneedville, Tennessee, and that is the home of Morgan Wallen. My favorite song is ``The Way I Talk.'' I thought for a long time, Mr. Speaker, that he wrote that about me, but I have come to find out that he didn't.

As a tribute to Dolly Parton, all I have to say is that we have been working longer than ``9 to 5'' to get this bill across the finish line. I am so thankful for the strong bipartisan partnership that made it possible today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 617) to amend the Visit America Act to promote music tourism, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 617, the American Music Tourism Act of 2025, led by the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend and a great member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Madam Speaker, this bipartisan legislation directs the National Travel and Tourism Office to promote domestic and international tourism to U.S. music festivals, concert venues, and other music-related attractions.

Music tourism is a significant economic driver. It is estimated that, by 2032, it will become a $13.8 billion industry. By enhancing our promotion of music-related tourism, we can stimulate local economies, create jobs, and showcase America's rich cultural heritage.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 617, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, the speaker on the floor of the House of Representatives in the great State of Florida used to begin his speeches by saying, ``I am fired up.'' I am fired up, Mr. Speaker, because we are going to pass a great bill that promotes America.

With the previous bill honoring the 1980 USA Gold Medal hockey team, this is a great day in D.C. and all over the United States of America.

In closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.