[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 901 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 901
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that BridgeUSA
exchange programs are vital to the economy and national interests of
the United States, and that Congress should prioritize robust support
to ensure equitable opportunities for Americans and people from other
countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 2, 2022
Mr. Moore of Utah (for himself and Ms. Kuster) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that BridgeUSA
exchange programs are vital to the economy and national interests of
the United States, and that Congress should prioritize robust support
to ensure equitable opportunities for Americans and people from other
countries.
Whereas BridgeUSA (formerly the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program) was created
alongside the Peace Corps and United States Agency for International
Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign
affairs goals of the United States, goals the Department of State still
advances in administering BridgeUSA as Federal cultural exchange
programs to this day;
Whereas roughly 300,000 participants from more than 200 countries and
territories visit the United States on a J-1 cultural exchange visa each
year;
Whereas the work component of certain BridgeUSA programs, the largest public
diplomacy program offered by the United States, makes travel to the
United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international
students and young people;
Whereas 91 percent of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program participants report
cultural exchange as their top reason for participating in the Program;
Whereas 84 percent of Camp Counselors report having a more positive view of
America after working at a camp;
Whereas 76 percent of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in
views regarding the United States;
Whereas 50 percent of employers stated that the absence of the SWT Program
participants would have a negative impact on revenues;
Whereas 39 percent of employers said they would have to reduce hours of
operation without the SWT Program;
Whereas annually the ski industry embraces more than 8,000 SWT participants from
the Southern Hemisphere who provide a richer cultural experience for
their coworkers and guests, while learning important skills about the
recreation and hospitality business and at the same time generating
significant economic impacts, spending, and taxes in communities where
they are located;
Whereas there are similar cultural and economic benefits among participants from
the Northern Hemisphere who are placed in small rural communities that
attract large crowds in the summer at national parks, amusement parks,
attractions, and resorts across the country;
Whereas 91 percent of host camps believe their organization would be negatively
impacted by the absence of international Camp Counselors;
Whereas 78 percent of host camps indicated that camp services and activities
would be reduced in the absence of international Camp Counselors;
Whereas J-1 SWT participation decreased by 96 percent in 2020, and by 75 percent
in 2021 compared to 2019;
Whereas J-1 Camp Counselor participation decreased by more than 99 percent in
2020 and by 78 percent in 2021 compared to 2019;
Whereas BridgeUSA work-based public diplomacy programs typically contribute over
half a billion dollars to the United States economy annually; and
Whereas Congress supports the Department of State's ongoing commitment to
protect the health, safety, and welfare of students and exchange
visitors, and continued attention to strengthening cultural exchange and
the experience of all participants: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives
that--
(1) BridgeUSA programs are vital to the economy and
national interests of the United States;
(2) BridgeUSA should continue with robust support from the
Department of State to further those national interests;
(3) the processing of J-1 BridgeUSA visas should be
prioritized at United States Embassies and consulates to ensure
the program's public diplomacy goals are met; and
(4) Congress and implementing partners should be consulted
on any major changes to BridgeUSA programs given the
significant national security and economic impacts of the
program.
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