[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 481 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 481

  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

                              June 7, 2023

Mr. Moore of Utah (for himself, Ms. Kuster, Mr. Pappas, Mr. Gallagher, 
and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) 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 while the number of BridgeUSA participants decreased dramatically in 
        2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and travel restrictions, participation 
        levels are rapidly increasing back to prepandemic numbers to meet 
        significant demand for the programs;
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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