[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3474-H3476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO BRING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP COMPETITION TO 
                 CANADA, MEXICO, AND THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 111) recognizing and 
supporting the efforts of the United Bid Committee to bring the 2026 
Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 
competition to Canada, Mexico, and the United States, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 111

       Whereas soccer is one of the fastest growing and most 
     popular sports in the world and the FIFA World Cup 
     competition is the single most important event in that sport;
       Whereas the United States successfully hosted in 9 cities 
     throughout the Nation the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition, 
     which was broadcast to billions of fans around the world and 
     set an attendance record of nearly 3,600,000, which remains 
     unbroken today;
       Whereas the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition served as a 
     catalyst for the increased popularity and development of the 
     game throughout the United States, as well as the 
     introduction of Major League Soccer, the United States 
     national first division professional soccer league;
       Whereas United States Soccer Federation and its 
     counterparts in Canada and Mexico have established a United 
     Bid Committee to prepare and submit an unprecedented joint 
     bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in North 
     America;
       Whereas Canada, the United States, and Mexico share core 
     beliefs in justice, freedom, equality, and opportunity, and 
     have a long history of partnership, innovation, and growth 
     together on our shared continent;
       Whereas for the first time in history the 2026 FIFA World 
     Cup will include teams from 48 nations and presents an 
     opportunity for Canada, Mexico, and the United States as host 
     countries to demonstrate the highest achievable standards and 
     serve as a benchmark for future organizers;
       Whereas North America is home to one of the most 
     competitive and advanced professional sports landscapes in 
     the world that is continually updating to take advantage of 
     the latest innovations and modernizations;
       Whereas numerous American cities have been named by the 
     United Bid Committee as candidates to serve as hosts to FIFA 
     World Cup matches in 2026, with each of these cities 
     embodying the diversity and enthusiasm shared by the entire 
     Nation and guaranteeing each participating team and its 
     followers a ``home team'' atmosphere;
       Whereas the United States and its neighbors offer FIFA a 
     valuable and receptive market within which to further develop 
     the sport of soccer, which in turn will have significant 
     impact on and off the field in both the United States and 
     throughout the world;
       Whereas the United States possesses all necessary state-of-
     the-art infrastructure in its stadiums and potential host 
     cities to ensure that the competition sets a new standard of 
     quality, comfort, security, and safety for players, 
     officials, spectators, media, and sponsors alike;
       Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, 
     and the United States promises record-setting attendance and 
     financial performance, allowing revenues and tourism 
     generated by the competition to be used for the further 
     development of soccer, FIFA's objectives of positive social 
     and environmental change, and further economic growth 
     throughout our Nation;
       Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in 
     Canada, Mexico, and the United States would serve as a 
     tremendous impetus to national and international goodwill, as 
     the competition would bring people from many nations, along 
     with a diverse public, together under one banner of peace, 
     friendship, and spirited and fair competition;
       Whereas the historical tradition of inclusivity in the 
     United States is shared by Canada and Mexico and the three 
     countries are eager to welcome the players, spectators, and 
     visitors who may travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA 
     World Cup games; and
       Whereas pursuant to FIFA bidding procedures, the President 
     of the United States and certain Federal agencies have been 
     asked to issue guarantees that upon authorization or 
     appropriation, would establish the conditions required to 
     help make the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition the most 
     successful in history: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the United Bid 
     Committee to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition to 
     Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
       (2) encourages the President of the United States and 
     appropriate Federal agencies to support the United Bid 
     Committee in its efforts to meet all requirements for the 
     United States to jointly host with Canada and Mexico the 2026 
     FIFA World Cup competition; and
       (3) stands prepared to give full consideration to 
     legislative proposals or other requests by the President to 
     provide support related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup 
     competition, if Canada, Mexico, and the United States are 
     selected to host this event.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
LaHood).

[[Page H3475]]

I thank him for introducing a resolution which expresses the broad 
bipartisan agreement that the United States supports the United Bid 
Committee's effort to jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition.
  Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the World 
Cup is its most important competition. Hosting the tournament would be 
a win for the United States and for our neighbors in Canada and Mexico 
as well.
  The United States has not hosted a FIFA World Cup since 1994, but 24 
years later, we still hold the all-time attendance record. Over 3\1/2\ 
million people attended those matches. I remember. I was there in the 
stands for the games in L.A. The economic revenue generated by the 1994 
tournament generated more than double what was expected.
  The 2026 tournament is expected to break revenue and attendance 
records. FIFA has already announced that it will be the first time in 
tournament history that 48 teams, instead of 32, are going to compete 
in the World Cup. The addition of more teams will mean more economic 
opportunities for American cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco 
to host and entertain visitors from around the country and around the 
world.
  The FIFA World Cup, much like the Olympics, has a long tradition of 
bringing countries together in a competitive but peaceful environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this measure.
  First, let me thank Congressman LaHood for authoring this bipartisan 
resolution and Chairman Royce for bringing it to the floor.
  With this resolution, we send a strong message of support for the 
efforts of the United Bid Committee to bring the FIFA World Cup 
competition to the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
  We share critical relationships with our neighbors to the north and 
south, and it is important that we keep those good relationships. So I 
am pleased that Congress continues to push back on anything that would 
hurt the relationship.
  Last year, the House passed my resolution with Congressman McCaul 
reaffirming the importance of the U.S.-Mexico partnership, as well as a 
resolution from Congressman Jeff Duncan on the U.S.-Canada alliance. 
The 2026 FIFA World Cup provides another key opportunity for us to 
reinforce our strong alliances with both Mexico and Canada.
  The United States has hosted the World Cup three times: the men's 
tournament in 1994, and the women's World Cup in both 1999 and 2003. We 
have the infrastructure. We know how to prepare. We have 25 American 
cities eligible to host. Bringing the world's most popular tournament 
back to North America would generate increased tourist revenue for host 
sites as fans arrive from all over the world.
  Congress should not only pass this resolution, but Congress should 
also continue to provide support for the United Bid Committee and its 
efforts in our own conversations with foreign leaders and other 
stakeholders.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), the author of this resolution.
  Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Royce for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 111, recognizing 
and supporting the efforts of the United Bid Committee to bring the 
2026 FIFA World Cup soccer competition to the United States, Canada, 
and Mexico.
  This bipartisan resolution, introduced by the co-chairs of the 
Congressional Soccer Caucus--myself, Congresswoman Castor, Congressman 
Bacon, Congressman Kihuen--conveys our strong support for this united 
North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup as well as voicing our 
overall support for soccer at the global level.
  When the U.S. last hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition, it 
served as a catalyst for the increased popularity and development of 
soccer across America and the introduction of Major League Soccer, 
which is thriving today.
  Since the games in 1994, soccer has become one of the fastest growing 
sports in the United States, promoting a competitive and a healthy and 
active lifestyle, teamwork, and sportsmanship to over 24 million 
Americans of all ages in every State. This includes the 20 percent of 
American children under the age of 12 who currently play soccer.
  As the father to three young soccer players and the Representative of 
a district which includes eight college soccer programs, I recognize 
the value that soccer has for families and communities. Additionally, 
in my home State of Illinois, we are proud to be the home of the U.S. 
Soccer Federation and the Chicago Fire, one of Major League Soccer's 
original soccer clubs.
  By uniting players and fans from different nations under one banner 
of friendship and fair competition, it is our hope that hosting the 
2026 competition would promote and further the positive impact of 
soccer here and abroad.

  As the consideration of the 2026 location by FIFA continues, support 
from Congress will help demonstrate that our government is equally 
enthusiastic for North America's three largest nations to host one of 
the world's preeminent sporting events, which is soccer.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues who have supported this 
effort, including Chairman Royce, who has been a strong advocate for 
this resolution, and also my colleagues on the U.S. Congressional 
Soccer Caucus.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H. Con. Res. 111.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Castor), an original cosponsor of this resolution, but 
even more importantly, co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus.
  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America and 
our North American neighbors of Canada and Mexico have a wonderful 
opportunity to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. This is 
a combined North American bid.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, Representative 
LaHood, and Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for their support 
of this resolution, and I also commend my colleagues, Congressman Bacon 
and Congressman Kihuen, who also co-chair the Congressional Soccer 
Caucus.
  The United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. We had nine 
cities. The attendance was over 3\1/2\ million. We think now for 2026 
it is going to be bigger and better than ever because we are going to 
combine efforts with our North American neighbors of Canada and Mexico, 
where they will also host many of the tournament matches.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. Speaker, I noticed that Mr. Webster was on the floor, along with 
Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Deutch, and they should be proud to know that 
Orlando and Miami, from our home State of Florida, will be 
participating, and we love soccer in the Sunshine State.
  But I also offer my strong support for this resolution because of the 
inspiration that the World Cup soccer tournament provides to young 
people all across this country. It is like the Olympics. It encourages 
them to be healthy and well, to participate in team supports and 
athletics. It exposes and encourages children and young people to be 
good sports and understand what a world competition means in a friendly 
way.
  Studies show that team sports lead to healthier lifestyles, increased 
knowledge about exercise and nutrition, positive gains in reading and 
math; and that is why the Congressional Soccer Caucus works with the 
U.S. Soccer Foundation because they really provide the national model 
for programs about ``the beautiful game,'' and they make so many 
helpful investments in communities across the country to encourage kids 
to get out, be active, and learn about great sportsmanship.
  So here is this resolution. We are coming together in a bipartisan 
way, to recognize the effort, to support it, to make sure that 
Americans everywhere know that we expect the men's team to live up to 
their expectations. The women's team, national team, of course,

[[Page H3476]]

has been champion after champion after champion. It is time, also, for 
the men's team and this generation to try to meet their goals.
  We would like to encourage everyone to pay attention, support the 
effort.
  Again, I thank my colleague, Mr. LaHood, Chairman Royce, Ranking 
Member Engel; and I urge the House to kick this resolution towards 
passage so that we can meet our goals.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The ties between the United States, Mexico, and Canada are 
longstanding and deep; and I am pleased that the United States can 
continue to come together in partnership with our friends from both of 
those countries on the United Bid Committee to try to bring the 2026 
World Cup to North America.
  I stand ready to support the North American bid in any way that I 
can. It would really be terrific to get it, and I know we all feel the 
same way.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  In closing, I would like to, once again, thank the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. LaHood), and I also thank the 40 cosponsors who have been 
pushing this important, bipartisan resolution. By passing this 
resolution, we show our support for the efforts of the United Bid 
Committee to bring the excitement of the World Cup tournament to the 
United States once again, for the first time since 1994.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge unanimous support for this measure, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 111, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROYCE of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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