act. small state and local tourism offices and local small businesses across america are some of the strongest supporters of the travel promotion act and benefit greatly from international tourism. brand u.s.a. helps bridge these communities and opens up new markets to american competition. i appreciate that this legislation includes important reforms this bill improves an already existing partnership, mr. speaker. i thank chairman upton for his leadership, again, subcommittee chair, chairman terry, doing an outstanding job, all those who have contributed to this bill. our lead co-sponsor, mr. peter welch, and my co-chair of the tourism caucus, mr. farr, who i believe will speak in a few minutes, for their work on this legislation and also the ranking member of the subcommittee ms.

schakowsky. i support this prudent, narrow, re-authorization of the travel promotion act. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. ms. schakowsky: it is now my pleasure to yield to the gentleman from california, from . beautiful area of the country carmel. there it is. to mr. farr. mr. farr: thank you for yielding. thank you for your leadership on this bill. i rise in support of this bill for many reasons. the first reason is that america needs to market itself. you'd think -- you think, oh, everybody loves america. what i found in my travels is that not everybody has the same opinion about america. if you turn on your television right now, the rest of the world

is trying to get people who live in this country to go travel to their country, go to spain, go to the caribbean, go to new zealand, go everywhere. go to canada. it's all trying to get our people to be tourists in their country. well, finally, we did something about it. we've been doing this in agriculture for a long time work agriculture marketing act, we decided, let's market america. let's tell people what this great country is and how you can get here and what you're going to see when you get here. it's had a tremendous effect. it really has. to me the biggest jump starter for jobs you can do because tourism is everywhere. it's all those things. it's restaurants, it's museums, it's eenrblely washington, d.c. from parks to rivers to everything. that's what america is made of. ere's also, i think, in this hot world right now, complicated world, the news is full of bad stuff. and unfortunately, america,

because of all our movies and television, also has the opinion of people that this is the most dangerous country to visit. we've got to get over that. everybody who comes here finds that's not true at all. very friendly people. wonderful help. so it's very important tavepls foreign policy to say, come on, come see this great country this pillar of the world. meet the people. and you know, next year, we're going to have the 100th anniversary of our national park system. we're the only country in the world that has a national park system like this one. the most beautiful places in america. i would suggest that frankly this is a great product, bipartisan, mr. bilirakis and i have been co-cheers of the tourism caucus, been trying to get more members to join. got more democrats to join the cause cus -- caucus than republicans, hopefully now with this bill and the discussion of how important this is to your local district, and i'll tell you there isn't a chamber of

commerce in the united states that isn't watching this vote and hoping we'll pass the bill, because those tourists, just like politics, all of it is local. all tourism is local. they go to some community. they go to the main street and help the small businesses. i represent a remote area of california, big sur, a beautiful coastline. foreign tourists are carrying the economy of that area, by their visits. the europeans are visiting it in greater numbers than ever before. if you talk to any merchants they'd say, but for that european travel after the recession we have, we wouldn't be recovering like we are. i want every member of congress to join our caucus. what do we do? we produce. we produced this re-authorization bill. mr. bilirakis, as co-chair, carried -- carried it and has done a tremendous job. so it's important that we focus for a moment on the importance of tourism as an industry, just like steel and electronics and

airlines, but it's made up of all these other parts. this industry is in every single congressional district. if this is the tide that lifts the ships, that brings the tourists here, it's also the tide that will help leave that tourist tax dollar, that tourist expenditure dollar in our local community and hire people to be a service-oriented industry. soy applaud our colleagues in congress for re-authorizing, we've done this before. without controversy. because it's a pay-for. it's already paid for, it's not a tax. e fee that's leveed on -- he vied on tourists to -- levied on tourists to get a visa. that fee go into a portion of paying for this promotion. it is a win-win. it's a job promotion and it's good for everybody. i hope we get a unanimous vote on both sides of the aisle and i hope those who vote for it will also join the tourism caucus. thank you very much.

the speaker pro tempore: the chair recognizes the gentleman from nebraska. mr. terry: i yield three minutes to the gentleman from southern florida. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from florida is recognized for three minutes. >> thank you, mr. chairman. mr. speaker, i rise today in support of h.r. 4450, legislation to re-authorize the public-private program that's often known as brand u.s.a. this is a bill that was passed unanimously by the subcommittee and by voice vote through the full committee. i understand questions have been raised today, so let's address them very -- some very specific, important components of this legislation. mr. jolly: first, in 1981, ronald reagan signed the national tourism policy act. to promote the united states as a destination for international tourism. to expand our economy. to grow jobs here in the united states. in 2009 this body passed the travel promotion act. secondly, this is an activity that extends across state lines.

bringing this bill, this legislation, within the article 1 commerce clause authority of this body. the constitutional authority of this body. third, no federal taxpayer dollars are used to fund brand u.s.a. it is funded by industry contributions and by international visitors. the united states is the only major destination that does not fund its promotion programs through taxpayer dollars. it is through private contributions of industry, matched by international traveler fees. there's a cap on the program. the amount of funds it can expend from those funds collected from international visitors. when the funds exceed that cap that money is returned to the treasury for deficit reduction. in f.y. 2013, that was $27 million in deficit reduction to benefit the taxpayers. this bill was recently scored and over the next 10 years this would reduce the deficit,

contribute to the treasury $231 million, not from taxpayers, but from international travelers. this bill, rightly, is supported by associations and organizations across the country from hotel and lodging, including those in florida, to business travel, to cruise lines, amusement parks, convention and visitors bureaus and in my home state by the organization visit florida, and rightfully. so let's revisit why. there's no cost to the federal government by this program. there is no cost to the u.s. taxpayer by this program. this program reduces the federal deficit and it fosters economic growth in communities across the country. each and every one of our congressional districts we are sent here to represent. i appreciate the discussion being had on this bill but i ask my colleagues, let's not stand in our own way when it comes to sensible, good legislation that

we can pass to promote the economy across the country and in the communities we represent. thank you, mr. speaker, i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. the gentleman reserves. the gentlewoman from illinois is recognized. ms. schakowsky: thank you, mr. speaker. can i ask how many minutes remain on either side? the speaker pro tempore: the gentlelady has 10 1/2 minutes. the gentleman from nebraska has 7 1/2 minutes. ms. schakowsky: i have no more speakers but i want to just make a couple of comments. i think in addition to this being a really important bill and recognized in a bipartisan way, i hope members on both sides of the aisle will realize how good it feels when we work together and maybe this could be

the beginning or a model for how we can deal with legislation. there were some changes to the bill. we agreed on them, we worked it out and we have a product at the end of the day. it's called compromise. it's not a dirty word. we have achieved, i think, an excellent product. the other thing i wanted to mention, we have talked about big sur and carmel and las vegas and other places, i just wanted to say that i'm kind of pushing an idea for an organization called choose chicago which is our tourism bureau, to bring people to chicago. especially for the summer. i thought a really good idea would be to promote, come to chicago, swim in chicago, no sharks. and so i thought i would use this opportunity to push my no sharks idea for chicago.

you could add no salt as well but i thought, particularly no sharks. we have beautiful beaches in chicago. to chicago g to get under the banner of brand chicago to promote by -- promote my good idea of no sharks but you know, there are so many ideas, i think that we have for many small communities. i was in the delta of louisiana at the original blues bars and blues restaurants down there and all of us have something wonderful and unique in our communities. that's what brand u.s.a. is about, to bring tourists not only to the likely suspects of places but to so many of our communities. so they get the real flavor of the people, the diversity, the color and the smell and the feel and the sound of the united states of america. so this is a great piece of legislation. i'm going to continue to reserve the balance of my time.

thank you. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman reserve -- the gentlelady reserves. the gentleman from nebraska is recognized. mr. terry: i yield three minutes to the gentleman from colorado. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from colorado is recognized for three minutes. >> i thank you for the time to talk about this and thank you for your leadership on this bipartisan issue. i'm proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation and urge its favorable passage today. looking at the colorado tourism office, reading the colorado tourism industry facts, it starts with saying this, tourism equals jobs and revenue for colorado. mr. gardner: it is a vital piece of commur tissue of our economy. -- vital piece of our economy. overall, these employees earn $4.4 billion annually, contributing to state revenue through income tax and in fact it's a little-known fact that without the taxes that are paid by tourists who visit from out of country, out of state in

colorado, the average colorado family would have to pay an additional $407 a year in taxes to make up for the money that would be lost if we didn't have those tourism dollars being spent in colorado. it has been a tremendous success. when it comes to brand u.s.a. a quick look at the work that brand u.s.a. has done in colorado, partnering with colorado to market the state to international visitors, marketing activities include traditional media, tv display out of homes, social immediate qua. but our work in colorado when it comes to craft beer being the feature -- being featured as part of brand u.s.a.'s 2014 great american road trip, talking about the work we're doing in colorado. thousands of people employed in a new and growing industry. colorado featured in brand u.s.a.'s 2014 inspirational visitor's guide. over 16 international audiences exposed because of brand u.s.a.'s international visitor's guide which will generate over 30 million impressions through brand u.s.a. the list goes on and on, the

work we do i think it's important to highlight the work colorado has done with brand u.s.a.'s discover america pavilion, like at the japanese association of travel agents, work we can do to highlight the opportunities to come to the united states, to create opportunities, perhaps a tourism the first time -- perhaps in tourism the first time but as a business partner the next time. i thank the chairman for his work on the legislation, the bipartisan support of the legislation and urge its passage today with the support of the house of representatives. thank you and i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back. mr. terry: thank you, gentleman from colorado. i'll continue to reserve. we don't have any further peakers and i close. ms. schakowsky: thank you, mr. speaker. i will close by just saying this, let me thank the gentleman and all the gentlemen and ladies who have participated in making

this important legislation come to fruition. i do hope we're able to move it very quickly and hopefully unanimously, move it over into the senate and get it done right away. i urge all my colleagues to support this bill to extend the brand u.s.a. program, ensure it is successful, accountable, transparent going forward and i yield back my time. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman yields back. the gentleman from nebraska is recognized. mr. terry: i recognize myself for as much time -- as much time as i may use or whatever is left. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. terry: i want to thank jan schakowsky, the ranking member, for her great work on this bill and she and i understand and work together in a very bipartisan way to try and encourage more foreign investment to the united states. that builds our economy and helps create jobs and bring

money from outside the united states in. we had a bill that passed earlier overwhelmingly in this house that's sitting over in the senate to do a study to figure out what the barriers are to direct foreign investment in the united states. . this is the easy lift here. this is providing visas to people all around the world that want to spend some time in the united states because they want to go to the windy city ron the big ferris wheel on the pier or to one of our great amusement parks, skiing. we attract people from all over the world. we have to encourage them. there is a worldwide competition for this tourism dollar, and we need to make sure that the united states is competitive. brand u.s.a. is that program that promotes the united states so that the tourists come here, whether it's from brazil to go

shopping in the miami area, which is very popular, or whatever they want to do as their destination. when they decide to make that trip, they get a visitor's visa which they pay a fee for that visa. the interesting part is when some of that money is then invested in brand u.s.a. through this act. over that period of the year, there's actually more dollars that go towards budget or deficit reduction than are used for the processing and for brand u.s.a. so it actually reduces our deficit. who wouldn't want that? but it's also the point that it creates jobs, and i think this bill more as a jobs bill. 53,000 jobs per year are supported because of brand u.s.a. and foreign visitors to

the united states. 1.1 million visitors directly from brand u.s.a. i'd like to see us do two million next year, but we're only going to do that if there's a way to get the word out around the world that we want visitors to the united states. so this is a great bill. gus bilirakis, the gentleman from florida, that worked this bill resolved all of the major issues. he negotiated. this is now a voluntary program n the business side, not compulsorary. i do think we should have a unanimous vote on this and therefore i yield back after i encourage all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to te yeah -- yea on this great pro-u.s.a. bill. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields.

the question have the house suspend the rules and pass the bill h.r. 4450, as amended. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, 2/3 having responded in the for mative, the rules -- what purpose does the gentleman from kentucky rise? >> i request a recorded vote. the speaker pro tempore: does the gentleman ask for the yeas and nays? the yeas and nays are requested. all those in favor of taking this vote by the yeas and nays will rise and remain standing until counted. a sufficient number having arisen, the yeas and nays are ordered. pursuant to clause 8 of rule 20 -- mr. terry: mr. speaker. the speaker pro tempore: further proceedings on this otion will be postponed. pursuant to clause 12-a of rule 1, the chair declares the house in recess for a period less

they called into question the subsidies that help millions of low and middle income people afford their premiums. about 100 miles to the south in richmond, another appeals court panel unanimously came to the opposite conclusion, ruling the i.r.s. correctly interpreted the

will of congress when it issued rulings allowing health insurance tax credits for consumers in all 50 states. that from the a.p. congressional reaction to the earlier d.c. appeals court decision today. house speaker john boehner tweeting for the -- white house spokesman refrequented -- reflected on the ruling in today's briefing. >> i understand what you're saying about the legal aspects and it seems that conservatives are even acknowledging that the affordable care act is likely to urvive this will you

acknowledge that it could be messier? >> what i believe and that -- and what the administration believes is that the legal basis for our case is strong. and we have effective advocates at tchept of justice who will be making that case were the d.c. circuit. it is clear, even to those of us who don't have a fancy legal degree, is that the intention of congress was that every eligible american would have access to credits to help with health care. >> they are citing various opinions, one written by justice scalia and one written by justice kay began, who take dim views of bureaucrats rewriting laws that don't turn out as they expected. so given that out there as well, why are you so confident that your legal basis is sound? >> the other legal expert i would cite is the district judge who ruled in this case who would anticipate that the government

would implement the law in line with congress' intent. and this judge, who ruled in this case at the district level, admittedly, did say there's no evidence in the statute itself or the legislative history of any intent by congress to support the claims that are made by the plaintiff. so i guess to put it more simply, the view of this administration as agreed to by this judge, the way we have implemented the affordable care act to maximize benefits for people across the country, millions are benefiting from this right now, that that is cleanly in line with the easily understood intent of the united states congress. >> tomorrow on "washington journal," connecticut congressman jim himes looked at intelligence gatting for the foreign con -- conflict and tim huelskamp discussing the veteran's affairs department as

arings get under way for veteran's secretary nominee. will talk cmahon about syria's chemical weapons. now before the house of representatives comes back, a discussion on the unaccompanied immigrant children at the u.s. southern border and what's needed to address the problem. a portion of our conversation from today's "washington journal." "washington journal closed quote continues. host: joining us now, thad bingel. he is a founding partner with the command consulting group. tell us about your job at customs. what did you do? the personarted as in charge of the interactions

with the senate and the house. after about two years, i became chief of staff. i reported directly to the commissioner. at a time of rapid growth. we were doubling the size of the border patrol. a lot of focus on border issues at the time. how do you look at what is going on and doesn't affect policy overall? -- and it does it affect policy overall? guest: there is a lot of attention on the border in the border patrol aspect of this is wrongly placed. it is a problem with the tension capacity and the problem of having enough immigration judges and hearings being able to problem --ple and he and the problem of attending to unaccompanied minors. not the same problems we were

facing in the mid-2000 or the late 1990's, when we had overwhelming numbers. is not a case of people getting past us. it is a question of what to do with them once they are caught. host: how many get past it now? guest: is the hardest thing to count, the ones who got away, because you do not know. it is impossible to be 100%. that is a reality today and it was a reality back when i was there. -wise, we are still in a period of dramatically reduced numbers of people attempting to cross and of people successfully crossing. there are more resources deployed there today than ever before. with that said, we have challenges ahead of us. there need to be additional

investments made to secure the border. we are in a better position across most of the border today. we are in a bad situation in south texas and we are playing catch-up. because? guest: we were dealing with 90% or more that were mexican migrants, so we set up processing centers that could turn those people around and put them back in mexico. the government of mexico would have to accept them back. we did not set up a system designed to long-term detained people from other countries when we have to work with the consulates and a transportation plan to get them home. not ago one -- mexico will accept them if they are hung door and -- if they are not from -- if they are from

honduras. we are not set up to close and children feed people for a period of time. need to be detained and that is the part where struggling to catch up with right now. that long-term detention capability. host: part of the president's for billion dollar request includes about 433 million in order to pay for additional facilities. is that enough? guest: a lot of it will go to overtime and to upgrade some of .he short term detention space that is probably what is needed. most of the investment needs to go to other places. by investing in other resources,

you can free up agents. the department of health and human services, immigrations customs enforcement, they are in charge of detaining adults and children. fundss where a lot of the are going and the president's request. ask: if you want to questions, republicans, (202) 585-3881. democrats, (202) 585-3880. independents, (202) 585-3882. for those of you who live on border states, (202) 585-3883. homas inhear from to texas. caller: do you have a high chart of illegal aliens by ethnic background? for illegale some

aliens in central america. caller: i just want to see a chart. guest: the predominant ethnicity and nationality of people here ,llegally, by what ever means visa overstays or people who came here illegally, it is primarily from central america, including mexico. after that, you may be right, asia may be in line next. i do not have the stats for the rest of the world. there are a number of countries