Brian Schatz

I think there needs to be more transparency and accountability.

Our mission is to increase international visitation to and spend in the United States in order to create jobs, grow exports and fuel the U.S. economy.

Let's move S. 2250 through this committee and get it to the floor to be passed.

If we work together, get a few countries in on preclearance, it could make a big difference.

I appreciate his willingness and his leadership in working on these issues in a bipartisan manner.

This is the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation.

I am pleased to offer testimony on behalf of the Corporation For Travel Promotion, which does business as Brand USA.

Senator Klobuchar and Senator Blunt have introduced legislation in the Senate to reauthorize it.

The travel and tourism industry is a major economic driver and job creator in this country.

But this would be the Land Use Commission requiring or the Department of Planning and Permitting do these?

Who owns the intellectual property?

Right. But it's not trivial to--and I understand you're giving me a specific example, but it's, sort of, not trivial at all that we're sitting here not clear whether we need changes in the law or not and not clear at all whether or not…

We both served on the Board of Directors for the Center for a Sustainable Future.

Where do you and your friends get your information?

I'd also like to take this time to acknowledge my fellow interns in the audience.

I wonder whether you wouldn't mind giving us an update on how it's working, who comprises the task force and what their timeframe is in terms of providing a work product for some national policy changes?

Perhaps you could also play a part in determining what should be taken into consideration when ranking schools around the nation.

What we need is the will, at all levels, to use them.

Would the county or State laws need to be changed in order for them to be able to do this?

If we talk about disaster preparedness, if we talk about severe weather, if we talk about civil defense, then I can find common cause with bipartisan dance partners.

At the end of the day, by providing incentives and deciding what makes up these criteria, the people of the United States will know that these issues are important.

If we, as a nation, can commit to adapting our infrastructures to be environmentally conscious I believe that we can make a true difference in the fight against climate change.

I thank you for your leadership to elevate the pressing issues of climate change and sustainability in Congress.

I'm just going to give you a minute to plug the why. That's my second question.

Are we in arrears with respect to infrastructure, I mean, basic infrastructure at this point?