As part of AHLA’s “Roadmap to Recovery”, we urged Congress to help incentivize Americans to travel again when it’s safe, including a temporary tax incentive to domestic travel and restoring the business entertainment expense deduction. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) introduced The American Trip Act this week, which includes the following highlights:
- Provides a $4,000 travel credit for individuals, and $8,000 for joint filers (plus an additional $500 credit for dependent children), for 2020, 2021, and 2022
- Applies to all travel within the United States and its territories, so long as the travel and expenses and final destination is 50 miles from the principal residence of the filer(s)
- Qualified expenses for the credit include lodging, travel, and entertainment
AzLTA continues to work with AHLA and the broader travel industry on a package of incentives for the Phase 4 legislation and we look forward to working with all Members of Congress to ensure the hotel industry remains top of mind during the ongoing negotiations.
Trump Proclamation Expands Restrictions On Legal Immigration
Authors: Davis Bae and Shanon Stevenson
President Trump just issued a Proclamation to further restrict legal immigration, preventing employers from bringing new H-1B, H-2B, L-1A, L-1B, and J-1 workers from abroad into the United States. Effective June 24, 2020 (12:01am EST), this Proclamation will bar new temporary visas for foreign workers and their dependents through 2020 and potentially longer. The Proclamation also immediately extends the prior suspension of immigrant visas for those applying from abroad for the remainder of 2020. What do employers need to know about this development?
CMBS Relief
Members of Congress recently cosigned a letter to Secretary Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Powell on CMBS relief. The final letter, cosigned by over 100 members of Congress, can be viewed here. The Wall Street Journal also covered the letter. Congressman Van Taylor, one of the lead organizers of the letter, is developing legislation as a follow up to this letter. We will be sure to keep you posted on those efforts.
