WASHINGTON (October 26, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement after the U.S. House confirmed Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House:

“U.S. Travel congratulates Speaker Mike Johnson on his election to lead the House, and we look forward to working with him on issues critical to the travel industry, from the completion of FY24 appropriations bills to maintaining funding for the federal government.

“Travel, essential to practically all other industries nationwide, depends on the uninterrupted services of the government. A shutdown would cost the U.S. travel economy as much as $140 million per day—or nearly $1 billion per week. U.S. Travel urges swift action to avoid a government shutdown and advance spending bills critical to the operation and growth of travel.”