GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - OVERVIEW
Stay informed of the latest developments on legislative
and regulatory issues.

Breaking News

Secretary of Commerce and Chinese Officials Sign Tourism Agreement On Tuesday, December 10, 2007, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with representatives of the government of the People’s Republic of China which will facilitate an increase in group travel from China to the United States. In 2006, Chinese visitors spent a record $2.1 billion in the United States in 2006, and it is expected that by 2011 the U.S. will host 579,000 Chinese travelers. This MOU, which takes effect in the spring of 2008, will allow U.S. companies to organize and market packaged group leisure tours to this country, and for domestic travel destinations to market their brands in China.

Additional Information:
Department of Commerce press release
Commerce Department Fact Sheet on U.S. - China Agreement

Social Security No Match

Click here to read the latest information on the Social Security No Match Letters.

H-2B Program Guidance Documents

Click here to read the latest issue brief on the H-2B visa program.

Click here to read the latest industry letters to the House and Senate urging passage of H-2B relief legislation.

FAQ on H-2B Processing.

Amended memo from DOL noting changes in the filing requirements for the H-2B Program;

A sample payroll chart prepared by DOL (we were told that these two documents alone may solve many of the problems encountered this year), and;

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Click here to read the latest information on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Terrorism Risk Insurance (TRIA)

Click here to read the latest information on Terrorism Risk Insurance (TRIA).

Tourism Issues

Click here to read the latest information on Tourism Issues

Card Check

Click here to read the latest information on Card Check.

Immigration Reform

Click here to read the latest information on Immigration Reform.

Our Mission

The governmental affairs department of AH&LA provides the association with a comprehensive federal governmental affairs program covering legislative and regulatory issues.

This effort involves:

establishing AH&LA's legislative positions and priorities;

lobbying Members of Congress and federal regulatory agencies on behalf of our members;

encouraging political participation by member properties and partner state associations in communicating the association's positions to Members of Congress and regulatory officials.

Our goal is to provide a favorable legislative and regulatory framework in which the lodging industry can prosper.

AH&LA's Governmental Affairs
Financial Benefits Statement

An analysis of the positive effects the lobbying efforts of the AH&LA has on the bottom line of the business operations of its members.

Click here to view the statement