•HRES 481 IH 
Whereas roughly 300,000 participants from more than 200 
countries and territories visit the United States on a J– 
1 cultural exchange visa each year; 
Whereas the work component of certain BridgeUSA pro-
grams, the largest public diplomacy program offered by 
the United States, makes travel to the United States pos-
sible for a broad and diverse group of international stu-
dents and young people; 
Whereas 91 percent of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Pro-
gram participants report cultural exchange as their top 
reason for participating in the Program; 
Whereas 84 percent of Camp Counselors report having a 
more positive view of America after working at a camp; 
Whereas 76 percent of SWT Program participants reported 
a positive change in views regarding the United States; 
Whereas 50 percent of employers stated that the absence of 
the SWT Program participants would have a negative im-
pact on revenues; 
Whereas 39 percent of employers said they would have to re-
duce hours of operation without the SWT Program; 
Whereas annually the ski industry embraces more than 8,000 
SWT participants from the Southern Hemisphere who 
provide a richer cultural experience for their coworkers 
and guests, while learning important skills about the 
recreation and hospitality business and at the same time 
generating significant economic impacts, spending, and 
taxes in communities where they are located; 
Whereas there are similar cultural and economic benefits 
among participants from the Northern Hemisphere who 
are placed in small rural communities that attract large 
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•HRES 481 IH 
crowds in the summer at national parks, amusement 
parks, attractions, and resorts across the country; 
Whereas 91 percent of host camps believe their organization 
would be negatively impacted by the absence of inter-
national Camp Counselors; 
Whereas 78 percent of host camps indicated that camp serv-
ices and activities would be reduced in the absence of 
international Camp Counselors; 
Whereas while the number of BridgeUSA participants de-
creased dramatically in 2020 and 2021 due to the pan-
demic and travel restrictions, participation levels are rap-
idly increasing back to prepandemic numbers to meet sig-
nificant demand for the programs; 
Whereas BridgeUSA work-based public diplomacy programs 
typically contribute over half a billion dollars to the 
United States economy annually; and 
Whereas Congress supports the Department of State’s ongo-
ing commitment to protect the health, safety, and welfare 
of students and exchange visitors, and continued atten-
tion to strengthening cultural exchange and the experi-
ence of all participants: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) BridgeUSA programs are vital to the econ-
omy and national interests of the United States; 
(2) BridgeUSA should continue with robust 
support from the Department of State to further 
those national interests; 
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•HRES 481 IH 
(3) the processing of J–1 BridgeUSA visas 
should be prioritized at United States Embassies 
and consulates to ensure the program’s public diplo-
macy goals are met; and 
(4) Congress and implementing partners should 
be consulted on any major changes to BridgeUSA 
programs given the significant national security and 
economic impacts of the program. 
Æ 
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