In a letter send to Congressional leadership, U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (NV-1st), co-chair of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus, weighed in on coronavirus "Round 4" priorities, seeking additional support for 501(c)6 organization in the CARES Act's Payroll Protection Program (PPP) of forgivable loans. 501(c)6s include destination marketing organizations, as well as the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and convention and visitors bureaus across the country.

"I ask that future legislative efforts ensure that 501c(4) and 501c(6) organizations have access to the PPP; this includes direct marketing organizations, which are vital to the travel and tourism industry, an industry that has been acutely impacted by this pandemic,” she said in the letter. “Likewise, I have heard from travel advisors, who often work as part of 501c(6) organization about their exclusion from this program.”

Rep. Titus also noted the “historic job losses and economic hardship” facing her district in Southern Nevada, which occupies most of the state’s largest city and its leading financial, commercial, and cultural center: Las Vegas.

She continues, “There is much work to be done to address the immediate health and safety concerns, and I appreciate your efforts to meet these vital needs. For communities like the one I represent, and the tens of thousands of my constituents who have been furloughed or are now unemployed, we must take steps to ensure that the long-term economic recovery does not leave vital organizations and non-profits behind.”

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