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Current Status
We are working on two different strategies, an appropriations strategy and an authorization strategy. We are most familiar with the authorization strategy that we used last year. However, we are also working on an appropriations strategy to get our wording in the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. We were successful including our language in the House version, and we need your help in securing its place in the Senate version.
Authorizing Strategy – Standalone bills in the House & Senate that authorize the federal government to permanently modify existing laws to include carnival and concession workers in the P Visa Program
• House Bill - H.R. 2729 - CARE Act - view current cosponsors
WHO CAN SUPPORT THESE AUTHORIZING BILLS?
• Any of the 435 House members can sign on to cosponsors of H.R. 2729• Any of the 100 Senate members can sign on to cosponsors of S. 1281
Appropriations Strategy – Introduce our P Visa language as an amendment to a must-pass annual appropriations bill
• House Bill - FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill• COMPLETED – Adopted Harris Amendment during committee markup
• Next step – ensure amendment remains in the bill before it gets a full committee vote by the House of Representatives
• Senate Bill – Upcoming FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
• To be considered in December
WHO CAN SUPPORT THESE APPROPRIATIONS AMENDMENTS?
• ONLY Appropriations Committee members• 63 House Appropriations Committee Members
• 29 Senate Appropriations Committee Members
Is your business based in or has events within the following targeted states?
ONLY IF YES...
We need your help to urge your business or event's Senator to support inclusion of OABA's P Visa language in the Senate's upcoming FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.
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US Senators Serving on Senate Appropriations Committee |
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AK |
Lisa Murkowski |
AL |
Katie Britt |
AR |
John Boozman |
|
CT |
Christopher Murphy |
DE |
Christopher Coons |
GA |
Jon Ossoff |
|
HI |
Brian Schatz |
IL |
Richard Durbin |
KS |
Gerald Moran |
|
KY |
Mitch McConnell |
LA |
John Kennedy |
MD |
Chris Van Hollen |
|
ME |
Susan Collins |
MI |
Gary Peters |
MS |
Cindy Hyde-Smith |
|
ND |
John Hoeven |
NE |
Deb Fischer |
NH |
Jeanne Shaheen |
|
NM |
Martin Heinrich |
NY |
Kirsten Gillibrand |
OK |
Markwayne Mullin |
|
OR |
Jeff Merkley |
RI |
Jack Reed |
SC |
Lindsey Graham |
|
SD |
Mike Rounds |
TN |
William Hagerty |
WA |
Patty Murray |
|
WI |
Tammy Baldwin |
WV |
Shelley Capito |
|
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What the CARE Act and RIDE ACT is
The purpose of this grassroots effort by OABA is to socialize and mobilize support for the Carnivals are Real Entertainment Act – or the CARE Act (H.R. 2729) and its companion legislation in the Senate, the Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment - or the RIDE Act (S. 1281) in the 119th Congress.
Passage of HR 2729 will:
- Clarify an existing category of visas for foreign workers, the P Visa, which covers the entertainment industry. Carnival workers should've been included in this category years ago.
- Solve the mobile amusement industry's most pressing issue – having enough reliable workers to operate safely at full capacity.
- Free up about 10,000 H2B visas for the many other industries (fishery, landscaping, resorts) that also need reliable foreign labor.
The CARE Act has bi-partisan support. It is not an immigration issue. It is a workforce issue.
CARE & RIDE Act Resources & Guidance
Lobbying Your Representative in the US House
A complete guide to lobbying your representative in the US House to support the CARE Act (HR 2729).
Lobbying Your Senators in the US Senate
A complete guide to lobbying your Senators in the US Senate to support the RIDE Act (HR 1281).
Ensuring an Adequate Seasonal Workforce for Outdoor Mobile Entertainment
Help ensure that the mobile entertainment industry has a workforce to provide amusement rides at county and state fairs, local community events, and more.
Understanding the RIDE Act (S. 1281)
A complete guide to understanding the Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment (RIDE) Act, S.1281
You Received a Form Letter Back From Your Representative. Now What?
As OABA members are doing their part to reach out to their Representative in the US Congress to co-sponsor HR 2729, some are reporting receiving a form letter email in response. Sometimes the form letter is not even on the right topic! This document outlines our suggestions on how to respond to that form letter.
Make One Call
This document is only one page, and outlines the steps you should take while making the call. Quick, at-a-glance, tips to help make your call most effective.
Letter Templates
Letter templates for both the CARE Act (US House) and RIDE Act (US Senate) are available to assist in contacting your representative. Documents are available as MS Word files.
CARE Act (US House) for Carnivals
CARE Act (US House) for Fairs
RIDE Act (US Senate) for Carnivals
RIDE Act (US Senate) for Fairs
Find Your Representative
Find out who your representative is and their contact information.
Video To Promote
Share on your social media, website, with your board members and more. This, approximately one minute, video will help you understand the importance of the CARE Act.
Support Our Mission
Supply your information so that we can let your voice be heard in Washington DC on your behalf.
