Well…They Did It

As much as we would have hoped those members of the Senate who actually understand how an economy runs would reject the DOGE cuts to Brand USA...they didn't. Maybe they didn't read the big-ass bill. Maybe they didn't understand the ramifications. Or maybe they were just following orders.

But in the end, at a time when international travel to the United States is cratering, the Senate votes to slash international tourism marketing. Simply unfathomable...because they are forfeiting billions of non-resident tax dollars in the name of reducing the deficit.

Brand USA costs the American taxpayer nothing. It is funded by a fee on inbound visitors. But the DOGE assholes weren't sophisticated enough to understand that. Or, they just saw a pot of money and decided to raid it. 

As the House nears its vote to ratify, the debate is about Medicaid. Let's not kid ourselves that Brand USA will enter into the conversation. But, on this 4th of July weekend, we need to reflect how we change the narrative so this never happens again.