On February 2, Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) introduced House Resolution 901, which reaffirms bipartisan congressional support of BridgeUSA programs and recognizes the importance of these programs to the United States’ economy and national interests.
BridgeUSA programs, formerly known as the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, were created alongside the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, which the State Department still advances in administering BridgeUSA as federal cultural exchange programs.
In the press release announcing the resolution, Rep. Moore stated, “the message I have heard from community and business leaders alike is that these programs simply work.” Rep. Kuster added, “Small businesses here in New Hampshire and across the country rely on the BridgeUSA program — a work-and study-based exchange visitor program — to staff their operations and serve their communities.”
The Alliance for International Exchange signed on as an external supporter of the resolution along with a number of other organizations and stakeholders.