Republican Representative Nathaniel Moran of Texas and Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina introduced the Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act in the House and Senate, respectively. The bill seeks to bring movie and television production back to the United States, protecting and creating jobs in communities across the nation.
How the bill helps local economies
Moran emphasized that when a production films in a town it hires local caterers, fills local hotels, patronizes restaurants and employs tradespeople to build sets and run equipment. Those jobs, he said, are the very jobs the legislation is designed to protect.
The proposal includes extra incentives for productions that choose rural areas or regions recovering from a federally declared disaster, extending benefits beyond traditional hubs like Los Angeles and New York to places such as Georgia, Texas and other states.
Bipartisan support
The legislation enjoys bipartisan and bicameral backing. In the Senate, it was co‑sponsored by Democrat Adam Schiff, Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Raphael Warnock, alongside Scott. Moran noted that unions, guilds and studios have voiced strong support for the bill.
Senator Scott warned that American film production has been moving overseas, taking jobs, investment and cultural influence with it. He argued the bill will create jobs, support local economies and ensure the next generation of iconic American films is made at home.
Economic impact
According to Scott’s data, the film and television production industry supported nearly 2.74 million jobs and generated $242 billion in wages in 2022. By 2024 those numbers had fallen to 2.01 million jobs and $202 billion in wages, underscoring the urgency of federal action.
Schiff added that the direct and indirect jobs created by the creative workforce are enormously important, and with White House support the bill would establish a federal program to bring “movie magic” back to America.
Federal tax credit
Moran explained that the bill creates a federal tax credit to level the playing field, allowing the United States to compete with foreign incentives and bring production home.
“No single state can solve this problem on its own,” Moran said. “We need a federal partner for the benefit of every state and local community, every artisan and craftsman, every crew member, every hotelier and caterer, and every young boy or girl inspired by American storytelling to dream big.”
Presidential endorsement
President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the effort on Truth Social, urging Republicans and Democrats to pass legislation that saves the movie, television and entertainment business in America.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
