WASHINGTON, D.C. — IATSE welcomes President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of a federal film and television production incentive and is encouraged to see growing support for a policy the union has championed for years, Tuesday.

IATSE was the first labor group in the United States to call for a federal incentive to strengthen domestic film and television production. The union has long believed a federal incentive is an necessary tool to level the playing field with countries that have aggressively attracted production through generous, and often permanent incentive programs.

IATSE has been at the forefront of efforts to advance a federal production incentive and is actively working with Special Ambassador Jon Voight and industry stakeholders to develop a framework that can win broad support. Earlier this year, Voight highlighted the importance of a federal approach to strengthening domestic production and protecting American entertainment jobs. Through that effort, IATSE has worked as the tip of the spear in bringing labor’s voice directly into the conversation and ensuring that workers remain at the center of any solution.

IATSE is actively engaged with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in Congress to draft, introduce, and pass federal incentive legislation as quickly as possible to return and maintain film jobs in America.