The failure of the House Committee on Appropriations to include in the end-of-year appropriations bill a bipartisan proposal that would allow the Department to use its funds for participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is a missed opportunity for the United States. The proposal sought to fix long-standing limitations that Congress has imposed on our nation’s ability to advance American interests at Expos. Better known as World’s Fairs, Expos are one of the most cost-effective and critical diplomatic tools for engaging global audiences with America’s vision of freedom, innovation, and prosperity, especially in an era of renewed great power competition.

The absence of this legislative provision jeopardizes bids by Minneapolis and Houston to host upcoming Expos, which would attract millions of visitors, billions of dollars in revenue, and support tens of thousands of American jobs.

The Department is exploring other options that would allow for the United States to participate in Expo 2020 in Dubai.