Reps. Carter and Smucker Introduce the MUSIC Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Troy A Carter Sr. (D-LA-02) and Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) are announcing the introduction of the MUSIC Act, bipartisan legislation that will aid entertainment companies and workers left out of the Save Our Stages (SOS) Act.

Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, especially New Orleans, is home to many live events companies that play a critical role in creating and producing entertainment experiences for artists and theaters nationwide. These companies employ hundreds of hardworking, talented Louisianians, but as the pandemic pressed pause on many live events, service and support companies have struggled to stay in business. The Save Our Stages Act provided a lifeline to venue operators but did not also include the companies that serve as the backbone to event production.

“In my home state of Louisiana, the live entertainment industry is a critical sector to our economy, but it needs a jumpstart,” said Rep. Troy Carter. “The MUSIC Act will help struggling companies and staff in the entertainment industry get back on their feet following the chaos that the coronavirus brought to the industry. This bipartisan legislation bridges the gap for businesses that were not eligible for previous relief programs and is a commonsense step to light the path toward recovery.”

“The live event industry faced significant challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker. “While I was thankful that the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program was able to support many struggling companies, I was disappointed to learn that critical live events production companies were ineligible to access these critical support programs. I appreciate my colleague Rep. Troy Carter for working with me to advance this important bipartisan legislation to help support good-paying middle-class jobs in my district and across the country.”

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program has billions in leftover funding that could help preserve service and support companies while keeping thousands employed in good-paying jobs. Passing the MUSIC Act is a commonsense bipartisan fix to support a struggling industry using previously allocated funds. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Marsha Blackburn have also introduced similar legislation in the United States Senate.

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