NEWS: Momentum Already Building for Sens. Tim Scott, Adam Schiff Bill to Establish a Federal Film Tax Credit with 8 New Bipartisan Backers in Senate

Bipartisan, bicameral backing from Senators in film production states – Ohio, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey, and Montana – follows call for action by President Trump, decades-long push by lawmakers to enact federal credit Washington, D.C. — Bipartisan momentum for U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Adam Schiff’s (D-Calif.) bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a federal film tax incentive is already building in the Senate with the addition of 8 new bipartisan Senate backers from across the country. Scott and Schiff are announcing today that their Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Ac t will be cosponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). This legislation, introduced last week in both the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, follows years of advocacy to create a nationwide tax credit, a push recently echoed by President Donald Trump. “For years, I’ve been championing a federal film tax credit to stop the exodus of TV and film production leaving the United States for countries offering higher incentives. Now, we have the best opportunity in decades to get it done. The direct and indirect jobs created by this creative and talented workforce are enormously important, and we want to make sure they stay in this country. With the support of the White House, our bill will create an overdue federal program to bring the movie magic back to America while creating thousands of jobs and spurring local economic growth across the nation. This legislation has bipartisan, bicameral support, and it’s time we get this passed,” said Senator Schiff. “Having worked in a movie theater growing up, I saw early on how films can move and inspire generations of Americans. Films like ‘The Notebook’ bring us to tears, and films like ‘Forrest Gump’ inspire us to see the world differently. That is the power of film, and South Carolina is blessed to serve as the backdrop for both of these iconic American stories,” said Senator Scott. “We cannot stand by as more and more American film production moves overseas, taking jobs, investment, and an important source of American cultural influence with it. This legislation will create jobs in communities across America, support local economies, and help ensure that the next generation of iconic American films is made right here in America.” “Montana is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the country, made famous in noteworthy movies and shows like Yellowstone and A River Runs Through It. Movies about Montana should always be based in Montana – not on a fake movie set overseas. I’m proud to work with Senator Scott on this bill to level the playing field for American movie producers and keep our film industry thriving,” said Sen. Daines . “Georgia’s vibrant film industry is swiftly emerging as one of the most lucrative in the nation, and I’m proud to represent the thousands who come to our state and make a career creating world-renowned productions,” said Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “Everyone who dedicates their talent and expertise to bringing magic to the silver screen deserves economic opportunities that are competitive with the global market. Our bipartisan bill will help ensure the film industry continues to thrive both here in Georgia and across the country.” “California built the world’s entertainment industry, but we continue to see production being pulled overseas by other countries’ tax policies,” said Senator Padilla . “Our bill would create a new tax incentive to keep our entertainment industry in the United States. I’m proud to partner with Senator Schiff on this critical issue as we continue advocating for our country’s beloved blockbusters and binge-worthy TV shows for the sake of California’s economy, entertainment industry employees, and audiences everywhere.” “Film and television production supports good-paying jobs and small businesses across Virginia and across the country. This bill will help keep more productions — and the jobs they create — here at home, while giving Virginia’s talented artists and production workers more opportunities to succeed. I’m proud to support this effort,” said Senator Warner. “President Trump is right, the days of executives offshoring good-paying jobs to Mexico are over. It’s time to Make Hollywood Great Again,” said Sen. Moreno . “When we keep production, talent, and creativity here in the United States, we don’t just protect good-paying jobs; we safeguard the industry that has defined global popular culture for generations. Ohio has been a staple in the film industry for nearly 130 years, producing iconic movies, pumping millions into our economy, and it’s time to bring those jobs back home for good.” “As the film and entertainment industry continues to thrive in New Jersey, good jobs and economic growth for local communities thrives too. With new federal incentives, this legislation can take us even further and support states like New Jersey who are home to a growing production workforce and benefiting from it,” said Senator Kim. The Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act would: Spur American jobs and economic development by providing a 20% federal, labor-based tax credit to U.S. film and television productions with minimum spend of $1 million and where at least 75% of the principal photography days occur within the U.S; Offer 5% bonus credit allowances, increasing the base credit up to a maximum of 30%, for productions in rural opportunity zones and areas impacted by disasters, independent productions, multi-state producers in 10+ states, and producers who show a measurable onshoring of productions; Make the credit available to traditional post-production and visual effects activities when at least 75% of the respective post-production and visual effects production takes place in the U.S; and Support the investments of states currently offering incentives by allowing the federal incentive to supplement state credits. In the U.S. House of Representatives, this legislation is led by Representatives Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas-1), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif- 38), Brian Jack (R-Ga-3), and Laura Friedman (D-Calif-30). House co-sponsors include Mike Carey (R-Ohio-15), Judy Chu (D-Calif-28), David Kustoff (R-Tenn-08), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.-03), Vince Fong (R-Calif-20), and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-5). This bill is endorsed by: American Federation of Musicians, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), CreativeFuture, Coalition for American Production (CAP), Directors Guild of America (DGA), FilmUSA, Independent Film and Television Alliance (IFTA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Motion Picture Association (MPA), Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), Teamsters, Television Academy, U.S. Film and Television Production Coalition, Writers Guild of America East (WGAE), Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) Bill one pager is here. The full text of the legislation is available here . The section-by-section of the legislation is available here . Background: For years, Schiff has highlighted the need to increase film production in America and has continued to build bipartisan support in Congress for his federal film incentive proposal, which would promote American jobs and spur local economic growth by creating additional support for film and television production in the U.S., allowing us to compete with foreign incentives. During his time in the California State Senate, Schiff helped lead efforts to increase film production in California and protect local jobs. Schiff spearheaded efforts in Congress to extend California’s film tax credit, including in 2014 when he led 28 members of the California Democratic delegation in urging the leaders of the California State Senate and Assembly to reauthorize and enhance the tax credit. In 2024, Schiff sent a letter to the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics requesting detailed data on the impact of foreign production incentives on the domestic industry. In March 2026, Senator Adam Schiff hosted a spotlight hearing in Burbank California entitled, “Lights, Camera, Competition: Promoting American Film Production” to highlight the importance of bolstering American film production, and tackling the challenges facing the industry from generous tax incentives provided by other countries. ###