Klobuchar took to the Senate floor today to ask for unanimous consent on the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act, which then passed in the Senate; Emmer led the legislation in the House, which also passed unanimously today

This legislation will allow the U.S. to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions and ensures that the U.S. competes on a level playing field against foreign countries to host a World Expo in the U.S. in 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Tom Emmer are continuing their work to bring the World’s Fair to Minnesota, with legislation passing both the Senate and the House today. Klobuchar took to the Senate floor today to ask for unanimous consent on the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act, which then passed in the Senate. Emmer led the legislation in the House, which also passed unanimously today. This legislation will allow the U.S. to rejoin the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) and ensures that the U.S. competes on a level playing field against foreign countries to host a World Expo in the U.S. in 2023.

“There’s no better place to showcase the exchange of ideas and American ingenuity than Minnesota,” Klobuchar said. “It was good to work with Congressman Emmer, Congresswoman McCollum, and the entire congressional delegation as well as former Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Texas Senator John Cornyn. Together, we were able to get this bipartisan legislation passed in the House and Senate. We’re ready to show the world the very best Minnesota and the country has to offer.”

“I was honored to work with Senator Klobuchar, Congresswoman McCollum and the rest of the Minnesota Delegation on the U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act, and today we are proud it has officially passed out of both chambers unanimously,” Emmer said. “Through the passage of this bill we have the ability to rejoin the BIE, bringing Minnesota, and the United States as a whole, one step closer to being able to highlight our innovative spirit and incredible success stories on a global stage. I am pleased our efforts have been successful and thank all the individuals, elected officials and organizations, especially the folks at Expo 2023, who rallied together to get us closer to making this dream a reality.”

World Expos are large international exhibitions held every five years. They offer American citizens, businesses, and communities the opportunity to showcase their products, technology, and innovative spirit to help promote U.S. exports and job creation. Citizens from Minnesota have developed a private bid to host the 2023 World Expo and are actively competing against cities in Argentina and Poland. Houston, Texas is also bidding for 2025. 

The BIE is in charge of selecting the site of future World Expos. Unfortunately, the rules of the BIE make it virtually impossible for bids from non-member nations to compete against bids from member nations.

The U.S. Wants to Compete for a World Expo Act:

  • Authorizes the Secretary of State to take those steps necessary to rejoin the BIE.
  • Empowers American citizens, businesses, and state and local governments to compete on an even footing against foreign countries to host a World Expo in the United States. 
  • Maintains current taxpayer safeguards that prohibit the use of taxpayer money from funding participation in international expositions or other events facilitated by the BIE.
  • Further protects the taxpayer by granting the Secretary of State authority to accept private contributions for the specific purpose of rejoining the BIE.

In September, Klobuchar, Emmer, and the entire Minnesota congressional delegation came together to urge the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce to support Minnesota’s bid to host the 2023 World’s fair. The bipartisan effort highlighted the state’s innovative economy, welcoming community, and accomplishments in promoting health and wellness.

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