A bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Sen. Adam Schiff has introduced federal legislation to create a production tax credit aimed at keeping film and television shoots within the United States. The proposal has drawn an unusual coalition of political figures and entertainment personalities, including former reality television star Spencer Pratt and conservative actor Jon Voight, who have actively lobbied for the measure. The legislation is designed to bolster domestic production by offering incentives that make U.S. locations and crews more competitive against foreign sites.
Federal Film and TV Tax Credit Proposal Unites Sen. Adam Schiff, Spencer Pratt, and Jon Voight in Bipartisan Push
Building a Cross-Aisle Coalition for Domestic Production
The push for the federal film and television tax credit has brought together figures from across the political spectrum. In a press call on Thursday, Schiff discussed his work with conservative advocates to advance the bill. “It’s brought together some unusual allies. I’ve been strategizing with Spencer Pratt and Jon Voight and others, I really appreciate their efforts and their support,” Schiff said.
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Schiff’s relationship with Pratt began in August following the passage of disaster tax relief legislation that Schiff co-sponsored with Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) to aid communities affected by wildfires and natural disasters. Pratt, whose home was destroyed in the 2025 Pacific Palisades fire, reached out to Schiff to express appreciation for the relief effort and subsequently brought up the film tax credit.
Pratt also helped mobilize interest among Republican lawmakers by contacting Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), whose prior experience with state-level production incentives in South Carolina made him familiar with the policy. Sen. Tim Scott ultimately joined the effort as a co-sponsor of the Senate bill alongside Schiff.
Lobbying Efforts and White House Engagement
Pratt publicly announced his advocacy for the federal tax credit in early August, sharing photos with President Trump and stating that he was committed to supporting the domestic entertainment industry. Sources indicate that Pratt has remained active in promoting the legislation since that time.
At the same time, Schiff has maintained continuous talks with Jon Voight, who serves as a special ambassador to Hollywood for President Trump and has engaged in lobbying work for the bill. Schiff described the partnership as harmonious from the beginning, noting that Voight has played a key role in making the case for the legislation to the White House.
Schiff noted that he has spent 20 to 25 years working toward a federal production incentive, dating back to his early tenure in the House of Representatives. This year, aligned sponsors in both congressional chambers coordinated legislative language to introduce identical bills with backing from the administration.
Goals of the Proposed Tax Incentive
The newly introduced legislation is structured to address several key challenges facing the domestic entertainment industry:
- Enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. filming locations and local crews against foreign production hubs.
- Retaining and generating jobs within American production communities.
- Supporting independent producers, studios, and associated service industries reliant on domestic shooting locations.
While federal involvement in an industry typically supported by state-level incentives may draw scrutiny from critics, supporters emphasize that the broad coalition demonstrates rare momentum around preserving domestic production capacity.