Lawmakers Push Federal Film Tax Credit Bill
A bipartisan group of 52 lawmakers backs a federal incentive aimed at drawing film production back to the United States.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Rep. Laura Friedman introduced a federal film tax incentive bill in September, and 52 lawmakers have signed on, split equally between both parties. Sen. Adam Schiff is leading the Senate effort.
Why it matters
Los Angeles is losing production work to overseas filmmaking and other states, and Trump's public support gave the effort enough Republican backing to advance. The measure's fate could shape where film jobs are based across the country.
The bill has 52 cosponsors divided evenly between parties, giving it bipartisan backing going into the lame duck session. Its path depends on passage by both chambers before the December recess, which remains unresolved.
The players
Laura Friedman
Congresswoman who introduced the federal film tax incentive bill in September 2026.
Adam Schiff
California senator leading the Senate effort to pass the federal film tax incentive.
Donald Trump
Current President of the United States who expressed support for the federal film tax credit effort in October 2026.
The details
The bill would be attached to a larger must-pass legislative package. Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the November 2026 elections, and Trump said at an October rally, "They want tax credits for Hollywood because Hollywood's dying."
Timeline
September 2026: Friedman introduces the federal film tax incentive bill.
October 2026: Trump expresses support for the effort at a rally.
November 2026: Democrats win control of both the House and Senate.
Dec. 18, 2026: Deadline for the bill to pass both chambers before recess.
Legislative Policy Context
The bill extends a state-by-state contest over film production incentives, in which California and New York have competed for productions, into a federal framework. Its success would mark a shift from state tax credits to national policy for keeping film work in the United States.
If passed, the incentive could affect where film and television productions are filmed and where related jobs are located across the country. Workers in film production hubs such as Los Angeles and New York would feel the most direct effect.
The takeaway
Federal action on film incentives would reshape competition that has so far played out state by state. Whether the December deadline holds will show how much lame duck momentum the effort can sustain.
What happens next
The bill must pass both the House and Senate by Dec. 18, 2026, or the process restarts in January.
Further reading
Track the progress of similar measures in the Legislative Policy section.
Live Poll
Should the federal government offer tax credits to keep film production in the U.S.?
