Schiff Says Federal Production Tax Credit Talks Are Active but Incomplete

Federal legislation aimed at establishing nationwide film and television tax credits remains under active negotiation, California Senator Adam Schiff confirmed to Deadline. While momentum has built behind the effort, a finalized agreement has not yet reached the finish line.

The proposal seeks to stem the flow of film and television productions leaving the United States for aggressive international incentive markets like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Schiff indicated that direct discussions with the White House are ongoing as stakeholders attempt to iron out the details of the policy package.

## Bipartisan Push in Washington

Over the past two years, Schiff has worked across party lines to craft a framework capable of clearing Congress and earning the signature of President Donald Trump. Industry trade groups, labor unions, and studio heads have increasingly lobbied Washington for a cohesive federal incentive, arguing that state-level credits alone cannot compete with heavy national subsidies abroad.

A federal credit represents a significant departure from traditional U.S. production policy, which has historically relied on individual states such as California, Georgia, and New York to offer regional incentives. Rising production costs and post-strike contraction have intensified pressure on federal lawmakers to intervene.

For Hollywood, securing a federal incentive could reshape greenlight formulas and domestic crew employment, though passing complex fiscal policy through a divided Congress remains a steep legislative hurdle.