Speech #890139651

I am opposed to it. The percentages we are discussing were the subject of hearings and discussions. They have been allocated as mentioned in the bill. as follows: The first category. 20 percent. or 34.000 members to unmarried sons or daughters of U.S. citizens. second category. 20 percent. or 34.000 for spouses. unmarried sons or daughters of aliens. third category. 10 percent. or 17.000 for professionals. fourth category. 10 percent. or 17.000 for married sons or daughters of U.S. citizens. fifth category. 24 percent. or 40.800 for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. sixth category. 10 percent. or 17.000 for skilled or unskilled labor in short supply. seventh category. 6 percent or 10.200 for refugees. the remainder is for nonpreference or "new seed" immigrants. These are the percentages which have been arrived at by the subcommittee and the committee after extensive and exhaustive hearings. I do not depreciate the importance of bringing an amendment to the floor in the final hour. if it is a worthwhile amendment. However. one so basic to the whole structure of the bill and the allocations of visa numbers does a disservice to the concern and consideration that the subcommittee and the full committee gave to these allocations. Therefore I urge that the amendment not be adopted.