Speech #930045320

May 7. I advised the House that Subcommittee No. 1. Immigration and Nationality. of the Committee on the Judiciary. would continue its hearings on May 10 to consider H.R. 981 which amends the Immigration and Nationality Act as it affects immigration policy regarding countries of the Western Hemisphere. The subcommittee had scheduled officials from the Department of Labor as witnesses. The principal issues before the committee in considering this legislation are: First. Should the existing preference system. now applicable to the Eastern Hemisphere. be imposed on the Western Hemisphere? Second. Should there be a percountry limitation on the number of immigrant visas available and. if so. what limitation should be imposed? Third. What provisions should be included in legislation applicable to refugees? Fourth. Should the alien labor certification program be revised and is it effectively protecting the domestic labor market? I am distressed to advise the House today that the Department of Labor has refused to honor the committees request and has declined to send official witnesses to appear before the subcommittee. I must further advise the House that previously. on April 12. representatives of the Department of Labor were invited to testify. but at that time the committee was informed that the Department was not prepared to testify and would need additional timethat additional time was accordingly granted. Before the subcommittee can proceed in a logical and reasonable manner. it Is manifestly imprrtant that the subcommittee receive an affirmative policy position from the Department of Labor and have an opportunity to question its officials. This lack of cooperation will impede the subcommittees attempt to bring to the House this session needed legislation. establishing equitable immigration procedures for persons from Western Hemisphere nations. I assure the House that it is the desire and intent of the committee to report Western Hemisphere legislation as soon as possible. Unfortunately. the executive branch of the Government. once again demonstrating its unwillingness to cooperate with the Congress. has obstructed the committees efforts to produce meaningful. remedial legislation.