Speech #1010219100

Mr. Speaker. yesterday I opposed the proposed rule to H.R. 4300. the Family Unity and Employment Opportunity Immigration Act. Considering the openness and fairness that this bill sought to accomplish for our immigration policy. I would have hoped that we could have debated this issue under a similarly open and fair rule. Although H.R. 4300 has many positive elements that should be adopted. the bill also has several provisions which should have been addressed by the full House. One such provision is the 25.000 annual cap placed on HI ro".mmigrsnt visas for aliens of distinguis .ed merit and ability. Adoption of this cap will prove damaging to American hightechnology competitiveness. Unfortunately. this rule denied me the opportunity to offer an amendment that would have addressed this issue. and that is one reason I opposed the rule and the bill. The H1 visa allows companies to hire specially trained foreigners. A large number of these visas are awarded to foreign scientists. professors and engineers who do valuable work In the United States. The H1 visa has allowed experts in many fields of expertise. ranging from AIDS to fusion energy research. to come to the United States and assist in our effort to resolve some of the most difficult and demanding scientific questions facing our Nation. As our colleague. GEORGE BROWN. of California. said recently.