Speech #1020085598

I rise In strong support of S. 296. In addition to recognizing the Invaluable contributions of those foreign nationals who serve In the Armed Forces of the United States. S. 296. as amended. authorizes desperately needed funding for the domestic resettlement of refugees. Beyond that. the measure corrects two technical. but critical. errors In current law and provides the Congress the time needed to evaluate U.S. policy regarding the Issuance of visas for foreign artists. athletes. and entertainers. As passed by the House on September 16. S. 296 contained only one section. That section provided Immigrant visas to alien members of the U.S. Armed Forces. and their families. who have served for 12 years with the U.S. military or have agreed to do so. The bill places an annual ceiling of 2.300 on the number of service members who could receive this benefit.