Mr. President. this Is very simple. It is an extension of the popular J1 visa program for 6 years. If we fail to do this. the authority runs out June 1. Mr. President. the J1 visa waiver permits each of our States to extend 20 waivers a year. And 21 of our States have already done it. More are interested in doing It. They will not have a chance if the authority runs out Mr. President. the amendment I am sponsoring would extend what has become known by some as the "Conrad State 20 Program." In 1994. I added a provision to the visa extension bill that allows state health departments or their equivalents to participate in the process of obtaining J1 visa waivers. This process allows a foreign medical graduate (FMG) who has secured employment in the United States to waive the J1 visa programs 2 year residency requirement. As a condition of the J1 visa. FMGs must return to their home countries for at least 2 years after their visas expire before being eligible to return. However. if the home countries do not object. FMGs can follow a waiver process that allows them to remain and work here in a designated health professional shortage area or medically underserved area.
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