Speech #1040203606

I note that our amendment is a compromise. The House considered and rejected a broader. new program. Our amendment merely reforms the current H2A program. It wouldStreamline and simplify administrative procedures. expedite processing. and provide basic worker protections that both ensure that temporary immigrant workers do not displace American workers and protect those workers from exploitation. I want to emphasize: The original H2A program was needed. and these reforms are needed. because there simply are not enough American workers who are available to take these seasonal. temporary jobs. We propose to allow the legal employment of a legal. temporary immigrant. only when there is not an American worker available for that job.