Speech #1050192157

Unfortunately. there is currently an insufficient number of American workers available to fill many high technology positions. According to some reports. as many as 300.000 high technology jobs are unfilled due to a lack of qualified American workers in a tight labor market. The current quota of 65.000 H1B visas was reached months ago. leaving many companies without the resources they need to effectively operate and expand. If we do not responsively address this problem. we risk placing a strain on the expansion of the industry that could end up costing the American people countless jobs. I have consistently worked to ensure our immigration policy is firm. fair. and effective. Immigration laws should not be used as a tool to provide sources of cheap labor. nor should they be used to deprive qualified American workers the opportunity to succeed in the marketplace. However. we are currently confronted with a skilled labor shortage. Our response to this shortage should be targeted yet effective. We should not alter our fundamental commitment to maintain responsible and productive levels of immigration. but we should be willing to permit the necessary number of workers to enter temporarily to respond to the lack of qualified workers. Mr. Speaker. every effort should be made to ensure that qualified American workers are not being laid off or passed over to hire foreign workers.