Speech #1050192243

Speaker. there are two differences between the Watt substitute and the underlying Smith version. One has received a lot of attention. the attestation requirement. and I will have a word about that in a second. But the first has not. and that is that there is a difference in the Watt substitute in that the increased H1Bs come from H2Bs. so that the net number of temporary immigrant visas will not increase. Whereas. under the Smith bill. the H1Bs are a net increase. So. we really have two differences and they are quite significant. If we believe that it is beneficial to our country to have a net increase in the number of temporary visas. then only the Smith bill provides for that. As to the attestation requirement. the arguments that have been made are in my judgment missing the fundamental point that we are speaking of a temporary position. That is why we do not have an attestation requirement in existing law for an HlB visa. See. if we are hiring somebody to come to this country on a permanent basis. that is a green card. And for a green card. an attestation requirement is needed and that is in existing law. That is because they are coming to this country and are going to be a member of our economy on a permanent basis. But the whole idea of the H1B and the H2B is that it is a temporary invitation to this country for a task that needs someone now. That is why the attestation requirement runs into such opposition in many industries. because the need now to go through the attestation requirement delays the ability to fill that need now. That is why existing law does not have an attestation requirement for the HlB visa. We would. for the first time. be imposing into law an H1B attestation requirement. and that is quite a move towards those who have expressed. with all good faith. concern for protecting the jobs of the American worker. Indeed. the best way. it seems to me. to protect it is job of the American worker is to guarantee a vibrant economy with a growing sector that relies upon the H1B and permanent immigrants and American citizens. That is my second main point. It is essential that we remain competitive. If as a result of what we do today we have fewer temporary immigrant laborers hired. but we lose the opportunity for the person necessary to the immediate job at hand to come to this country. we will have lost a great deal. For the immediate need is exactly the competitive edge. and then that technology. that opportunity. will very well go to another country which does have the ability to hire the temporary worker without the delay of the attestation requirement. So.