Speech #1100037807

Then in May the Commerce Committee reported a bill that included ideas from the Augustine report. as well as the Presidents Council on Competitiveness. We had it from two committees. Then the immigration bill passed the Senate. The immigration bill didnt finally become law. but it passed the Senate with pretty big numbers. and included within it were three provisions that tackled some of the most archaic provisions in our immigration laws. those provisions which basically prevent our insourcing of brain power. We have more than 500.000 foreign students who come here every year to study. They include some of the brightest people in the world. and we make them swear before they come that they will go home when. in fact. we should want most of them to stay here and create jobs for us so we can keep our standard of living. So three provisions from the Augustine report were in that immigration bill that passed the Senate last year. and it is my hope that when the Senate takes up immigration legislation before Memorial Day. which the majority leader has said we are likely to do. that legislation will. again. have the provisions from the Augustine report and other recommendations that will make it easier to attract and keep in our country the brightest men and women from around the world. If they are going to create good jobs somewhere. lets create them in the United States for Americans to have. The Defense authorization bill included a provision related to support for early career researchers funded by the Pentagon.