Sam Brownback: “I think the critical point that maybe is not being clearly put forward on this is what we are talking about here is…”

“I think the critical point that maybe is not being clearly put forward on this is what we are talking about here is being able to keep U.S. businesses in the United States, and, thus, access to these jobs dominantly by-- indeed, in many cases exclusively--by U.S. workers. We are trying to keep the businesses here. Many of these businesses could easily and rapidly move overseas, particularly ones in developing computer software and programming. That is something they could rapidly and easily move overseas. We want those jobs here so our workers have access to them. What we are talking about in the amendment put forward by the Senator from Michigan, Senator Abraham, is a present crunch that we have getting some workers into some of these jobs. This seriously needed legislation will raise the visa cap for professional workers from the present maximum of 65,000 to an additional 30,000 visas for 1998 with a 5-year sunset for additional H-1B visas. A failure to act would be a blow to many American companies, which are striving to obtain these workers at this immediate need and juncture in a very highly competitive marketplace.”