Political Quotes

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2877, to make Irish nationals eligible for temporary admission to the United States through the existing E-3 visa program. And I thank the gentleman from North Dakota for his offering today and his support. I worked last year with Chairman Sensenbrenner on this as well. Mr. Speaker, this legislation has broad support, and last session it passed the Congress unanimously. Created in 2005 as a result of the U.S.-Australian Trade Agreement-- which I voted for, supported, and spoke in support of--the agreement said, essentially, that the E-3 visa program, as constructed, would make 10,500 visas annually available to skilled Australian nationals for temporary work. This program has been a successful pathway for qualified Australian citizens to gain valuable professional experience in the United States. However, our Australian friends have only used roughly half of the available visas during the past decade. E-3 visas are limited to professionals visiting the United States to perform services in specialty occupations in a confirmed job from a United States employer. E-3 visa applicants also must have a university degree, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the United States. The E-3 visa allows the holder to stay in America for 2 years with the option to renew.…”