On the recordJanuary 29, 2013
I wish to thank Senator Rubio and Senator Coons. I also thank the Senator from Utah for his incredible leadership. We have worked as a team. I think that is what this is, a team--team America. We must be a country that makes stuff again, invents things, and exports to the world. In order to do that, we need the world's talent, and that is what this bill is about. As everyone can see by looking at the four of us here on the Senate floor, it is something on which both parties can agree. In order to get this done and get comprehensive immigration reform done, we must work in a bipartisan manner. I support the comprehensive immigration principles that were outlined yesterday for reform and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to get this done. The I-squared bill is about encouraging engineers, inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs to work here in this country and discouraging companies from contracting out with people in other countries. I cannot say how many Minnesota companies--small companies-- have told me that they could not bring someone over because of the caps and they contracted with that person in another country. Well, guess what. That person then hired assistants and other people to work with them, but in one case they hired French people instead of hiring Americans.…
