Political Quotes

“I thank Representative Scott. We both sit on the Judiciary Committee, and in the context of our service on the Judiciary Committee, we will be presented with an opportunity to deal with the issue of comprehensive immigration reform. Already two hearings have been held on this matter. One of the issues that has consistently come up is the need to increase the number of H-1B visas for highly skilled immigrants in the STEM field--science, technology, engineering and mathematics. {time} 1710 The technology-and-innovation economy and sector in this country have taken off, and there are actually opportunities. Some estimate approximately 20 percent of the workforce has openings in the technology-and-innovation sector that many would like to see filled by opening up the opportunities for highly skilled immigrants. It's an approach that I think shares bipartisan support. But, simultaneously, many of us believe that, as a country, we must also invest in STEM education for our children and our young people to make sure that, moving forward, they have the opportunity to develop careers in the STEM fields in a manner that will benefit themselves, their families, their communities and, by extension, the country. And so before I yield to the distinguished gentleman from New Jersey, I believe that Representative Horsford had an observation or two to make in the area of the need to invest in STEM education.”