Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on H.R.
6429, the STEM Jobs Act, sponsored by Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, which would increase
access to green cards for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced
degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields by creating
a new green card category of up to 55,000 visas for them. However, the bill also would eliminate
the diversity visa lottery program, which drew opposition from others including House
Democrats. As a result, the bill
failed to achieve the required 2/3 majority and was voted down. While this was disappointing, CCIA understands the reasons and is encouraged by the level of bipartisan support voiced on the House floor for STEM visas themselves, and we look forward to further coordination and cooperation on the issue this year.
Greater access to green cards for skilled foreign
workers holding advanced degrees from U.S. universities is a cause that CCIA
has championed for many years. It
is therefore extremely disappointing for us to see a bill that would do just
that come up for a vote at last, only to see it fail. What makes it even more excruciating is that the failure
came due to disagreement on an unrelated measure and despite broad bipartisan
support for STEM visas themselves.
During floor debate, member after member (both
supporters of H.R. 6429 and opponents) declared their support for increasing
green cards for advanced STEM degree holders, and cited a consensus for that
support. Despite yesterday’s
disappointment, we cannot help but be encouraged by the fact that members of
both parties voiced support on the House floor for this policy, not just in
concept, but as part of concrete legislation.
The past efforts and failures at immigration
reform have shown that nothing can be done without bipartisan agreement. A Buddhist parable tells of a version
of hell in which condemned souls starve because the chopsticks they are given
are too long for them to lift the food into their own mouths, whereas in heaven
the chopsticks are used to feed each other. The U.S. economy has been starving itself of skilled
immigrants and the innovation they contribute for too long. Yet with such broad agreement on the
need for STEM visas as was demonstrated on the House floor yesterday, there
must be a way for both parties to work together in a way that achieves
legislation with bipartisan support.
We look forward to their continuing to work toward and finally finding
such a solution this year.
