Congressman Lamar Smith, Twenty First Congressional
District of Texas
Ranking Member Lamar Smith today introduced a bill to address American companies’ immediate need for high-tech, specialty workers. The “Strengthening United States Technology and Innovation Now Act (SUSTAIN Act)” raises the annual cap for H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009.
“American employers have an urgent need for highly skilled foreign workers to fill positions in specialty occupations,” stated Ranking Member Smith. “The American economy thrives on high-tech companies that require high-tech workers to remain globally competitive. H-1B visas are necessary to ensure that these companies have the resources and workers required to succeed.”
“The SUSTAIN Act is an emergency fix that gives Congress and American companies extra time to consider farther reaching changes to the H-1B program,” said Smith. “Specifically, the Act restores the annual cap on H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009.”
“In 2003, the annual cap dropped to 65,000, far below the level needed for high-tech employers,” Smith continued. “In fact, this year, the entire supply of 2008 visas was exhausted in the first three days of availability. H-1B visas for 2009 become available on April 1. They are likely to be exhausted almost immediately.”
“When high-tech companies and firms go to American universities to recruit, they seek the best graduates regardless of their nationality,” added Smith. “In many cases, the best students are foreigners. By denying them positions here in the U.S., we let many talented and highly educated workers take positions with our competitors overseas. That is not good for business and it is not good for the American economy.”
“American companies lead the world in developing new technology and high-tech innovation,” concluded Smith. “But in order to remain competitive in the fast-pace, global economy, we must be sure to keep attracting and hiring the best workers. The SUSTAIN Act helps companies fill immediate needs now, while Congress considers larger policy goals for the future.”
