[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 122 (Wednesday, October 4, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H8782-H8783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
H-1B VISAS
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Isakson). Under a previous order of the
House, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton) is recognized
for 5 minutes.
Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my appreciation to the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. McInnis) and the other Members on the
other side who are allowing me to proceed.
Mr. Speaker, last night, under the cloak of darkness, without notice,
without the opportunity to participate by voice vote on an unwritten
suspension calendar, after we had been told there would be no further
votes for the day, at a time when most Members had left the Chamber for
evening activities, the House passed S. 2045, legislation related to
the increase of H-1B visas.
I was not necessarily opposed to the bill, formally entitled the
American Competitiveness in the 21st Century Act. I was opposed to not
having a debate about it.
But with such vitally important legislation, in an area of critical
importance to this Nation, immigration policy, this House should have
had a chance to debate this matter, air the many views that emerged
during the House committee consideration of a similar measure, and
voted in the light of day on the bill.
It is wrong, Mr. Speaker. It is inexcusable. And the American people
deserve to know what some in this House did. The Senate bill increased
H-1B visas, in the light of day, to allow some 200,000 additional high-
tech workers to come to America from other countries, to work over the
next 3 years. I had amendments prepared to expand this legislation to
provide these same employment opportunities and training opportunities
to the United States workers in rural communities.
Professionals who work in specialty occupations are admitted to the
United States on a temporary basis through the H-1B visa category, the
largest category of temporary foreign workers. The increase was pushed
by many in the business community, especially those in the information
technology area, which is experiencing an economic explosion and
unprecedented job growth.
The amendments I had prepared would have made sure that those living
in rural America would have the opportunity to secure a position in
this rapidly expanding job market before employers look outside the
United States to bring in foreign workers. Not that we are against
bringing in foreign workers, we just want the same opportunity for
those who live in rural America.
The House Committee on the Judiciary marked up and reported H.R.
4227, the Technology Worker Temporary Relief Act. Among the many bills
introduced, there were three others related to the same subject,
increasing numerical limitations on H-1B visas, that also should be
considered. Those bills were H.R. 3983, H.R. 4402, and H.R. 4200.
Despite the rosy economic picture in America, too many Americans are
being left out. For those Americans, many of them living in rural
America over at least a 20-year period, there has
[[Page H8783]]
been a troubling trend, a trend that affects the very quality of their
life. During these 2 decades, income and wealth inequality, the
disparity in income and wealth due to wages, accumulated wealth,
investments and returns, have been well documented.
It is an alarming and disturbing trend because among those rural
Americans left behind, fewer can afford healthy meals, fewer can afford
health care for their families, and fewer can afford a college
education for their children. It is an alarming and disturbing trend
because rural America has been disproportionately affected.
Consequently, rural America lags far behind other communities in
personal access to the Internet as well as the total use of the
Internet.
This disparity exacerbates the persistent poverty, high unemployment,
inadequate health care and education resources. Thus, as the economy
rapidly expands, rural communities find that it is far more difficult
to participate.
Moreover, technological advances, which could provide some solutions
to these conditions, elude rural communities because of digital
disenfranchisement. Such advances as telemedicine, distance education
and electronic government, depend upon Internet access.
It is clear that the competition among service providers that is
driving the Internet explosion is not as concentrated in rural
communities. The lack of population densities, the absence of essential
infrastructure and the fact that rural communities are often spread
over great distances are reasons cited for this lack of enthusiasm.
Even the Department of Commerce has concluded in its Report, ``Falling
Through The Net,'' that, ``Disparities clearly exist (and) . . . access
comes hardest for Americans who are low-income . . . less educated,
single-parent families, young heads-of-households, and (those) who live
in the South, rural areas and central cities.''
However, these barriers should not, must not remain as impediments. A
rising tide should lift all boats.
It is for these reasons that this House should have had the
opportunity to debate, vote on and support amendments that would
require education and training for American citizens who reside in
rural and other depressed areas; amendments that would require both
public and private sector entities to make reasonable and diligent
efforts to find American citizens who are willing to be trained in
information technology positions; that would raise the H-1B visa fees;
and that would use those increased revenues to, in part, carry out the
other amendment mandates.
Mr. Speaker, this House has not had the will to pass a modest
increase in the minimum wage, an increase to help move millions of
America's workers out of poverty. But we did find the will to pass a
bill that mandates that foreign workers earn a minimum of $40,000 a
year. That is what the H-1B Bill that passed provides.
Late last night, Mr. Speaker, those who favor large business
interests won. But, the American people, especially those who live in
rural America, the many willing and able unemployed workers and this
Nation, lost.
It is clear, Mr. Speaker, that rural America indeed lost. In fact,
the Nation lost. Indeed, I think we should make an opportunity for
American workers as well.
____________________