[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               H.R. 6429

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, today, with many of my colleagues, I 
voted to oppose H.R. 6429 introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith. While I 
strongly support creating a STEM Visa program, and cosponsor Rep. 
Lofgren's H.R. 6412, the Attracting the Best and the Brightest Act of 
2012, the bill brought to the floor today was a partisan, unserious 
approach to a serious question. It was a last-minute suspension bill 
designed to fail. It unnecessarily raises questions about its 
application and divides Congress when it should bring us together.
  We need serious comprehensive immigration reform. Legislation that 
creates a STEM Visa program should be low-hanging fruit that builds 
momentum toward this goal. H.R. 6429 however, creates unnecessary 
divisions. Not only will it never be enacted into law but it sets us 
back on both this issue and the larger goal of immigration reform.

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