[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 154 (Tuesday, December 4, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         STEM JOBS ACT OF 2012

                                 ______
                                 

                               SPEECH OF

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2012

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, hundreds of millions of hard-working people 
who are citizens of foreign nations want to become Americans. That is a 
testament to the greatness of our country.
  America can only accept a limited number of those who wish to move to 
our shores each year. Accordingly, we should provide visas in a manner 
that reflects they are a valuable asset to be allocated carefully.
  I do not believe the Diversity Visa Lottery is a good way to allocate 
the inherently limited number of immigrant visas. I believe that a 
rational, well-designed immigration system would not include the 
Diversity Visa Lottery.
  Given the political climate and legislative rules that we face, the 
passage of the bill before us on Friday, November 30, 2012, was not a 
step toward enacting a well-designed, rational immigration system. Nor 
was the Democratic Motion to Recommit likely to be the basis of a 
bipartisan reform bill. In any case, the bill will not be acted on by 
the Senate.
  Some of the visas we allocate should go to those who can provide the 
investment capital to create jobs within the United States. Some of the 
visas should go for family unification and for the humane treatment of 
refugees and persecuted persons. And some visas should go to those who 
have talents and skills that our economy needs. However, we need a 
better system than the one provided in this bill.
  I look forward to creating a rational immigration system in 2013.

                          ____________________