[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. HIRONO (for herself, Mr. Lee, Mr. McCain, Mr. Rubio, Mr. 
        Schumer, and Mrs. Murray):
  S. 2048. A bill to include New Zealand in the list of foreign states 
whose nationals are eligible for admission into the United States as E-
1 and E-2 nonimmigrants if United States nationals are treated 
similarly by the Government of New Zealand; to the Committee on the 
Judiciary.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, today, I introduced bipartisan legislation 
that would promote trade and investment in America from a critical 
partner of ours in the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand. I want to 
thank Senators Lee, McCain, Rubio, Schumer and Murray for cosponsoring 
this bill and for their support for this commonsense proposal.
  The Encouraging Trade and Investment from New Zealand Act would 
extend eligibility for E-1 and E-2 visas to New Zealand citizens. E-1 
visas are available to certain foreign nationals coming to the United 
States to engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or 
technology principally between the United States and their home 
country. E-2 visas are for certain foreign investors coming here to 
develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they 
invested a substantial amount of capital.
  These non-immigrant visas are distinct from EB-5 investor immigrant 
visas, H1-B work visas and B-1 business visitor visas. Because of the 
unique structure of E-1 and E-2 visas, they are scrutinized closely by 
the State Department so that they directly support economic activity 
and jobs in the United States.
  Allowing New Zealanders to apply for these visas would directly 
promote job creation. In 2010, New Zealand-owned U.S. firms in the 
United States supported 10,900 American jobs. By the end of 2011, the 
total value of direct investment from New Zealand to the United States 
reached $6 billion. While these positive trends continue, the New 
Zealand government and New Zealand businesses have indicated that the 
lack of E-1 and E-2 visas is a dominant factor impeding further 
investment in our country.
  The Encouraging Trade and Investment from New Zealand Act would fix 
that. Because of the changes in our treaty practices, the E-1 and E-2 
visas can only be extended to New Zealand through legislation. 
Historically, we extended trade and investment visas to any country 
possessing a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation with the 
United States or through other agreements.
  Today more than 50 countries have access to E-1, trade, visas, and 
more than 80 countries have access to E-2, investors, visas. In recent 
years, the U.S. government has generally stopped pursuing treaties of 
friendship, commerce, and navigation.
  Indeed, in 2012, Congress enacted legislation extending E-1 and E-2 
visas to Israel. It is now the right time to do the same for New 
Zealand.
  Attracting trade and investment capital from New Zealand would 
bolster the reach of the United States' economy in the fast growing 
Asia-Pacific region. President Obama has made engagement with the Asia-
Pacific region a top economic and security priority, the so called 
``pivot to Asia,'' and New Zealand is a valued strategic partner.
  Extending trade and investment visas would bolster the bilateral 
relationship, increase foreign investment, and strengthen America's 
ties to the Asia-Pacific region. Every state will gain from greater 
trade and investment from New Zealand. In 2012 over 350,000 foreign 
traders and investors holding E-1 or E-2 visas came to our country and 
managed a business in all 50 states.
  Substantial benefits will accrue to Hawaii--the United States' 
gateway to Asia and the Pacific. Hawaii has recently seen a substantial 
increase in tourism from New Zealand, fostered by increased direct 
flights between New Zealand and Hawaii. In fact, Hawaiian Airlines is 
the only U.S. airline offering direct service to New Zealand.
  New Zealand recently announced that it would be opening a consulate 
in Honolulu, Hawaii. This consulate will help further bilateral ties 
and benefit from its proximity to the heart Hawaii's financial district 
and headquarters of U.S. Pacific Command.
  U.S. citizens are already eligible for a similar visa in New Zealand. 
I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this important 
initiative to allow them to do the same here to create jobs in our 
country.

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