Cornyn Seeks Interim Relief For America's Technology
Companies
Introduces Amendment Aimed at Protecting U.S.
Competitiveness
Thursday, July 19, 2007
WASHINGTON— Building on his efforts to protect U.S.
competitiveness, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, ranking
Republican on the Immigration, Border Security and
Citizenship subcommittee, today introduced an
amendment to the Higher Education Reconciliation,
currently under consideration by the Senate, which
would strengthen employer access to skilled employees.
“A key part of the American economy is our ability to
innovate. Yet, today, our country’s technology
companies are facing an impending crisis which
requires critical interim relief,” U.S. Sen. Cornyn
said today. “USCIS’s announcement this year that the
cap for H-1B workers was met in just one day, coupled
with the recent July announcement that
employment-based visas were no longer available for
those with advanced degrees, makes clear that industry
needs interim relief today until we can return to
comprehensive immigration reform. This amendment will
go a long way to help out businesses that are the
life-blood of the U.S. economy and I hope my
colleagues will join me in supporting it.”
Specifically, the Cornyn Amendment would allow the
Department of State and DHS to “recapture” unused
employment-based visas. This is not an increase in
employment-based numbers but rather, a direction for
the agencies to use all the visa numbers that are
available today. These visa numbers will be
distributed to nurses and physical therapists and
aliens with extraordinary ability, advanced degrees,
and needed skills. In addition, the Cornyn Amendment
also includes a one-time H-1B increase of 115,000 (up
from the 65,000) for FY 2008 only.
Sen. Cornyn serves on the Armed Services, Judiciary
and Budget Committees. In addition, he is Vice
Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and the
Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He serves as the
top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s
Immigration, Border Security and Refugees subcommittee
and the Armed Services Committee’s Airland
subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney
General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County
District Judge.
S.AMDT.2339
Amends: H.R.2669 , S.AMDT.2327
Amendments to this amendment: S.AMDT.2348
Sponsor: Sen Cornyn, John
(submitted 7/19/2007)
(proposed 7/19/2007)
AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
To provide interim relief for shortages in
employment-based visas for aliens with extraordinary
ability and advanced degrees and for nurses.
TEXT OF AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED: CR S9629
STATUS:
7/19/2007:
Amendment SA 2339 proposed by Senator Cornyn to
Amendment SA 2327. (consideration: CR S9588; text: CR
S9588)
7/19/2007:
Point of order raised in Senate with respect to
amendment SA 2339.
7/19/2007:
Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to
amendment SA 2339 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote.
55 - 40. Record Vote Number: 266.
7/19/2007:
Amendment SA 2339 ruled out of order by the chair.
COSPONSORS(6):
Sen Enzi, Michael B. - 7/19/2007
Sen Gregg, Judd - 7/19/2007
Sen Smith, Gordon H. - 7/19/2007
Sen Sununu, John E. - 7/19/2007
Sen Coleman, Norm - 7/19/2007
Sen Voinovich, George V. - 7/19/2007
Amendment DENIED
http://tinyurl.com/28rvda
Here is the actual Roll Call:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00266
Note this:
Alphabetical by Senator Name Akaka (D-HI), Nay
Alexander (R-TN), Yea
Allard (R-CO), Yea
Barrasso (R-WY), Yea
Baucus (D-MT), Yea
Bayh (D-IN), Yea
Bennett (R-UT), Yea
Biden (D-DE), Nay
Bingaman (D-NM), Nay
Bond (R-MO), Yea
Boxer (D-CA), Nay
Brown (D-OH), Nay
Brownback (R-KS), Not Voting
Bunning (R-KY), Yea
Burr (R-NC), Yea
Byrd (D-WV), Not Voting
Cantwell (D-WA), Yea
Cardin (D-MD), Nay
Carper (D-DE), Nay
Casey (D-PA), Nay
Chambliss (R-GA), Yea
Clinton (D-NY), Nay
Note this:
Not Voting - 5
Brownback (R-KS)
Byrd (D-WV)
Johnson (D-SD)
Lott (R-MS)
Obama (D-IL)
Here is where Obama was instead:
http://tinyurl.com/ysnrln