Smith: Senate Democrats Block Jobs Bill

Smith: Senate Democrats Block Jobs Bill

Washington, D.C. – Senate Republicans today asked that the STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429) be brought up and passed by Unanimous Consent but Senate Democrats blocked the bill’s consideration.  The STEM Jobs Act eliminates the diversity visa program and reallocates up to 55,000 new green cards to the most highly qualified foreign graduates of American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.  The bill also contains a provision to put families first, allowing the spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents to come to the U.S. after waiting one year for their green cards.  Last week, the House of Representatives today approved the STEM Jobs Act by a vote of 245-139.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) expressed disappointment in the Senate Democrats’ decision to not consider the STEM Jobs Act.

Chairman Smith:  “I am disappointed that President Obama and Senate Democrats oppose the STEM Jobs Act.  This important bill will help us create jobs, increase our competitiveness, spur our innovation, and keep families together.  According to a recent poll, 76% of Americans support the goal of this bill. And over 100 national organizations, U.S. employers, and state and local organizations have endorsed the STEM Jobs Act.

“The President and Senate Democrats need to join with us to get this small piece of immigration reform done now.  The sooner we start to keep these talented foreign graduates, the sooner they can bolster U.S. competitiveness and help create jobs for America’s unemployed.  Unfortunately, President Obama and Senate Democrats seem to value their partisan agenda more than job creation and economic growth.  Their decision to oppose the STEM Jobs Act forces us to send the best and brightest foreign graduates back home to work for our global competitors.”