STEM Jobs Act of 2012

Floor Speech

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6429, an unnecessarily partisan bill to increase the number of visas for foreign students graduating with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While I strongly believe we should increase the number of visas for these students, I oppose this bill because it eliminates the Diversity Visa Program. There is broad bipartisan support to increase the number of STEM visas. It is unfortunate that the Republican Leadership brought this bill to the floor. President Obama highlighted his support for increasing the number of STEM visas in his 2012 State of the Union Address, when he stated that it made no sense to train foreign students with advanced STEM degrees and then ``send them home to invent new products and create new jobs somewhere else.''

This bill is virtually identical to the version the House considered last September. However, Republicans added a provision to reauthorize the temporary ``V visa'' program. I support the ``V visa'' program, because it unites families. Unfortunately, the Republicans restricted the ``V visas'' by eliminating the ability to obtain work authorization and by not allowing spouses and children already here to participate in the program.

This bill is flawed and we can do better. I wish the Republican Leadership would have brought to the floor a bill introduced by Rep. ZOE LOFGREN to increase the number of STEM visas without eliminating the Diversity Visas Program. I support that legislation.

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