Senate to Vote Shortly on H-1B Bill, S. 2045
Posted Apr 28, 2000

As discussed in previous issues of the MurthyBulletin, the Hatch/Abraham H-1B Bill (S. 2045) proposes to increase H-1B numbers as well as eliminate the per-country limits on green card cases, among other benefits for U.S. companies and their highly skilled foreign worker employees. Details of the Bill are described in the MurthyBulletin dated February 11, 2000.

Senate Leadership has indicated that the Bill is expected to come to the Senate floor for a vote within the next week in early May 2000. Please note that a specific date for the vote has not yet been set.

We urge U.S. employers, H.R. Managers and any others who will benefit from the provisions of this far reaching Bill to contact your Senators by email, telephone or by letter, within the next few days. Request that your Senator vote  "yes " to S. 2045 and tell him or her how this legislation would benefit your business and the U.S. economy. The Congressional Switchboard number is 202-224-3121. Most U.S. Senators have their own websites and direct email access too!

Below are the main points to mention to the Senator :

• The cap on H-1B's is a cap on America's Growth
• There is a shortage of highly educated professional workers
• H-1B visas are part of the solution, but the cap has been reached, and
  your company cannot now use the H1B program
• S. 2045 is a balanced solution for the H1B cap problem in that it also provides for education and training of future American workers, while also allowing employers to sponsor key foreign nationals.

The Law Office of Sheela Murthy continues to remain active and involved in lobbying for pro-immigration legislation, which is both beneficial for the U.S. economy and helps to maintain U.S. technological leadership in the world.