Recently, I
wrote about two issues which were before the Congress or the executive and
which you could and can still influence.
In the immigration bill passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the
tech robber barons enlisted the help of that great friend of the American
worker, Sen. Orin Hatch, to introduce a number of amendments which would dilute
or eliminate provisions requiring companies who want to use H1-B visas to
advertise job openings for 30 days, offer the job to qualified Americans before
they can be offered to a foreign worker and limit high tech visas for any
company which fails to comply.
Hatched pushed amendments, which created exceptions to these rules. The exceptions are so broad as to
render this attempt to create jobs for Americans toothless. The bill still can be amended on the
Senate floor. If this is of
interest to you contact your senator and demand the original proposals
prevail. You can also contact
Senator Richard Durbin's office.
(D. Illinois) who is the prime sponsor and encourage him to fight the
Hatch amendments.
There was also the issue of exporting natural gas. The Obama administration has approved a
proposal to build a natural gas export depot in Texas. Proponents of exporting gas have as
many as 13 other petitions for permits.
If you are worried this could drive up the price and hurt American
companies and jobs, you should again contact your representatives to oppose
efforts to build more export facilities.
You can also contact the new energy secretary's office and oppose any
more permits for export. He is on
the record as skeptical about the benefits of exporting natural gas and wants
the issue studied more and you want to pressure him to hold his ground.
Great job Bernie of keeping on top of these issues. I'm sad to hear the news about Gene Burns. I'm sure you'll have something to say.
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