Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2009

Mr. Speaker, the House's consideration of H.R. 1127, legislation to extend certain visas for religious workers and doctors serving in underserved areas highlights our broken immigration and visa system.

While R-1 visas and the Conrad 30 J waivers are noble programs there are many small businesses in my congressional district that face critical shortages of workers because Congress has failed to address the H-2B temporary worker visa program.

Without prompt action by Congress to extend H-2B visa cap relief, employers who rely on temporary and seasonal employees face severe worker shortages and the looming possibility of business closures in 2009.

Workers with H-2B visas provide necessary labor for the seafood, tourism, hospitality, and landscape industries, as well as many other temporary and non-agricultural jobs in this country. Due to the seasonal nature of the work and the structure of the cap, employers often face uncertainty and employment shortages during their busiest season.

I urge you to take action to quickly pass the Save Our Small and Seasonal Business Act of 2009. H.R. 1136 would address this important issue impacting many businesses in my district and across the country. Your leadership in this matter is critical in assuring that small and seasonal business will be able to successfully navigate the challenging times facing our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1127. I oppose

this legislation, not due to a lack of merit, but because many members of this body have sought relief for an equally vital visa issue--the H- 2B Visa program.

The H-2B Visa program was designed to provide access to nonimmigrant, temporary workers for seasonal needs when no American workers can be found. These foreign workers offer short-term assistance and return to their home country at the end of their season. H-2B visas are capped at 66,000 per year. This still does not meet the needs for small businesses. In fact, the 2009 cap was met within the first week of January.

I have previously called upon the leadership of the Congress to address this urgent need in districts like mine across the country. To the detriment of so many of the small businesses that are the engine of our economy, this issue is ensnarled in the broader immigration debate and no action has been taken to date.

In the absence of such a consensus, I respectfully oppose this bill and ask my colleagues to join me in supporting and calling for a vote on H.R. 1136, the ``Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act,'' introduced by my friend from Michigan, Mr. Stupak.

During these difficult economic times, we cannot leave our small businesses with few options and even fewer workers.