U.S. Chamber Calls Gephardt Immigration Bill a "First Step"-Bipartisan Support Missing from Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits Randel K. Johnson released the following statement on the "Earned Legalization and Family Unification Act" introduced yesterday by House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt.

"This bill is a positive first step toward the goals of broad-based immigration reform supported by the Chamber. But it does not address the needs for a reformed and expanded temporary worker program or expansion of legal categories for employer-sponsored immigrants. Finally, the bill lacks a necessary prerequisite for immigration reform — bipartisanship.

"The legislation includes a credible earned adjustment program that recognizes the contributions of immigrants in our economy and provides a path to residents and legal status. But the bill does not adequately address future workforce needs.

"Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that our economy will need more workers in the next 10 years, especially in so-called 'essential worker' jobs — entry level jobs requiring mostly on-the-job training. To address these future needs, we must have a workable temporary program that allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals when U.S. workers are not available, and we must expand work-based green cards so that employers and employees can invest in a long-term relationship when both parties agree.

"We are also disappointed that this bill does not have any bipartisan co-sponsorship. We have stated for the past three years that comprehensive immigration reform must be crafted across the aisle, with leadership from both parties. We encourage Congressman Gephardt and the House Democrats to work with their House colleagues, the Senate, and the administration on a bipartisan basis to craft broad legislation that meets the needs of business, and not to allow this important issue to be bogged down in politics."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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