Skilled Visa Cap

* In your July 21 editorial, “Don’t Meld Immigration Issues,” you argue that I have the power to speed consideration of HR 3983, a bipartisan measure to raise the cap on H-1B visas for skilled foreigners to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis. I do not. Under the rules of the House of Representatives, only the majority party has the power to move legislation to the floor for debate and a vote. Republican leaders could move any form of H-1B legislation to the House floor at any time, with or without Democratic support.

Republican leaders have refused to do so. They have engaged in the worst kind of blame game, falsely accusing Democrats who support fairness and parity for hundreds of thousands of Central American and Haitian immigrants of blocking House action on H-1B. Your editorial, unfortunately, perpetuated this distortion.

I have supported HR 3983 since the legislation’s introduction, and I continue to support its immediate consideration. I also support bringing up two other bills. One would provide Central Americans and Haitians an opportunity to apply for permanent residency (the same opportunity extended to Nicaraguans and Cubans in 1997). The other would adjust the registry date to provide relief for immigrants harmed by the faulty implementation of 1986 immigration legislation. I am committed to working with all my colleagues to pass the above legislation, either as part of an overall package or as individual pieces.

RICHARD A. GEPHARDT

House Democratic Leader

Washington