Business Roundtable

Remember when the House used to pass a bill, and the Senate would pass its own version of the legislation, and then leadership would appoint a conference committee, and they'd hammer out a compromise?  

The amended legislation would then be brought up to both chambers for a vote, and if it passed, it would go to the president for his signature or veto?

Remember?

• Associated Press, "House bill to increase high-tech visas defeated "
• The Hill, "Bill to overhaul visa system fails in House; 30 Democrats defect "
• Houston Chronicle, "Immigrant visa battle pits Lamar Smith, Henry Cuellar vs. rest of Texas Democrats "
• The Atlantic, "Why Congress Might Kill the Most Obvious Policy Idea in America "
• The Jewish Voice, "Schumer: NY’s Booming Tech Industries Face Shortage of Highly-Qualified Engineers"
• Irish Central, "Chuck Schumer unveils 'Brains Act' to allow for brightest immigrants to remain in the US
• News release from office of Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), "Schumer, Coons introduce visa reform plan to keep best and brightest in U.S. to fuel vital industry, create jobs and boost economic growth."

The House bill is H.R. 6429, the STEM Jobs Act. On a vote of 257-158 on Thursday, it failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass under suspension of the rules. Its sponsor, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Judiciary Committe, issued a statement following the vote, "Smith on STEM Jobs Act Vote: Democrats Vote Against Jobs and Economy ."

Business Roundtable issued a release today on the bill's failure to advance, "Business Roundtable Expresses Disappointment at Failed Effort to Welcome More of World’s Best and Brightest Innovators ....." Excerpt:

“Increasing access to green cards for foreign-born innovators – especially those we educate in U.S. universities – has long been a priority for Business Roundtable. The House missed an opportunity to help jumpstart the U.S. economy and create American jobs, but it should just be a short-lived setback,” said Business Roundtable President John Engler. “It makes no sense to welcome highly educated talent into our universities and then shut them out of our innovation economy.”