“It is well-established that the omnibus fully-funds the President’s entire refugee expansion, illegal alien resettlement, executive amnesty, sanctuary cities, and illegal alien tax credits.  But the problem is not only that there was no effort to protect American jobs, wages and communities from uncontrolled immigration – but that voters believe Congress has no desire to ever protect Americans from uncontrolled immigration.

“The House’s inclusion of the H-2B increase underscores that the growing divide between voters and party elites is not simply over means, but ends… By an overwhelming margin, voters want immigration reduced – not increased.  The problem remains that insulated elites think record immigration still isn’t high enough…

If Congress wants to get serious about representing its voters, and winning their trust, it should be begin by moving legislation next year to both end illegal immigration and reduce immigration visas.  Congress should defend the citizens of this country with the same passion as the President defends the citizens of other countries.”

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest, released a statement following the passage of the omnibus funding bill:

“The omnibus spending bill includes a provision that would drastically increase the admission of low-wage H-2B foreign workers.  The H-2B is a visa explicitly for bringing in non-farm foreign workers to take jobs in hotels, construction, truck driving, and countless other blue collar jobs sought by millions of Americans.

The Speaker of the House is in error about this provision.  He described concerns over the provision as ‘hysteria’ while incorrectly explaining its contents.  Ryan stated: ‘The H-2B worker provision in here…it’s like 8,000 temporary workers for one year, is all this provision provides…but I think there are those who for various reasons are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, making an issue something that it isn’t.’

First, the number of H-2B workers is nowhere near 8,000.  The existing H-2B cap is already 66,000.  But the omnibus bill eliminates even the 66,000 cap by declaring that three years’ worth of prior workers will not be counted against the cap – or adding another 66,000 times three – for a new cap of 264,000 low-wage workers.

Secondly, it is not ‘making a mountain out of molehill,’ to try to save the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of loyal Americans from this influx of low-wage foreign labor.

The House’s inclusion of the H-2B increase underscores that the growing divide between voters and party elites is not simply over means, but ends.  Blithely dismissing the just concerns of the great majority of American voters, and especially Republican voters, is not a wise course for the Republican Speaker.

It is well-established that the omnibus fully-funds the President’s entire refugee expansion, illegal alien resettlement, executive amnesty, sanctuary cities, and illegal alien tax credits.  But the problem is not only that there was no effort to protect American jobs, wages and communities from uncontrolled immigration – but that voters believe Congress has no desire to ever protect Americans from uncontrolled immigration.

The share of men in their prime working years without jobs has tripled since the end of 60’s.  Workplace participation rates for women have declined more than three full percentage points since 2000.   Every three years, the U.S. adds the equivalent of another new City of Los Angeles through immigration. 

By an overwhelming margin, voters want immigration reduced – not increased.  The problem remains that insulated elites think record immigration still isn’t high enough; imagine if these elites fought as hard to protect Americans as they fought to pass amnesty.

If Congress wants to get serious about representing its voters, and winning their trust, it should begin by moving legislation next year to both end illegal immigration and reduce immigration visas.  Congress should defend the citizens of this country with the same passion as the President defends the citizens of other countries.” 

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