PHTA Continues Efforts for Supplemental Visas

PHTA continues to support the H-2B Workforce Coalition’s efforts to gain meaningful H-2B cap relief. The coalition is currently negotiating with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and organized labor to reach a compromise on H-2B reform legislation.

In early July, after days of intense negotiations and strong behind-the-scenes work from Reps. Harris (R-MD), Pingree (D-ME), Cuellar (D-TX), Joyce (R-OH), and Ruppersberger (D-MD), the House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment that would extend the current authority for the Department of Homeland Security to issue up to approximately 65,000 additional H-2B visas during the fiscal year with a requirement that the Secretary of Homeland Security take action on these supplemental visas within 60 days.

Later in the month, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its version of the DHS funding bill extending the existing H-2B cap discretionary language and adding an additional requirement that the Homeland Security Secretary “shall” issue supplemental visas.

On August 2, representatives from the House Judiciary Committee, H-2B Workforce Coalition, the AFL-CIO, and other labor unions held a “listening session” to discuss their priorities for H-2B reform. Following this meeting, a small group of representatives from Congress, industry, and organized labor are continuing to negotiate a compromise H-2B bill, which could potentially be included in a final year-end spending package.

The good news is that both the House and Senate spending bills contain some improved cap relief language. Whether or not we are able to reach agreement on a permanent solution in the annual appropriations process, we are well positioned to make sure that at a minimum, the discretionary cap language will continue. Ideally, we will reach a compromise with all parties that provides for permanent cap relief for our members in the form of a returning worker exemption. We do not expect Congress to send a final spending bill to the President until after the November elections.

PHTA continues to work through the H-2B Workforce Coalition and will provide updates as the negotiations continue.