ABIC STATEMENT ON
SHORT-SIGHTED SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN’S DECISION ON INCLUSION OF IMMIGRATION REFORM PROVISIONS IN BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL
WASHINGTON, DC — Tonight, the news media reported on the Senate Parliamentarian’s decision to exclude urgent immigration provisions from the pending Budget Reconciliation package on the Build Back Better plan. The following is a statement from the bipartisan American Business Immigra Coalition (ABIC) Executive Director Rebecca Shi:
“This is a short-sighted decision, given current, critical economic conditions, and based on outdated precedents cited by the parliamentarian in her opinion. As such, ABIC will keep working for immediate immigration solutions.
“The decision is unfounded because it belies numerous findings from economists that providing pathways to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers and essential workers would significantly and positively impact the federal budget by boosting the nation’s GDP, exponentially increasing federal and state tax revenues, expanding the wage floor and benefitting all Americans. There is also ample precedent of immigration measures being included in budget reconciliation measures.
“While the parliamentarian noted that this proposal was not bipartisan as in previous years, the finding defies the reality of the current political environment. ABIC, a group of 1200 prominent Democratic, Republican and Independent business leaders, held 41 face to face meetings with Republican Senators for bipartisan solutions but the Republicans walked away from a deal. The budget reconciliation process is the only vehicle available in this Congress to expand the legal labor market in times of critical labor shortages across all sectors, and to repair our economy as we battle the COVID pandemic.
“We urge Congress to work around the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling by developing an alternative to meet the urgent needs of our economy and families.
“Our fight in defense of our economy is not over with this decision.”
ABOUT
The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) promotes common sense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with both the high-skilled and low-skilled talent they need, and allows the integration of immigrants into our economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens. ABIC is active in key states and communities across the country engaging activists, advocates, business leaders and elected officials on the urgency of passing immigration reform that boosts our economy, creates jobs, eases the labor shortage and supports families.
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