The Senate Appropriations Committee in May approved S. 988 as an amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill that was offered by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.). Senator Mikulski, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded the committee?EUR??,,????'???s passage of a three year extension of an H2B returning worker provision originally passed as part of her ?EUR??,,????'??Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act.?EUR??,,????'?? The provision, which expired on September 30, 2007, exempts returning workers who have played by the rules from counting against the 66,000 cap on visas. The amendment, co-sponsored by Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), passed as part of the emergency spending package approved by the Appropriations Committee, which now heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

?EUR??,,????'??This is not a new issue, not a new policy, not a new loophole, and not a new cap. We?EUR??,,????'???re not breaking new ground here. We are simply trying to extend the guest worker provision that has expired,?EUR??,,????'?? said Senator Mikulski. ?EUR??,,????'??Congress?EUR??,,????'??? failure to extend this provision is forcing small businesses to deal with devastating cuts to their workforce. Companies in Maryland and around the county are unable to get the H2B visas, and workers, that they need and depend on. Small and seasonal businesses are counting on us, and we are letting them down.?EUR??,,????'??
Senator Gregg stated, ?EUR??,,????'??Significant parts of New Hampshire?EUR??,,????'???s economy rely on seasonal workers, who become increasingly important in many of our high tourism areas during the busy summer months. Without H2B workers, some of these businesses ?EUR??,,????'??? such as hotels, restaurants, and landscapers ?EUR??,,????'??? will face severe labor shortages and reduced operations that impact our state?EUR??,,????'???s economy.?EUR??,,????'??