National Journal's Congress Daily
September 26, 2000

The Senate is poised today to advance legislation to increase the number of H-1B visas that would allow more highly skilled foreign workers into the country--although it remained unclear late Monday whether the two sides would be able to reach a unanimous consent agreement that would avoid a cloture vote slated for this morning.

Regardless of whether an agreement is reached, bill supporters reason that the H-1B measure still is bound for completion this week in the Senate--a move that should give momentum to the House.

Some sources believe the House may simply take up the Senate-passed bill. In the Senate, a majority of members on both sides of the aisle are expected to vote for cloture--and even more on final passage. A vote has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, according to sources.

Just to be safe, industry groups, such as American Business for Legal Immigration, sent out reminders Monday that many of their members would be scoring today's cloture vote as a "key" vote.

© Copyright 2000 Congress Daily