CConueres on THe Juorciany 95 Non Fr Somer «+ Guncemurtar on WrecT. PROPETY, (Saisrcaree comurzonttouseaoumenanen Congress of the Cnited States — zien Stncconurer om (ana oe oan Bouse of Representatives senator esestner ee cae ‘Washington, DE 20515 ecto Bacco "= SunCoMMITEE ON MVESTATONS AND 20E LOFGREN Viera ee 16TH DisTRICT, CALIFORNIA POO use BTN CN April 21, 2011 ‘The Honorable Darrell E. Issa U.S. House of Representatives 2347 Rayburn House Office Building ‘Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Congressman Issa: ‘The press reports that during your visit to San Jose on April 18", you indicated your belief that T am at least partially responsible for blocking immigration reform. Specifically, Politico said: Speaking after the hearing, Issa said H-1B reform needs to happen, but he noted that it faces significant hurdles from congressional members such as Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif), whose district includes San Jose, where Issa was speaking, He said Lofgren is holding high-end workers hostage for the low-skilled, illegal immigrant. “She’s great for the high-tech world but she needs to leave hostage- taking behind,” he said. J can assure you that this viewpoint is quite mistaken, In January, you introduced a bill similar to one T introduced in the 110!" Congress to provide green cards for foreign nationals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education. T appreciate this effort. But I now invite you to join me in cosponsoring bill that would comprehensively reform our high-skilled immigration system for the good of the U.S. economy, USS. businesses, and U.S. workers alike. Thave been preparing this legislation for over a year. The legislation would not only provide additional green cards for needed workers with advanced degrees from U.S, universities, but also create incentives for foreign nationals to invest in America and start new businesses here to create jobs for U.S. workers. The bill would also reform our H-1B and L visa programs to better serve ‘American businesses and workers. And it would invest hundreds of millions of dollars in private funds—at no cost to the American taxpayer—in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the U.S. to better prepare American students for the jobs of tomorrow. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I have approached several Republicans who have previously shown an interest in immigration reform for co-sponsorship, but I have not yet secured such a cosponsor. As you did not have the same history in supporting reform efforts, I did not think to reach out to you. And, frankly, as co-sponsorship would likely involve disagreement with the Chairman of theJudiciary Committee, I doubted you would step forward to support such a bill. But considering your comments Monday in my district | would expect your support of my efforts. Accordingly, I now invite you to cosponsor the bill I am preparing for introduction. This bill has been quietly, but thoroughly, vetted with a diverse group of stakeholders, including high-tech businesses, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and major universities. 11am confident that it will have broad support among these and other stakeholders, as well as Democrats in the House. Thope you will consider joining me in this effort, I look forward to discussing the bill with you in the near future. Best, Rp. [Zoe Lofgfen