Long testifies before House Appropriations Committee on H-2B visas

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Billy Long (MO-07) testified before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security regarding H-2B visas:

“I understand first-hand the importance of this program. Missouri’s Seventh Congressional District is a tourism hotspot. I am proud to represent, such entertainment centers as Branson, MO., a small town of just over 11,000 taking in 8 ½ million visitors every year. The deficiency in finding available employees in Branson affects everything from hotels, to restaurants, to theme parks, to landscaping businesses – these are employers who have tried for years to fill the need for employees with locals and have been unable to do so. The H-2B program provides the Branson community and many other destination cities across the country the ability to find employees so they can provide their services to the public. These seasonal destinations are very much dependent upon such a program for the commerce in the area to effectively function. Simply put, there are just not enough able individuals available to fill the job openings.”

Video of testimony