Tillis Tucks H2-B Visa Expansion Into Omnibus Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has just passed the $1.3 Trillion omnibus spending bill with so many Bog Government goodies in it that the Democrats are pinching themselves. Tucked into page 1760 of the 2232 page monstrosity is a big greenlight for expanding the H2-B work visa program, and its inclusion was spearheaded by one Thom Tillis.

SEC. 205. Notwithstanding the [66,000] numerical limitation set forth in section 214(g)(1)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)(B)), the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of Labor, and upon the determination that the needs of American businesses cannot be satisfied in fiscal year 2018 with United States workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform temporary nonagricultural labor, may increase the total number of aliens who may receive a visa under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)) in such fiscal year above such limitation by not more than the highest number of H–2B nonimmigrants who participated in the H–2B returning worker program in any fiscal year in which returning workers were exempt from such numerical limitation.

In plain English, it means that the work-visa program can be unilaterally ratcheted up by the Secretary of Homeland Security to around double the current maximum imported workers. From 66,000 to around 120,000.

Yet again, Tillis joined hands with Democrats to get the provision into the massive text and continues to demonstrate his loyalty to Big Business desires for cheap imported labor. This time it is with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) – you know, the 2016 running mate of Hillary Clinton.

Tillis’ term expires in 2020 and has not yet indicated if he will seek reelection. His approval numbers are bottom-of-the-barrel among North Carolina voters, and this sneaky move indicates why he is so unpopular.

Leader of the House Freedom Caucus Mark Meadows, on the other hand, represents the antithesis of Tillis and continues to demonstrate leadership in fighting against Big Government in the Swamp. He voted ‘No’ on the omnibus and didn’t mince words when explaining why. He was joined by Reps. Tedd Budd, George Holding, and David Rouzer, with Rep. Walter Jones curiously abstaining. The rest of the N.C. House delegation voted in favor of the $1.3 Trillion bill.

I voted ‘no’ on the Omnibus, because this spending bill doesn’t just forget the promises we made to the voters—it flatly rejects them.

This is not the limited government conservatism that our voters demand. pic.twitter.com/EYikeGUx3u

— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) March 22, 2018

Now, if only we could clone Meadows and replace fools like Thom Tillis we might have a chance.