Last week, Congress passed a temporary spending bill, or continuing resolution, to fund the federal government through December 22. Over the next two weeks, lawmakers hope to negotiate the terms of a larger spending bill to fund the federal government for the remainder of fiscal 2018, which runs through September 30, 2018.
While Congress intends to complete work on this omnibus spending bill by December 22, one more temporary measure may be needed for Congress to finish its negotiations. Please call your elected officials and urge them to include an H-2B returning worker exemption or other cap relief as part of its fiscal 2018 omnibus spending bill. You can reach your Representative and two Senators through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121.
Once connected to the office, ask to speak to the person who handles H-2B issues. Let them know how H-2B is crucial to your seasonal business’s ability to field a legal and dependable workforce and to retain your full-time American workers. Stress the need for Congress to pass immediate H-2B cap relief. The cap for the first half of fiscal 2018 will be reached very soon, and the cap for the second half of the fiscal year will be reached early next year.