Eric Schmitt, Ro Khanna voice support for H-1B visa reform, as GOP clashes over immigration
A Silicon Valley Democrat and a Republican Senator are calling for reform to the H-1B Visa program, which tech companies use to recruit thousands of high-skilled foreign workers every year.
“So I think the solution here, President Trump has actually articulated this in 2020, is to reform that system and get rid of the abuses, make it merit-based, and make sure that we're not undercutting wages, and having Americans train their foreign replacements,” Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) told “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream.
The debate over the program, and immigration in general, roiled the Republican party last week, pitting tech entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk, David Sacks and Vivek Ramaswamy against the likes of Nikki Haley, far-right political activist Laura Loomer and many in the MAGA base. President-elect Donald Trump appeared to voice support for the program Saturday.
“Take a big step back and F--K YOURSELF in the face,” Musk wrote on X Friday. “I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly understand.”
His comments came after Loomer appeared to reference the H-1B visa on X, saying it was akin to “substituting a third world migrant invasion for a third world tech invasion."
The divide comes as a long-standing effort to promote high-skilled immigration gains steam in conversations between tech lobbyists and GOP lawmakers. Musk and his allies are leading the effort to sway uncommitted elected Republicans.
During Trump’s first term, his administration introduced rules tightening H-1B eligibility and requiring companies to shell out higher wages to recipients, running afoul of the tech industry. When the pandemic hit, his administration temporarily froze the program.
“You see qualified Americans being denied a lot of these jobs because a company can go out and hire cheaper labor from a foreign country,” Schmitt said.
Musk, himself once an H-1B recipient, has been relentless in backing the issue on his social media platform. Both Musk and Ramaswamy, co-runners of Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, have faced sharp resistance from MAGA hardliners for their support of skilled immigration.
Speaking with Bream on Sunday, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.) celebrated high-skilled immigration while urging reform to the H-1B program.
“One of the points that I think Elon and others are making is what makes America as exceptional is that we are a magnet for the world's talent,” Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley in Congress, said. “It's great that Elon Musk comes here. It's great that Jensen [Huang], who started NVIDIA, is doing it here and not in Taiwan.”
But critics on both sides of the aisle have assailed the H-1B program for keeping high-skilled workers in limbo over their immigration status and underpaying them for their work.
“You can’t underpay these H-1B folks coming in,” Khanna said. The program “shouldn’t be for accountants or entry-level IT jobs. It should really be for exceptional talent. We should have that balance,” he continued.
Topics
-
Skilled immigrants are part of an ‘all of the above’ strategy for growth and prosperity
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and the MAGA base have sparked a debate over the H-1B work visa, which is essential for America to keep winning and is a crucial tool for Silicon Valley's innovation and ...The Hill - 1h -
Former Virginia GOP congressman forms exploratory committee for possible statewide run
Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman (Va.) said he has formed an exploratory committee to run for statewide office as an independent. “That’s why we started an exploratory committee, because I ...The Hill - 1h -
Biden briefed on New Orleans attack, spoke to mayor about federal support
NBC News' Gabe Gutierrez reports that President Biden has been briefed after a car drove into a crowd in New Orleans and has spoken to the mayor of the city to offer support as the investigation ...NBC News - 5h -
With Russia gaining ground and U.S. support uncertain, Ukraine faces a precarious year ahead
This year is shaping up to be a nail-biter for Ukraine.NBC News - 5h -
Politics 2025 preview: Trump’s 2nd term, Democrat voices, more
Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker joins TODAY for an in-depth look at the political landscape of 2025. She discusses President-elect Trump’s upcoming administration, his plans for mass ...NBC News - 7h -
Oscars 2025: Who's in for supporting actor and actress?
Supporting or lead? Sometimes it's hard to say, but here's a look at some likely supporting nominees.Los Angeles Times - 9h -
Whitehouse calls for ‘war machine’ to spar against GOP as DNC chair election looms
Politico - 1d -
Freedom Caucus chair: House GOP needs to consider if ‘current leadership is what we need’
Politico - 6d -
Hundreds apply for restitution for abuse suffered at Florida reform schools
Hundreds of people who say they suffered physical or sexual abuse at two state-run reform schools in Florida are in line to receive tens of thousands of dollars in restitution from the state, after ...NBC News - 10h -
Paxton warns of primary challenges for GOP incumbents amid Texas Speaker battle
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Tuesday warned of primary challenges for Republican incumbents in the state Legislature amid an ongoing battle over the Texas House Speakership. “Texans ...The Hill - 21h
More from Politico
-
House rules would make it harder to oust speaker in next Congress
The rules package raises the threshold for triggering a vote from one GOP member to nine.Politico - 2h -
Trump says he would make calls for Mike Johnson
The president-elect also plans to attend Jimmy Carter's funeral.Politico - 17h -
House Ethics Committee closes investigations into 4 members
Politico - 1d -
Whitehouse calls for ‘war machine’ to spar against GOP as DNC chair election looms
Politico - 1d -
Carter to lie in state at the Capitol
Politico - 2d
More in Politics
-
Skilled immigrants are part of an ‘all of the above’ strategy for growth and prosperity
Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy and the MAGA base have sparked a debate over the H-1B work visa, which is essential for America to keep winning and is a crucial tool for Silicon Valley's innovation and ...The Hill - 1h -
Former Virginia GOP congressman forms exploratory committee for possible statewide run
Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman (Va.) said he has formed an exploratory committee to run for statewide office as an independent. “That’s why we started an exploratory committee, because I ...The Hill - 1h -
House rules would make it harder to oust speaker in next Congress
The rules package raises the threshold for triggering a vote from one GOP member to nine.Politico - 2h -
Equal Rights Amendment advocates should take ‘dead’ for an answer
ERA advocates are attempting to revive the 1972 ERA by having President Biden order the archivist to certify it as part of the Constitution, but the Supreme Court and lower courts have ruled that ...The Hill - 2h -
Speaker race, Trump's second term, Carter funeral: January brings flurry of political events
New Year's Day ushers in a month of political events and milestones the likes of which Washington hasn't seen in a while. From the House Speaker election and memorials to former President Carter, ...The Hill - 2h