Rep. Smucker’s Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act: What They are Saying

WASHINGTON - Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) has reintroduced legislation to strengthen America's workforce. Below is a list of quotes from national industry leaders supportive of Rep. Lloyd Smucker's Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494).

"The Leading Builders of America appreciates Congressman Smucker's commitment to addressing real improvements to the nation's legal visa system. The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act creates a temporary work visa program that not only fills the gap where no program currently exists, it does so in a way that creates clear rules for both employers and workers, providing guardrails to help supplement the US workforce when needed as we work to increase the supply and affordability of housing for American families, and keep our industry moving forward. The EWEA should be a part of every conversation about how to fix the nation's non-immigrant visa program system." -Ken Gear, CEO, Leading Builders of America

"America's hotel industry proudly welcomes millions of guests each year, creating unforgettable experiences and supporting local economies. But finding enough workers to fill job openings in the industry has become a growing challenge. 'The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act offers a vital, bipartisan solution-creating a seasonal H-2C nonimmigrant visa program to help hotels and hospitality businesses meet staffing needs during high-demand times. This commonsense legislation supports small businesses, strengthens our workforce, and ensures we can continue delivering world-class service. We're grateful to Representative Smucker for his leadership and commitment to the hospitality industry." - AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta

"The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is a meaningful step toward a more modern and functional immigration system one that address the damaging labor gaps that many U.S. industries face. This bill will help address real workforce needs while giving workers and families opportunities to thrive, build better lives, and strengthen our economy," said Daniel Garza, president of The LIBRE Initiative.

"Now that the administration has controlled the emergency at the border, we need to address the nation's affordable housing emergency - and we must build more supply to get out of it," said Jeffrey D. DeBoer, President and CEO of The Real Estate Roundtable. "The labor shortage is exacerbating the housing shortage, and we need an estimated 500,000 workers in construction services alone. Congress should develop policies to increase our supply of construction workers so they can build all types of homes in communities across the country. The bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Actis exactly the kind of smart response we need, and we thank Representative Smucker and the other co-sponsors for their leadership on this critical legislation."

"People are the restaurant industry's greatest asset. This year, restaurant operators are forecast to create 200,000 new jobs, but with a shortage of people in the U.S. workforce, it will be a challenge to fill those jobs. There is no silver bullet that will solve the industry's recruitment challenge, but the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act creates one opportunity to address the issue. We appreciate Rep. Smucker's leadership introducing EWEA and for his commitment to restaurant operators and the restaurant industry," said Sean Kennedy, executive vice president of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association.

"Contractors list workforce shortages as the number one cause of delayed construction projects. In fact, 92 percent of construction firms report they are having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to hire. Congressman Smucker's legislation will provide a much needed, lawful, responsible and temporary way for firms to find workers," said Jeffrey D. Shoaf, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of America.

"Labor is the linchpin of hospitality, yet 65% of U.S. hotels still face staffing shortages - especially in housekeeping, front desk, and culinary roles. The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act offers a smart path forward by helping fill these critical jobs and giving hardworking individuals a chance to achieve the American Dream. We can safeguard our nation's security while welcoming those ready to roll up their sleeves and keep America's hotels open for business," said AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake.

"The Critical Labor Coalition applauds Congressmen Smucker and Cuellar for their continued leadership in addressing America's workforce challenges. The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is a common-sense solution which creates legal pathways for employers to fill in-demand positions in the face of an ongoing labor shortage," said Misty Chally, Executive Director of the Critical Labor Coalition.

"Small business owners across a range of industries have told us that they are struggling to expand and even maintain their business operations due to labor shortages," said David Chase, Vice President of the Small Business Majority, which provides leadership for the national small business coalition Secure Growth Initiative. "Legislation like the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act would go a long way toward helping small firms maintain a trajectory of success well into the future by increasing the labor pool for many types of businesses."

"Bi-partisan solutions to the nation's labor shortage are essential to our economy," said Matt Foster, Vice President of the South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerceand Board member of the Secure Growth Initiative. "This new visa program, which responsibly allows low-skilled individuals to come to the United States, is important especially for Hispanic business owners who want to grow their businesses but can't find workers."

"The U.S. is in a demographic stagnation. We simply are not producing native-born workers to fill all the jobs going wanting," said Frank Knapp Jr, managing director of the Secure Growth Initiative, a national small business coalition representing over 100,000 small business voices. "The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act addresses our critical shortage of low-skilled, non-agricultural workers with a new H-2C nonimmigrant classification while protecting American workers. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle want sensible immigration policy like this one that will grow, not shrink, our local economies."

The following groups have endorsed the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494): National Immigration Forum, Critical Labor Coalition, Associated General Contractors of America, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, National Roofing Contractors Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, National Restaurant Association, LIBRE Initiative, American Hotel and Lodging Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Leading Builders of America, Construction Leadership Council, National Retail Federation, National Association of Home Builders, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Real Estate Roundtable, International Sanitary Supply Association, Secure Growth Initiative, Business Roundtable, Tree Care Industry Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, and Workplace Solutions Association.