```

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 529 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 529

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the J-1 visa 
programs, specifically the Summer Work Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, 
and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the economy and national 
  interests of the United States and the Congress should continue to 
  monitor the administration of these programs in their current form.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 18, 2017

  Mr. LoBiondo (for himself, Mr. Keating, Ms. Stefanik, Mr. Poliquin, 
Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Comstock, Ms. Shea-Porter, Mr. Pearce, 
 Mr. Himes, Mr. Ruppersberger, and Mr. Peters) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the J-1 visa 
programs, specifically the Summer Work Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, 
and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the economy and national 
  interests of the United States and the Congress should continue to 
  monitor the administration of these programs in their current form.

Whereas the Department of State administers the J-1 visa programs as Federal 
        cultural exchange programs that promote the diplomatic and foreign 
        affairs goals of the United States;
Whereas roughly 180,000 participants from more than 200 countries and 
        territories visit the United States on a J-1 visa each year;
Whereas the work component of the J-1 visa programs makes travel to the United 
        States possible for numerous foreign students;
Whereas 91 percent of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program participants report 
        cultural exchange as their top reason for participating in the program;
Whereas 76 percent of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in 
        views regarding the United States;
Whereas 74 percent of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in how 
        they view citizens of the United States;
Whereas 61 percent of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in how 
        they perceive United States companies;
Whereas 50 percent of employers stated that the absence of SWT Program 
        participants would have a negative impact on revenues;
Whereas 25 percent of employers surveyed reported that it is likely or very 
        likely they would not be able to stay open during the season without the 
        SWT Program;
Whereas 39 percent of employers said that they would likely have to reduce hours 
        of operation without the SWT Program;
Whereas the Intern and Trainee programs enable young professionals from around 
        the world to experience the business practices and values of United 
        States companies;
Whereas young foreign students have the opportunity to experience United States 
        culture and values through the Au Pair Exchange Program; and
Whereas the Camp Counselor Program enables students, youth workers, and teachers 
        to bring foreign cultures, language, and ideas to children of all ages 
        in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the J-1 visa programs, specifically the Summer Work 
        Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Intern and Trainee 
        programs, are vital to the economy and national interests of 
        the United States; and
            (2) the Congress should continue to monitor the 
        administration of these programs in their current form.
                                 <all>
```