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PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MAY THWART NEW H-1B LEGISLATION
Even as the latest H-1B bill in the House gathers increasing support from a wide spectrum of legislators, many are beginning to worry that the probable success of the bill will actually cause it to fail.  When legislation appears to have a good chance of passing, representatives often propose amendments to the bill, because they have some assurance that they will become law.  This phenomenon is actually happening with the bipartisan H-1B bills in the House and Sneate. 
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) have sponsored amendments to the legislation that would provide a 00 bonus to any grade school level teacher who takes additional high tech training.  Each argues that the H-1B bill is an appropriate vehicle for their amendments, which seek to address the same problem – a shortage of technically skilled workers in the US.  
Congressional staffers report that there are rumors other amendments will be proposed, possibly including one that would address INS reorganization.  However, because one of the primary sponsors of H.R. 3983, David Dreier (R-CA), is also chair of the House Rules Committee, he is in a position to limit amendments that can be attached to the bill.