Urge Congress to Support and Strengthen the Workforce

SHRM recently launched two calls to action: urging Congress to support key tax policies to strengthen America’s workforce and to address the pause in visa interview appointments for the F, J, and M visa categories.

The State Department has paused visa interview appointments for the F, J, and M visa categories. This pause affects exchange visitors such as physicians, teachers, and research scholars (J); international students pursuing full-time studies at U.S. universities (F); and vocational students (M). While SHRM fully supports efforts to strengthen national security through enhanced screening, this abrupt pause disrupts a critical talent pipeline that is vital to the workforce, economy, and higher education institutions. The lack of a clear timeline for resuming interviews raises concerns about potential backlogs that could delay employer onboarding, J-1 program start dates, and university admissions for the upcoming academic term.

Meanwhile, the Senate is debating legislation that will make significant changes to U.S. tax and spending priorities, among other provisions.

Last month, the House passed its version of the bill, which included key provisions called for by SHRM, including making employer student loan repayment assistance permanent, increasing Pell Grant funding and expanding them to include workforce training programs, modernizing 529 Education Savings Plans, and enhancing the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit. SHRM urges you to contact your members of Congress to maintain these provisions in the legislation as it moves through the legislative process.

To take action, please visit SHRM’s website.