The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MERIT-BASED VISA PROGRAM” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H8480 on Nov. 3, 2017.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MERIT-BASED VISA PROGRAM
(Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, Uzbekistan uber terrorist Saipov's attack in New York City is another example why the United States should end the diversity visa lottery. And I emphasize the word ``lottery.''
The program should have ended years ago. Under this 1990 program, the State Department gives 50,000 visas each year to immigrants from different parts of the world using a lottery system. Getting into the United States is like playing bingo. It is a game of chance.
Our immigration system should be changed to accept the best and brightest throughout the world. It is time to go to a merit-based visa system. Grant visas to people who will benefit America. Stop the random system that allowed Saipov to come in; a system that rolls the dice where foreigners win and Americans lose.
And that is just the way it is.
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