Spring May Have Sprung, but the Tax Package Might Not Bloom

The fate of the Wyden-Smith tax bill hangs in the balance as it faces significant opposition in the Senate. Senator Mike Crapo, the leading Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, expressed his reluctance to pass a tax bill this year. Crapo emphasized his unwillingness to strike a deal with Democrats on taxes this year, a sentiment echoed by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who urged fellow Republicans to support Crapo’s stance. McConnell’s alignment with Crapo underscores the pressure on GOP Senators to remain unified against the bill. Even Senator Mitt Romney, who has previously advocated for expanding the Child Tax Credit and bipartisan cooperation, voiced opposition to the tax bill and its Child Tax Credit expansion. Romney’s dissent is notable given his prior support for such measures. Efforts to address Senate GOP concerns through negotiations between Crapo and Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden have failed, leading to a standoff that shows no signs of resolution. Despite Democrats’ attempts to compromise by offering changes to the bill, Senate Republicans remain unwilling to lend their support. Although the House overwhelmingly passed the bill, its future in the Senate remains uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer placed the bill on the legislative calendar, but its advancement depends on sufficient GOP support to overcome procedural hurdles. However, with Crapo’s objections and limited Republican backing, the bill’s prospects have become bleak. Schumer may refrain from pushing the bill forward unless there is a realistic chance of garnering the necessary bipartisan support. As hopes for the bill dwindle and tax filing season draws to a close, its chances of passage diminish further, leaving a floor vote as the only viable option for its advancement this year.

Tom Rooney with Former Speaker John Boehner and Speaker Mike Johnson

Speaker Johnson Faces Motion to Vacate

Just half a year into his role, Speaker Johnson finds himself confronting the same internal turmoil that plagued his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy. Johnson’s support for a $1.2 trillion spending package last week that was largely backed by Democrats, prompted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to take decisive action by filing a resolution for a motion to vacate, aiming to remove Johnson from office pending House approval. This mechanism, allowing any lawmaker to initiate a vote to oust the speaker, has a long history but had never been successfully utilized until last October, when a coalition of Republicans and Democrats ousted McCarthy. The level of support for Greene’s resolution remains uncertain, as some of her colleagues, who previously voted against McCarthy, express hesitancy about backing a motion against Johnson. When Congress reconvenes from their two-week recess, all attention will turn to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and the fate of her resolution.

McConnell Stepping Down from Leadership

On Wednesday, February 28th, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his plans to step down from his position as Senate GOP leader this November, marking the conclusion of a tenure that commenced in 2007, making it the longest in the chamber’s history. Speculation regarding McConnell’s successor now centers around figures such as John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, and Steve Daines of Montana, all of whom have positioned themselves for leadership roles. McConnell intends to fulfill his Senate term until January 2027. Throughout his tenure, McConnell has been a dedicated advocate for the Thoroughbred industry. The NTRA looks forward to continuing to collaborate with him and his office to build upon the many successes achieved under his leadership.

Riders Up for the 2nd Annual Kentucky Derby Kickoff Congressional Reception

The NTRA is delighted to announce the upcoming 2nd Annual Kentucky Derby Kickoff Congressional Reception, set to take place on Capitol Hill on April 17th, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, in the Cannon Caucus Room at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. This year brings even more excitement to the event, as the National Museum of Racing joins us, showcasing not only the esteemed Kentucky Derby Trophy but also a Triple Crown trophy. Expect opening remarks from Congressmen Barr and McGarvey, complemented by hors d’oeuvres and Mint Juleps served in the Official 150th Derby Glasses. With last year’s event drawing over 400 attendees, including 12 members of Congress, we eagerly anticipate celebrating the thrill of the most exciting two minutes in sports with all Capitol Hill offices!

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2024

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2024. March 7, 2024, marked the deadline for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions seeking employment starting between April 1, 2024, and Oct. 1, 2024. Any new petitions received after this date for employment within this timeframe will be declined. However, exceptions to the cap continue to be made for certain categories, such as current H-2B workers in the United States seeking extensions or changes in employment.

In addition, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) jointly issued a temporary final rule on Nov. 17, 2023, expanding the numerical limit (or cap) on H-2B nonimmigrant visas by up to 64,716 additional visas for FY 2024. Filing start dates for remaining supplemental visa allocations under this rule vary:

  • For employers seeking workers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, regardless of whether such nationals are returning workers: USCIS will begin accepting petitions for employment starting from April 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024, on March 22, 2024.
  • For employers seeking returning workers for the early second half of FY 2024 (April 1 to May 14): USCIS will start accepting petitions for the additional 19,000 visas made available to returning workers regardless of nationality on March 22, 2024.
  • For employers seeking returning workers for the late second half of FY 2024 (May 15 to Sept. 30): USCIS will begin accepting petitions for the additional 5,000 visas made available to returning workers regardless of nationality on April 22, 2024.

The USCIS will cease accepting petitions under this temporary final rule after Sept. 16, 2024, or upon reaching the applicable cap, whichever comes first.

For further details on FY 2024 supplemental visas, interested parties can refer to the Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2024 page.

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