Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) has reintroduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (HR 5494), a bipartisan proposal aimed at addressing critical workforce shortages in industries like health care, hospitality, and construction. The bill would create a new temporary work visa for individuals looking to work in nonagricultural, year-round, non-degreed positions. The new visa would be valid for up to nine years (three years initially, with two renewals), and the annual cap would start at 65,000 visas, with flexibility to increase based on demand. LeadingAge supports this legislation because it expands the pipeline for foreign-born workers in a way that better reflects the realities of the aging services sector. Essential roles that are increasingly difficult to fill, such as nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides, would align with the parameters of this new visa, potentially benefiting many LeadingAge members.

Rep. Smucker’s office has emphasized that the bill is designed to be market-driven, helping employers fill hard-to-staff roles while safeguarding opportunities for U.S. workers. LeadingAge is actively monitoring the bill’s progress and exploring opportunities to engage with Rep. Smucker’s office.