Article snippet: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked a push by Maine Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree to double the inflow of foreign blue-collar H-2B workers up to almost 140,000, according to complaints by employers of the visa workers. “Speaker Pelosi objected to the inclusion of the [Maine Rep. Chellie] Pingree language due to vehement opposition from the labor unions (UFCW and AFL-CIO),” said a December 2017 report by Amusementparkwarehouse.com, which added: Unions dislike the H-2B programs because some companies try to import H-2B “scabs” for well-paid union jobs. For example, in December, Law360.com reported: The doubling amendment was pushed by landscapers, who are the biggest users of the H-2B program. On December 16, NurseryMag.com reported a letter to landscapers by the policy director the landscaper’s trade association: Pelosi’s pro-American decision, however, comes shortly after she voted to massively expand the use of the H-2A program for farm labor. That expansion would effectively impose a federal ceiling on perhaps on million Americans’ wages for the benefit of illegal immigrants, farm companies, and agriculture investors. Without the doubling amendment, this week’s spending bill approved 69,320 H-2B for foreign workers. Most will be imported for summertime work for landscapers, hotels, bars, and restaurants, while some will be imported to work for forestry and for seafood companies near Washington, D.C. But the bill also includes a hidden increase approved by House ... Link to the full article to read more