"We encourage the Senate to maintain the high-tech provisions as written," the group's president, Marc Apter, said in a statement.
Mr. Hatch is considered a Republican who could be persuaded to vote yes on the legislation, provided the committee votes for some of his high-tech provisions, and this amendment passed with a voice vote.
For now, these tech-friendly provisions are limited to the joint replacement program.
The updated version of the SHIELD Act will expand the provisions from tech firms to all industries.
And it is organizing tried-and-true town hall meetings like the one here to rally industry support for lawmakers who support a more open immigration policy, including provisions to let tech companies bring in many more foreign engineers.
The tech community also disapproves of provisions in the bill that affect the number of green cards issued (not enough, opponents say) and how they are doled out.
However, Mr. Hatch has made it clear that his vote comes with a price — specifically, support for some of his amendments that are favored by the high-tech industry, as well as provisions that fall in the finance jurisdiction.
In their letter, tech industry groups said the provision was not discussed during congressional hearings and was added to the funding bill that went through "an expedited legislative process with limited opportunities for amendment".
She told me that these provisions have led many tech companies to think that they can do whatever they want in the workplace.
Grassley's office said despite concerns raised by the tech industry, Grassley strongly supports the provision because he is concerned about abuse of the existing H-1B system.
This is a special mobile-focused digital software storefront that offers up business apps, IT provisioning and tools for tech managers working within large organizations.
