Immigration pork barrel politics: Sen. Bennet carves out exemption for ski industry

...If the [Senate Gang of 8 amnesty bill S.744 for illegal aliens] includes elements that are deeply divisive like amnesty, without a broad bipartisan agreement on border security, the bill has little chance of passage, said Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Numerous pet projects of the authors are included in the bill, including language adding foreign ski instructors in a work program for professional athletes that was crafted by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

Bennet is not a member of the Judiciary Committee so he is not participating in the hearings.

However, Megan Smith, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, told the panel how the bill’s language would benefit seasonal tourism industries.

“Ski resorts in the winter and beach communities in the summers rely on these workers who not only prove to be excellent employees but bring a cultural experience to states that do not necessarily enjoy a great deal of diversity,” Smith said...