Doctor and senior woman wearing facemasks during coronavirus and flu outbreak. Virus protection. COVID-2019..

The Senate passed a measure this week that could help abate the nationwide nursing shortage, allowing more Filipino, Indian and Chinese registered nurses to work in the U.S.

The Senate adopted an amendment to a Department of Defense supplemental appropriations bill that lets the government reclaim half of the assigned visas left unfilled from other countries during the past four years and assign them to the Philippines, India and China. These countries have exceeded their visa quotas.

Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) championed the amendment.