Why It Matters
The Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is lobbying for H-2B visa extensions and the Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2025 (H.R.362), which would allow nationals of certain countries to enter the USVI without a visa for up to 45 days, addressing territorial labor shortages; the bill has sat in the House Committee on the Judiciary since January 2025.
The filing also covers federal appropriations, taxation, and health care, including amendments to the net CFC tested income (NCTI) tax and increases in Medicaid and hospital funding for the USVI.
By the Numbers
Winston Taylor LLP reported $210,000 for the third quarter of 2026, the largest single-registrant amount among the three firms the USVI retained that quarter. The full roster:
- Winston Taylor LLP: $210,000
- Callwood Associates LLC: $90,000
- Squire Patton Boggs: $80,000
The client total across all three registrants for the third quarter of 2026 was $380,000, up $110,000 from $270,000 in the second quarter of 2026. That total is down $30,000 from $410,000 in the third quarter of 2025.
Winston Taylor LLP has no earlier lobbying filing for the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Winston & Strawn LLP filed an $80,000 amendment for the client in the second quarter of 2026.
Lobbyists named on the Winston Taylor LLP filing:
- Bryant Gardner, partner; no prior congressional staff experience listed.
- Jade Baker has no prior government experience on record.
Gardner and Baker also appeared on the Winston & Strawn LLP third-quarter 2025 filing for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Broader Context
H.R.362 and H-2B visas
H.R.362 was introduced by Del. Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI-0) on Jan. 13, 2025, and referred to the House Judiciary Committee the same day; the bill record shows no further action and no Senate companion. The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor published a temporary final rule on Feb. 3, increasing the fiscal year 2026 H-2B numerical limit under time-limited authority.
NCTI tax and Medicaid
P.L. 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025, changed federal international-tax provisions, including the section 951A net CFC tested income (NCTI) regime, before the filing date. H.R.3154, the Medicaid Improvement for Insular Areas Act of 2025, introduced May 1, 2025, would eliminate general Medicaid funding limits for U.S. territories; it remains in committee with no enacted action. A Congressional Research Service analysis notes that the USVI's federal Medicaid matching rate was permanently set at 83%, with territorial financing subject to federal caps.
The Bottom Line
H.R. 362 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee with no further action shown on its bill page, and H.R. 3154 was referred to committee with no enacted action. The USVI's registrant roster shifted this period, with Winston Taylor LLP replacing Winston & Strawn LLP while Gardner and Baker continued as the core team.
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