House lawmakers are rallying around new immigration legislation aimed at tackling the nationwide labor shortage by bringing workers into the United States from abroad.

A dozen Democrats and Republicans joined Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) Tuesday to introduce the H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act, a bipartisan bill that would overhaul decades-old visa protocols and expand them based on the demand of U.S. companies and sectors for workers.

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"This isn't just about a handful of members that are throwing a napkin at the wall and blaming other people for what's wrong," Gonzales said during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol Tuesday. "It's a heavy lift. Immigration reform is a heavy lift, but it starts with people rolling up their sleeves and going to work."

The HIRE Act is set to be formally introduced later Tuesday. Gonzales said the proposal has already been endorsed by 16 lawmakers and 30 major organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The USHCC represents more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide.

"We support the HIRE Act to streamline the visa process and ensure that our businesses and all businesses across the country can receive the workers that they need and continue to thrive and grow and be prosperous," said Anthony Hinojosa, USHCC vice president of government and international affairs.

Amy Graham, president and CEO of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, stated that the bill would eliminate "red tape" and streamline government efforts so that small businesses can better use workforce programs to fill positions.

"We can't get the workers that we need, and that's not only in the landscaping industry, but it's also in production," Graham said. "H-2 programs are vital to supporting the American workforce of the green industry. For example, each H-2 visa worker helps support 4.6 more jobs. If we don't have the folks in the field ... we don't have office workers."

Gonzales did not address questions about whether House GOP leadership supports the bill or if he planned to fold it into larger legislation.

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"There's no doubt that immigration reform is a heavy lift, right? It's the reason why it hasn't been done," Gonzales said. "This is just the beginning. There's a lot more work that needs to happen."

Members who have signed onto the HIRE Act include Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), John Duarte (R-CA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Darren Soto (D-FL), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Chris Pappas (D-NH), James Moylan (R-Guam), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), and Stephanie Bice (R-OK).