Dozens of resorts and businesses in the Hamptons are worried budget cuts in Washington will create an employment drought come summertime.

Many East End businesses rely heavily on temporary employees for the busy summer season, but the federal temporary work visa program has been cut back.

Paul Monte, innkeeper of Gurney?s in Montauk, says he was counting on hiring hundreds of temporary employees from overseas to work for a few months. "They pay their taxes while they're here. They can come back the next year fully trained ready to go to work when needed, it was a perfect program," he says.

For business owners who want to hire legally, they say Washington won?t let them do it.

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-1st District) is trying to extend the program but says the H-2B visa program has become a heated political issue. A spokesman for Bishop says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised assistance on the problem soon.