"Microsoft received 959 visa petition approvals, or one fifth as many as Infosys [Technologies, the top participant], while Intel got 369," BusinessWeek reports. Two other companies in the top 10, the story notes, are technically based in the U.S. but have most of their operations in India.

For more, see this AP preview of Gates' appearance, which includes some evaluation of immigration reforms' chances in an election year.

Update, 10:10 a.m. Wednesday: Here are some excerpts from Gates' written testimony Wednesday. The full transcript is linked above.

As always, Gates is optimistic about the potential of technology. But, he wrote, "I am less optimistic, however, that the United States will continue to remain a global leader in technology innovation."

He cited two reasons for concern that America's advantage is slipping away:

"First, we face a critical shortfall of skilled scientists and engineers who can develop new breakthrough technologies. Second, the public and private sectors are no longer investing in basic research and development (R&D) at the levels needed to drive long-term innovation."

The U.S. must commit to "a strategy for innovation excellence" if it wants to to retain its leadership position, he wrote. The strategy would involve policy changes aimed at: Strengthening educational opportunities; revamping immigration rules for highly skilled workers; increasing federal funding for basic scientific research; and, providing incentives for private-sector R&D.