The idea that Visas would be awarded from highest offered salary to lowest until cap is hit does actually seem halfway reasonable -- if you really truly need so

The idea that Visas would be awarded from highest offered salary to lowest until cap is hit does actually seem halfway reasonable -- if you really truly need somebody you'll likely be willing to pay them more. Whereas if you make your money off of underpaying large numbers of workers, you'll probably end up sitting at the end of the line. (Not that I'll be a fan of the program exactly, just that I've heard worse ideas.)