Ask AI
Bill105th CongressFiled Mar 6, 1998Immigration
S. 1723

American Competitiveness Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed senate amended (May 18, 1998)

American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.)

Increases H1-B visa levels through FY 2002, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories. Establishes an annual H1-C visa allocation beginning with FY 1999.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide State grants for low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

(Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Provides for: (1) probationary period employer spot checks; and (2) U.S. worker layoff protection. Sets forth prevailing wage criteria for professional athlete and academic or research institute employee categories.

Prohibits approval of an H1-B visa employer petition if such employer has knowledge or reasonable cause to know that assistance is being provided for nuclear weapons development in India or any other country.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit specified quarterly and annual H1-B visa reports.

(Sec. 7) Directs the National Science Foundation to oversee a study and report on high-technology labor market needs.

(Sec. 8) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter.

Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity.

(Sec. 10) Provides special immigrant status for certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) civilian employees and their dependents.

(Sec. 11) Provides: (1) whistleblower protection for an H1-B alien who files a labor violation complaint against an employer; and (2) that a successful complainant shall be allowed to seek other employment for the rest of his or her authorized stay.

(Sec. 12) Amends Federal law to require parental signatures on passport applications for children under the age of 16.

(Sec. 13) Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide job training demonstration programs under the Job Training Partnership Act for private industry councils or regional consortia.

What just happenedMay 27, 1998

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI](R-MI)Sponsor
21 cosponsors2 D19 R
Read on Congress.gov
21cosponsors4committees21actions8amendments
  1. May 27, 1998CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.

    Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
  2. May 19, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House International Relations

    Foreign Affairs Committee
  3. May 19, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Education and the Workforce

    Education and Workforce Committee
  4. May 19, 1998IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. May 19, 1998IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Judiciary

    Judiciary Committee
  6. May 19, 1998Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  7. May 19, 1998FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  8. May 18, 1998Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78-20. Record Vote No: 141.

  9. May 18, 1998Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78-20. Record Vote No: 141.

  10. May 18, 1998Floor

    The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.

  11. May 18, 1998Floor

    Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S4954-5001)

  12. May 11, 1998Floor

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-186. Additional views filed.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. May 11, 1998Committee14900

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-186. Additional views filed.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Apr 2, 1998Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.

  15. Apr 2, 1998Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  16. Apr 2, 1998Committee14000

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  17. Apr 2, 1998Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  18. Mar 19, 1998IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2244)

  19. Mar 6, 1998IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  20. Mar 6, 1998IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1516-1521)

  21. Mar 6, 1998IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedMay 18, 199835

American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.)

Increases H1-B visa levels through FY 2002, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories. Establishes an annual H1-C visa allocation beginning with FY 1999.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide State grants for low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

(Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Provides for: (1) probationary period employer spot checks; and (2) U.S. worker layoff protection. Sets forth prevailing wage criteria for professional athlete and academic or research institute employee categories.

Prohibits approval of an H1-B visa employer petition if such employer has knowledge or reasonable cause to know that assistance is being provided for nuclear weapons development in India or any other country.

(Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit specified quarterly and annual H1-B visa reports.

(Sec. 7) Directs the National Science Foundation to oversee a study and report on high-technology labor market needs.

(Sec. 8) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter.

Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity.

(Sec. 10) Provides special immigrant status for certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) civilian employees and their dependents.

(Sec. 11) Provides: (1) whistleblower protection for an H1-B alien who files a labor violation complaint against an employer; and (2) that a successful complainant shall be allowed to seek other employment for the rest of his or her authorized stay.

(Sec. 12) Amends Federal law to require parental signatures on passport applications for children under the age of 16.

(Sec. 13) Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide job training demonstration programs under the Job Training Partnership Act for private industry councils or regional consortia.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Apr 2, 199801

American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.)

Increases H1-B visa levels through FY 2002, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories. Establishes an annual H1-C visa allocation beginning with FY 1999.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the State Student Incentive Grant program. Obligates specified amounts for grants to low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) establish or improve an Internet technology employment data bank; and (2) provide information technology training to unemployed individuals seeking employment. Authorizes FY 1999 through 2003 appropriations.

(Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Defines "prevailing wage."

(Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit specified quarterly and annual H1-B visa reports.

(Sec. 7) Directs the National Science Foundation to oversee the National Academy of Sciences in establishing a government-industry panel to study and report on high-technology labor market needs.

(Sec. 8) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter.

Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations.

(Sec. 9) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity.

Introduced in SenateMar 6, 199800

American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.)

Increases H1-B visa levels, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize appropriations for the State Student Incentive Grant program. Obligates specified amounts for grants to low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering.

Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish or improve an Internet technology employment data bank. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Defines "prevailing wage."

(Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit an annual H1-B visa report.

(Sec. 7) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter.

Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations.

(Sec. 8) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity.