Overview of the the STEM Jobs Act

STEM Jobs Act of 2012 Press Conference (Photo credit: republicanconference)

Via The House Committee on the Judiciary

“Graduates of American universities in science, technology, engineering, and math – or “STEM” fields – are behind many of the innovations and new businesses that are part of our present and future economic growth. Talented students from around the world contribute to the graduate STEM programs of our universities. Foreign students receive nearly four out of every 10 master’s degrees awarded in STEM fields and about the same percentage of all doctorates.

But our immigration system does not always put American interests first. We have the most generous level of legal immigration in the world but we select only 5% of our immigrants based on the skills and education they bring to America. Although these foreign graduates of U.S. universities in STEM fields are in great demand by American employers, many of them end up on years-long green card waiting lists. And as a result, many of them give up and go to work for one of our global competitors.

In an ever-competitive global economy, we must keep our country as the world’s greatest source of innovation and creativity. The STEM Jobs Act allows employers to fill their talent needs with foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in STEM so that they can continue creating jobs and growing our economy.”

Bill Information

Bill Text
Bill Summary

Press Resources

1. Smith: Senate Democrats Block Jobs Bill – December 5, 2012
2. Holmes: Support high teach immigration (Austin American-Statesman) – November 30, 2012
3. House Approves STEM Legislation – November 30, 2012
4. White House, Democrats send world’s best and brightest to back of the line – September 26, 2012
5. Congress fails on a no-brainer – September 26, 2012
6. Smith on STEM Jobs Act Vote: Democrats Vote Against Jobs and Economy – September 20, 2012
7. Statement of Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith Floor Consideration of H.R. 6429, the “STEM Jobs Act of 2012” – September 20, 2012
8. Strong Support for the STEM Jobs Act – September 20, 2012
9. Broad Coalition Calls for Bipartisan Passage of STEM Jobs Act – September 19, 2012
10. Foreign graduates in STEM fields can boost U.S. (Politico) – September 18, 2012
11. Smith Introduces the STEM Jobs Act – September 18, 2012
12. Smith Releases Draft STEM Legislation – September 14, 2012
13. Broad Coalition Calls for STEM Bill – July 12, 2012

Letters of Support

1. Information Technology Industry Council – November 29, 2012
2. U.S. Chamber of Commerce – November 29, 2012
3. IEEE-USA, American Council on International Personnel, Society for Human Resource Management, Semiconductor Industry Association – November 28, 2012
4. CTIA The Wireless Association – November 28, 2012
5. U.S. Chamber of Commerce – September 19, 2012
6. CONNECT – September 19, 2012
7. Multi-Industry STEM Support Letter – September 19, 2012
8. Information and Technology Industry Council – September 19, 2012
9. American Conservative Union – September 18, 2012
10. Water Innovations Alliance – September 17, 2012
11. Nano Business Commercialization Association – September 17, 2012

Statements of Support

1. IEEE-USA – September 18, 2012
2. Semiconductor Industry Association – September 18, 2012
3. Compete America – September 18, 2012
4. The American Instiute of Aeronautics and Astronautics – September 17, 2012

Related articles

• Controversial STEM Jobs Act Proposes to transfer 55,000 visas from Diversity Visa Lottery to Masters and Ph.D. Graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (ashwinsharma.com)