U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) on June 18 introduced a bipartisan bill that would establish a process for admitting essential scientists and technical experts into the United States to promote and protect the nation’s national security.
“It’s critical that our country remains competitive in the national security space,” Rep. Stefanik said. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure the United States has the ability to provide a pathway for those who are able to fortify and bring further innovation to our national security strategy.”
Rep. Stefanik is the lead original cosponsor of the National Security Innovation Pathway Act, H.R. 7256, which she introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI). The members are ranking member and chairman, respectively, of the U.S. House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities.
If enacted, H.R. 7256 would “ensure the United States is able to both attract and retain the top minds all over the world for technological innovation and national security expertise,” said Rep. Stefanik.
The legislation would establish a pathway to permanent residency for students and professionals engaged in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum information sciences, biology, robotics, and hypersonics, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Stefanik’s office, which noted that the U.S. needs such a skilled workforce to address national security challenges and help prepare for potential threats.
Also under H.R. 7256, fees collected from the processing of petitions to receive special immigrant status would be used to establish a National Security Innovation Fee Account within the U.S. Treasury Department that would offset costs incurred by the federal government for implementing the program. A portion of the fees also would be allocated to scholarships under the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Education Program, according to the summary.
Representatives from the Association of American Universities, the Ronald Reagan Institute Task Force on 21st Century National Security Technology and Workforce, and the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence expressed support for the bill.
The legislation also garnered support from the American Council on Education, the Federation of American Scientists, the American Physical Society, the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities, and the Coalition for National Security Research.