In early April, members of Congress re-introduced the Keep STEM Talent Act and the American Innovation Act — legislation that would, if enacted, help the United States attract and retain top researchers from around the world and boost federal research funding. Both are longstanding APS policy priorities. APS thanks Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), as well as Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY), for introducing the bills.
Keep STEM Talent Act
The bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act — introduced this year in both the House and the Senate — would authorize international students pursuing advanced degrees to express “dual intent” and legally declare their plan to pursue STEM careers in the U.S. after graduation. The bill would also exempt students — specifically international ones who earn advanced STEM degrees from U.S. institutions and receive job offers from U.S. companies — from green card caps, which limit the number of employment-based immigrants.
“Maintaining a strong STEM workforce strengthens our economy, creates jobs, and enhances our ability to compete on the world stage,” said Durbin in a joint statement. “By denying international students with advanced STEM degrees the opportunity to continue their work in America, we are losing their talents to countries overseas and won’t see the positive impacts of their American education.”
“Legal, highly skilled STEM immigration is crucial for our nation and has opened doors for talented immigrants like Albert Einstein to come to America,” said Rounds in the statement.
American Innovation Act
The American Innovation Act would authorize annual increases to federal basic science funding by 5%, plus inflation, at the Department of Energy Office of Science, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Standards and Technology Scientific and Technical Research Services, Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs, and NASA Science Mission Directorate.
A document about the bill from Sen. Durbin’s office noted, “Investments in scientific research have helped the United States lead the world in new technologies, create millions of jobs, grow the economy, and advance national security.”
