H.R. 7256: National Security Innovation Pathway Act

116th Congress · introduced 2020-06-18 · Immigration · Latest: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2020-06-18 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

National Security Innovation Pathway Act

Plain summary

National Security Innovation Pathway Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide special immigrant status to a qualified alien involved with research critical to U.S. national security. Generally, a qualified alien is one who (1) is employed by a U.S. employer to work and protect the National Security Innovation Base, (2) is engaged in Department of Defense-funded research at a U.S. institution of higher education, or (3) possesses scientific or technical expertise that will advance the development of certain technologies critical to national security. In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) must confirm to DHS that the alien's admission is essential to developing critical technologies or otherwise serves national security interests. The spouse and children of a qualified alien may also be admitted. (The National Security Innovation Base is a network of persons and organizations engaged in research and production of technologies that support U.S. national security.) DHS may admit up to 100 principal aliens for FY2021 as special immigrants under this bill. This number shall gradually increase until FY2025. For FY2025 and each subsequent fiscal year, DHS may admit 500 principal aliens. Aliens admitted under this bill shall not count against various annual numerical limits. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on an evaluation of the program by October 1, 2025.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

National Security Innovation Pathway Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Elise M. Stefanik (R-NY), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-116hr7256.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/116/hr>

Record fed-us-cong116-hr7256 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116