Press Releases

Chairman Smith:  “When it comes to STEM fields - science, technology, engineering and math - American universities set the standard.  Our STEM graduates create the innovations and new businesses that fuel our economic growth and create jobs. 

“Many of the world’s top students come to the U.S. to obtain advanced STEM degrees.  But what happens to these foreign students after they graduate?   Under the current system, we educate scientists and engineers only to send them back home where they often work for our competitors. 

Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today voted on the STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429) but it fell short of a two-thirds majority needed to move the bill under suspension of the rules in a vote of 257-158.  This bill eliminates the diversity visa program and reallocates up to 55,000 new green cards to the most highly qualified foreign graduates of American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) expressed disappointment in House Democrats’ decision to vote against a bill that would help boost our economy and create jobs. 

Washington, D.C. - Leading up to the House of Representatives’ floor vote on the STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429), support for the legislation among national associations, U.S. employers, and trade and professional organizations continues to grow.  The STEM Jobs Act boosts job creation and spurs economic growth by eliminating the diversity visa lottery and reallocating up to 55,000 green cards a year to the top foreign graduates of U.S.

Washington, D.C. - A broad coalition of over 100 national associations, U.S. employers, and state and local associations today asked for bipartisan passage of the STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429).  This bill, sponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), helps boost job creation and spurs economic growth by allowing the U.S. to retain the best and brightest foreign graduates of American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.  The STEM Jobs Act will be considered by the House of Representatives tomorrow.  Below is the letter text.

Washington, D.C. - A group of House Republican Chairmen today expressed concern about reports that the Obama administration is considering the release of Omar Abdel-Rahman, also known as the “blind sheikh,” to the custody of Egypt for humanitarian and health reasons. In a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Chairmen made clear that Abdel-Rahman, who inspired the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, should not be released to Egypt for any reason but should remain in federal prison.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to today’s release of the Justice Department Inspector General’s report on Operation Fast and Furious.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and nearly 50 Members of Congress today introduced bipartisan legislation to help the United States boost job creation, grow our economy, and remain globally competitive by increasing green cards for talented foreign graduates of American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.  The STEM Jobs Act (H.R. 6429) eliminates the diversity visa lottery and reallocates up to 55,000 green cards a year to the top foreign graduates of U.S.

Washington, D.C. - House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released a draft proposal to help the United States boost job creation, grow our economy, and remain globally competitive by increasing green cards for talented foreign graduates of American universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.   This draft legislation eliminates the diversity visa lottery and reallocates up to 55,000 green cards a year to the top foreign graduates of U.S.