Protecting America and American Workers Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 16, 2017

Protecting America and American Workers Act

This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the diversity immigrant program effective on the first day of the first fiscal year after the date on which the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security jointly determine that such immigrant visas are no longer necessary to offset certain status adjustments under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Until such time and effective on October 1, 2018, the annual number of diversity program visas is reduced from 55,000 to 5,000. Beginning in FY2019, 8,000 of such former diversity visas shall be allocated annually to each of three employment-based immigrant categories for a total of 24,000 additional visas each year.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McSally, Martha [R-AZ-2] · R–AZ

Committees

Judiciary Committee

7 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Dec 13, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Nov 16, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 16, 2017
Introduced in House
Nov 16, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Nov 16, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1178 · SAFE for America Act

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4427 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4427, 115th Congress: Protecting America and American Workers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4427

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-11-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4427/BILLS-115hr4427ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4427 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4427 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4427, 115th Congress: Protecting America and American Workers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4427

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-11-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4427/BILLS-115hr4427ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4427 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4427 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4427, 115th Congress: Protecting America and American Workers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4427

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-11-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4427/BILLS-115hr4427ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4427 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4427 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4427, 115th Congress: Protecting America and American Workers Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4427

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-11-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4427/BILLS-115hr4427ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:34:42Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4427 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.