PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · May 18, 1998
American Competitiveness Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an H1-C nonimmigrant category of nonphysician health care workers. (Removes such aliens from the H-1B skilled worker category.) Increases H1-B visa levels through FY 2002, and makes available to such category a certain number of unused visas from specified other temporary visa categories. Establishes an annual H1-C visa allocation beginning with FY 1999. (Sec. 4) Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide State grants for low-income students in higher education programs of mathematics, computer science, or engineering. (Sec. 5) Revises and increases penalties for violations of the H1-B or H1-C programs. Transfers labor condition application authority from the Secretary to the Attorney General. Provides for: (1) probationary period employer spot checks; and (2) U.S. worker layoff protection. Sets forth prevailing wage criteria for professional athlete and academic or research institute employee categories. Prohibits approval of an H1-B visa employer petition if such employer has knowledge or reasonable cause to know that assistance is being provided for nuclear weapons development in India or any other country. (Sec. 6) Directs the Attorney General to submit specified quarterly and annual H1-B visa reports. (Sec. 7) Directs the National Science Foundation to oversee a study and report on high-technology labor market needs. (Sec. 8) Exempts employment-based immigrants from per country limitations if unused visas are available during a calendar quarter. Authorizes nonimmigrant status extension for certain aliens who: (1) have petitions pending for employment-based immigrant status adjustment; and (2) are subject to per country limitations. (Sec. 9) Authorizes H1-B aliens to accept academic honorarium payments for services on behalf of an institution of higher education or other nonprofit entity. (Sec. 10) Provides special immigrant status for certain North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) civilian employees and their dependents. (Sec. 11) Provides: (1) whistleblower protection for an H1-B alien who files a labor violation complaint against an employer; and (2) that a successful complainant shall be allowed to seek other employment for the rest of his or her authorized stay. (Sec. 12) Amends Federal law to require parental signatures on passport applications for children under the age of 16. (Sec. 13) Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide job training demonstration programs under the Job Training Partnership Act for private industry councils or regional consortia.
People & committees
Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI] · R–MI
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
Referred to House International Relations
Referred to House Education and the Workforce
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, and International Relations, 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.
Referred to House Judiciary
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78-20. Record Vote No: 141.
Senate roll call 141 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 78-20. Record Vote No: 141.
Senate roll call 141 · Individual votesThe committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S4954-5001)
By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-186. Additional views filed.
By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-186. Additional views filed.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 335.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2244)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1516-1521)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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