PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 9, 2000
American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 - Increases available nonimmigrant H-1B specialty occupation visas for FY 2000 through 2002.(Sec. 3) Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from certain annual visa limitations an alien who is: (1) employed at an institution of higher education, or nonprofit or governmental research facility; or (2) a graduate degree recipient.(Sec. 4) Makes employment-based immigrant visas available on a quarterly basis without regard to per-country limitations if unused visas are available.(Sec. 5) Authorizes qualifying specialty occupation aliens to accept new employment upon filing of the employer petition.(Sec. 6) Provides one-year extensions of authorized H-1B stay for specialty occupation aliens in cases of permanent residence adjudications lasting 365 days or longer.(Sec. 7) Extends certain fee and labor application attestation and investigative authorities.(Sec. 8) Provides, with respect to nonimmigrant visa petitions subject to numerical limitations, for the restoration of fraudulently obtained visas, effective in the fiscal year of petition revocation.(Sec. 9) Directs the National Science Foundation to conduct a study of the divergence to high technology access (digital divide).
People & committees
Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R–UT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 106-313.
Became Public Law No: 106-313.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (An incorrect version of the bill was printed at: CR H8699-8700; the correct version as passed by the House can be found at: CR 10/05/2000 H9004-9008)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(An incorrect version of the bill was printed at: CR H8699-8700; the correct version as passed by the House can be found at: CR 10/05/2000 H9004-9008)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 2045.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8699-8706)
Mr. Cannon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 96 - 1. Record Vote Number: 262. (text: CR S9651-9655)
Senate roll call 262 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 96 - 1. Record Vote Number: 262.(text: CR S9651-9655)
Senate roll call 262 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9643-9657)
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Motion by Senator Lott to recommit to Senate Committee on the Judiciary withdrawn in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Cloture motion on the bill withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.
Cloture motion on the committee substitute withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9449-9451)
Motion by Senator Lott to recommit to Senate Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report back forthwith made in Senate. (text: CR S9375)
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9337-9376)
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate.
Cloture motion on the committee substitute amendment to the bill presented in Senate.
Motion by Senator Lott to recommit to the Committee on the Judiciary ruled out of order by the chair.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S9215-9229, S9247-9251)
Motion by Senator Lott to recommit to Senate Committee on the Judiciary with instructions to report back forthwith made in Senate. (consideration: CR S9028)
Measure laid before Senate by motion.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S9026-9029; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S9026-9028)
Motion to proceed considered. (consideration: CR S8800-8806)
Cloture on the motion to proceed invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 97 - 1. Record Vote Number: 252. (consideration: CR S8730-8731)
Senate roll call 252 · Individual votesMotion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S8619-8620)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8626-8627)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 490.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 106-260. Additional views filed.
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 106-260. Additional views filed.
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S543-544)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S542-543)
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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Analyze S.2045 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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