House Democrats Introduced 09/14/2012 Another STEM Immigration Bill of 2012

• Yesterday, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California introduced H.R. 6412 "Attracting the Best and Brightest Act of 2012" in the House to grant immigration status to STEM major foreign brains. Accordingly, two STEM bills of two different parties will more or less contest each other in the House. What does it mean? The chance for Rep. Smith's STEM bill to pass the House by voice vote in suspension of rule on next Friday may not work well as Democrats may request roll call votes that require two thirds of yeas to pass. By the way, one of the co-sponsors of the Smith bill is the House majority leader, explaining how the Smith bill would be so quickly placed on the House floor next Friday under the suspension of rules calendar. Smith bill has yet to be introduced in the House. Why all of sudden STEM immigration legislation turns into the spotlight? Remember that over 150 universities petitioned a few days back and there have been growing pressure from the high tech businesses. Remember also that the national election is less than two months away! 
• For the unofficial full text and summary of H.R. 6412, please click here.