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HR 7256 116th Congress House Immigration Congressional oversight Foreign labor Homeland security Immigration status and procedures Performance measurement Research administration and funding User charges and fees

National Security Innovation Pathway Act

Introduced: October 30, 2020 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 18, 2020
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
Jun 18, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Security Innovation Pathway Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide special immigrant status to a qualified alien involved with research critical to U.S. national security.

Generally, a qualified alien is one who (1) is employed by a U.S. employer to work and protect the National Security Innovation Base, (2) is engaged in Department of Defense-funded research at a U.S. institution of higher education, or (3) possesses scientific or technical expertise that will advance the development of certain technologies critical to national security. In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) must confirm to DHS that the alien's admission is essential to developing critical technologies or otherwise serves national security interests. The spouse and children of a qualified alien may also be admitted.

(The National Security Innovation Base is a network of persons and organizations engaged in research and production of technologies that support U.S. national security.)

DHS may admit up to 100 principal aliens for FY2021 as special immigrants under this bill. This number shall gradually increase until FY2025. For FY2025 and each subsequent fiscal year, DHS may admit 500 principal aliens. Aliens admitted under this bill shall not count against various annual numerical limits.

The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on an evaluation of the program by October 1, 2025.

What's happening now June 18, 2020

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 1 Republican 1
D
Houlahan, Chrissy
Pennsylvania · Oct 30, 2020
Vela, Filemon
· Oct 30, 2020
 R
Stefanik, Elise M.
New York · Jun 18, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 7256: National Security Innovation Pathway Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7256/
MLA
"H.R. 7256: National Security Innovation Pathway Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7256/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 7256, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7256/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 7256: National Security Innovation Pathway Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7256/)
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