Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 5494
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5494Immigration
Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act
INTRO SEP 18· LAST ACTION SEP 18
READING
47MIN
COSPONSORS
11BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it proposes a significant adjustment to the U.S. immigration system for temporary workers, specifically targeting non-agricultural jobs. If it becomes law, it could help certain businesses, particularly in areas with low unemployment, fill long-standing job vacancies that they struggle to staff with U.S. workers. This could lead to smoother business operations, potentially impacting the cost and availability of goods and services for consumers.
For voters, it's important to consider how this new visa category might influence the job market for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Supporters would argue it fills critical gaps without displacing American jobs, while critics might raise concerns about potential wage impacts or job availability for domestic workers. The bill's success and public perception will largely depend on whether it effectively balances the economic needs of businesses with the protection and advancement of the U.S. labor force.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Establishes a new H-2C nonimmigrant classification for temporary foreign workers in non-agricultural jobs.
This creates a distinct new temporary work visa category, separate from existing H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (other non-agricultural) visas.
PROVISION 02
Requires employers to be located in "full employment areas," defined as regions with an unemployment rate of 7.9% or less.
This provision aims to direct temporary workers to areas where labor shortages are deemed more acute, theoretically reducing competition with U.S. workers.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that employers pay a "scarcity recruitment fee" equal to 5% of the H-2C worker's estimated annual compensation.
This fee serves as a financial incentive for employers to first exhaust efforts to find U.S. workers and could generate revenue for related programs.
PROVISION 04
Defines an "enduring job opening" as one that remains unfilled for 3 consecutive months or more than 60 days in a 90-day period.
This criteria ensures that the H-2C program is used for long-term, persistent vacancies rather than short-term or newly created positions.
PROVISION 05
Defines "industries with comparatively low sales per employee" by ranking within the lowest ten sectors based on specific economic data.
This provision identifies specific sectors that may be prioritized or targeted by the H-2C program, suggesting where labor support is most needed.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
This bill matters because it proposes a significant adjustment to the U.S. immigration system for temporary workers, specifically targeting non-agricultural jobs. If it becomes law, it could help certain businesses, particularly in areas with low unemployment, fill long-standing job vacancies that they struggle to staff with U.S. workers. This could lead to smoother business operations, potentially impacting the cost and availability of goods and services for consumers.
For voters, it's important to consider how this new visa category might influence the job market for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Supporters would argue it fills critical gaps without displacing American jobs, while critics might raise concerns about potential wage impacts or job availability for domestic workers. The bill's success and public perception will largely depend on whether it effectively balances the economic needs of businesses with the protection and advancement of the U.S. labor force.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a new H-2C nonimmigrant classification for temporary foreign workers in non-agricultural jobs.
This creates a distinct new temporary work visa category, separate from existing H-2A (agricultural) and H-2B (other non-agricultural) visas.
high
Requires employers to be located in "full employment areas," defined as regions with an unemployment rate of 7.9% or less.
This provision aims to direct temporary workers to areas where labor shortages are deemed more acute, theoretically reducing competition with U.S. workers.
high
Mandates that employers pay a "scarcity recruitment fee" equal to 5% of the H-2C worker's estimated annual compensation.
This fee serves as a financial incentive for employers to first exhaust efforts to find U.S. workers and could generate revenue for related programs.
med
Defines an "enduring job opening" as one that remains unfilled for 3 consecutive months or more than 60 days in a 90-day period.
This criteria ensures that the H-2C program is used for long-term, persistent vacancies rather than short-term or newly created positions.
med
Defines "industries with comparatively low sales per employee" by ranking within the lowest ten sectors based on specific economic data.
This provision identifies specific sectors that may be prioritized or targeted by the H-2C program, suggesting where labor support is most needed.
GLOSSARY
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H-2C Nonimmigrant Classification
A new category of temporary visa that would allow foreign workers to come to the U.S. to fill specific non-agricultural jobs for a limited time.
Registered Non-Agricultural Employer
A business that has been approved by the government to hire H-2C workers and operates in any sector other than farming.
Full Employment Area
A county or major city area where the unemployment rate is relatively low (7.9% or less) during the time an employer applies for H-2C workers.
Enduring Job Opening
A job that has remained vacant for a significant period, specifically for at least three consecutive months, or for more than 60 days within a 90-day window.
Scarcity Recruitment Fee
A payment made by an employer, equal to 5% of a temporary worker's estimated annual pay, required to show they genuinely could not find a U.S. worker for the job.
United States Worker
An individual who is either a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or another alien legally authorized to work in the U.S. without restrictions on their employer.
Occupational Information Network Database (O*NET)
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
SEP 18, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 18, 25
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
A national database managed by the Department of Labor that provides detailed descriptions of jobs, including the skills, knowledge, and abilities required, used to classify occupations by preparation level.
