Earlier last month, the House approved the STEM Jobs Act. The act, which would give 55,000 visas to non-citizens, would help the U.S. compete with other countries in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) sectors.
Let’s explore some background on the STEM Jobs Act and why it’s important for America.
What is the STEM Jobs Act?
According to CNN, The STEM Jobs Act is immigration-backed legislation with the purpose of boosting long-term economic growth and spurring job creation. By taking some proactive steps and giving students visas for the purpose of beginning their careers, these U.S citizens will become leaders in these fields in the long-run.
According to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, “The bill that we passed will allow these individuals to have a green card if they get a diploma and, therefore, enabling them to stay in this country to begin their careers to create jobs rather than being forced to leave to go back to their home countries and actually compete with us.”
In addition, the STEM Jobs Act brought together Republicans and Democrats, even if they did not see eye-to-eye on the entire piece of legislation. The act was passed and bipartisanship was achieved.
Why is this beneficial?
The STEM Jobs Act seeks to bridge the gap between the problem — lack of STEM workers in the United States — and a possible solution — foreign workers who can bring their STEM knowledge to the United States without major barriers to entry.
It will do more than give non-citizens the chance to work in science, technology, engineering, and math. It will give America the boost it needs. For instance, according to the U.S Department of Labor, only five percent of U.S. employees work in fields related to science and engineering. However, these workers are responsible for more than 50 percent of America’s sustained economic expansion.
If this trend continues, America may not be a thought leader in the STEM sectors. This can discount the value of our country, leading to other problems. While measures are being taken within the U.S. to increase STEM workers — such as providing scholarships to American STEM students — the act will be a way for America to gain the best and the brightest on a worldwide scale.
What’s the takeaway?
In the end, the STEM Jobs Act provides America with more advantages than drawbacks. It’s already enabled bipartisanship, since both major parties agreed on the terms without much quarreling. It allows non-citizens to come to our country to make a better life for themselves. It puts America on the path to sustaining world leadership in science, technology, engineering, and math.
In addition, the underlying lesson of the STEM Jobs Act is crucial. If a new piece of legislation can help the country now and in the future, we must act together to make it happen. Political leaders saw this and brought the idea to fruition, despite deep partisan differences in other areas. It’s important to continue this way of thinking so we can move forward with legislation that benefits America as a whole.
What do you think? Do you agree with the STEM Jobs Act? Why or why not?