End H-1B Now Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6937

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Immigration

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-02: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, 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.

Last Updated

2026-02-18T14:49:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "End H-1B Now Act" (H.R. 6937) aims to gradually eliminate the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations (such as technology and engineering roles). It seeks to prioritize U.S. workers by phasing out these visas and restricting related immigration benefits, while also limiting federal funding for training non-citizens in medical residencies.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is titled the "End H-1B Now Act."
• Phase-Out of H-1B Visas:
• Reduces the annual cap on H-1B visas starting in fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026), decreasing by 1,000 visas each year from 10,000 in FY 2026 to zero in FY 2036 and beyond.
• During the phase-out, eligibility is limited to specific medical roles: only physicians, surgeons, or nurses qualify as "specialty occupations" (previously, this included a broader range like IT and engineering).
• Removes fashion models from H-1B eligibility and reinstates a strict requirement that applicants must intend to return to their home country (no "dual intent" allowing potential permanent residency).
• Medicare Funding Restrictions:
• Prohibits Medicare from funding residency training programs (post-medical school hands-on training) for non-citizens (defined as "aliens" under immigration law, meaning anyone not a U.S. citizen or national).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Amendments:
• Alters the H-1B visa cap structure in Section 214(g), replacing the current fixed annual limit (65,000 plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders) with a declining schedule leading to full elimination.
• Narrows the definition of eligible occupations in Section 214(i) from diverse specialty fields to only three medical professions.
• Eliminates exceptions for fashion models in Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) and restores a non-immigrant intent clause (previously relaxed to allow paths to green cards).
• Social Security Act Amendment:
• Adds a new restriction in Section 1886(h)(5)(A) barring Medicare payments for training non-citizens in residency programs, effective for cost-reporting periods starting after enactment (previously, Medicare funded such training without citizenship requirements).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would see reduced visa processing workloads and administrative costs over time. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would need to adjust funding rules for hospitals, potentially saving taxpayer money but increasing oversight burdens.
• On Citizens: Could boost job opportunities for U.S. workers in high-skill fields by limiting foreign competition, but may lead to labor shortages in industries like technology and healthcare that rely on H-1B talent.
• On International Relations: Might strain ties with countries like India and China, major sources of H-1B workers, by curtailing skilled immigration pathways and signaling a more restrictive U.S. policy on global talent exchange.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Workers and Job Seekers: Particularly in tech, engineering, and medical fields, who may gain from reduced foreign hiring.
• Employers and Industries: Tech companies (e.g., software firms), hospitals, and other businesses dependent on H-1B visas could face talent shortages and higher recruitment costs.
• Foreign Workers: Current and prospective H-1B applicants, especially skilled professionals from abroad, would lose access to U.S. opportunities after the phase-out.
• Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and medical schools relying on Medicare funds for residencies might struggle to train international medical graduates, affecting program diversity.
• Taxpayers: Potential savings from reduced visa administration and Medicare expenditures, offset by economic ripple effects in affected sectors.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill could face challenges under administrative law if implementation disrupts ongoing visa processes or Medicare contracts. It may also invite lawsuits alleging violations of international trade agreements (e.g., those promoting skilled worker mobility) or anti-discrimination laws if perceived as targeting specific nationalities.
• Constitutional Implications: Potential equal protection concerns under the 14th Amendment if the restrictions disproportionately affect certain immigrant groups, though immigration is a federal plenary power with broad deference to Congress.
• Political Implications: Reflects a protectionist approach to immigration, likely sparking debate on balancing domestic employment with economic innovation; its referral to multiple committees (Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means) indicates broad jurisdictional review before potential passage.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-02: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-01-02: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-01-02: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, 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.
• 2026-01-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-01-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• End H-1B Now Act — issued 2026-01-02 — PDF (3 pages)