H-1B Visa Showdown: Expansion, Restrictions & Elimination Proposals

A range of bills in the 119th Congress is creating a high-stakes confrontation regarding the future of the H-1B visa program, revealing a growing divide in Washington over how, or even if, the program should continue.

Lawmakers from both parties have introduced proposals that could significantly expand, restrict, reform, or even eliminate the high-skilled worker visa system.

On one end of the spectrum, Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has pushed to double the annual H-1B cap through the HIRE Act, reviving a proposal previously reported by The Dallas Express. This push would increase the number of visas from 65,000 to 130,000. The effort drew scrutiny of donor ties and industry backing, as well as bipartisan criticism amid a surge in negative public comments about the program.

Supporters argue expansion is necessary to maintain U.S. competitiveness. Krishnamoorthi has said the measure is “designed to strengthen America’s long-term economic and technological competitiveness.” Industry advocates have similarly argued that alleged labor shortages in science and technology justify increasing visa supply.

In contrast, a bloc of lawmakers is pushing restrictions. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) has proposed a sweeping overhaul that would impose a $150,000 minimum salary and eliminate the Optional Practical Training pipeline. “Corporations rigged the system to flood the country with cheap foreign labor and drive down wages,” Banks previously said, according to DX reporting.

Other proposals go further. Legislation from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) would reportedly phase out the H-1B program entirely over time, while a separate bill from Rep. W. Gregory Steube would set visa allocations to zero beginning in fiscal year 2027.

Greene reportedly argued that corporations have used the system to replace American workers, framing her bill as a final effort to dismantle what she described as a broken pipeline before leaving office. The congresswoman resigned shortly after introducing the bill, but the legislation remains live in the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Senate proposals, including those from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), seek a middle ground by tightening wage requirements, increasing enforcement, and limiting how heavily companies can rely on visa holders.

In a different direction, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) has introduced legislation to roll back restrictions imposed by President Donald Trump, including a $100,000 visa fee announced in September 2025.

“Trump’s shortsighted proclamation has created significant barriers for U.S. employers, universities, hospitals, and research institutions that rely on highly-skilled professionals,” Watson Coleman said in a March 6, 2026, press release. “The H-1B program does not replace the domestic workforce; it serves as a bridge between U.S. talent and global talent that fuels U.S. economic growth.”

Her bill would nullify the fee and restore prior wage rules, reflecting concerns from universities and healthcare systems about workforce shortages.

Despite the volume of proposals, none of the measures has advanced out of committee as of March 17, 2026, leaving the program’s future uncertain as political, economic, and public pressures continue to mount.