A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "American Hiring Transparency Act" requires employers to pay a specific fee when seeking a permanent labor certification to hire foreign workers. This fee must be paid at the time an employer files an Application for Permanent Employment Certification or a similar application. For fiscal year 2027, the initial fee amount will be at least $10,000. In subsequent years, the fee will be adjusted annually based on inflation. The collected fees will be split between the general fund of the Treasury and a new "PERM Fee Account."
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill funds upgrades to the USAJOBS platform to improve job application processes.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases federal revenue and authority over labor certification processes.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes a significant, non-waivable fee on employers looking to hire foreign talent.
- Scored -5
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?
The bill imposes a substantial new fee of at least $10,000 on employers seeking foreign labor certifications.
- Scored -4
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill creates a financial barrier for employers seeking to hire foreign workers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Upgrading Job Platforms: According to Section 2, 50 percent of the funds deposited into the "PERM Fee Account" will be used by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to upgrade and maintain the USAJOBS website or successor platforms. This is intended to help host job advertisements and process job applications to facilitate labor market testing. (Section 2, subsection (b)(4)(C)(ii))
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Increased Funding for the Treasury: The bill dictates that 50 percent of the fees received from employers will be deposited directly into the general fund of the Treasury. (Section 2, subsection (b)(4)(B)(i))
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Increased Funding for the Secretary of Labor: Half of the funds deposited into the "PERM Fee Account" will be made available for the Secretary of Labor to expend without further appropriation. (Section 2, subsection (b)(4)(C)(i))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial Burden on Employers: Employers seeking a permanent labor certification must pay a fee of at least $10,000 during fiscal year 2027. (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(A))
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Increasing Costs Over Time: The fee is subject to annual adjustments for inflation starting in fiscal year 2028, which could increase the cost for employers in subsequent years. (Section 2, subsection (b)(3))
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No Flexibility for Fee Reductions: The bill explicitly states that the required fees may not be waived or reduced. (Section 2, subsection (b)(5))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes a significant, non-waivable fee on employers looking to hire foreign talent. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill creates a financial barrier for employers seeking to hire foreign workers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — The bill imposes a substantial new fee of at least $10,000 on employers seeking foreign labor certifications. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The mandatory fee increases the cost of hiring foreign workers, which may disproportionately affect small businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill funds upgrades to the USAJOBS platform to improve job application processes.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal revenue and authority over labor certification processes.
- 7/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate