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STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Speaker
D000563
Subject
D000563
Source
Congressional Record · original
Chamber
senate
Published
Monday, March 31, 2025

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2094-S2096] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, and Ms. Smith): S. 1230. A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to preserve foreign markets for goods using common names, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [[Page S2095]] …

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Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [Senate] [Pages S2094-S2096] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Marshall, and Ms. Smith): S. 1230. A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to preserve foreign markets for goods using common names, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [[Page S2095]] S. 1230 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields Act of 2025'' or the ``SAFETY Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. PRESERVING FOREIGN MARKETS FOR GOODS USING COMMON NAMES. (a) Definitions.--Section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602) is amended-- (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``As used in this Act--'' and inserting ``In this Act:''; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as paragraphs (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (4), respectively, and reordering accordingly; (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: ``(2) Common name.-- ``(A) In general.--The term `common name' means a name that-- ``(i) is ordinarily or customarily used for an agricultural commodity or food product; ``(ii) is typically placed on the packaging and product label of the agricultural commodity or food product; ``(iii) with respect to wine-- ``(I) is-- ``(aa) ordinarily or customarily used for a wine grape varietal name; or ``(bb) a traditional term or expression that is typically placed on the packaging and label of the wine; and ``(II) does not mean any appellation of origin for wine listed in subpart C of part 9 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and ``(iv) the use of which is consistent with standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. ``(B) Examples.--The following names shall be considered common names under subparagraph (A): ``(i) With respect to food products: ``(I) American. ``(II) Asiago. ``(III) Basmati. ``(IV) Black forest ham. ``(V) Bologna. ``(VI) Bratwurst. ``(VII) Chevre. ``(VIII) Chorizo. ``(IX) Colby. ``(X) Feta. ``(XI) Fontina. ``(XII) Gorgonzola. ``(XIII) Grana. ``(XIV) Gruyere. ``(XV) Kielbasa. ``(XVI) Limburger and Limburgo. ``(XVII) Mascarpone. ``(XVIII) Monterey and Monterey jack. ``(XIX) Mortadella. ``(XX) Munster and muenster. ``(XXI) Neufchatel. ``(XXII) Parmesan. ``(XXIII) Pecorino. ``(XXIV) Pepper Jack. ``(XXV) Prosciutto. ``(XXVI) Ricotta. ``(XXVII) Romano. ``(XXVIII) Salami. ``(XXIX) Swiss. ``(ii) With respect to wine: ``(I) The list of grape varietal terms in section 4.91 of title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). ``(II) The grape variety designations administratively approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. ``(III) The following nonvarietal descriptors: ``(aa) Chateau. ``(bb) Classic. ``(cc) Clos. ``(dd) Cream. ``(ee) Crusted and Crusting. ``(ff) Noble. ``(gg) Ruby. ``(hh) Sur lie. ``(ii) Tawny. ``(jj) Vintage. ``(kk) Vintage character. ``(iii) With respect to beer: ``(I) Bitter. ``(II) Pale Ale. ``(III) India Pale Ale. ``(IV) Mild. ``(V) Porter. ``(VI) Stout. ``(VII) Barleywine. ``(VIII) Dubbel. ``(IX) Quadrupel. ``(X) Witbier. ``(XI) Saison. ``(XII) Biere de Garde. ``(XIII) Oud Red. ``(XIV) Altbier. ``(XV) Weisse. ``(XVI) Gose. ``(XVII) Hefeweizen. ``(XVIII) Dunkel. ``(XIX) Helles. ``(XX) Rauchbier. ``(XXI) Pilsener. ``(XXII) Maerzen. ``(XXIII) Schwarzbier. ``(XXIV) Doppelbock. ``(XXV) Bock. ``(XXVI) Kellerbier. ``(XXVII) Munchener and Munich style. ``(XXVIII) Oktoberfest. ``(XXIX) Dortmunder. ``(XXX) Kolsch and Koelsch. ``(XXXI) Budejovick'e pivo (Budweiser beer). ``(XXXII) Cream. ``(XXXIII) Grodziskie. ``(XXXIV) Jerez and sherry. ``(XXXV) Lager. ``(C) Considerations.--In making a determination under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may take into account-- ``(i) competent sources, such as dictionaries, newspapers, professional journals and literature, and information posted on websites that are determined by the Secretary to be reliable in reporting market information; ``(ii) the use of the common name in a domestic, regional, or international product standard, including a standard promulgated by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, for the agricultural commodity or food product; and ``(iii) the ordinary and customary use of the common name in the production or marketing of the agricultural commodity or food product in the United States or in other countries.''; and (4) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph (A)-- (A) in clause (v), by striking ``or'' at the end; (B) in clause (vi), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and (C) by adding at the end the following: ``(vii) prohibits or disallows the use of the common name of an agricultural commodity or food product of the United States.''. (b) Negotiations to Defend Use of Common Names.--Title III of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5652 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``SEC. 303. NEGOTIATIONS TO DEFEND THE USE OF COMMON NAMES. ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall coordinate efforts with the United States Trade Representative to secure the right of United States agricultural producers, processors, and exporters to use common names for agricultural commodities or food products in foreign markets through the negotiation of bilateral, plurilateral, or multilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding, or exchanges of letters that assure the current and future use of each common name in connection with United States agricultural commodities or food products. ``(b) Briefing.--The Secretary and the United States Trade Representative shall jointly provide to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a semi-annual briefing on their efforts and success in carrying out subsection (a).''. ______ By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Rounds, and Mr. King): S. 1233. A bill to provide lawful permanent resident status for certain advanced STEM degree holders, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: S. 1233 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025''. SEC. 2. VISA REQUIREMENTS. (a) Graduate Degree Visa Requirements.--To be approved for or maintain nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)), a student seeking to pursue an advanced degree in a STEM field (as defined in section 201(b)(1)(F)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)(F)(ii))) (as amended by section 3(a)) for a degree at the master's level or higher at a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) must apply for admission prior to beginning such advanced degree program. (b) Strengthened Vetting Process.--The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall establish procedures to ensure that aliens described in subsection (a) are admissible pursuant to section 212(a)(3)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(A)). Such procedures shall ensure that such aliens seeking admission from within the United States undergo verification of academic credentials, comprehensive background checks, and interviews in a manner equivalent to that of an alien seeking admission from outside of the United States. To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall also take steps to ensure that such applications for admission are processed in a timely manner to allow the pursuit of graduate education. (c) Reporting Requirement.--The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives detailing the implementation and effectiveness of the requirement for foreign graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields to [[Page S2096]] seek admission prior to pursuing a graduate degree program. The report shall include data on visa application volumes, processing times, security outcomes, and economic impacts. SEC. 3. LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ADVANCED STEM DEGREE HOLDERS. (a) Aliens Not Subject to Direct Numerical Limitations.-- Section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``(F)(i) Aliens who-- ``(I) have earned a degree in a STEM field at the master's level or higher while physically present in the United States from a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) accredited by an accrediting entity recognized by the Department of Education; ``(II) have an offer of employment from, or are employed by, a United States employer to perform work that is directly related to such degree at a rate of pay that is higher than the median wage level for the occupational classification in the area of employment, as determined by the Secretary of Labor; ``(III) have an approved labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A)(i); or ``(IV) are the spouses and children of aliens described in subclauses (I) through (III) who are accompanying or following to join such aliens. ``(ii) In this subparagraph, the term `STEM field' means a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics described in the most recent version of the Classification of Instructional Programs of the Department of Education taxonomy under the summary group of-- ``(I) computer and information sciences and support services; ``(II) engineering; ``(III) mathematics and statistics; ``(IV) biological and biomedical sciences; ``(V) physical sciences; ``(VI) agriculture sciences; or ``(VII) natural resources and conservation sciences.''. (b) Procedure for Granting Immigration Status.--Section 204(a)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(F)) is amended by striking ``203(b)(2)'' and all that follows through ``Attorney General'' and inserting ``203(b)(2), 203(b)(3), or 201(b)(1)(F) may file a petition with the Secretary of Homeland Security''. (c) Labor Certification.--Section 212(a)(5)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(D)) is amended by inserting ``section 201(b)(1)(F) or under'' after ``adjustment of status under''. (d) Dual Intent for F Nonimmigrants Seeking Advanced STEM Degrees at United States Institutions of Higher Education.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 101(a)(15)(F)(i) and 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i) and 1184(b)), an alien who is a bona fide student admitted to a program in a STEM field (as defined in subparagraph (F)(ii) of section 201(b)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1))) for a degree at the master's level or higher at a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) accredited by an accrediting entity recognized by the Department of Education may obtain a student visa, be admitted to the United States as a nonimmigrant student, or extend or change nonimmigrant status to pursue such degree even if such alien seeks lawful permanent resident status in the United States. (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to modify or amend section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) or 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i) or 1184(b)), or any regulation interpreting such authorities for an alien who is not described in this subsection. ____________________

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