Full Breakdown
Republicans Propose Raising H-1B Salary Exemption Threshold to Nearly $140,000
By Drooid · · How we work
Proposed Salary Threshold Increase
Republican Representative Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin introduced the *Protecting American Workers Through H-1B Modernization Act*, which would replace the current $60,000 salary exemption for H-1B-dependent employers with a figure set at twice the Social Security Administration’s National Average Wage Index. Grothman’s office estimates this would bring the threshold to “almost $140,000.” The change would apply only to the exemption that allows certain H-1B workers to avoid additional employer requirements; it would not raise the salary floor for all H-1B visas.
Background and Legislative Context
The $60,000 exemption has been unchanged since 1998. In recent years, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have pursued multiple reforms of the H-1B program, including higher filing fees, stricter adjudication, and proposals to limit visa numbers. The new bill seeks to align the exemption with contemporary wage levels, arguing that the old threshold allows employers to “bypass protections for qualified Americans.”
Key Figures
- Glenn Grothman – Republican Representative from Wisconsin; sponsor of the modernization bill.
- Jon Husted – Republican Senator from Ohio; introduced a companion Senate version and issued a supporting news release.
- Eli Crane – Republican Representative from Arizona; author of the *End H-1B Visa Abuse Act* (pause new visas, $200,000 salary floor).
- Beth Van Duyne – Republican Representative from Texas; author of the *H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act* (higher penalties).
- Chip Roy – Republican Representative from Texas; author of the *American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act* (ends H-1B path to permanent residency).
Legislative Status and Potential Impact
The House bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, an early procedural step. It must still pass both chambers and be signed by the president before taking effect. Senator Husted’s release frames the proposal as a correction of a “loophole” that lets companies sidestep hiring American workers by relying on an outdated salary benchmark. If enacted, the higher exemption could reduce the ability of firms with large H-1B workforces to qualify for the exemption, potentially prompting them to raise offered salaries or seek more American hires.
Related Republican Proposals
Other GOP initiatives targeting the H-1B system include:
- The *End H-1B Visa Abuse Act* (Crane) – proposes a three-year pause on new visas, a lower annual cap, and a $200,000 salary requirement.
- The *H-1B Visa Fraud Crackdown Act* (Van Duyne) – seeks substantially higher penalties for serious violations.
- The *American White-Collar Worker Jobs Act* (Roy) – would eliminate the H-1B pathway to permanent residency and overhaul award criteria.
Collectively, these measures reflect a broader Republican effort to tighten H-1B rules, arguing that current provisions enable “cheap foreign labor” at the expense of U.S. workers. The proposals remain subject to legislative debate and have drawn both support from labor-focused lawmakers and opposition from technology industry stakeholders who contend the visas are essential for recruiting highly skilled talent.