1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Security Innovation Pathway Act . 2. Admission of essential scientists and technical experts to promote and protect the National Security Innovation Base (a) Special immigrant status In accordance with the procedures established under subsection (f)(1), and subject to subsection (c)(1), the Secretary of Homeland Security may provide an alien described in subsection (b) (and the spouse and children of the alien if accompanying or following to join the alien) with the status of a special immigrant under section 101(a)(27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27) ), if the alien— (1) submits a classification petition under section 204(a)(1)(G)(i) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(G)(i) ); and (2) is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa and is otherwise admissible to the United States for permanent residence. (b) Aliens described An alien is described in this subsection if— (1) the alien— (A) is employed by a United States employer and engaged in work to promote and protect the National Security Innovation Base; (B) is engaged in basic or applied research, funded by the Department of Defense, through a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); or (C) possesses scientific or technical expertise that will advance the development of critical technologies identified in the National Defense Strategy or the National Defense Science and Technology Strategy, required by section 218 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 ( Public Law 115–232 ; 132 Stat. 1679)