WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives this week approved four bipartisan science bills that support careers and education in STEM fields and reauthorize federal fire response and research programs.
Chairman Smith: “In honor of Science Day in Congress, the House has taken bipartisan action to improve STEM education, encourage careers in STEM fields and update federal fire and emergency response programs. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting these bills and helping celebrate Science Day in Congress.”
Science Day bills approved by the House:
H.R. 4375, the STEM Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act, is sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), chairwoman of Research & Technology Subcommittee. The bill provides for a report on the effectiveness of National Science Foundation (NSF) research and education programs aimed at broadening participation in STEM fields and requires more data on federal research grant application evaluations and outcomes from all science agencies. The bill text can be found here. H.R. 4375 passed Monday by a vote of 376-9.
H.R. 4323, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, is sponsored by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), a member of the Science Committee. The bill promotes veterans’ involvement in STEM education, computer science, and scientific research and employment. The bill text can be found here. H.R. 4323 passed Tuesday by a vote of 420-1.
H.R. 4254, the Women in Aerospace Education Act, is sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight (R-Calif.), vice chairman of the Energy Subcommittee. The bill amends the NSF Authorization Act to strengthen the aerospace workforce pipeline for women through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, NASA internship and fellowship opportunities, and by providing fellows and scholars research and intern experience at national labs and NASA centers. The bill text can be found here. H.R. 4254 passed Tuesday by a vote of 409-17.
H.R. 4661, the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act of 2017, is sponsored by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), chairwoman of Research & Technology Subcommittee. The bill reauthorizes the United States Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters grant program, the Fire Prevention and Safety grant program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant program through fiscal year 2023 with grant program sunsets one year later. The bill text can be found here. H.R. 4661 passed Monday by a unanimous voice vote and has been sent to the Senate for final action.