Two bills aimed at increasing diversity in STEM pass the House

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March 22, 2016

Two bills were introduced and passed in the House of Representatives, aimed at encouraging women to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) introduced H.R.4755, Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act, which passed the House with a bipartisan 380-3 vote. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) introduced H.R. 4742, Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act, which also passed with a 384-4 vote.

The INSPIRE Women Act aims to encourage women to pursue careers in aerospace to enhance America’s space exploration efforts, and authorizes NASA support NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS, Aspire to Inspire, and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research initiatives (SISTER). The Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act amends the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act to include National Science Foundation (NSF) support for women in the commercial world.

Sources: Congress.gov, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, NASA