Msi Stem Achievement Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation led by Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Michael Waltz, which continues the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's bipartisan work to support, encourage, and develop the next generation of America's science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science workforce.

Minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges and universities have a long record of success in recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented students in STEM fields.

In my own district, I have seen the unique value of minority-serving institutions. For more than 100 years, Langston University, a historically Black college and land-grant institution, has educated students of all backgrounds. They have influenced people's lives beyond the classroom in service to the community in both rural and urban Oklahoma. This legislation will help schools like Langston prepare their students to fill the STEM jobs of the 21st century.

Since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown by nearly 80 percent. Over the next decade, with demand continuing to grow and U.S. universities expected to produce only less than one-third of the STEM graduates needed, the STEM shortage is anticipated to reach 1 million professionals. At the same time, minorities are severely underrepresented in STEM fields, only accounting for 11 percent of the STEM workforce. To meet this growing demand, talent from all groups is essential.

The Trump administration has also recognized this need by calling for an increase of diversity, equality, and inclusion in Federal STEM programs in its recent 5-year STEM strategic plan.

This bill that we are considering today takes steps to meet the administration's call to action by providing for increased transparency, accountability, and accessibility of Federal STEM education and research funds for MSIs. Without a diverse talent pool of Americans with strong STEM knowledge and skills prepared for the jobs of the future, the U.S. will not be able to maintain the innovation that supports key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense.

I, again, thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Waltz for their leadership.

The United States is in a race to remain the world leader in science and technology. The only way we will win is by utilizing America's most valuable resource, our people. This means developing a diverse, STEM- capable workforce at every educational level and from every background.

Creating opportunities for students to not only develop STEM knowledge but also to have hands-on experience is essential. Research shows that students, especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds, are more likely to graduate from science and engineering programs if they have opportunities to engage in STEM course content with peers, participate in undergraduate research, and join science clubs and organizations.

This bill will support such STEM education and training activities at MSIs, providing these students with the skills necessary to develop and flourish in the 21st century. These investments will help grow our workforce, improve our economy, and protect our country.

I, again, would like to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Representative Waltz for their leadership, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source