[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H550-H553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 153) to promote veteran involvement in STEM education,
computer science, and scientific research, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 153
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
[[Page H551]]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Veterans in STEM
Careers Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the National Science Foundation.
(2) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the National
Science Foundation.
(3) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' has the meaning given the term
in section 2 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of
2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621 note).
(4) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 3. SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM EDUCATION AND COMPUTER
SCIENCE.
(a) Supporting Veteran Involvement in Scientific Research
and STEM Education.--The Director shall, through the research
and education activities of the Foundation, encourage
veterans to study and pursue careers in STEM and computer
science, in coordination with other Federal agencies that
serve veterans.
(b) Veteran Outreach Plan.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan for how the
Foundation can enhance its outreach efforts to veterans. Such
plan shall--
(1) report on the Foundation's existing outreach
activities;
(2) identify the best method for the Foundation to leverage
existing authorities and programs to facilitate and support
veterans in STEM careers and studies, including teaching
programs; and
(3) include options for how the Foundation could track
veteran participation in research and education programs of
the Foundation, and describe any barriers to collecting such
information.
(c) National Science Board Indicators Report.--The National
Science Board shall provide in its annual report on
indicators of the state of science and engineering in the
United States any available and relevant data on veterans in
science and engineering careers or education programs.
(d) Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program Update.--
Section 10 of the National Science Foundation Authorization
Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(5)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) higher education programs that serve or support
veterans.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(F)--
(A) by striking ``and students'' and inserting ``,
students''; and
(B) by inserting ``, and veterans'' before the period at
the end;
(3) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``and veterans''
before the period at the end; and
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ``and veterans''
before the period at the end.
(e) National Science Foundation Teaching Fellowships and
Master Teaching Fellowships Update.--Section 10A(d) of the
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (42
U.S.C. 1862n-1a(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)(F)--
(A) by striking ``and individuals'' and inserting ``,
individuals''; and
(B) by inserting ``, and veterans'' before the period at
the end; and
(2) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ``and veterans''
before the period at the end.
(f) National Science Foundation Computer and Network
Security Capacity Building Grants Update.--Section 5(a) of
the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C.
7404(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and students who are
veterans'' after ``these fields''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as subparagraph (K);
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
``(J) creating opportunities for veterans to transition to
careers in computer and network security; and''.
(g) Graduate Traineeships in Computer and Network Security
Research Update.--Section 5(c)(6)(C) of the Cyber Security
Research and Development Act (15 U.S.C. 7404(c)(6)(C)) is
amended by inserting ``or veterans'' after ``disciplines''.
(h) Veterans and Military Families STEM Education
Interagency Working Group.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish, or designate, an
interagency working group to improve veteran and military
spouse equity and representation in STEM fields.
(2) Duties of interagency working group.--An interagency
working group established under paragraph (1) shall develop
and facilitate the implementation by participating agencies
of a strategic plan, which shall--
(A) specify and prioritize short- and long-term objectives;
(B) specify the common metrics that will be used by Federal
agencies to assess progress toward achieving such objectives;
(C) identify barriers veterans face in reentering the
workforce, including a lack of formal STEM education, career
guidance, and the process of transferring military credits
and skills to college credits;
(D) identify barriers military spouses face in establishing
careers in STEM fields;
(E) describe the approaches that each participating agency
will take to address administratively the barriers described
in subparagraphs (C) and (D); and
(F) identify any barriers that require Federal or State
legislative or regulatory changes in order to be addressed.
(3) Report.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall--
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, submit to Congress the strategic plan required
under paragraph (2); and
(B) include in the annual report required by section 101(d)
of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42
U.S.C. 6621(d)) a description of any progress made in
carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2) of
this subsection.
(4) Sunset.--An interagency working group established under
paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 3 years
after the date that it is established.
SEC. 4. COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES STUDY AND
REPORT ON BARRIERS FACED BY STUDENT VETERANS
PURSUING DEGREES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING, OR MATH.
(a) Study.--Not later than August 1, 2022, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall complete a study on
academic success rates of student veterans pursuing covered
degrees and barriers faced by such students in pursuing such
degrees.
(b) Elements.--The study required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) Assessment of available information on the percentage
or number of student veterans pursuing a covered degree with
educational assistance furnished under chapter 33 of title
38, United States Code.
(2) Assessment of available information on the percentage
or number of such students who pursue a covered degree and do
not obtain such degree in four or fewer academic years.
(3) Identification of the reasons that such students do not
obtain such degree in four or fewer academic years and
whether such reasons are barriers to obtaining such degrees.
(4) Development of recommendations for legislative or
administrative action to better align the educational
assistance furnished under chapter 33 of title 38, United
States Code, with the needs of such students and address the
reasons identified under paragraph (3).
(c) Report.--Not later than August 1, 2022, the Comptroller
General shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of
the Comptroller General with respect to the study completed
under subsection (a), along with recommendations for such
legislative or administrative action as the Comptroller
General considers appropriate.
(d) Definition of Covered Degree.--In this section, the
term ``covered degree'' means a standard, undergraduate
college degree in a field listed under section
3320(b)(4)(A)(i) of title 38, United States Code.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. McAdams) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gonzalez) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.
General Leave
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on S. 153, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume. I rise today in support of S. 153, the Supporting Veterans in
STEM Careers Act. I thank Representatives Dunn and Lamb and our
colleagues in the Senate, Senators Rubio and Klobuchar, for their
leadership on this important bipartisan bill.
The Nation's economic growth and global competitiveness are
increasingly reliant on a workforce that is equipped with STEM
knowledge and skills. Nearly every aspect of modern life, from
transportation, agriculture, and healthcare, to energy and national
defense, is built on a foundation of science and technology. To
maintain our standing as the global leader in innovation, we must
continue to invest in and expand our STEM workforce.
While these challenges have been well defined for some time, we
continue to struggle as a Nation to produce enough workers with the
STEM skills and knowledge that their employers need.
[[Page H552]]
Business leaders have expressed concern that the STEM skills shortage
will impact their ability to develop new technologies and to grow their
companies.
The veteran population represents an underutilized pool of talent for
our Nation's STEM workforce. Often, the skills these individuals
obtained during their military service are transferable directly to
STEM occupations. We must do more to tap into this diverse, highly
skilled, and experienced population to not only strengthen our STEM
workforce but also empower veterans to pursue high-paying and rewarding
STEM careers.
S. 153 directs the National Science Foundation to report data on
veterans in STEM studies and careers and to develop a plan to increase
outreach to those veterans.
The bill also creates an interagency committee that will examine how
Federal programs and policies can be best leveraged to equip veterans
with the skills they need to transition into STEM careers.
S. 153 is a good step toward addressing our STEM skills shortage and
creating opportunities for those who have served our country.
Once again, I thank my colleagues in the House and the Senate for
their leadership on this very important issue. I also thank Chair
Takano from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for helping us to
expedite consideration of this bill today on the floor.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to send this
bill to the President's desk for signature, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 153, the Supporting Veterans
in STEM Careers Act.
I thank Dr. Neal Dunn and Congressman Conor Lamb, who led the House
version of this bill, for their work to support our Nation's veterans.
S. 153 will help veterans put their training and experience in
military service to new and important uses and help America stay
competitive in research and innovation on a global scale.
In the last decade alone, jobs requiring some level of STEM expertise
have grown by more than 30 percent, including jobs that do not require
a bachelor's degree. Nearly 7 million jobs are unfilled in the United
States due to a shortage of skilled workers, many in STEM and related
fields.
In my home State of Ohio, we have been focusing on boosting and
expanding our cyber defense capabilities to the Ohio Cyber Range. In
order for the program to be more efficient and ready for any
cyberattack, we need a cybersecurity workforce properly trained in the
STEM field.
{time} 1800
S. 153 gives our veterans the opportunity to acquire new skills and
better prepare them for jobs of the 21st century.
At the same time, veterans and transitioning servicemembers represent
a valuable, skilled talent pool from which to help meet this critical
need.
S. 153 will improve outreach to veterans through the National Science
Foundation's programs to support and train STEM workers. We can serve
our veterans and help them translate their experience into meaningful
STEM work.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Johnson).
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support S. 153,
the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act.
The future of this Nation will be driven by science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics. STEM careers are among the fastest
growing and highest-paying occupations. Despite these trends, we are
failing to produce enough STEM workers to support the current pace of
growth and innovation and ensure we continue to lead the world in
science and technology development.
As a Nation, we are forever indebted to the men and women who choose
to serve in the military and put their lives on the line to protect the
freedoms that we hold dear. At a minimum, we must ensure veterans
interested in pursuing STEM careers here at home have the support that
they need.
Veterans are uniquely positioned to contribute to our STEM workforce,
often having training in cybersecurity, avionics, nuclear physics, and
medicine. However, significant obstacles often stand in their way when
transitioning to a civilian STEM career.
S. 153 establishes an interagency working group to identify these
obstacles and develop a plan for addressing them. The bill also directs
the National Science Foundation to improve its outreach to veterans and
report on veterans in the STEM workforce. These are important steps for
honoring our commitment to our veterans and for ensuring we have a
competitive STEM workforce.
I want to thank Representatives Dunn and Lamb, and our colleagues in
the Senate, Senators Rubio and Klobuchar, for their leadership on this
important issue. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Dunn).
Mr. DUNN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 153, the
Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act, which is about helping to
expand veterans' job and education opportunities in the sciences. I was
the proud sponsor of the House version of this bill.
The bill directs the National Science Foundation to develop a
veterans' outreach plan and publish data on veterans' participation in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in its annual
``Indicators'' report.
The bill also updates the NSF Noyce Teacher Scholarship program,
fellowship programs, and cyber grant programs to include outreach to
veterans.
I thank Senator Rubio and Senator Klobuchar, for their bipartisan,
bicameral support, and Congressman Lamb, a member of the Science
Committee, and a Marine Corps veteran himself, for his work on this
legislation. And I salute my fellow veterans in the Congress who have
joined me in introducing this bill.
This is an excellent opportunity for us all to come together and
support a meritorious piece of legislation. The very nearly identical
piece of legislation passed this body by voice vote 1 year ago.
I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill and send it to the
President's desk.
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I have no other requests for time, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
I again want to thank Dr. Neal Dunn and Congressman Conor Lamb for
their work to support our Nation's veterans.
This bill will improve outreach to veterans through the National
Science Foundation's programs to support and train STEM workers. We can
serve our veterans and help them translate their experience into
meaningful STEM work.
I again urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation and
send it to the President's desk.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McADAMS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I urge adoption of this measure, S. 153. I commend my colleague for
this important legislation and the impact that it will have on our
veterans who have served our country and want to continue to serve and
provide for themselves and serve in STEM fields.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this measure, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the
following exchange of correspondence between myself and Veterans'
Affairs Committee Chairman Takano. I appreciate his willingness to work
with us to pass this bill today and send it to the President for
signature.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Veterans' Affairs,
Washington DC, January 24, 2020.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Science, Space, and Technology Committee, House
of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Johnson: I am writing with respect to S.
153, the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act. Thank you
for
[[Page H553]]
consulting with the Committee on Veterans' Affairs regarding
the matters in S. 153 that fall within the Committee's
jurisdiction.
As a result of your consultation with us on this measure
and in order to expeditiously move the bill to the floor, I
forego further consideration of S. 153. The Committee on
Veterans' Affairs takes this action with our mutual
understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues that fall within our
jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the
appointment of an appropriate number of conferees from the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs during any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding regarding S. 153 and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Committee Report and the Congressional Record
during floor consideration of the measure. Thank you for the
cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this
matter and others between our respective committees.
Sincerely,
Mark Takano,
Chairman, Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, January 24, 2020.
Chairman Mark Takano,
Committee on Veterans' Affair,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Takano: I am writing to you concerning S.
1S3, the ``Supporting Veterans in STEM Career Act,'' which
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs on December 19, 2019.
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
bill. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall
within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs. I acknowledge that your Committee will waive further
consideration of S. 153 and that this action is not a waiver
of future jurisdictional claims by the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs over this subject matter.
I will make sure to include our exchange of letters in the
Congressional Record. Thank you for your cooperation on this
legislation.
Sincerely,
Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Chairwoman, Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Utah (Mr. McAdams) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 153.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________