[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 123 (Tuesday, July 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 869. Ms. CANTWELL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
by her to the bill S. 2226, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2024 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle G of title X, add the following:

     SEC. ___. STEM APPRENTICESHIPS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 9901(2) of the William M. 
     (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651(2)).
       (2) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 30(b) of the 
     Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
     3723(b)).
       (3) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 2(5) of the 
     National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)), except that 
     such term shall also include--
       (A) any organization composed of labor organizations, such 
     as a labor union federation or a State or municipal labor 
     body; and
       (B) any organization which would be included in the 
     definition for such term under such section 2(5) but for the 
     fact that the organization represents--
       (i) individuals employed by the United States, any wholly 
     owned Government corporation, any Federal Reserve Bank, or 
     any State or political subdivision thereof;
       (ii) individuals employed by persons subject to the Railway 
     Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 151 et seq.); or
       (iii) individuals employed as agricultural laborers.
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Commerce.
       (5) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means the fields of science, 
     technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer 
     science.
       (b) CHIPS STEM Apprenticeships.--The Secretary shall make 
     awards to covered entities to develop and expand STEM 
     apprenticeship programs.
       (c) STEM Apprenticeships for Key Technology Focus Areas.--
     The Secretary shall make awards to eligible recipients and 
     labor organizations to develop and expand STEM apprenticeship 
     programs, including programs focused on the key technology 
     focus areas identified under section 10387 of Public Law 117-
     167 (commonly known as the ``CHIPS and Science Act of 2022'') 
     (42 U.S.C. 19107).
       (d) Additional Use of Funds.--In making awards under 
     subsections (b) and (c) the Secretary may also make awards 
     to--
       (1) develop and disseminate best practices for STEM 
     apprenticeship programs; and
       (2) identify national and regional workforce needs that can 
     be addressed through STEM apprenticeship programs.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
     $2,000,000,000, which shall remain available until expended, 
     of which--
       (1) $1,000,000,000 is authorized for awards made under 
     subsection (b); and
       (2) $1,000,000,000 is authorized for awards made under 
     subsection (c).
                                 ______