[Senate Report 119-110]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 339
119th Congress} { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 119-110
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NATIONAL STEM WEEK ACT
__________
R E P O R T
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ON
S. 1070
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
February 12, 2026.--Ordered to be printed
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 2026
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred nineteenth congress
second session
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
TED BUDD, North Carolina JACKY ROSEN,Nevada
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
JOHN CURTIS, Utah JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
TIM SHEEHY, Mon ANDY KIM, New Jersey
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, Wyoming
Brad Grantz, Majority Staff Director
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Staff Director
Calendar No. 339
119th Congress} { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 119-110
======================================================================
NATIONAL STEM WEEK ACT
_______
February 12, 2026.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1070]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 1070) to establish a National
STEM Week to promote American innovation and enhance STEM
education pathways for all students, including those in rural,
urban, and underserved communities, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 1070 is to establish a National STEM Week
to promote education in science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) across the United States.
Background and Needs
An increasing number of U.S. jobs require STEM skills\1\
with STEM workers now comprising 24 percent of the
workforce.\2\ STEM occupations are expected to grow by 8
percent by 2034\3\ requiring continued cultivation of a STEM-
literate workforce to meet future demands. To help address this
challenge, Congress passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization
Act of 2010, which established the National Science and
Technology Council Committee on Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM).\4\ Congress
tasked the committee with the responsibility to develop a 5-
year STEM education strategic plan, coordinate and review
Federal STEM education activities and programs, and maintain an
inventory of federally sponsored STEM initiatives.\5\
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\1\``Science and Engineering Indicators 2024: The State of U.S.
Science and Engineering,'' National Science Board, NSB-2024-3, 10-11,
2024, https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20243.
\2\``Science and Engineering Indicators 2024: The STEM Labor Force:
Scientists, Engineers, and Skilled Technical Workers,'' National
Science Board, NSB-2024-5, 10-11, 2024, https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/
nsb20245.
\3\Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment in STEM Occupations,
August 28, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm.
\4\42 U.S.C. 6621.
\5\Ibid.
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S. 1070 would task CoSTEM with the responsibility to
establish a National STEM Week for purposes of elevating public
awareness and strengthening the STEM workforce pipeline through
the coordination of resources and efforts in cultivating a
STEM-literate workforce.
Summary of Provisions
S. 1070 would do the following:
Require CoSTEM to designate 1 week each calendar
year as National STEM Week. During this week, CoSTEM
would encourage schools to promote STEM education and
call on industry to support STEM education through
mentorship programs, site visits, and guest lectures.
Require CoSTEM to report to Congress annually on the
activities conducted during National STEM Week.
Legislative History
S. 1070 was introduced on March 14, 2025, by Senator Ernst
(for herself and Senator Klobuchar) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. On October 21, 2025, the Committee met in open
Executive Session, and by voice vote, ordered S. 1070 reported
favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute).
H.R. 2104, a bill related to S. 1070, was introduced on
March 14, 2025, by Representative Carey (for himself and
Representative Beatty) and was referred to the Committee on
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives.
Representative Harder was later added as a cosponsor.
118th Congress
S. 5391, National STEM Week Act, was introduced on November
21, 2024, by Senator Ernst (for herself and Senator Klobuchar)
and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate. Senator Peters was later added as
a cosponsor.
H.R. 9556, a House companion bill, was introduced on
September 12, 2024, by Representative Carey (for himself and
Representative Beatty) and was referred to the Committee on
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives.
Representatives Bacon, Ivey, Lawler, Grijalva, Carson, and
Foster were later added as cosponsors.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
S. 1070 would require the National Science and Technology
Council to establish a National STEM Week to highlight the
importance of education and careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics, and to promote partnerships
between industry leaders and educators. This authority would
expire five years after enactment.
Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that
implementing S. 1070 would cost less than $500,000 over the
2026-2030 period. Any related spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Katherine Chou.
The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
number of persons covered
S. 1070 would cover educational institutions, industry
members, and Federal agencies that host, sponsor, or promote
STEM education activities.
economic impact
There is no easily quantifiable economic impact for S.
1070. The Act would establish a National STEM Week to promote
STEM education across the Nation to meet the growing workforce
needs of emerging technology industries. These efforts would
aim to enhance education, training, and workforce development
programs to maintain U.S. global competitiveness in STEM
industries.
privacy
S. 1070 would not impact the personal privacy of
individuals.
paperwork
S. 1070 would require the Committee on STEM of the National
Science and Technology Council to submit an annual report to
Congress for 5 years.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``National STEM Week Act''.
Section 2. Findings.
This section would highlight the crucial role of STEM to
the economic competitiveness and innovative capacity of the
United States. It would also outline the need to enhance access
to STEM education opportunities across the country, including
through formal and informal learning environments.
Section 3. Designation of National STEM Week.
This section would direct the National Science and
Technology Council Committee on Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM), in
consultation with relevant stakeholders, to designate a week
each calendar year as ``National STEM Week''.
This section would add a requirement to report on the
activities conducted during National STEM Week, including a
summary of nationwide participation and activities, an analysis
of the impact of the activities on improving STEM education
outcomes, and recommendations for improving future STEM Weeks
that incorporate feedback from participants and stakeholders.
This section would define the terms ``educational
institution'', ``elementary school'', ``secondary school'',
``industry leader'', ``industry partner'', ``institution of
higher education'', ``STEM'', and ``State''.
This section would also establish the purposes of National
STEM Week to:
Highlight the importance of STEM education.
Showcase different STEM career pathways.
Encourage family engagement with STEM activities at
home.
Provide real-world applications and mentorship
opportunities in STEM fields.
Support States and local communities in developing
and promoting their own STEM Week activities.
This section would require CoSTEM to carry out programs and
activities to meet the purposes of National STEM Week,
including encouraging educational institutions and families of
students attending such educational institutions to participate
in STEM activities.
Lastly, this section would sunset the activities and
programs of the National STEM Week 5 years after the date of
enactment.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
AMERICA COMPETES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
[42 U.S.C. 6621]
SEC. 101. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL STEM EDUCATION.
(a) * * *
(b) Responsibilities.--The committee established under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) * * *
(2) * * *
(3) * * *
(4) * * *
(5) * * *
(6) * * *
(7) * * *
(8) * * *
(9) request and review feedback from States on how
the States are utilizing Federal STEM education
programs and activities; [and]
(10) recommend the reform, termination, or
consolidation of Federal STEM education activities and
programs, taking into consideration the recommendations
of the STEM Education Advisory Panel[.]; and
(11) in consultation with relevant stakeholders,
designate a week each calendar year, until the
expiration date provided in subsection (e), as
``National STEM Week''.
(c) * * *
(d) Reports.--
(1) * * *
(2) * * *
(3) * * *
(4) * * *
(5) * * *
(6) * * *
(7) * * *
(8) * * *
(9) an account of Federal research agency investments
in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, including, to the degree
practicable, data on the level of participation of
HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs as prime recipients, contractors,
subrecipients, or subcontractors of an award, or
reasonable estimates thereof; [and]
(10) a description of material changes to the
implementation of section 10522 of the Research and
Development, Competition, and Innovation Act[.]; and
(11) a description of the activities conducted under
National STEM Week, including--
(A) a summary of nationwide participation and
activities;
(B) an analysis of the impact of these
activities on improving STEM education and
closing educational gaps; and
(C) recommendations for improving future STEM
Weeks based on feedback from participants and
stakeholders.
(e) National STEM Week.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Educational institution.--The term
``educational institution'' means any
elementary school, secondary school, and
institution of higher education.
(B) Elementary school; secondary school.--The
terms ``elementary school'' and ``secondary
school'' have the meanings given the terms in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(C) Industry leader.--The term ``industry
leader'' means an individual in a leadership
position within an industry partner who has the
authority to make strategic decisions and
allocate resources to support the purposes of
National STEM Week.
(D) Industry partner.--The term ``industry
partner'' means a for-profit or nonprofit
entity seeking to support the purposes of
National STEM Week.
(E) Institution of higher education.--The
term ``institution of higher education'' has
the meaning given the term in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001).
(F) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(G) State.--The term ``State'' means each of
the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
(2) Purposes.--The purposes of National STEM Week
are, through the programs and activities described in
paragraph (3), to--
(A) highlight the importance of STEM
education in educational institutions across
the country;
(B) showcase diverse career pathways within
STEM fields in both classroom settings and
informal learning environments;
(C) encourage family engagement with STEM
activities at home to foster a conducive
learning environment;
(D) facilitate partnerships between
educational institutions and industry leaders
to provide students with real-world
applications and mentorship opportunities in
STEM fields; and
(E) support States and local communities in
developing and promoting their own STEM Week
activities and resources, tailored to their
unique educational and industrial landscapes.
(3) Programs and activities.--During National STEM
Week, the committee established under subsection (a)
shall carry out the following:
(A) Educational activities.--Encourage
educational institutions to participate in
National STEM Week.
(B) Community and family engagement.--
Encourage families of students attending the
educational institutions participating in
National STEM Week to participate in STEM
activities.
(C) Industry involvement.--Encourage STEM
industries to--
(i) engage with students enrolled in
educational institutions by providing
mentorship programs, site visits, and
guest lectures; and
(ii) support STEM education
initiatives at such educational
institutions through funding,
resources, and expertise.
(4) Expiration.--The authority to designate a week as
National STEM Week and to carry out all programs and
activities described in this subsection shall expire on
the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of
the National STEM Week Act.
* * * * * * *
[all]