WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the United States Senate passed S. 761, the America COMPETES Act, a bill to expand basic research and development, and promote math and science education. The Act includes a provision authored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), an original cosponsor of the bill, which would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a mentoring program for women interested in science-based careers.

 

The act would direct the NSF to recruit and provide mentors for women interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The NSF would also provide grants to community colleges for appropriate training to allow women to enter higher-paying technical jobs in these fields.

The America COMPETES Act is a bipartisan legislative response to the recommendations proposed in the National Academy of Sciences “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” report and the Council on Competitiveness’ “Innovate America” report, which found a decline in U.S. student interest and performance in the fields of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering that could threaten the nation’s economic competitiveness.

 

 

The act would increase education partnerships funded by the NSF and the National Laboratories, and significantly increase funding to the NSF, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. It would also direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to increase basic research and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote leadership in the ocean and atmospheric research and education fields.

 

The America COMPETES Act is a joint effort of three Senate committees: Commerce; Health, Education Labor and Pensions; and Energy and Natural Resources. With 67 cosponsors, the bill enjoyed wide bi-partisan support. The Senate passed this measure by a vote of 88 to 8.

 

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