Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives today approved four Science, Space, and Technology Committee bills with broad bipartisan support, including the STEM Education Act of 2014 (H.R. 5031), introduced by Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). The STEM Education Act of 2014 strengthens ongoing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education efforts at our federal science agencies and ensures computer science is included in these efforts as a subject that builds on the traditional STEM subjects.
Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “We need to ensure that young adults have the scientific and mathematical skills to strive and thrive in a technology-based economy. But we have to capture and hold the desire of our nation’s youth to study science and engineering so they will want to pursue these careers. A healthy and viable STEM workforce, literate in all STEM subjects including computer science, is critical to American industries. We must work to ensure that students continue to go into these fields so that their ideas can lead to a more innovative and prosperous America.”
The House also approved the following measures:
· The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014 (H.R. 1786), Sponsored by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas). In the United States in 2011, windstorms caused nearly $11 billion in total direct property losses, injured nearly 7,000 people and took nearly 700 lives. H.R. 1786 reauthorizes and focuses the mission of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program which carries out research to help mitigate damage from windstorms, including hurricanes and tornadoes. H.R. 1786 passed by voice vote.
· The Research and Development Efficiency Act (H.R. 5056), Sponsored by Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.). A recently released survey found that on average, 42 percent of federal research grant awardees’ time is spent on administrative tasks. H.R. 5056 establishes a working group to review federal regulations affecting research universities in order to harmonize, streamline and eliminate duplicative Federal regulations and reporting requirements. H.R. 5056 passed by voice vote.
· The International Science and Technology Cooperation Act of 2014 (H.R. 5029), Sponsored by Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.). H.R. 5029 works to identify and coordinate international science and technology cooperation that can strengthen the U.S. science and technology enterprise, improve economic and national security and support U.S. foreign policy goals. H.R. 5029 passed by a vote of 346-41.