Msi Stem Achievement Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation led by Chairwoman Johnson and Research and Technology Ranking Member Michael Waltz, which continues the Science Committee's bipartisan work to support, encourage, and develop the next generation of America's Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science workforce.

Minority-serving institutions, such as historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Tribal colleges and universities have a long record of success in recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented students in the STEM fields.

In my own district, I have seen the unique value of minority-serving institutions. For more than 100 years, Langston University, a historically Black college and land-grant institution, has educated students of all backgrounds. They have influenced people's lives beyond the classroom in service to the community in both rural and urban Oklahoma. This legislation will help schools like Langston prepare their students to fill the STEM jobs of the 21st century.

Since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown by nearly 80 percent. Over the next decade, with demand continuing to grow and U.S. universities expecting to produce less than one-third of the STEM graduates needed, the STEM shortage is anticipated to reach 1 million professionals. At the same time, minorities are severely underrepresented in STEM fields, only accounting for 11 percent of the STEM workforce.

To meet this growing demand, talent from all groups is essential. This bill we are considering today takes up this call to action by providing for increased transparency, accountability, and accessibility of Federal STEM education and research funding.

Without a diverse talent pool of Americans with strong STEM knowledge and skills prepared for the jobs of the future, the U.S. will not be able to maintain the innovation that supports key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, and defense.

Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Waltz for their leadership.
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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, the United States is in a race to remain the world leader in science and technology. The only way we will win this is by utilizing America's most valuable resource: Our people.

That means developing a diverse STEM-capable workforce at every education level and from every background. Creating opportunities for students to not only develop STEM knowledge, but to also have hands-on experience is essential.

Research shows that students--especially those from underrepresented minority backgrounds--are more likely to graduate from science and engineering programs if they have opportunities to engage in STEM course content with peers, participate in undergraduate research, and join science clubs and organizations.

This bill will support such STEM education and training activities in MSIs, providing these students with the skills necessary to compete and flourish in the 21st century. These investments will help grow our workforce, improve our economy, and protect our country.

I, again, would like to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Waltz for their leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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