ASME Supports STEM Opportunities Act of 2017

June 9, 2017

ASME has endorsed the STEM Opportunities Act of 2017, a piece of legislation that seeks to increase engagement of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers. The bill was recently introduced by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).

According to the bill, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy would be “directed to carry out programs and activities to ensure that Federal science agencies and institutions of higher education receiving Federal research and development funding are fully engaging their entire talent pool, and for other purposes.”

In introducing the bill, Ranking Member Johnson said, “The need for full engagement in STEM by women and underrepresented minorities goes beyond enabling individuals to fulfill their dreams of becoming a scientist. Our economic future relies on what we do now to nurture the STEM talent that will be necessary to meet the demands of an increasingly technological and knowledge-based economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that STEM employment is the fastest growing sector, with computer science and engineering jobs among the fastest growing STEM occupations.”

ASME President Keith Roe, P.E., agreed, saying, “By improving the participation of women and other underrepresented groups in the STEM workforce, the U.S. can leverage the diversity of these individuals to fuel the innovation necessary for our global competitiveness, as well as meet the challenges of a changing world.”

Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

To read more about the bill and see other endorsements, visit http://democrats.science.house.gov/bill/hr-stem-opportunities-act-2017.

- Ellen Kuo, Public Affairs and Outreach