House Funds STEM Education and Scientific Research

Today, the House of Representatives passed The America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015. The legislation expands the definition of STEM education to include computer science. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The COMPETES Act also reauthorizes research programs at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Department of Energy and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Representative John Moolenaar (R-Midland), a co-sponsor of the legislation, and a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, spoke on the House floor in favor of the bill. His remarks are below.

Rep. Moolenaar's Remarks on the America COMPETES Act

Mr. Speaker,

The America COMPETES Act is good legislation that will help build a better future for our country.

The COMPETES Act expands the definition of STEM education to include computer science. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for every computer science graduate between 2013 and 2023, there will be two jobs available. That's why programs in my district like goIT, offered free of charge to middle and high school students are so important to creating career awareness in computer science and other STEM fields.

This legislation increases government accountability. It requires that National Science Foundation grants to meet a national interest standard and to publicly justify why they should receive taxpayer money.

Requiring government agencies to prioritize the national interest is common sense and enhances accountability to the American people.

I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the America COMPETES Act and I urge my colleagues to vote YES.

I yield back.

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