Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-39) joined Reps. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) to introduce the bipartisan Research Excellence through STEM Inclusion Act (H.R. 3809).
This bill would help grow and diversify our STEM workforce by creating a Chief Diversity Officer of the National Science Foundation (NSF). The person in this role would implement a strategic plan to improve the diversity of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career pipeline, specifically for programs that receive NSF funding. It will be offered in an amendment to the National Science Foundation for the Future Act in the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology markup on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
“For America to continue to lead in science and technology, we need to increase participation from our best and brightest students from diverse backgrounds. We must ensure all students can access educational opportunities, especially in STEM fields,” said Rep. Kim. “I’m glad to join Rep. Bowman to introduce this bipartisan bill that will help our nation prioritize an untapped potential and a diverse STEM workforce, and I’ll continue to support education and research opportunities on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.”
“The barriers to careers in STEM that people of color and traditionally underrepresented groups face need to be broken down,” said Rep. Bowman. “We are emerging from a pandemic that has disproportionately harmed marginalized communities. Our priority across our federal institutions, including and especially the NSF, must be to ensure that underrepresented groups can shape and benefit from progress and innovation across STEM fields. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation, because diversity in STEM and research benefits us all.”
Rep. Kim is committed to supporting access to STEM education and has cosponsored and supported many initiatives to expand STEM opportunities for students and early-career researchers during COVID-19, such as:
