House approves Comstock bill encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers

The House of Representatives approved a bill on Tuesday that was introduced by U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) to encourage women and girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers and Explores (INSPIRE) Women Act, H.R. 4755, would authorize the NASA administrator to support initiatives that encourage girls to pursue careers in space science and exploration, as well as additional STEM fields.

“I am pleased to have introduced and today passed the INSPIRE Women Act,” Comstock said. “American businesses are having a difficult time finding skilled workers in the traditional STEM fields. The INSPIRE Women Act calls on the NASA administrator to use programs within NASA to put young women and girls on a course toward STEM careers that will further help the space program and American businesses.”

NASA Girls and NASA Boys, Aspire-Inspire, and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering and Research are among the initiatives that would be supported by the INSPIRE Women Act.

“For the American economy to be successful in the 21st century, we need to have a skilled labor force that understands innovation and emerging technologies,” Comstock said. “The INSPIRE Women Act will help create a climate for young girls and women to be successful in STEM and competitive on the world stage, and be great assets to growing the 21st century economy.”