Beatty, Lee Introduce Bill to Break Barriers in STEM and Strengthen America’s Future Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) announced the introduction of the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, legislation designed to close persistent equity gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and expand high-quality STEM education access for girls and students from underrepresented communities. 

As STEM careers continue to drive economic growth and shape the future workforce, women and people of color remain significantly underrepresented. Recent declines in national mathematics performance have sharpened the urgency. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22% of twelfth-grade students performed at or above the proficient level in mathematics in 2024. Black and Hispanic twelfth graders scored three and five percentage points lower than their 2019 averages, and female twelfth graders experienced nearly double the decline in math scores compared to their male peers.

“Our nation cannot afford to leave talent on the sidelines,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Expanding STEM opportunities for girls and underrepresented minorities is essential for our economic future, our national competitiveness, and the next generation of innovators. This bill is an investment in the students who will build the world we live in tomorrow.”

"Pittsburgh is a growing beacon for the tech industry but resources and opportunities often do not extend to students in public schools right next door, particularly for our girls and underrepresented communities,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act brings us one step closer to closing the education equity gap and ensuring all of our youth can bring their talents to this thriving industry. I am proud to co-lead this bill to support the next innovative generation of students."

The 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act will:

• Direct the Department of Education to make grants to qualifying local education agencies to fund STEM education activities for girls and underrepresented minorities.
• Authorize $10 million to qualifying local educational agencies serving high-poverty students from fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

These investments are designed to expand access to rigorous coursework, hands-on learning, and pathways that lead to STEM degrees and high-growth careers.

“Expanding opportunity in STEM is about more than equity or representation; it is tied to America’s economic future. When we close these gaps for our young people, we give them the power to forge their own path and break generational barriers in science, technology, engineering, math, and the careers that will shape tomorrow.”

"I am laser-focused on finding opportunities for young women to succeed and thrive. Our 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act would provide grants to local school districts to encourage girls and underrepresented students to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields. This legislation would create real pathways for success and wealth for our girls and students of color while also fueling our economy and keeping the United States a global leader in STEM," said Senator Alsobrooks. 

Senator Alsobrooks is introducing companion legislation in the United States Senate.

The co-leads of this bill include Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Steven Lynch (MA-08), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12), Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11), and Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07)

The original co-sponsors of this bill are Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Wesley Bell (MO-01) 

Read the full bill text HERE. 

###