Rigell Supports INSPIRE Women Act

Statement

Today Congressman Rigell (VA-02) supported, and the House of Representatives passed, H.R. 4755, the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act. If signed into law, this bill would increase exposure and awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields for young women and girls, and help encourage them to pursue an advanced education and career in STEM fields.

"Encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM is critical to advancing greater economic success for women and continuing America's global leadership," said Congressman Rigell. "But we have to provide opportunities to jumpstart girls' interest in STEM fields at an early age," he added, noting that his youngest daughter majored in biochemistry and microbiology in college as a direct result of encouragement she received as a young student.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, American women hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs, despite making up half of the workforce in the United States. H.R. 4755, which was led by Virginia Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10), would directly address this inequity by building upon the success of current NASA programs such as NASA GIRLS that gives young women the opportunity to interact and learn from real NASA engineers, scientists, and technologists. The bill would require NASA to develop and implement a plan that will engage retired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators with K-12 girls to inspire them to pursue an advanced education and career in STEM fields.

"I am proud of the House for passing this important legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to do the same."

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