S. Rept. 116-164 - SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT116th Congress (2019-2020)
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Calendar No. 314
116th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-164
_______________________________________________________________________
SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 153
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
December 5, 2019.--Ordered to be printed
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
99-010 WASHINGTON : 2019
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred sixteenth congress
first session
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROY BLUNT, Missouri AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
TED CRUZ, Texas RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska TOM UDALL, New Mexico
CORY GARDNER, Colorado GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
MIKE LEE, Utah JON TESTER, Montana
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona
TODD C. YOUNG, Indiana JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
RICK SCOTT, Florida
John Keast, Staff Director
David Strickland, Minority Staff Director
Calendar No. 314
116th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 116-164
======================================================================
SUPPORTING VETERANS IN STEM CAREERS ACT
_______
December 5, 2019.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Wicker, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 153]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 153) to promote veteran
involvement in STEM education, computer science, and scientific
research, and for other purposes, having considered the same,
reports favorably thereon with an amendment (in the nature of a
substitute) and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 153 is to modify certain existing
National Science Foundation (NSF) science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and education
programs to enable and promote participation by veterans and to
direct NSF to develop a plan to enhance its veteran outreach
efforts. S. 153 also would direct the Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish or designate an
interagency working group to coordinate and develop activities
and programs to increase participation of veterans in STEM
careers and education.
Background and Needs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,
employment in occupations related to STEM was projected to grow
to more than 10 million between 2016 and 2026.\1\ In addition,
in the next 5 years, between 1 million and 1.5 million members
of the U.S. Armed Forces will leave the military, according to
the Department of Defense. By a large margin, veterans cite
finding employment as their most important need when returning
home.\2\
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\1\Bureau of Labor Statistics, ``Employment in STEM Occupations''.
April 10, 2019 (https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/stem-employment.htm).
\2\Congressional Research Service, ``Employment for Veterans:
Trends and Programs''. February 20, 2014 (https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/
R42790.pdf).
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Research shows that many military veterans have skills and
training that align with STEM careers, particularly in
information technology.\3\ However, research also reveals
several systemic barriers veterans face as they re-enter the
workforce, including lack of formal STEM education, lack of
career guidance, and the difficult task of transferring
military training or credentials to similar civilian
occupations.\4\
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\3\National Science Foundation, Modeling IT Career Choices of
Persons with Disabilities: The Case of Military Personnel and Veterans
(Award abstract #1245195).'' June 19, 2017 (https://www.nsf.gov/
awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1245195; Vancouver Business Journal,
``Research shows veterans may be answer to workforce gap.'' May 12,
2017 (https://www.vbjusa.com/opinion/columns/education-workforce-
development-column/research-shows-veterans-may-answer-workforce-gap/).
\4\Id.
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The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program provides
scholarships and stipends to undergraduate STEM majors and
professionals in return for STEM teaching service at the K-12
level. The program, which allocated approximately $58 million
for new grant awards in 2017, is intended to address the
critical need for recruiting and preparing highly effective
STEM teachers in high-need K-12 schools. The NSF Masters
Teaching Fellowship track is a component of the Robert Noyce
Teacher Scholarship Program, which offers awards for
fellowships and programmatic support to experienced and
exemplary certified K-12 STEM teachers who possess a master's
or bachelor's degree in their field.
Summary of Provisions
If enacted, S. 153 would do the following:
Address the participation of veterans in STEM
fields, including by making veterans eligible for
certain NSF programs.
Direct NSF to (1) encourage veterans to study and
pursue careers in STEM and computer science in
coordination with other Federal agencies that serve
veterans, and (2) submit a plan to Congress for
enhancing veterans outreach.
Require the National Science Board to provide in its
biennial report on indicators of the state of science
and engineering in the United States any available and
relevant data on veterans in science and engineering
careers or education programs.
Require NSF to consider the ability of an
institution of higher education to recruit veterans in
those institutions' applications to participate in the
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program, NSF
fellowships and masters fellowships for mathematics and
science teachers, computer and network security
capacity building grants, and traineeship grants
leading to a doctorate degree in computer and network
security research.
Establish or designate a working group in the Office
of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to coordinate
and develop Federal programs and policies for
transitioning and training veterans and military
spouses for STEM careers.
Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to
conduct a study on the academic success rates of
student veterans pursuing STEM degrees and barriers
faced by such students in that pursuit.
Legislative History
S. 153 was introduced on January 16, 2019, by Senator Rubio
(for himself and Senator Klobuchar) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. Senators Daines, Gardner, Rounds, Rosen, Blumenthal,
Cortez Masto, Fischer, Peters, Cramer, and Hoeven are
additional cosponsors. On July 10, 2019, the Committee met in
open Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 153
reported favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a
substitute) and two first degree amendments. Senator Klobuchar
offered an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) to reduce
the unnecessary bureaucratic layers created by the original
bill. Senator Gardner offered a first degree amendment to
require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct
a study and report on barriers faced by student veterans
pursuing STEM degrees. Senator Lee offered a first degree
amendment to reduce the amount of time an interagency committee
created by this bill could exist. The underlying bill and the
amendment from Senator Lee would not sunset this committee if
an existing committee were used to implement this bill.
A House companion bill, H.R. 425, was introduced on January
10, 2019, by Representative Dunn (for himself and
Representative Lamb) and was referred to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
There are five additional cosponsors. On February 25, 2019,
H.R. 425 was passed by the House of Representatives, and on
February 26, 2019, that bill was referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate..
In the 115th Congress, a similar bill, S. 3395, was
introduced on August 28, 2018, by Senator Heller and was
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate. A companion bill, H.R. 4323, was
passed on December 19, 2017, by the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and
reported favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a
substitute) by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on September 12, 2018.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
S. 153 would modify the requirements and selection criteria
of several National Science Foundation programs to promote
wider participation by veterans. The bill also would direct the
Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish an
interagency working group to improve participation by veterans
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
fields, and to develop a strategic plan to address barriers for
veterans in those fields. Finally, S. 153 would require the
Government Accountability Office to study the academic success
rates of veterans pursuing STEM degrees.
Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates
that implementing the bill would cost $1 million over the 2019-
2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability
of appropriated funds. Most of that amount would be for
additional OSTP staff to manage working group activities and
prepare the strategic plan.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Janani
Shankaran. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss,
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
number of persons covered
S. 153, as reported, would not create any new programs or
impose any new regulatory requirements. Therefore, it would not
subject any individuals or businesses to new regulations.
economic impact
S. 153, as reported, is not expected to have a negative
impact on the Nation's economy.
privacy
S. 153, as reported, would not have any adverse impact on
the personal privacy of individuals.
paperwork
S. 153, as reported, would not increase paperwork
requirements for private individuals or businesses. S. 153
would require the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy to modify an existing annual report to
Congress.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act.''
Section 2. Definitions.
This section would define the terms ``Director,''
``Foundation,'' ``STEM,'' and ``veteran.''
Section 3. Supporting veterans in STEM education and computer science.
This section would require NSF, in coordination with other
Federal agencies that serve veterans, to encourage veterans to
study and pursue STEM and computer science careers. This
section would instruct NSF to develop and submit a plan to
Congress that includes NSF's existing outreach activities to
veterans, identifies best methods for NSF to leverage existing
authorities and programs to facilitate and support veterans in
STEM careers and education, identifies options for how NSF
could track veterans' participation in NSF research and
education programs, and describes any barriers to collecting
such information on veterans' participation.
Further, this section would require the National Science
Board to provide, in its report on indicators of the state of
U.S. science and engineering, any available and relevant data
on veterans' science and engineering education programs and
careers.
Additionally, this section would require NSF to consider
the ability of an institution of higher education to recruit
veterans in those institutions' applications to participate in
the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program and the NSF
Masters Teacher Fellowship component. This section also would
require NSF to use its computer and network security capacity
building grants program to increase the number of veterans who
pursue degrees in computer and network security fields, and
allow program participants to use grant awards to create
opportunities for veterans to transition to careers in computer
and network security. This section also would require NSF to
consider the likelihood that increased numbers of veterans
would be recruited as students when considering the
applications of institutions of higher education to participate
in its graduate traineeship program for computer and network
security.
Finally, this section would require the Director of OSTP to
establish or designate an interagency working group to
coordinate Federal programs and policies for transitioning and
training veterans and military spouses for STEM careers.
Section 4. Comptroller General of the United States study and report on
barriers faced by student veterans pursuing degrees in science,
technology, engineering, or math.
This section would direct the GAO to study the academic
success rates of student veterans pursuing STEM degrees as well
as barriers facing these students in pursuing such degrees. The
study would include an assessment of the current number of
veterans pursuing STEM degrees, the percentage of those
students who pursue such a degree but do not obtain it in 4 or
fewer years, an analysis of the reasons why students are not
able to obtain their degree and whether those reasons are
barriers to veterans obtaining STEM degrees, and
recommendations for Federal action to help more student
veterans obtain STEM degrees.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2002
[Public Law 107-368, enacted December 19, 2002; as amended through P.L.
115-303, enacted December 11, 2018]
[42 U.S.C. 1862n-1]
SEC. 10. ROBERT NOYCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Scholarship Program.--
(1) * * *
(5) Awards.--In awarding grants under this section,
the Director shall ensure that the eligible entities
(and participating institutions of higher education of
the consortia, if applicable) represent a variety of
types of institutions of higher education. In support
of this goal, the Director shall broadly disseminate
information about when and how to apply for grants
under this section, including by conducting outreach
to--
(A) historically Black colleges and
universities that are part B institutions, as
defined in section 322(2) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2));
[and]
(B) minority institutions, as defined in
section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k(3))[.]; and
(C) higher education programs that serve or
support veterans.
(6) Supplement not supplant.--Grant funds provided
under this section shall be used to supplement, and not
supplant, other Federal or State funds available for
the type of activities supported by the grant.
(b) Selection Process.--
(1) * * *
(2) Review of applications.--In evaluating the
applications submitted under paragraph (1), the
Director shall consider, at a minimum--
(A) * * *
(F) the ability of the applicant (and the
participating institutions of higher education
of the consortium, if applicable) to recruit
students who would otherwise not pursue a
career in teaching in elementary schools or
secondary schools [and students], students who
are individuals identified in section 33 or 34
of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b),
and veterans.
(c) Scholarship Requirements.--
(1) * * *
(2) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to
receive scholarships primarily on the basis of academic
merit, with consideration given to financial need and
to the goal of promoting the participation of
individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the
Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42
U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) and veterans.
(3) * * *
(d) Stipends.--
(1) * * *
(2) Selection.--Individuals shall be selected to
receive stipends under this section primarily on the
basis of academic merit and professional achievement,
with consideration given to financial need and to the
goal of promoting the participation of individuals
identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and
Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or
1885b) and veterans.
* * * * * * *
[42 U.S.C. 1862n-1a(d)]
SEC. 10A. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS AND MASTER
TEACHING FELLOWSHIPS.
(a) * * *
(d) Selection Process.--
(1) * * *
(3) Criteria.--In evaluating the applications
submitted under paragraph (2), the Director shall
consider, at a minimum--
(A) * * *
(F) in the case of the National Science
Foundation Teaching Fellowship, the ability of
the applicant (and participating institutions
of higher education of the consortium, if
applicable) to recruit individuals who would
otherwise not pursue a career in teaching [and
individuals], individuals identified in section
33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1855a or 1855b),
and veterans.
(4) Selection of fellows.--
(A) * * *
(B) Promoting participation of certain
individuals.--Among individuals demonstrating
equivalent qualifications, consideration may be
given to the goal of promoting the
participation of individuals identified in
section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or
1885b) and veterans.
* * * * * * *
CYBER SECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT
[P.L. 107-305, enacted November 27, 2002; as amended through P.L. 114-
329, enacted January 6, 2017]
[15 U.S.C. 7404(a)]
SEC. 5. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION COMPUTER AND NETWORK SECURITY
PROGRAMS.
(a) Computer and Network Security Capacity Building Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Director shall establish a
program to award grants to institutions of higher
education (or consortia thereof) to establish or
improve undergraduate and master's degree programs in
computer and network security, to increase the number
of students, including the number of students from
groups historically underrepresented in these fields
and students who are veterans, who pursue undergraduate
or master's degrees in fields related to computer and
network security, and to provide students with
experience in government or industry related to their
computer and network security studies.
(2) Merit review.--Grants shall be awarded under this
subsection on a merit-reviewed competitive basis.
(3) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under this
subsection shall be used for activities that enhance
the ability of an institution of higher education (or
consortium thereof) to provide high-quality
undergraduate and master's degree programs in computer
and network security and to recruit and retain
increased numbers of students to such programs.
Activities may include--
(A) * * *
(I) establishing or enhancing bridge programs
in computer and network security between
community colleges and universities; [and]
(J) creating opportunities for veterans to
transition to careers in computer and network
security; and
[(J)] (K) any other activities the Director
determines will accomplish the goals of this
subsection.
(4) * * *
[15 U.S.C. 7404(c)(6)(C)]
(c) Graduate Traineeships in Computer and Network Security
Research.--
(1) * * *
(6) Review of applications.--In evaluating the
applications submitted under paragraph (5), the
Director shall consider--
(A) * * *
(C) the likelihood that the program will
recruit increased numbers of students,
including students from groups historically
underrepresented in computer and network
security related disciplines or veterans, to
pursue and earn doctorate degrees in computer
and network security;
* * * * * * *
[all]