House Passes "INSPIRE Women" in Aerospace Bill

House Passes "INSPIRE Women" in Aerospace Bill

Today the House passed a bill, H.R. 4755, to encourage women and girls to study STEM education fields, pursue careers in aerospace, and advance space science and exploration.  The vote was 380-3, with 50 Members not voting.

The Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act was introduced last week by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA).   There were no committee hearings or markups; the bill went directly to the floor for consideration under suspension of the rules.

The three members who voted no were:  Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).  The complete vote tally is posted on the House clerk’s website (roll call vote 134).

The bill does not involve any funding.  It directs the NASA Administrator to —

  • encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and pursue aerospace careers by supporting three existing initiatives: NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS, Aspire to Inspire, and Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering and Research, and
  • submit a plan within 90 days of the bill’s enactment for how NASA can facilitate and support current and retired astronauts, scientists, engineers and innovators to engage with K-12 female STEM students.

The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.

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