Sheila Jackson Lee: “My amendment is a very simple amendment that promotes STEM education, which is really a vital part of the future of this…”

“My amendment is a very simple amendment that promotes STEM education, which is really a vital part of the future of this Nation. In particular, my amendment says: ``None of the funds made available by this act for `Department of Energy--Energy Programs--Science' may be used in contravention of the Department of Energy Organization Act.'' This amendment was approved and adopted just in the last session. Twenty years ago, on February 11, we were directed to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations. The Department of Energy ceased to provide equal access in these opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM, including minorities, Native Americans, and women. Mr. Chairman, women and minorities make up 70 percent of college students, but only 45 percent of undergraduates are STEM degree holders. This large pool of untapped talent is a great potential source of STEM professional, but it also deprives the United States of its best minds to be able to help it in the 21st century. As the Nation's demographics are shifting and now more children under the age of 1 are minorities, it is critical that we close the gap in the number of minorities who seek system opportunities. Mr. Chairman, there are still a great many scientific riddles left to be solved.…”