Jay Rockefeller: “I was proud to support the entire VA-HUD Appropriations conference report yesterday, including its vital investments for…”

“I was proud to support the entire VA-HUD Appropriations conference report yesterday, including its vital investments for our Nation's veterans. Chairperson Mikulski and Ranking Member Bond work hard each and every year to provide investment in a wide range of important agencies and programs, ranging from veterans, to housing, to the National Science Foundation. This year I am particularly proud of a new investment within the National Science Foundation, NSF, to promote math and science education. Two new programs have been funded: the Mathematics and Science Partnerships program and the Noyce Scholarships worth $165 million. Our elementary and secondary students are currently sadly lacking in their mastery of technical subjects. Although our 4th graders are on a par with the rest of the world, by the time they reach the 12th grade they are in the bottom half of countries of the world. This is an intolerable situation. Our United States students come to college ill equipped to study mathematics, science, and engineering. The partnerships and scholarships funded in this package offer the promise of substantial improvement in the performance of our students.”