WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two bills sponsored by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar have been signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The bills are designed to encourage women in science, technology, engineering and math. Klobuchar was the lead Senate author on one bill and the lead Senate Democrat on the other. Both had bipartisan support.
"Women are the teachers, engineers, scientists, and inventors who will carry us into a brighter future," Klobuchar said in a news release. "By encouraging women and tapping their talents and abilities, employers can better meet their hiring needs, and women can enjoy the benefits of well-paying jobs in STEM fields. These new laws will help women contribute more to their families' financial well-being — and the benefits will help our whole economy."
The Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers Women Act further advances America's space science exploration through support of several STEM initiatives at NASA. The legislation requires a report to Congress on how NASA plans to achieve its goals. Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., is the author of the legislation in the House.
The Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act authorizes the National Science Foundation to encourage its entrepreneurial programs to recruit and support women in their efforts to move beyond the laboratory into the commercial world. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., is the author of the legislation in the House. The Senate bill was cosponsored by Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev.
Klobuchar is one of the founding co-chairs of the Diversifying Technology Caucus and co-chair of the Women's High Tech Coalition.