On March 22, 2016, the House of Representatives voted in strong support of two bipartisan bills encouraging more women to pursue careers in science: the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act (H.R. 4755), introduced by Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 4742), introduced by Committee Member Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.).

The INSPIRE Women Act authorizes the NASA Administrator to encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to pursue careers that will further advance America’s space science and exploration efforts through support of initiatives like: NASAGIRLS and NASABOYS; Aspire to Inspire; and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research. Such important programs are intended to encourage more young women to enter fields such as science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

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