Supporting Veterans in Stem Careers Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Dr. Neal Dunn and Congressman Conor Lamb for their work to support our Nation's veterans.

H.R. 425 will help veterans put their training and experience in military service to new and important uses and help America stay competitive in research and innovation on a global scale.

In the last decade alone, jobs requiring some level of STEM expertise have grown by more than 30 percent, including jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree.

Nearly 7 million jobs are unfulfilled in the United States due to a shortage of skilled workers, many in STEM and related fields.

In my State of Oklahoma, our universities estimate we have 2,000 open engineering jobs. At the same time, veterans and transitioning servicemembers represent a valuable, skilled talent pool from which to meet this critical need.

H.R. 425 will improve outreach to veterans through the National Science Foundation's programs to support and train STEM workers. We can serve our veterans and help them translate their experience into meaningful STEM work.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I note that I think the gentleman from Florida, Dr. Dunn, very eloquently summed it up just moments ago. Veterans deserve every opportunity to transition back and to utilize those skills.

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