H.R. 5527 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5527 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 18, 2014 Ms. Esty (for herself and Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology A BILL To authorize the National Science Foundation to support entrepreneurial programs for women. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Promoting Women in Entrepreneurship Act. 2. Findings The Congress finds that— (1) women make up almost 50 percent of the workforce, but less than 25 percent of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions; (2) women are less likely to focus on the STEM disciplines in undergraduate and graduate study; (3) only 26 percent of women who do attain degrees in STEM fields work in STEM jobs; (4) there is an increasing demand for individuals with STEM degrees to extend their focus beyond the laboratory so they can be leaders in discovery commercialization; (5) studies have shown that technology and commercialization ventures are more successful when women are in top management positions; and (6) the National Science Foundation’s mission includes supporting women in STEM disciplines. 3. Supporting women’s entrepreneurial programs Section 33 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a) is amended— (1) by striking and at the end of paragraph (10); (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and inserting ; and; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (12) support entrepreneurial programs that recruit and support women to extend their focus beyond the laboratory and into the commercial world. .