April 2, 2025
Dear Member of Congress:
Members of the Society of Women Engineers will be on Capitol Hill today meeting with their congressional representatives to talk about what is going on in the STEM workforce and in engineering programs on campuses nationwide. They won’t be visiting every office, but their presence won’t be missed.
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has more than 50,000 members — of all genders — worldwide. The organization is committed to promoting equity in research labs, classrooms, and the STEM workforce. Our advocacy efforts focus on fostering merit-based outcomes and expanding access to quality opportunities in STEM careers. Women make up half of the U.S. population, but only about 15% of the engineering workforce. Federal policies must support encouraging more women to pursue engineering and STEM studies and careers if the country is to meet the economic goals that rely on a thriving STEM workforce.
Support STEM Professionals Re-entering the Workforce
SWE supports policies that encourage businesses and federal agencies to assist STEM professionals in re-entering the workforce, particularly women and individuals from underrepresented populations. The STEM RESTART Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that has been introduced over several congresses, will provide tax incentives to small and midsize businesses to offer paid opportunities for midcareer professionals returning to STEM fields. Please support the bill when it is reintroduced. This legislation is essential to ensuring skilled professionals return to STEM careers and addresses critical workforce shortages.
Expand Access to STEM Education
SWE supports investments in STEM education from pre-K through postsecondary levels, including funding for minority-serving institutions (MSIs) such as HBCUs, HSIs, and Tribal colleges. Federal investments in STEM education through the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and other agencies are crucial to developing a diverse and highly skilled workforce. Please support STEM education funding in the FY 2026 appropriations cycle to enhance K-12 STEM exposure, advance STEM teaching and learning research, and expand the capacity of MSIs to produce more STEM graduates and educators. MSIs currently produce 20% of the nation’s STEM graduates, but with increased support, that number can grow to meet workforce demands.
Invest in Apprenticeship and Workforce Training
SWE advocates for expanding workforce training programs to create multiple pathways into engineering and technical careers. The Department of Labor’s apprenticeship programs and the Commerce Department’s implementation of CHIPS and Science Act grants play a vital role in these efforts. Please support FY 2026 appropriations for Department of Labor apprenticeship programs and Commerce Department STEM workforce development initiatives. Public and private funding is necessary to sustain and expand workforce training programs that foster a strong engineering talent pipeline.
Protect Efforts to Expand STEM Workforce Participation
Any policy that limits access to STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups — including women — weakens our nation’s ability to compete globally. Policies should ensure that opportunities in STEM fields are merit-based and accessible to all who wish to contribute to technological advancements. Please support efforts to grow and diversify the engineering workforce.
We know the SWE members that are meeting with Congressional offices today are the best advocates for the need to support growing and strengthening the STEM workforce and are so pleased they invested the time and effort required to come to Capitol Hill and be heard. Building on today’s conversations, SWE welcomes the opportunity to work with you and your colleagues to ensure the United States remains a global leader in innovation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Karen Horting, CAE
Executive Director & CEO
Society of Women Engineers
