The STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-entry, and Training (RESTART) Act was reintroduced in July in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The act would assist small and medium-sized businesses that want to offer skills training for midcareer STEM professionals and those returning to STEM careers after a significant absence. It would help employers fund paid opportunities for “returnships” — internships for midcareer and returning workers — and prioritize women, Black, and Latino STEM professionals, as well as those living in rural areas.
The Senate has considered the bill since 2020, when it was first introduced. Though it did not pass then, the bicameral initiative was reintroduced in 2021, 2023, and 2024. It gained increasing support from representatives from both major political parties along the way. The Society of Women Engineers has long pioneered and advocated for such reentry programs and continues to lead in creating pathways for women to return, thrive, and advance in engineering and technology. (For more information, visit reentry.swe.org.)
U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., introduced the bill in the U.S. Senate this year. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., and Jim Baird, R-Ind., introduced identical legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In a July 16 press release, Houlahan said, “Whether it’s biotechnology, quantum computing, or clean energy, the global race for innovation is accelerating, and we can’t afford to leave talent on the sidelines. The bipartisan STEM RESTART Act will help midcareer professionals and those returning to the workforce enter high-demand STEM fields so we can strengthen our economy, compete globally, and protect America’s leadership in emerging technologies.”
“Grants for structured ‘returnships’ give midcareer professionals real, paid pathways back into meaningful STEM roles.”
— Karen Horting
In addition to SWE, the STEM Education Coalition, AnitaB.org, Nevada System of Higher Education, College of Southern Nevada, Vegas Chamber, Clark County Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, Nevada State University, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas have all supported the bills.
SWE support
“As the nation continues to rebuild a strong and inclusive STEM workforce, this legislation is more critical than ever,” said SWE Executive Director and CEO Karen Horting, CAE, in the press release. “Hundreds of thousands of STEM professionals have stepped away from technical careers in recent years, and research shows most want to return but face steep barriers. Grants for structured returnships give midcareer professionals real, paid pathways back into meaningful STEM roles.”
For the past several years, the STEM RESTART Act has been a focus for SWE and its 50,000 members. Members hold annual meetings with senators and representatives each year as part of SWE’s Congressional Visits Day in Washington, D.C. The act was one of the key pieces of legislation members pushed for this year.
Advocacy made easy
The D.C. event, along with other advocacy activities and initiatives, are now easily accessible on SWE’s redesigned advocacy website, swe.org/public-policy. The site pinpoints SWE’s ongoing public policy goals, showcases members’ impact, and provides resources for those who want to champion women in STEM policies. Members can find updates, join the SWE Public Policy affinity group, and track legislation with the SWE Federal Bill Tracker.
Site visitors can also access toolkits, a podcast, and other resources from the STEM Education Coalition, a consortium of organizations, including SWE, dedicated to raising STEM-related issues with public policymakers.
