December 5, 2025  

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act, designed to close persistent equity gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and expand high-quality STEM education access for girls and students from underrepresented communities.  

The 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act is cosponsored by Senators Rosen (D-Nev.) and Luján (D-N.M.). 

“I am laser-focused on finding opportunities for young women to succeed and thrive. Our 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act would provide grants to local school districts to encourage girls and underrepresented students to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields. This legislation would create real pathways for success and wealth for our girls and students of color while also fueling our economy and keeping the United States a global leader in STEM,” said Senator Alsobrooks. 

“As a former computer programmer who worked in a male-dominated STEM industry, it’s always been important to me to provide more pathways for girls to join the STEM field,” said Senator Rosen. “By increasing access to STEM education and ensuring teachers have the resources they need, we can help many more young girls become interested in the exciting career opportunities in these fields. This bill will do just that, helping to educate the next generation of innovators and creators that is as diverse as the communities they serve.” 

“New Mexico is at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation in the United States. That’s why I’m proud to introduce legislation that will help tap into more homegrown talent from underrepresented communities and build up the next generation of New Mexico’s workforce,” said Senator Luján. “By expanding opportunity, we are helping to ensure our state continues to lead in discovery and innovation.” 

“Our nation cannot afford to leave talent on the sidelines,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Expanding STEM opportunities for girls and underrepresented minorities is essential for our economic future, our national competitiveness, and the next generation of innovators. This bill is an investment in the students who will build the world we live in tomorrow.” 

“Pittsburgh is a growing beacon for the tech industry but resources and opportunities often do not extend to students in public schools right next door, particularly for our girls and underrepresented communities,” said Congresswoman Lee. “The 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act brings us one step closer to closing the education equity gap and ensuring all of our youth can bring their talents to this thriving industry. I am proud to co-lead this bill to support the next innovative generation of students.” 

The 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act will: 

  • Direct the Department of Education to make grants to qualifying local education agencies to fund STEM education activities for girls and underrepresented minorities. 
  • Authorize $10 million to qualifying local educational agencies serving high-poverty students from fiscal years 2026 through 2029. 

These investments are designed to expand access to rigorous coursework, hands-on learning, and pathways that lead to STEM degrees and high-growth careers. 

As STEM careers continue to drive economic growth and shape the future workforce, women and people of color remain significantly underrepresented. Recent declines in national mathematics performance have sharpened the urgency. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 22% of twelfth-grade students performed at or above the proficient level in mathematics in 2024. Black and Hispanic twelfth graders scored three and five percentage points lower than their 2019 averages, and female twelfth graders experienced nearly double the decline in math scores compared to their male peers. 

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-03) is introducing companion legislation in the United States House of Representatives. The co-leads of this bill in the House of Representatives include Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Rep. Steven Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.-12), Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Rep. Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), and Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07). 

Read full text of the bill here. 

###