Does NASA Need to Encourage Women to Pursue Careers in Aerospace or Other STEM Fields? (H.R. 321)

What is H.R. 321?

(Updated March 26, 2019)

This bill was enacted on February 28, 2017

This bill would direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to encourage women and girls to pursue careers in aerospace and advance the nation’s space science and exploration efforts through the following existing initiatives: NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS; Aspire to Inspire; and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research.

Within 90 days of this legislation’s enactment the Administrator of NASA.would provide Congress with a plan for how NASA can best inspire the next generation of women to pursue careers in aerospace, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This would include a plan to support the efforts of current and retired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators to reach out to K-12 STEM students and encourage them to consider such careers.

Argument in favor

As America’s foremost aerospace agency, encouragement from NASA could have a worthwhile impact on women who are considering pursuing careers in aerospace or STEM fields.

Argument opposed

NASA shouldn’t bother using existing education-based initiatives to encourage women to pursue careers in aerospace or other STEM fields.

Impact

Female students who would be encouraged to pursue careers in aerospace and STEM fields; and NASA.

Cost of H.R. 321

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

Of Note: Since Sally Ride became the first female American astronaut, 44 other women gone into space on NASA missions. Half of NASA’s newest class of astronauts is composed of women, and it is possible that this class may participate in a mission to Mars.

In-Depth: This bill was introduced by Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA), along with three bipartisan cosponsors, including two Democrats and a Republican.

Media:

• Space Policy Online