On July 22, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved, by voice vote, S. 3605, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act. The House approved its version of the bill on May 28 (see The Source, 5/28/10).
Like the companion bill in the House, the Senate version, sponsored by Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), would reauthorize federal science research and education programs. The measure contains a provision to require the coordination of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs across federal agencies. The committee charged with such coordination would be required to track the participation rates of women, underrepresented minorities, and people in rural areas in federally sponsored STEM education activities.
The Senate bill also contains a provision that would prohibit federal funds from being used to pay the salaries of employees disciplined for viewing pornography during the course of their duties.
