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Congresswoman Luz Rivas Introduces First Bill to Rebuild STEM Workforce

June 17, 2025

LOS ANGELES – Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29) – co-chair of the bipartisan STEM Education Caucus and the only Latina in Congress with a STEM background – introduced the STEM Pathways for the Future Act, her first bill as a Member of Congress. Congresswoman Rivas’ bill will help rebuild the STEM workforce by fostering educational and apprenticeship opportunities for students who come from diverse and untraditional pathways. 

 

“My STEM Pathways for the Future Act rebuilds our STEM workforce by recruiting students from all educational backgrounds to pursue a career in STEM,” said Congresswoman Rivas. “With the proper training and mentorship, we can empower the next generation of our science workforce with the tools they need to keep America competitive.  My legislation takes the initial steps to rebuild our science workforce to the strength it was at before President Trump gutted the federal science agencies and jeopardized our standing as a science leader on the global stage.” 

 

Background: 

 

Congresswoman Rivas’ STEM Pathways for the Future Act looks to rebuild our nation’s STEM workforce by requiring the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director to establish a grant program for STEM apprenticeship programs. This bill will create regional STEM hubs, which don't currently exist, to focus on recruiting individuals interested in pursuing a STEM career outside of a four-year higher education institution and come from untraditional pathways.  

 

The STEM Pathways for the Future Act will: 

  

  • Create first of its kind regional STEM apprenticeship hubs to rebuild and grow our future STEM workforce.
  • Prioritize community colleges, minority-serving institutions, registered apprenticeship programs, and careers in nascent STEM workforce opportunities.
  • Produce an interagency report detailing existing programs within key agencies that focus on the STEM workforce for untraditional careers. 

 

 

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