Provided by Congresswoman Barbara Comstock’s Office
Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed her bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4375, the Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act by a vote of 376 to 9:
“This legislation provides better information on how to make taxpayer-funded investments in STEM and Research and Development more effective, transparent, and fair. It requires the National Science Foundation – for the first time – to report and make recommendations to Congress regarding the effectiveness of its research and education programs aimed at broadening the participation of women and historically underrepresented individuals in STEM.
“In order to have a vibrant STEM economy that provides opportunity and prosperity for all we must be the leader in STEM fields. To do that, we need to develop the talent of all Americans, especially our researchers and scientists who rely on the strength of their diversity as they work with one another to advance research and other scientific breakthroughs. This report will help us focus resources on what works. The Research and Education Effectiveness and Transparency Act also requires all Federal science agencies to collect standardized information, including demographics, for each application for research and developments grants. This information will provide better transparency to how taxpayer dollars are spent on research and scientists across the Federal government. I appreciate my colleagues’ support.”
