Bill · H.R. 4452· House(119-HR-4452)
STEM RESTART Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2025
- Last activity
- 7/16/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Chrissy Houlahan
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the STEM RESTART Act, aims to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It establishes a new national program to help mid-career skilled workers return to or transition into the STEM workforce. The program provides grant funding to small- and medium-sized STEM businesses to create "returnship" or internship opportunities. These programs are designed to offer positions and compensation that are above entry level. The goal is to provide on-the-job evaluation, education, and training to help workers move toward full-time careers and leadership roles.
Yes· 3 of 11
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+7
The bill is explicitly designed to help mid-career skilled workers transition into STEM fields.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+6
The bill specifically provides grant funding to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in training workers.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Small and medium businesses receive grants to help them build their workforce.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Opportunities for Mid-Career Workers: The bill prioritizes expanding high-quality internships and returnships for unemployed or underemployed mid-s-career skilled workers (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Targeted Support for Rural Areas: The program specifically seeks to assist workers from rural areas in transitioning to in-demand industry sectors (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(e)(2)(B)).
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Higher Compensation and Stability: "Returnships" are required to provide salaries, stipends, and benefits that are above entry level, and provide pathways toward full-time careers and advancement (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Support for Small and Medium Businesses: The bill provides grant funding to help small-sized and medium-sized companies establish training and education programs (Section 2(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Employment Growth: The bill specifies that returnship programs must not displace full-time employees who are currently employed by the entity at the time of the application (Section 2(e)(2)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Middle Aged+7Good For Business Owners+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Low Income Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+6Increases Job Creation+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+1
- 2/17/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James BairdRepublican · Indiana
Madeleine DeanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania