Bill · S. 2306· Senate(119-S-2306)
STEM RESTART Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2025
- Last activity
- 7/16/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Jacky Rosen
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the STEM RESTART Act, seeks to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It aims to create a national program that provides grant funding to small- and medium-sized STEM businesses. This funding is intended to support mid-career workers who are trying to reenter or transition into the STEM workforce. The program focuses on creating high-quality internships or "returnships" that offer pay and benefits above entry level. These opportunities are specifically designed to help workers move into in-demand industry sectors or occupations.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would people in middle age be better off under this?+8
The bill focuses on helping mid-career workers transition or reenter the workforce.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The bill specifically targets small- and medium-sized enterprises with grant funding to support their workforce needs.
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
Small and medium enterprise owners benefit from grants to train and hire skilled workers.
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 helping unemployed or underemployed mid-career skilled workers return to or transition into in-demand STEM roles (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Higher Compensation and Benefits: "Returnships" are defined to ensure that workers receive salaries, stipends, or other payments and benefits that are above the entry level (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Support for Rural Areas: The program specifically aims to expand opportunities for workers from rural areas (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Pathways to Advancement: The program is designed to provide training that leads workers toward full-time careers and provides pathways toward advancement and leadership (Section 2(b)(3)).
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Comprehensive Program Support: Grant funds can cover essential costs for participants, including equipment, travel, housing, mentorship, and career counseling (Section 2(f)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Employment Displacement: The bill requires that the 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+8Good For Business Owners+6Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Low Income Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Increases Job Creation+6Improves Economic Growth+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 7/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Cindy Hyde-SmithRepublican · Mississippi
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona