Hamadeh Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill Assisting Veterans in Pursuing STEM Degrees

Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) joined Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) in reintroducing the bipartisan Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act.

The Department of Veterans Affairs website described the Edith Nourse Rogers scholarship, which helps eligible veterans pursue science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) degrees through the Post-9/11 GI Bill via $30,000 (up to 9 months of additional benefits) for training in such fields.

Rep. Hamadeh and Budzinski's Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act would expand veterans' access to the scholarship and lift the requirement that veterans be within 6 months of exhausting their benefits before they can apply.

"As a Veteran, I know how important opportunities like those provided in this program are to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our great and grateful nation," said Rep. Hamadeh in his press release, adding, "In light of the fact that 3,500 Veterans have used the scholarship to continue pursuing their degrees in STEM fields in just the last three years, the need to modify the requirements was obvious. Because we need more STEM professionals for our workforce, it only makes sense to facilitate Veterans' entry into the workforce."

In addition, Rep. Budzinski said, "I have heard from Veterans across my district about the financial obstacles they've faced since leaving active-duty service. Reforming the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program will give more Veterans the opportunity to advance their skills and fill high-demand roles."

"I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Hamadeh, who I work with on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Together, we hope to make it easier for our nation's heroes to pursue careers in good-paying fields like health care, engineering, and computer science," Rep. Budzinski concluded.

Earlier in March, Hamadeh introduced a similar bill improving the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. The bill creates a new hotline system with clear contact information for the program. Each regional office must hold Q&A sessions at every school, which is its responsibility, and improve wait times for vocational training extension waivers.