Congress now has a caucus for women in STEM

The Congressional Women in STEM Caucus was launched yesterday as a bipartisan effort to promote the role of women across science. The caucus’ co-chairs are Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Rep Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz), Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), and Rep. Jackie Walorski, (R-Ind.). At the launch, Houlahan shared that the caucus will now expand its membership across Congress. In addition to considering legislation to include more women in STEM, the caucus will also foster partnerships between federal agencies and research institutions as a way to advance women-led research and technology. Stevens highlighted several issues affecting women, and especially women of color, in STEM, including wage disparities and the need for early science education to focus on girls. “Women and girls everywhere need to know that they can succeed in STEM fields, and that our country won’t succeed without them,” she shared.