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HR4452119th CongressWALLET

STEM RESTART Act

Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

Introduced

Summary

Support mid-career workers returning to or transitioning into the STEM workforce. This bill would create a RESTART grant program to fund employer-run, paid returnships that combine training and on-the-job experience to place participants into above-entry-level STEM roles and career pathways.

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  • Mid-career workers: Unemployed or underemployed individuals would get access to paid returnships of at least 10 weeks with training, mentorship, and compensation above entry level aimed at moving participants into full-time STEM jobs. Priority is given to rural participants and in-demand STEM sectors.
  • Employers: Small (50–499 employees) and medium (500–9,999 employees) STEM employers could win competitive grants. Awards range from $100,000 to $1.0 million per year for small employers and $500,000 to $5.0 million per year for medium employers or consortia, funding training, stipends, equipment, travel, and mentorship while limiting use of funds to staff compensation to 20 percent.
  • State workforce systems and transparency: Grantees must coordinate with State workforce boards, submit annual participant data disaggregated by sex, race, and ethnicity, and the Secretary will publish best practices based on those reports.

*Would authorize $50.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, totaling $250.0 million in authorized funds.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for small and mid-sized STEM employers

If enacted, $50 million per year (FY2026–FY2030) would fund RESTART grants that run 3–5 years. Small firms (50–499 employees) could get $100,000–$1 million per year; medium firms or consortia (500–9,999 employees) could get $500,000–$5 million per year. Applicants must be U.S.-based in in‑demand STEM fields, not in certain bankruptcy, and show hiring pathways (especially for rural workers) without displacing staff; returnships must last at least 10 weeks with pay and benefits comparable to full‑time work. Grant money could pay participant wages or stipends, benefits, training, equipment, travel, and needed housing; no more than 20% could pay existing staff who support the program. Grantees would coordinate with State workforce boards and file yearly reports on participants and hires by sex, race, and ethnicity; the Secretary would publish best practices within 180 days after receiving reports.

STEM returnships for mid-career workers

If enacted, the government would fund returnship programs to help mid‑career workers get back into STEM jobs. The program would focus on people who are unemployed or underemployed, especially in rural areas. Returnships would be above entry level, with pay and benefits above entry level, plus on‑the‑job training toward full‑time roles. The aim would be to place participants into lasting, higher‑level STEM careers.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

PA • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 7/16/2025

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 2/17/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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