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S. 737: Building Blocks of STEM Act

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S. 737: Building Blocks of STEM Act

116th Congress · introduced 2019-03-11 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Became Public Law No: 116-102.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-03-11 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 116-102. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Building Blocks of STEM Act

Plain summary

Building Blocks of STEM Act This bill modifies National Science Foundation (NSF) grant programs that support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education. (Sec. 3) The bill instructs the NSF, when awarding grants under the Discovery Research PreK-12 program, to improve the focus of research and development on elementary and prekindergarten education. (Sec. 4) The bill specifies that NSF grants to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields may be used for research into various subjects regarding female students in prekindergarten through elementary school, including the role of teachers and caregivers in encouraging or discouraging participation by such students in STEM activities, and the types of STEM activities that encourage greater participation by such students. (Sec. 5) The bill specifies that NSF grants to research computer science education and computational thinking may be used to support development and implementation of various tools and models for teaching and learning, including developing and offering female-inclusive computer science enrichment programs, and acquainting female students in prekindergarten through elementary school with careers in computer science.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Building Blocks of STEM Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] · 8 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 737, Building Blocks of STEM Act (2019-05-24)

Cosponsors on this site

Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Hoeven (R-ND), Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] reported raising $1.8 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-s737 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116