A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The INSPIRES Act aims to improve STEM education by funding facility projects for schools in grades 6 through 12. It focuses on schools located in rural areas or those serving Native American students. The bill establishes a grant program for remodeling or building new STEM classrooms, laboratories, and high-speed internet infrastructure. Additionally, it creates a program to support the modernization, renovation, or repair of career and technical education facilities. This is intended to help meet the growing demand for skilled workers in various job sectors.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly provides resources to improve STEM access for Native American students and schools.
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into public schools?
The bill provides significant new funding for school facility renovations and STEM programs.
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill directly enhances learning environments and opportunities for middle and high school students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved STEM access for underserved communities: The bill provides funds for schools in rural areas and those serving Native American students to build or remodel STEM classrooms and laboratories (Section 4). This addresses the finding that many Native American students lack equitable access to a full range of math and science courses (Section 2).
-
Modernized learning environments: The program supports the modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities to include up-to-date technology infrastructure and high-speed internet (Section 3). This helps address the issue where 54 percent of school buildings in the United States need significant repairs or upgrades (Section 2).
-
Support for career and technical training: The act establishes a program to improve career and technical education facilities through grants, loan guarantees, or interest payments on bonds (Section 5). This can help prepare students for the "new collar" economy and high-technology careers (Section 2).
-
Enhanced student safety and efficiency: Qualified projects can include updates related to student, faculty, and staff health and safety, as well as improving the energy efficiency of facilities (Section 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Financial matching requirements for states and agencies: States receiving allotments must provide a 25 percent match from non-Federal sources, and eligible agencies receiving subgrants must provide a 10 percent match (Section 4). This places a financial burden on the entities seeking the funds.
-
Administrative costs: The Secretary is permitted to reserve up to 3 percent of the appropriated funds for administrative costs and technical assistance (Section 4 and Section 5).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly provides resources to improve STEM access for Native American students and schools. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes funding for schools located in rural areas. Would students be better off under this? — The bill directly enhances learning environments and opportunities for middle and high school students. Would children be better off under this? — Improved school facilities and STEM access benefit students in grades 6 through 12. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill targets underserved communities and emphasizes preparation for high-paying STEM careers. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The focus on career and technical education benefits students transitioning into the workforce. Would business owners be better off under this? — Modernizing technical education helps provide a more skilled workforce for businesses. Would farmers be better off under this? — STEM training includes sustainable agriculture, which is beneficial for the farming sector.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill provides significant new funding for school facility renovations and STEM programs. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill specifically funds the support of high-speed internet for STEM classrooms. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill focuses on STEM education infrastructure which supports the scientific learning environment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets educational inequities for Native American students by funding STEM facilities in their communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to prepare students for high-technology and 'new collar' jobs to meet growing labor demands. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By investing in STEM education and workforce readiness, the bill seeks to enhance national economic competitiveness.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides specific funding for infrastructure and STEM facilities in rural areas.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California