New bill aims to help veterans get STEM jobs

Jacksonville, FL — John Harris III spent eight years in the Army as a diesel mechanic.

“We work on the military equipment that is assigned to the unit ... we make sure the vehicles are ready for deployment,” Harris said.

He’s been living and working in Jacksonville for the past five years.

On Tuesday, Action News Jax told him about a new bill called the Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act.

It would help veterans reenter the work force and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

It would also update scholarship programs to include veterans.

The bipartisan bill was introduced by Senators Marco Rubio and Amy Klobuchar and passed in the Senate last December.

On Monday, it unanimously passed in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rubio sent out a statement Monday night saying: “This important bipartisan bill to ensure our nation’s veterans have the skills and opportunities to succeed in STEM careers is now on its way to the president’s desk.”

Harris has been a client with the 5 Star Veterans for the past year, and he says that the new bill can help his brothers and sisters that have served in the military find better-paying jobs.

“Many veterans come out, they have their 9/11 education benefits, their GI Bill benefits and this is just going to be another addition to help veterans find jobs in the technological, engineering, and science field,” he said.

The STEM Careers Act would work with the National Science Foundation and Office of Science and Technology Policy to help coordinate programs for veterans transitioning into STEM careers, as well as look at what barriers prevent veterans from entering these fields.