On April 2, 2025, more than 100 Society of Women Engineers (SWE) members from across the country came to Washington, D.C., for its annual Capitol Hill Day. The energy was high, the shoes were practical, and the message was clear: federal support for STEM education, research, and workforce reintegration programs matters. SWE members met with lawmakers and staff from both sides of the aisle to discuss the future of engineering in the U.S. — and the critical need to ensure that women are a part of that future.
After multiple virtual prep sessions, advocates rallied at a breakfast session where they received materials and trainings to support their meetings, which SWE set up for them. Nerves were calmed while SWE CEO and Executive Director Karen Horting shared her own Capitol Hill experiences and advice. The SWE team discussed last minute schedule changes and the very latest in policy developments so advocates knew what to expect as they set off for their meetings.
Amid a political landscape defined by tight budgets and deep divisions, SWE’s visit couldn’t have been more timely. The Trump administration and the Republican-led Congress have proposed significant cuts to programs supporting federal research agencies and STEM education. While fiscal restraint remains a top priority for some policymakers, SWE members made the case that investing in science and engineering today is how we ensure economic competitiveness tomorrow. Their conversations underscored that innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it happens when talented individuals from all backgrounds are given opportunities to thrive.
A key issue on SWE’s advocacy agenda was the reintroduction of the STEM RESTART Act in the 119th Congress. This bipartisan legislation aims to help mid-career professionals — especially women — return to the STEM workforce after a career break. It’s a practical solution to a persistent problem and a reminder that career paths aren’t always linear. Participants shared personal stories and data with Members of Congress to show how federal support for reentry programs could close talent gaps and diversify the STEM workforce in meaningful ways.
Congress isn’t known for speedy action, and this year its Republican leadership has been focused on supporting President Trump’s agenda via drawn-out negotiations around a number of complicated bills. Congressional champions of the STEM RESTART Act have successfully reintroduced the bill this summer.
Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ), along with Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Jim Baird (R-IN), have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-Entry, and Training (RESTART) Act to support mid-career professionals reentering or transitioning into the STEM workforce. The legislation provides funding for structured, paid “returnships,” helping workers overcome barriers to reentry while enabling small and mid-sized businesses to access experienced talent. SWE’s work on reentry to the STEM workforce informed development of the bill.
SWE Executive Director & CEO Karen Horting said of the bill’s reintroduction, “The Society of Women Engineers is thrilled to see the STEM RESTART Act reintroduced in 2025. As the nation continues to rebuild a strong and inclusive STEM workforce, this legislation is more critical than ever. Hundreds of thousands of STEM professionals have stepped away from technical careers in recent years, and research shows most want to return — but face steep barriers. Grants for structured returnships give mid-career professionals real, paid pathways back into meaningful STEM roles. SWE and our 50,000-plus members fully support this bipartisan, bicameral effort to bridge talent gaps, bolster small and mid-sized businesses, and drive innovation. We urge lawmakers to pass the STEM RESTART Act as soon as possible and reaffirm our collective commitment to supporting women and others who pause their careers, as well as the country’s economic growth and global competitiveness.” (The bill text is available here.)
While the Hill may often feel like a place of gridlock, SWE’s Hill Day reminded everyone that progress is still possible — especially when it’s powered by people passionate about equity, education, and engineering. Whether it was a new staffer learning about the STEM RESTART Act for the first time or a seasoned ally nodding in agreement about the importance of National Science Foundation (NSF) funding, the message landed. And even in a divided Washington, SWE’s vision of a more inclusive and innovative engineering community has the power to bring people together.
