Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2911

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-30T08:06:33Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 aims to expand the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant program (part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) by incorporating accounting education and career awareness into well-rounded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) experiences for K-12 students. It seeks to highlight accounting as a key STEM field, particularly to encourage underrepresented groups to pursue careers in it.

Key Provisions

• Inclusion in Well-Rounded Education: Adds "accounting education, including accounting career awareness" as an authorized use of grant funds for providing students with a broad, enriching educational experience.
• Program Development Activities: Allows grant funds to support the creation, rollout, and improvement of accounting teaching programs. This includes expanding access to high-quality accounting courses for students in grades K-12 from groups underrepresented in accounting careers (e.g., based on race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 4104(b)(3)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by inserting accounting education as a new category in the list of allowable "well-rounded educational experiences" (previously, the list ended with other subjects like civics or arts without mentioning accounting).
• Amends Section 4107(a)(3) by adding a new provision for grant-funded activities focused on accounting programs, specifically targeting underrepresented students. This builds on existing grant uses (e.g., for STEM or arts programs) by explicitly prioritizing accounting.

These changes integrate accounting into the federal framework for school grants without altering funding levels or eligibility criteria for the program overall.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education may need to update guidance and oversight for grant applications to include accounting-focused proposals, potentially increasing administrative workload but promoting diversity in STEM fields.
• On Citizens (Students and Educators): K-12 students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, could gain better access to accounting courses and career exposure, helping to address workforce shortages in accounting. Schools may offer more integrated STEM curricula, fostering early interest in financial and analytical skills.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness by building a diverse accounting talent pool for global business and finance roles.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Students: Particularly those in K-12 from underrepresented groups in accounting (e.g., women, racial minorities, low-income students), who may benefit from expanded educational opportunities.
• Educators and Schools: Teachers and administrators in public schools eligible for federal grants, who can now propose accounting programs to access funding.
• Accounting Profession: Professional organizations and employers in accounting, who stand to gain from a more diverse pipeline of future workers.
• Federal Government: The Department of Education, as the administrator of the grant program, and Congress, through oversight of education funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: This is a straightforward amendment to an existing federal education law, enhancing equity in STEM access without creating new mandates or funding requirements. It aligns with broader federal goals under the Every Student Succeeds Act (which reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act) to support diverse, inclusive education.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it promotes equal educational opportunities, consistent with the Constitution's general welfare clause and equal protection principles, without infringing on state or local control over curricula.
• Political: Could appeal to bipartisan interests in workforce development and STEM equity, but may spark debate over prioritizing specific professions (like accounting) in federal education policy. It emphasizes diversity, potentially influencing discussions on closing gender and racial gaps in high-demand fields like finance.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]

Cosponsors (49)

Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Accounting STEM Pursuit Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-14 — PDF (3 pages)