WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during the virtual Consumer Electronics Show (CES), U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) participated in a one-on-one conversation with Tiffany Moore of the Consumer Technology Association as part of a fireside chat organized by The Female Quotient. During the conversation, Senator Rosen discussed issues that women in the workforce and tech industry face, as well as how we can utilize technology and education to close societal gender gaps.
“Each year, it is a pleasure to see CES take place in Las Vegas, bringing tech leaders and companies from all over the country to our state,” said Senator Rosen. “I was glad to virtually attend this event at the Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge and speak on how we can continue to break down barriers for women in tech. As a former computer programmer, I know the critical role technology can have in improving our lives. As a Senator, some of my top priorities have been to create more opportunities for female advancement and leadership in the tech industry, expand access to STEM education, and better utilize technology in order to improve lives of Nevadans and Americans all across our country.”
BACKGROUND: CES is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association and held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event typically hosts presentations of new products and technologies in the consumer electronics industry. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has gone virtual. The Female Quotient is also CES’ official equality partner.
In September, Senator Rosen introduced the STEM Restoring Employment Skills through Targeted Assistance, Re-entry, and Training (RESTART) Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide funding to small and medium-sized STEM businesses to offer robust, paid, mid-career internships, known as “returnships” for mid-career workers seeking to return or transition into the STEM workforce.
Last year, Senator Rosen introduced the bipartisan Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act, legislation that would direct the FCC to map out areas with a need for both increased maternal care and access to the internet. In December, this legislation passed the Senate.
In 2019, Senator Rosen introduced the bipartisan Building Blocks of STEM Act, legislation to help break down gender barriers in STEM education for current and future generations. This bill – which was signed into law a little over a year ago and is funded by the omnibus Congress passed last month – will create and expand upon STEM education initiatives at the National Science Foundation for young children in pre-K through grade 12 and help train teachers on how to encourage young girls to pursue computer science. In December 2019, the Building Blocks of STEM Act was signed into law.
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