PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 115-402.
Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 31, 2018
Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and Apprenticeships Act
(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award grants to junior or community colleges to develop or improve associate degree or certificate programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) fields.
The NSF shall award grants to institutions of higher education partnering with private sector employers that commit to offering apprenticeships, internships, research opportunities, or applied learning experiences to students in STEM baccalaureate degree programs.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The NSF shall award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations to conduct research on student outcomes and determine best practices for STEM education and technical skills education through distance learning or in a simulated work environment.
(Sec. 4) The NSF Directorate of Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences, in coordination with the Department of Labor, shall support research on labor market analysis innovations, data and information sciences, electronic information tools and methodologies, and metrics.
The NSF National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics shall coordinate with other agencies in exploring the feasibility of expanding its surveys to include the collection of data on certain skilled technical workers who use STEM knowledge in their jobs.
People & committees
Rep. McCarthy, Kevin [R-CA-23] · R–CA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 115-402.
Became Public Law No: 115-402.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 13 (Roll no. 459). (consideration: CR H10437-10438; text: CR H10416-10418)
House roll call 459 · Individual votesResolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 378 - 13 (Roll no. 459).(consideration: CR H10437-10438; text: CR H10416-10418)
House roll call 459 · Individual votesMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 5509.
Mr. Smith (TX) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H10416-10419)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7947-7949)
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8862-8863)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8862-8863)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5509.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8862-8865)
Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 763.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 115-975.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 115-975.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.5509 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.5509 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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