The two part proposal features:
- Invest more in STEM education by
focusing on better teachers and higher standards in K-12 education,
increasing the number of computer science courses in high schools and
colleges, and focusing on the “college completion crisis” where half of
American students drop-out before getting their degree. Smith called on
Congress to put $500 million per year behind the effort, sending that
money to the states based upon a competitive process.
- Raising federal revenue to pay for the $500 million per year effort by insourcing skilled labor to fill those unfilled jobs today -- adding 20,000 new visas for workers with STEM skills at a cost of $10,000 each and 20,000 new green cards for workers with STEM skills at a cost of $15,000 each.