May 13, 2025
Mr. Cotton (for himself, Mrs. Blackburn, and Mr. Ricketts) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
To repeal certain provisions of the CHIPS Act of 2022 and the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act, to limit Federal mandates imposed on entities seeking Federal funds, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title; table of contents
(a) In general
This Act may be cited as the Dismantling Ideological Policies for Semiconductors and Science Act
.
(b) Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 2. Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1)
the efforts of the Federal Government to support the domestic semiconductor industry and increase our science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred to in this Act as STEM
) workforce capacity is imperative for the United States to remain technologically competitive;
(2)
such efforts should prioritize speed and leverage all relevant STEM talent in the United States, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, or sexual orientation;
(3)
programs, initiatives, and other activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (referred to in this Act as DEI
) allow preferential treatment based on the characteristics described in paragraph (2);
(4)
these activities are discriminatory and divisive, and deviate away from the main objectives and priorities, actively adding more bureaucracy and neglecting to provide equal opportunity to all STEM workers and students; and
(5)
repealing or amending programs and requirements related to DEI that were passed into law as part of the CHIPS Act of 2002 (division A of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1372) and the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1399) (commonly known, collectively, as the CHIPS and Science Act
) will restore the original intention.
Title I Repeals and modifications
Sec. 101. Repeal of certain requirements relating to opportunity and inclusion
The CHIPS Act of 2022 (division A of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1372) is amended—
(1)
by striking section 104 (15 U.S.C. 4652 note); and
(2)
by redesignating sections 105, 106, and 107, as sections 104, 105, and 106, respectively.
Sec. 102. Repeal of redundant scientific collaboration programs
(a) Repeals
(1) Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act
Section 312 of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18650) is repealed.
(2) Research and Development. Competition, and Innovation Act
Section 10111 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1456) is repealed.
(b) Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act
The following sections of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381 et seq; Public Law 101–510) are repealed:
(1)
Section 3167A (42 U.S.C. 7381c–2).
(2)
Section 3167B (42 U.S.C. 7381c–3).
(3)
Section 3169 (42 U.S.C. 7381e).
(c) Clerical amendments
(1)
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act (Public Law 115–246; 132 Stat. 3130) is amended by striking the item relating to section 312.
(2)
The table of contents in section 2(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (Public Law 101–510; 104 Stat. 1497; 136 Stat. 1459) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 3167A, 3167B, and 3169.
Sec. 103. Repeal of requirements relating to educational outreach and support for underrepresented communities
(a) Repeal
Section 10241 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1486) is repealed.
(b) Conforming amendment
Section 18 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278g–1) is amended to read as it read immediately before the enactment of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1399).
Sec. 104. Repeal of requirement to recruit STEM educators that advance DEI for National STEM Teacher Corps
Section 10311(c)(6)(B) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18991(c)(6)(B)) is amended by striking applicants,
and all that follows through the semicolon at the end and inserting applicants;
.
Sec. 105. Repeal of diversity requirements for participation in national network for microelectronics education
Section 10318(b) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 18997(b)) is amended—
(1)
by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
(5) Partnerships
The Director shall encourage the submission of proposals that are led by or include partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities, or Tribal Colleges or Universities.;
(2)
by striking paragraph (6); and
(3)
by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively.
Sec. 106. Repeal of diversity considerations in STEM research capacity program
Section 10325(b) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19014(b)) is amended—
(1)
in the subsection heading, by striking Diversity and
;
(2)
by striking paragraphs (5) and (7); and
(3)
by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (8) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively.
Sec. 107. Repeal of diversity in technology research program
Section 10326 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19015) is repealed.
Sec. 108. Repeal of NSF Chief Diversity Officer position
Section 10327 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19016) is repealed.
Sec. 109. Repeal of program to award funds for research to support DEI in STEM
Section 10328 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19017) is repealed.
Sec. 110. Repeal of DEI activities in higher education
(a) In general
Section 10329 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1546) is repealed.
(b) Conforming amendments
Section 305 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 1862s–5) is amended—
(1)
by striking subsections (e) and (f); and
(2)
by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively.
Sec. 111. Modification of outreach requirement for the Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program
Subsection (c) of section 10392 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19112(c)) is amended to read as follows:
(c) Outreach
The Director shall conduct program outreach to recruit fellowship applicants from all regions of the country.
Sec. 112. Amendment of requirements for NSF scholarships and fellowships
Section 10393 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19113) is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
(b) Implementation
(1) In general
The Director may carry out subsection (a) by making awards—
(A)
directly to students; and
(B)
to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education, including those institutions or consortia involved in operating Regional Innovation Engines established under section 10388.
(2) Addressing gaps
The Director shall address current and expected gaps in the availability or skills of the STEM workforce and needs of the STEM workforce, including by increasing educational capacity at institutions and prioritizing awards to citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States and individuals that will grow the domestic workforce. The Director may take steps to—
(A)
support traineeships or other relevant programs at historically Black colleges or universities and Tribal Colleges or Universities;
(B)
enable low-income populations to pursue associate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees in STEM; and
(C)
address geographic diversity in the STEM workforce.;
(2)
by striking subsection (c);
(3)
by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as subsections (c) through (f), respectively; and
(4)
in subsection (d), as so redesignated—
(A)
in paragraph (1)(C)(ii), by inserting and
after the semicolon in the end;
(B)
by striking paragraph (2);
(C)
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
(D)
in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by striking paragraphs (1) and (2)
and inserting paragraph (1)
.
Sec. 113. Repeal of review of Federal research awards to remove or reduce cultural and institutional barriers
Section 10503 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19153) is repealed.
Sec. 114. Repeal of data collection on demographics of faculty
Section 10504 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19154) is repealed.
Sec. 115. Repeal of DEI best practices in the academic and Federal STEM workforce
Section 10505 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19155) is repealed.
Sec. 116. Repeal of required report to Congress
Section 10507 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1613) is repealed.
Sec. 117. Preservation of STEM achievements for historically Black colleges or universities and Tribal Colleges or Universities and removal of race-based activities
(a) In general
Subtitle C of title V of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19181 et seq.) is amended—
(1)
in the subtitle heading, by striking MSI
and inserting HBCU and TCU
;
(2)
by striking HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
each place the term appears and inserting HBCUs and TCUs
;
(3)
by striking HBCUs, TCUs, or MSIs
each place the term appears and inserting HBCUs or TCUs
;
(4)
in section 10524(f)—
(A)
in the subsection heading, by striking MSI Centers
and inserting Centers
;
(B)
by striking five MSI
and inserting five
; and
(C)
by striking and research training of underrepresented minority students
; and
(5)
in section 10526—
(A)
by striking paragraph (3); and
(B)
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
(b) Report on coordination of Federal STEM Education
Section 101(d)(9) of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6621(d)(9)) is amended by striking HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs
each place the term appears and inserting HBCUs and TCUs
.
Sec. 118. Repeal of certain requirements for the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation
Section 10691(b) of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19281(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (3)(B)—
(A)
in clause (v), by adding and
at the end after the semicolon;
(B)
by striking clause (vi); and
(C)
by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (vi); and
(2)
in paragraph (5)(D)—
(A)
in clause (iv), by adding and
at the end after the semicolon;
(B)
by striking clause (v); and
(C)
by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (v).
Sec. 119. Repeal of clean energy technology university prize competition
(a) In general
Section 10714 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (42 U.S.C. 19302) is repealed.
(b) Conforming amendment
Section 9007 of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 16391a) is amended in each of subsections (a) and (b) by striking 10714,
.
Sec. 120. Repeal of cleaner, quieter airplanes initiative with requirements for equity in sponsorship outcomes
(a) In general
Section 40112 of title 51, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
by striking subsection (b); and
(2)
by redesignating subsections (c) through (g) as subsections (b) through (f), respectively.
(b) Repeal of related technology focus areas, implementation, and annual report
Section 10833 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1749) is repealed.
Sec. 121. Modification of purpose of Office of STEM Engagement
Section 10851 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1753) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (b), by striking , increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM,
; and
(2)
in subsection (c)(2), by striking diverse
and inserting robust and capable
.
Sec. 122. Clerical amendments
(a) General table of contents
The table of contents in section 1 of the Act entitled An Act making appropriations for Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes
(Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1366) is amended—
(1)
in the items relating to division A—
(A)
by striking the item relating to section 104; and
(B)
by redesignating the items relating to sections 105, 106, and 107 as relating to sections 104, 105, and 106 respectively; and
(2)
in the items relating to division B—
(A)
by striking the items relating to sections 10111, 10241, 10326, 10327, 10328, 10329, 10503, 10504, 10505, 10507, 10521, 10522, 10523, 10524, 10525, 10526, 10714, and 10833; and
(B)
in the item relating to subtitle C of title V, by striking MSI
and inserting HBCU and TCU
.
(b) Table of contents of division B
The table of contents in section 10000 of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (division B of Public Law 117–167; 136 Stat. 1399) is amended—
(1)
by striking the items relating to sections 10111, 10241, 10326, 10327, 10328, 10329, 10503, 10504, 10505, 10507, 10521, 10522, 10523, 10524, 10525, 10526, 10714, and 10833; and
(2)
in the item relating to subtitle C of title V, by striking MSI
and inserting HBCU and TCU
.
Title II Limiting Federal mandates
Sec. 201. Limitation on nonstatutory Federal mandates imposed on entities seeking Federal funds
(a) Definitions
In this section—
(1)
the term agency means an establishment in the executive branch of the Federal Government; and
(2)
the term nonstatutory mandate means a requirement that is not specified in Federal statute and is established by an agency.
(b) Limitation
The head of an agency may not impose on an entity seeking Federal funding from the agency a nonstatutory mandate to have in effect any of the following policies:
(1)
Policies relating to prioritizing hiring, training, and retaining employees comparable to policies established in Executive Order 14035 (86 Fed. Reg. 34593; relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Federal workforce), as in effect on January 19, 2025.
(2)
Policies for a workforce plan or a commitment to include plans to hire, train, and retain a diverse workforce, including economically disadvantaged individuals.
(3)
Policies on the provision of childcare for children of employees.
(4)
Policies on the provision of wraparound services for the workforce, including adult care, transportation services, housing assistance, and emergency cash assistance.
(5)
Policies on a community investment plan, including affordable housing, housing vouchers, and transportation services.
(6)
Policies on planning projects specifically designed to minimize potentially adverse impacts on the environment and local communities.
(7)
Policies on planning to mitigate climate change or environmental justice concerns.
(8)
Policies on sustaining existing or establishing new project labor agreements.
(9)
Policies on consultation with local labor organizations.