Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies and new industries. However, U.S. businesses frequently voice concerns over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs was three times as fast as growth in non-STEM jobs. STEM workers are also less...

When foreign companies invest in U.S. businesses, known as foreign direct investment (FDI), it not only provides jobs but relatively high-paying jobs – indeed, up to 30% higher-paying. Encouraging more FDI and expanding the number of countries that invest in the United States would potentially lead to more economic growth and create even more new, high-paying U.S. jobs. During the last ten years...

U.S. exports of private services exceed a half trillion dollars and account for nearly one-third of all U.S. exports of goods and services. Growth in exports of services has outpaced the rise in imports. The U.S. trade surplus in services rose to a total of $168.0 billion in 2010. The surplus has grown quickly since 2003, rising to $101.2 billion. Financial and business services contribute the...

The White House Council on Women and Girls was created by President Obama in early 2009 to enhance, support and coordinate the efforts of existing programs for women and girls. When President Obama signed the Executive Order creating the Council on Women and Girls, he noted that the issues facing women today “are not just women’s issues.” When women make less than men for the same work, it impacts...

Household use of broadband internet service has risen dramatically during the first decade of the 21st century as the internet has become integral to the lives of most Americans. Nonetheless, not everyone uses broadband internet – either by choice or because they lack access. This report prepared jointly by the Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) and National...

Pursuant to the requirements of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 (PERA), the Department of Commerce analyzed changes in propane prices relative to other energy sources. The report presents the relevant price data and concludes that propane prices continue to exceed the threshold established by PERA. As a result, certain activities of the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC)...

This report documents the changes in women-owned businesses over time, explores disparities in the characteristics of businesses owned by women as compared to those owned by men and discusses potential reasons for these disparities and the different outcomes that are associated with them. The focus is on proprietorships, partnerships, or any type of privately-held corporation with one or more...

The BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, situated about 50 miles off the coast of southern Louisiana, exploded on April 20, 2010, resulting in 11 deaths, 17 injuries and one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. In response, the Secretary of the Interior exercised his authority to suspend certain deepwater drilling activities. Given the uncertainty about the adequacy of existing...