Final answer:
Congress approved the National Defense Education Act to promote math, science, engineering, foreign languages, and area studies in colleges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congress approved the National Defense Education Act in response to the Soviet space program and the need to strengthen research and development programs. The act aimed to promote math, science, engineering, foreign languages, and area studies in colleges by providing direct funding. It also included a provision for student loans to make college education more accessible.
The Act encouraged postsecondary education and gave financing to American schools. Congress supported the Act primarily because they believed it would provide American scientists and technologists a competitive edge over Soviet scientists and technologists. Legislative writing during the Cold War was greatly influenced by worries about competitive advantage and national security.