“INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT” published by the Congressional Record on July 1, 2020

Volume 166, No. 121 covering the 2nd Session of the 116th Congress (2019 - 2020) was published by the Congressional Record.

The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.

“INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT” mentioning the Department of Interior was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2995-H3033 on July 1, 2020.

The Department oversees more than 500 million acres of land. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the department has contributed to a growing water crisis and holds many lands which could be better managed.

The publication is reproduced in full below:

INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE

TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of the bill (H.R. 2) to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes, will now resume.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

Amendments En Bloc No. 4 Offered by Mr. DeFazio of Oregon

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider an amendment en bloc consisting of amendments printed in part E of House Report 116-

438.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to section 5 of the House Resolution 1028, I offer amendments en bloc.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc No. 4 consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27, printed in part E of House Report 116-438, offered by Mr. DeFazio of Oregon.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Babin of Texas

Page 61, after line 7, insert the following:

SEC. ___. HIGH PRIORITY CORRIDORS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

(a) Identification.--

(1) Central texas corridor.--Section 1105(c)(84) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is amended to read as follows:

``(84) The Central Texas Corridor, including the route--

``(A) commencing in the vicinity of Texas Highway 338 in Odessa, Texas, running eastward generally following Interstate Route 20, connecting to Texas Highway 158 in the vicinity of Midland, Texas, then following Texas Highway 158 eastward to United States Route 87 and then following United States Route 87 southeastward, passing in the vicinity of San Angelo, Texas, and connecting to United States Route 190 in the vicinity of Brady, Texas;

``(B) commencing at the intersection of Interstate Route 10 and United States Route 190 in Pecos County, Texas, and following United States Route 190 to Brady, Texas;

``(C) following portions of United States Route 190 eastward, passing in the vicinity of Fort Hood, Killeen, Belton, Temple, Bryan, College Station, Huntsville, Livingston, Woodville, and Jasper, to the logical terminus of Texas Highway 63 at the Sabine River Bridge at Burrs Crossing and including a loop generally encircling Bryan/College Station, Texas;

``(D) following United States Route 83 southward from the vicinity of Eden, Texas, to a logical connection to Interstate Route 10 at Junction, Texas;

``(E) following United States Route 69 from Interstate Route 10 in Beaumont, Texas, north to United States Route 190 in the vicinity of Woodville, Texas;

``(F) following United States Route 96 from Interstate Route 10 in Beaumont, Texas, north to United States Route 190 in the vicinity of Jasper, Texas; and

``(G) following United States Route 190, State Highway 305, and United States Route 385 from Interstate Route 10 in Pecos County, Texas to Interstate 20 at Odessa, Texas.''.

(2) Central louisiana corridor.--Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(91) The Central Louisiana Corridor commencing at the logical terminus of Louisiana Highway 8 at the Sabine River Bridge at Burrs Crossing and generally following portions of Louisiana Highway 8 to Leesville, Louisiana, and then eastward on Louisiana Highway 28, passing in the vicinity of Alexandria, Pineville, Walters, and Archie, to the logical terminus of United States Route 84 at the Mississippi River Bridge at Vidalia, Louisiana.''.

(3) Central mississippi corridor.--Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``(92) The Central Mississippi Corridor, including the route--

``(A) commencing at the logical terminus of United States Route 84 at the Mississippi River and then generally following portions of United States Route 84 passing in the vicinity of Natchez, Brookhaven, Monticello, Prentiss, and Collins, to Interstate 59 in the vicinity of Laurel, Mississippi, and continuing on Interstate Route 59 north to Interstate Route 20 and on Interstate Route 20 to the Mississippi-Alabama State Border; and

``(B) commencing in the vicinity of Laurel, Mississippi, running south on Interstate Route 59 to United States Route 98 in the vicinity of Hattiesburg, connecting to United States Route 49 south then following United States Route 49 south to Interstate Route 10 in the vicinity of Gulfport and following Mississippi Route 601 southerly terminating near the Mississippi State Port at Gulfport.''.

(4) Middle alabama corridor.--Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``(93) The Middle Alabama Corridor including the route--

``(A) beginning at the Alabama-Mississippi Border generally following portions of I-20 until following a new interstate extension paralleling United States Highway 80 specifically:

``(B) crossing Alabama Route 28 near Coatopa, Alabama, traveling eastward crossing United States Highway 43 and Alabama Route 69 near Selma, Alabama, traveling eastwards closely paralleling United States Highway 80 to the south crossing over Alabama Routes 22, 41, and 21, until its intersection with I-65 near Hope Hull, Alabama;

``(C) continuing east along the proposed Montgomery Outer Loop south of Montgomery, Alabama where it would next join with I-85 east of Montgomery, Alabama;

``(D) continuing along I-85 east bound until its intersection with United States Highway 280 near Opelika, Alabama or United States Highway 80 near Tuskegee, Alabama;

``(E) generally following the most expedient route until intersecting with existing United States Highway 80 (JR Allen Parkway) through Phenix City until continuing into Columbus, Georgia.''.

(5) Middle georgia corridor.--Section 1105(c) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

``(94) The Middle Georgia Corridor including the route--

``(A) beginning at the Alabama-Georgia Border generally following the Fall Line Freeway from Columbus Georgia to Augusta, Georgia specifically:

``(B) travelling along United States Route 80 (JR Allen Parkway) through Columbus, Georgia and near Fort Benning, Georgia, east to Talbot County, Georgia where it would follow Georgia Route 96, then commencing on Georgia Route 49C (Fort Valley Bypass) to Georgia Route 49 (Peach Parkway) to its intersection with Interstate route 75 in Byron, Georgia;

``(C) continuing north along Interstate Route 75 through Warner Robins and Macon, Georgia where it would meet Interstate Route 16. Following Interstate 16 east it would next join United States Route 80 and then onto State Route 57;

``(D) commencing with State Route 57 which turns into State Route 24 near Milledgeville, Georgia would then bypass Wrens, Georgia with a newly constructed bypass. After the bypass it would join United States Route 1 near Fort Gordon into Augusta, Georgia where it will terminate at Interstate Route 520.''.

(b) Inclusion of Certain Segments on Interstate System.--Section 1105(e)(5)(A) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is amended in the first sentence--

(1) by inserting ``subsection (c)(84),'' after ``subsection

(c)(83),''; and

(2) by striking ``and subsection (c)(90)'' and inserting

``subsection (c)(90), subsection (c)(91), subsection (c)(92), subsection (c)(93), and subsection (c)(94)''.

(c) Designation.--Section 1105(e)(5)(C) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is amended by striking ``The route referred to in subsection (c)(84) is designated as Interstate Route I-14.'' and inserting ``The route referred to in subsection (c)(84)(A) is designated as Interstate Route I-14 North. The route referred to in subsection (c)(84)(B) is designated as Interstate Route I-14 South. The Bryan/College Station, Texas loop referred to in subsection (c)(84) is designated as Interstate Route I-214. The routes referred to in subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F), and (G) of subsection (c)(84) and in subsections (c)(91),

(c)(92), (c)(93), and (c)(94) are designated as Interstate Route I-14.''.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Balderson of Ohio

Page 894, line 17, strike ``lane splitting'' and insert

``operating between lanes of slow or stopped traffic''.

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Beyer of Virginia

Page 499, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. 1632. STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION NETS

AND BARRIERS FOR STRUCTURES OTHER THAN BRIDGES.

(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to identify--

(1) the types of structures, other than bridges, that attract a high number of individuals attempting suicide-by-jumping;

(2) the characteristics that distinguish structures identified under paragraph (1) from similar structures that do not attract a high number of individuals attempting suicide-by-jumping;

(3) the types of nets or barriers that are effective at reducing suicide-by-jumping with respect to the structures identified under paragraph (1);

(4) methods of reducing suicide-by-jumping with respect to the structures identified under paragraph (1) other than nets and barriers;

(5) quantitative measures of the effectiveness of the nets and barriers identified under paragraph (3);

(6) quantitative measures of the effectiveness of the additional methods identified under paragraph (4);

(7) the entities that typically install the nets and barriers identified under paragraph (3); and

(8) the costs of the nets and barriers identified under paragraph (3).

(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

Amendment No. 4 Offered by Ms. Brownley of California

Page 192, strike lines 14 through 16 and insert the following:

``(B) Construction or installation of protective devices

(including replacement of functionally obsolete protective devices) at railway-highway crossings.''.

Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Calvert of California

At the end of title II of division L, add the following:

Subtitle A--Western Riverside County Wildlife Refuge.

SEC. 82501. ESTABLISHMENT.

The Secretary of the Interior (in this subtitle referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shall establish as a national wildlife refuge the lands, waters, and interests therein acquired under section 82504. The national wildlife refuge shall be known as the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge (in this subtitle referred to as the ``Wildlife Refuge'').

SEC. 82502. PURPOSE. THE PURPOSE OF THE WILDLIFE REFUGE SHALL

BE--

(1) to conserve, manage, and restore wildlife habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans;

(2) to conserve species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or the California Endangered Species Act (California Fish and Game Code 2050-2068), or which is a covered species under the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan;

(3) to support the recovery and protection of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and

(4) to provide for wildlife habitat connectivity and migratory corridors within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area.

SEC. 82503. NOTIFICATION OF ESTABLISHMENT. THE SECRETARY

SHALL PUBLISH NOTICE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF

THE WILDLIFE REFUGE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.

SEC. 82504. BOUNDARIES.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall include within the boundaries of the Wildlife Refuge the lands and waters within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area (as depicted on maps and described in the Final Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan dated June 17, 2003) that are owned by the Federal government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State on the date of enactment.

SEC. 82505. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General.--Upon the establishment of the Wildlife Refuge and thereafter, the Secretary shall administer all federally owned lands, waters, and interests in the Wildlife Refuge in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) and this subtitle. The Secretary may use such additional statutory authority as may be available to the Secretary for the conservation, management, and restoration of fish and wildlife and natural resources, the development of compatible wildlife dependent outdoor recreation opportunities, and the facilitation of fish and wildlife interpretation and education as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subtitle and serve the objectives of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

(b) Cooperative Agreements Regarding Non-federal Lands.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with the State of California, any political subdivision thereof, or any other person--

(1) for the management, in a manner consistent with this subtitle and the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, of lands that are owned by such State, subdivision, or other person and located within the boundaries of the Wildlife Refuge;

(2) to promote public awareness of the natural resources of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area; or

(3) to encourage public participation in the conservation of those resources.

SEC. 82506. ACQUISITION AND TRANSFERS OF LANDS AND WATERS FOR

WILDLIFE REFUGE.

(a) Acquisitions.--The Secretary shall acquire by donation, purchase with appropriated funds, or exchange the lands and water, or interest therein (including conservation easements), within the boundaries of the Wildlife Refuge, except that the lands, water, and interests therein owned by the State of California and its political subdivisions may be acquired only by donation.

(b) Transfers.--

(1) In general.--The head of any Federal department or agency, including any agency within the Department of the Interior, that has jurisdiction of any Federal property located within the boundaries of the Wildlife Refuge as described by this subtitle shall, not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Secretary an assessment of the suitability of such property for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge.

(2) Assessment.--Any assessment under paragraph (1) shall include--

(A) parcel descriptions and best existing land surveys for such property;

(B) a list of existing special reservations, designations, or purposes of the property;

(C) a list of all known or suspected hazardous substance contamination of such property, and any facilities, surface water, or groundwater on such property;

(D) the status of withdrawal of such property from--

(i) the Mineral Leasing Act; and

(ii) the General Mining Act of 1872; and

(E) a recommendation as to whether such property is or is not suitable for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge.

(3) Inclusion in wildlife refuge.--

(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, not later than 60 days after receiving an assessment submitted pursuant to paragraph (1), determine if the property described in such assessment is suitable for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge.

(B) Transfer.--If the Secretary determines the property in an assessment submitted under paragraph (1) is suitable for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge, the head of the Federal department or agency that has jurisdiction of such property shall transfer such property to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary for the purposes of this subtitle.

(4) Property unsuitable for inclusion.--Property determined by the Secretary to be unsuitable for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge based on an assessment submitted under paragraph (1) shall be subsequently transferred to the Secretary for purposes of this subtitle by the head of the department or agency that has jurisdiction of such property if such property becomes suitable for inclusion in the Wildlife Refuge as determined by the Secretary in consultation with the head of the department or agency that has jurisdiction of such property.

(5) Public access.--If property transferred to the Secretary under this subsection allows for public access at the time of transfer, such access shall be maintained unless such access--

(A) would be incompatible with the purposes of the Wildlife Refuge;

(B) would jeopardize public health or safety; or

Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. Cohen of Tennessee

Page 499, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. 1632. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY ON NATIONAL DUI

REPORTING.

(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the reporting of alcohol-impaired driving arrest and citation results into Federal databases to facilitate the widespread identification of repeat impaired driving offenders.

(b) Inclusions.--The study conducted under subsection (a) shall include a detailed assessment of--

(1) the extent to which State and local criminal justice agencies are reporting alcohol-impaired driving arrest and citation results into Federal databases;

(2) barriers on the Federal, State, and local levels to the reporting of alcohol-impaired driving arrest and citation results into Federal databases, as well as barriers to the use of those systems by criminal justice agencies;

(3) Federal, State, and local resources available to improve the reporting of alcohol-impaired driving arrest and citation results into Federal databases;

(4) recommendations for policies and programs to be carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and

(5) recommendations for programs and grant funding to be authorized by Congress.

(c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).

Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. Crawford of Arkansas

Page 607, line 7, strike ``Section'' and insert ``(b) Special Rule.--Section''.

Page 607, after line 6, insert the following:

(a) Certification.--Section 5323(u)(4) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) in the heading of subparagraph (A) by striking

``rail''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

``(C) Nonrail rolling stock.--Notwithstanding subparagraph

(B) of paragraph (5), as a condition of financial assistance made available in a fiscal year under section 5339, a recipient shall certify in that fiscal year that the recipient will not award any contract or subcontract for the procurement of rolling stock for use in public transportation with a rolling stock manufacturer described in paragraph

(1).''.

Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Cuellar of Texas

Page 499, after line 22, insert the following:2

SEC. 1632. FUTURE INTERSTATE DESIGNATION AND OPERATION.

Section 1105(e)(5)(A) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 is amended by inserting

``subclauses (I) through (IX) of subsection (c)(38)(A)(i), subsection (c)(38)(A)(iv),'' after ``subsection (c)(37),''.

Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mrs. Dingell of Michigan

At the end of title III of division L, add the following:

CHAPTER 4--___

Subchapter A--Natural Infrastructure for Wildlife Conservation and

Restoration

SEC. 83411. SHORT TITLE.

This subchapter may be cited as the ``Recovering America's Wildlife Act''.

SEC. 83412. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION SUBACCOUNT.

(a) In General.--Section 3 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669b) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$50,000,000 in fiscal year 2001'' in paragraph (2) and inserting ``$1,397,000,000 in fiscal years 2021 through 2025''; and

(2) in subsection (c), by redesignating paragraphs (2) and

(3) as paragraphs (9) and (10); and

(3) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

``(1) Establishment of subaccount.--

``(A) In general.--There is established in the fund a subaccount to be known as the `Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Subaccount' (referred to in this section as the

`Subaccount').

``(B) Availability.--Amounts in the Subaccount shall be available upon appropriation, for each fiscal year, for apportionment in accordance with this Act.

``(C) Deposits into subaccount.--For fiscal years 2021 through 2025, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer

$1,300,000,000 upon appropriation from the general fund of the treasury each fiscal year to the fund for deposit in the Subaccount.

``(2) Supplement not supplant.--Amounts transferred to the Subaccount shall supplement, but not replace, existing funds available to the States from--

``(A) the funds distributed pursuant to the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.); and

``(B) the fund.

``(3) Innovation grants.--

``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall distribute 10 percent of funds from the Subaccount through a competitive grant program to State fish and wildlife departments, the District of Columbia fish and wildlife department, fish and wildlife departments of territories, or to regional associations of fish and wildlife departments (or any group composed of more than 1 such entity).

``(B) Purpose.--Such grants shall be provided for the purpose of catalyzing innovation of techniques, tools, strategies, or collaborative partnerships that accelerate, expand, or replicate effective and measurable recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need and species listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (15 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the habitats of such species.

``(C) Review committee.--The Secretary shall appoint a review committee comprised of--

``(i) a State Director from each regional association of State fish and wildlife departments;

``(ii) the head of a department responsible for fish and wildlife management in a territory; and

``(iii) four individuals representing four different nonprofit organizations each of which is actively participating in carrying out wildlife conservation restoration activities using funds apportioned from the Subaccount.

``(D) Support from united states fish and wildlife service.--The United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall provide any personnel or administrative support services necessary for such Committee to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.

``(E) Evaluation.--Such committee shall evaluate each proposal submitted under this paragraph and recommend projects for funding. The committee shall give preference to solutions that accelerate the recovery of species identified as priorities through regional scientific assessments of species of greatest conservation need.

``(4) Use of funds.--Funds apportioned from the Subaccount--

``(A) shall be used to implement the Wildlife Conservation Strategy of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia, as required under 16 U.S.C. 669c(d), by carrying out, revising, or enhancing existing wildlife and habitat conservation and restoration programs and developing and implementing new wildlife conservation, restoration, and natural infrastructure resilience programs and partnerships to recover and manage species of greatest conservation need and the key habitats and plant community types essential to the conservation of those species as determined by the appropriate State fish and wildlife department;

``(B) shall be used to develop, revise, and enhance the Wildlife Conservation Strategy of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia, as may be required by this Act;

``(C) shall be used to assist in the recovery of species found in the State, territory, or the District of Columbia that are listed as endangered species, threatened species, candidate species or species proposed for listing, or species petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or under State law;

``(D) may be used for wildlife conservation education and wildlife-associated recreation projects and infrastructure, especially in historically underserved communities;

``(E) may be used to manage a species of greatest conservation need whose range is shared with another State, territory, Indian Tribe, or foreign government and for the conservation of the habitat of such species;

``(F) may be used to manage, control, and prevent invasive species, disease, and other risks to species of greatest conservation need; and

``(G) may be used for law enforcement activities that are directly related to the protection and conservation of a species of greatest conservation need and the habitat of such species.

``(5) Minimum required spending for endangered species recovery.--Not less than an average of 15 percent over a 5-year period of amounts apportioned to a State, territory, or the District of Columbia from the Subaccount shall be used for purposes described in paragraph (4)(C). The Secretary may reduce the minimum requirement of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia on an annual basis if the Secretary determines that the State, territory, or the District of Columbia is meeting the conservation and recovery needs of all species described in paragraph (4)(C).

``(6) Public access to private lands not required.--Funds apportioned from the Subaccount shall not be conditioned upon the provision of public access to private lands, waters, or holdings.

``(7) Requirements for matching funds.--

``(A) For the purposes of the non-Federal fund matching requirement for a wildlife conservation or restoration program or project funded by the Subaccount, a State, territory, or the District of Columbia may use as matching non-Federal funds--

``(i) funds from Federal agencies other than the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture;

``(ii) donated private lands and waters, including privately owned easements;

``(iii) in circumstances described in subparagraph (B), revenue generated through the sale of State hunting and fishing licenses; and

``(iv) other sources consistent with part 80 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, in effect on the date of enactment of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2019.

``(B) Revenue described in subparagraph (A)(iii) may only be used to fulfill the requirements of such non-Federal fund matching requirement if--

``(i) no Federal funds apportioned to the State fish and wildlife department of such State from the Wildlife Restoration Program or the Sport Fish Restoration Program have been reverted because of a failure to fulfill such non-Federal fund matching requirement by such State during the previous 2 years; and

``(ii) the project or program being funded benefits the habitat of a hunted or fished species and a species of greatest conservation need.

``(C) No State, territory or the District of Columbia shall be required to provide non-Federal matching funds for this program through fiscal year 2025.

``(8) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following definitions apply:

``(A) Species of greatest conservation need.--The term

`species of greatest conservation need' may be fauna or flora, and may include terrestrial, aquatic, marine, and invertebrate species that are of low population, declining, rare, or facing threats and in need of conservation attention, as determined by each State fish and wildlife department, with respect to funds apportioned to such State.

``(B) Partnerships.--The term `partnerships' may include, but are not limited to, collaborative efforts with Federal agencies, State agencies, local agencies, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, industry groups, and private individuals to implement a State's Wildlife Conservation Strategy.

``(C) Territory and territories.--The terms `territory' and

`territories' mean the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.

``(D) Wildlife.--The term `wildlife' means any species of wild, freeranging fauna, including fish, and also any fauna in captive breeding programs the object of which is to reintroduce individuals of a depleted indigenous species into previously occupied range.''.

(b) Allocation and Apportionment of Available Amounts.--Section 4 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act

(16 U.S.C. 669c) is amended--

(1) by redesignating the second subsection (c), relating to the apportionment of the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account, and subsection (d) as subsections (d) and (e) respectively;

(2) in subsection (d), as redesignated--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``to the District of Columbia and to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, each'' and inserting ``To the District of Columbia'';

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``to Guam'' and inserting ``To Guam'';

(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``not more than one-fourth of one percent'' and inserting ``not less than one-third of one percent''

(iv) by adding at the end the following:

``(C) To the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a sum equal to not less than 1 percent thereof.'';

(B) in paragraph (2)(A), as redesignated--

(i) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:

``(i) one-half of which is based on the ratio to which the land and water area of such State bears to the total land and water area of all such States;'';

(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``two-thirds'' and inserting ``one-quarter''; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

``(iii) one-quarter of which is based upon the ratio to which the number of species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (15 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) in such State bears to the total number of such species listed in all such States.'';

``(B) The amounts apportioned under this paragraph shall be adjusted equitably so that no such State, unless otherwise designated, shall be apportioned a sum which is less than one percent or more than five percent of the amount available for apportionment under--

``(i) paragraph (2)(A)(i) of this section;

``(ii) paragraph (2)(A)(ii) of this section; and

``(iii) the overall amount available for section (2)(A).

``(C) States that include plants among their species of greatest conservation need and in the conservation planning and habitat prioritization efforts of their Wildlife Conservation Strategy shall receive an additional 5 percent of their apportioned amount.'';

(D) in paragraph (3), by striking ``3 percent'' and inserting ``1.85 percent'';

(3) by amending subsection (e)(4)(B), as redesignated, to read as follows:

``(B) Not more than an average of 15 percent over a 5-year period of amounts apportioned to each State under this section for a State's wildlife conservation and restoration program may be used for wildlife conservation education and wildlife-associated recreation.''; and

(4) by adding at the end following:

``(f) Minimization of Planning and Reporting.--Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to require a State to create a comprehensive strategy related to conservation education or outdoor recreation.

``(g) Accountability.--Not more than one year after the date of enactment of the Recovering America's Wildlife Act of 2019 and every three years thereafter, each State fish and wildlife department shall submit a three-year work plan and budget for implementing its Wildlife Conservation Strategy and a report describing the results derived from activities accomplished under paragraph (4) during the previous three years to--

``(1) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate;

``(2) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and

``(3) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.''.

SEC. 83413. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

(a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a) is amended--

(1) by striking paragraph (5);

(2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; and

(3) in paragraph (6), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by inserting ``Indian Tribes, academic institutions,'' before

``wildlife conservation organizations''.

(b) Conforming Amendments.--The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669a et seq.) is amended--

(1) in section 3--

(A) in subsection (a)--

(i) by striking ``(1) An amount equal to'' and inserting

``An amount equal to''; and

(ii) by striking paragraph (2);

(B) in subsection (c)--

(i) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by section 101(a)(1), by striking ``or an Indian tribe''; and

(ii) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by section 101(a)(1), by striking ``Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account'' and inserting ``Subaccount''; and

(2) in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 669c)--

(A) in subsection (d), as redesignated--

(i) in the heading, by striking ``Account'' and inserting

``Subaccount''; and

(ii) by striking ``Account'' each place it appears and inserting ``Subaccount''; and

(B) in subsection (e)(1), as redesignated, by striking

``Account'' and inserting ``Subaccount''; and

(3) in section 8 (16 U.S.C. 669g), in subsection (a), by striking ``Account'' and inserting ``Subaccount''.

SEC. 83414. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) is amended--

(1) by redesignating section 13 as section 15; and

(2) by inserting after section 12 the following:

``SEC. 13. SAVINGS CLAUSE.

``Nothing in this Act shall be construed to enlarge or diminish the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of a State to manage, control, or regulate fish and wildlife under the law and regulations of the State on lands and waters within the State, including on Federal lands and waters.

``SEC. 14. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION WITH RESPECT TO ALASKA.

``If any conflict arises between any provision of this Act and any provision of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public Law 46-487, 16 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), then the provision in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act shall prevail.''.

Subchapter B--Natural Infrastructure for Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration

SEC. 83421. INDIAN TRIBES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section--

(1) Account.--The term ``Account'' means the Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account established by subsection (c)(1).

(2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4) Tribal species of greatest conservation need.--The term

``Tribal species of greatest conservation need'' means any species identified by an Indian Tribe as requiring conservation management because of declining population, habitat loss, or other threats, or because of their biological or cultural importance to such Tribe.

(5) Wildlife.--The term ``wildlife'' means--

(A) any species of wild flora or fauna including fish and marine mammals;

(B) flora or fauna in a captive breeding, rehabilitation, and holding or quarantine program, the object of which is to reintroduce individuals of a depleted indigenous species into previously occupied range or to maintain a species for conservation purposes; and

(b) Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account.--

(1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury an account to be known as the ``Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account''.

(2) Availability.--Amounts in the Account shall be available for each fiscal year upon appropriation for apportionment in accordance with this title.

(3) Deposits.--For fiscal year 2021 through 2025, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer $97,500,000 upon appropriation to the Account.

(c) Distribution of Funds to Indian Tribes.--Each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit funds into the Account and distribute such funds through a noncompetitive application process according to guidelines, and criteria, and reporting requirements determined by the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, in consultation with Indian Tribes. Such funds shall remain available until expended.

(d) Wildlife Management Responsibilities.--The distribution guidelines and criteria described in subsection (d) shall be based, in part, upon Indian Tribes' wildlife management responsibilities.

(e) Use of Funds.--

(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may distribute funds from the Account to an Indian Tribe for any of the following purposes:

(A) To develop, carry out, revise, or enhance wildlife conservation and restoration programs to manage Tribal species of greatest conservation need and the habitats of such species as determined by the Indian Tribe.

(B) To assist in the recovery of species listed as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

(D) To manage a Tribal species of greatest conservation need and the habitat of such species, the range of which may be shared with a foreign country, State, or other Indian Tribe.

(E) To manage, control, and prevent invasive species as well as diseases and other risks to wildlife.

(F) For law enforcement activities that are directly related to the protection and conservation of wildlife.

(G) To develop, revise, and implement comprehensive wildlife conservation strategies and plans for such Tribe.

(H) For the hiring and training of wildlife conservation and restoration program staff.

(2) Conditions on the use of funds.--

(A) Required use of funds.--In order to be eligible to receive funds under subsection (d), a Tribe's application must include a proposal to use funds for at least one of the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph

(1).

(B) Imperiled species recovery.--In distributing funds under this section, the Secretary shall distribute not less than 15 percent of the total funds distributed to proposals to fund the recovery of a species, subspecies, or distinct population segment listed as a threatened species, endangered species, or candidate species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or Tribal law.

(C) Limitation.--In distributing funds under this section, the Secretary shall distribute not more than 15 percent of all funds distributed under this section for the purpose described in paragraph (1)(C).

(f) No Matching Funds Required.--No Indian Tribe shall be required to provide matching funds to be eligible to receive funds under this Act.

(g) Public Access Not Required.--Funds apportioned from the Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account shall not be conditioned upon the provision of public or non-Tribal access to Tribal or private lands, waters, or holdings.

(h) Administrative Costs.--Of the funds deposited under subsection (c)(3) for each fiscal year, not more than 3 percent shall be used by the Secretary for administrative costs.

(i) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed as modifying or abrogating a treaty with any Indian Tribe, or as enlarging or diminishing the authority, jurisdiction, or responsibility of an Indian Tribe to manage, control, or regulate wildlife.

amendment no. 10 offered by mr. garcia of illinois

Page 389, line 25, insert ``, and make recommendations for developing and utilizing transportation and traffic demand models with a demonstrated record of accuracy'' before the period.

Page 390, line 13, insert ``, including an analysis of the level of accuracy of forecasts and possible reasons for large discrepancies'' before the semicolon.

Page 392, after line 14, insert the following:

(5) Working with affected communities.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with, and collect data and input from, representatives of--

(A) the Department of Transportation;

(B) State departments of transportation;

(D) local governments;

(E) providers of public transportation;

(F) nonprofit entities related to transportation, including safety, cycling, disability, and equity groups; and

(G) any other stakeholders, as determined by the Secretary.

Page 392, after line 24, insert the following:

(d) Update Guidance and Regulations.--The Secretary shall--

(1) update Department of Transportation guidance and procedures to utilize best practices documented throughout the Federal program; and

(2) ensure that best practices included in the report are incorporated into appropriate regulations as such regulations are updated.

(e) Continuing Improvement.--The Secretary shall set out a process to repeat the study under this section every 2 years as part of the conditions and performance report, including--

(1) progress in the accuracy of model projections;

(2) further recommendations for improvement; and

(3) further changes to guidance, regulation, and procedures required for the Department of Transportation to adopt best practices.

amendment no. 11 offered by mr. gianforte of montana

Page 1907, after line 24, insert the following:

SEC. 81253. CONTINUED USE OF PICK-SLOAN MISSOURI BASIN

PROGRAM PROJECT USE POWER BY THE KINSEY

IRRIGATION COMPANY AND THE SIDNEY WATER USERS

IRRIGATION DISTRICT.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--

(1) the Act of May 18, 1938 (52 Stat. 403, chapter 250; 16 U.S.C. 833 et seq.), authorized the completion, maintenance, and operation of the Fort Peck project;

(2) section 2 of that Act (52 Stat. 404, chapter 250; 16 U.S.C. 833a) authorized and directed the Bureau of Reclamation--

(A) to transmit and sell electric energy generated by the Fort Peck project; and

(B) ``to interconnect the Fort Peck project with either private or with other Federal projects and publicly owned power systems now or hereafter constructed.'';

(3) section 9 of the Act of December 22, 1944 (commonly known as the ``Flood Control Act of 1944'') (58 Stat. 891, chapter 665)--

(A) authorized the Missouri River Basin Project, now known as the ``Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program'');

(B) approved the comprehensive plan for the Program set forth in Senate Document 191 and House Document 475, as revised and coordinated by Senate Document 247, 78th Congress;

(D) incorporated the Fort Peck project as part of the Program;

(4) in 1946, the Bureau of Reclamation entered into project use power contracts to provide the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the predecessor of the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District electrical service under the authority of the Act of May 18, 1938 (52 Stat. 403, chapter 250; 16 U.S.C. 833 et seq.);

(5) since 1946, the Bureau of Reclamation has approved 9 modifications to the project use power contracts between the Bureau of Reclamation, the Kinsey Irrigation Company, and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District;

(6) the project use power contracts in effect on the date of enactment of this Act provide electric service to the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District at the Program rate of 2.5 mills per kilowatt-hour, including wheeling, through 2020; and

(7) the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District have reasonably relied on the authority of the Act of May 18, 1938 (52 Stat. 403, chapter 250; 16 U.S.C. 833 et seq.), and the fact that the Bureau of Reclamation has treated the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District as irrigation pumping units of the Program for more than 74 years.

(b) Authorization.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subsection (c), the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation) shall continue to treat the irrigation pumping units known as the ``Kinsey Irrigation Company'' in Custer County, Montana, and the ``Sidney Water Users Irrigation District'' in Richland County, Montana, or any successor to the Kinsey Irrigation Company or Sidney Water Users Irrigation District, as irrigation pumping units of the Program for the purposes of wheeling, administration, and payment of project use power.

(c) Limitation.--The quantity of power to be provided to the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District (including any successor to the Kinsey Irrigation Company or the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District) under subsection (b) may not exceed the maximum quantity of power provided to the Kinsey Irrigation Company and the Sidney Water Users Irrigation District under the applicable contract for electric service in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

amendment no. 12 offered by miss gonzalez-colon of puerto rico

Page 1913, after line 18, insert the following:

SEC. 81314. PUERTO RICO WATERSMART GRANTS ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Puerto Rico WaterSMART Grants Eligibility Act''.

(b) Watersmart Grants and Agreements.--Section 9504 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10364) is amended in subsection (a)(2)(A)--

(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'';

(2) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' and inserting

``or''; and

(3) by inserting after clause (iii), the following:

``(iv) Puerto Rico; and''.

amendment no. 13 offered by miss gonzalez-colon of puerto rico

Page 797, after line 5, insert the following:

SEC. 4310. APPLICATION OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

(a) Definition.--Section 31301(14) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by striking ``and'' and inserting a comma; and

(2) by inserting ``, and Puerto Rico'' before the period.

(b) Implementation.--The Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall work with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on obtaining full compliance with chapter 313 of title 49, United States Code, and regulations adopted under that chapter.

(c) Grace Period.--Notwithstanding section 31311(a) of title 49, United States Code, during a 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall not be subject to a withholding of an apportionment of funds under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code, for failure to comply with any requirement under section 31311(a) of title 49, United States Code.

amendment no. 14 offered by mr. graves of louisiana

On page 1975, line 16, after ``fishing vessel'' insert ``or employ a fisherman that has been significantly impacted by unfair methods of competition or other actions from foreign governments, as determined by the United States Trade Representative, to supplant domestic seafood production or fish products;''.

amendment no. 15 offered by mr. grothman of wisconsin

Page 1540, after line 17, insert the following:

SEC. 33178. CONSIDERATION OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

Section 18 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 811) is amended by inserting ``In prescribing a fishway, the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, shall consider the threat of invasive species.'' before ``The license applicant and any party to the proceeding shall be entitled to a determination on the record,''.

amendment no. 16 offered by mr. hastings of florida

Page 198, line 12, strike the closing quotation marks and the semicolon and insert the following:

``(20) roads in rural areas that primarily serve to transport agricultural products from a farm or ranch to a marketplace.'';

Page 205, strike lines 12 through 21 and insert the following:

(8) in subsection (g)--

(A) in the heading by striking ``5,000'' and inserting

``50,000''; and

(B) in paragraph (1), by striking subsection (d)(1)(A)(ii) and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``clauses (iii) and (iv) of subsection (d)(1)(A) for each fiscal year may be obligated on roads functionally classified as rural minor collectors or local roads or on critical rural freight corridors designated under section 167(e).''.

amendment no. 17 offered by mr. keller of pennsylvania

Page 674, after line 2, insert the following:

SEC. 2806. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INNOVATION.

Section 5312(h)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (G).

amendment no. 18 offered by mr. krishnamoorthi of illinois

Page 731, line 22, strike ``(B) and (C)'' and insert ``(B),

(C), and (D)''.

Page 732, after line 14, insert the following:

``(D) Texting while driving.--Notwithstanding subparagraphs

(B) and (C), a State shall be allocated 25 percent of the amount calculated under subparagraph (A) if such State has enacted and is enforcing a law that prohibits a driver from viewing a personal wireless communication device, except for the purpose of navigation.''.

amendment no. 19 offered by mr. lowenthal of california

Page 934, after line 19, insert the following:

SEC. ____. UNIVERSAL ELECTRONIC IDENTIFIER.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final motor vehicle safety standard that requires a commercial motor vehicle manufactured after the effective date of such standard to be equipped with a universal electronic vehicle identifier that--

(1) identifies the vehicle to roadside inspectors for enforcement purposes;

(2) does not transmit personally identifiable information regarding operators; and

(3) does not create an undue cost burden for operators and carriers.

amendment no. 20 offered by mr. mckinley of west virginia

In division G, at the end of subtitle A of title III, add the following:

CHAPTER 10--CARBON CAPTURE UTILIZATION AND STORAGE

SEC. 33191. SUPPORTING CARBON CAPTURE UTILIZATION AND

STORAGE.

(a) Repeal of Clean Coal Power Initiative.--Subtitle A of title IV of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15961 et seq.) is repealed.

(b) Fossil Energy Objectives.--Section 961(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16291(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(8) Improving the conversion, use, and storage of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels.

``(9) Lowering greenhouse gas emissions across the fossil fuel cycle to the maximum extent possible, including emissions from all fossil fuel production, generation, delivery, and utilization.

``(10) Preventing, predicting, monitoring, and mitigating the unintended leaking of methane, carbon dioxide, and other fossil fuel-related emissions into the atmosphere.

``(11) Reducing water use, improving water reuse, and minimizing the surface and subsurface environmental impact of the development of unconventional domestic oil and natural gas resources.

``(12) Developing carbon removal and utilization technologies, products, and methods that result in net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, including direct air capture and storage and carbon use and reuse for commercial application.''.

(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy shall establish a carbon capture and utilization technology commercialization program to significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, cost, and environmental performance of fossil fuel-fired facilities.

(2) Inclusions.--The program shall include funding for--

(A) front end engineering design studies for commercial demonstration projects for at least 3 types of advanced carbon capture technology and at least 1 type of direct air capture technology;

(B) commercial demonstration of advanced carbon capture technology projects intended to produce a standard design specification for up to 5 demonstrations of a particular technology type;

(C) commercial demonstration of direct air capture technology projects intended to produce a standard design specification for up to 5 demonstrations of a particular technology type; and

(D) commercialization projects of large-scale carbon dioxide storage sites in saline geological formations that are designed to accept at least 10,000,000 tons per year of carbon dioxide, including activities exploring, categorizing, and developing storage sites and necessary pipeline infrastructure.

(3) Funding.--

(A) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated for activities--

(i) under paragraph (2)(A), $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(ii) under paragraph (2)(B), $1,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030;

(iii) under paragraph (2)(C), $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030; and

(iv) under paragraph (2)(D), $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

(B) Cost sharing.--Federal grants under this section shall be limited as follows:

(i) For activities under paragraph (2)(A), the Secretary shall provide not more than 80 percent of project funds.

(ii) For activities under any of subparagraphs (B) through

(D) of paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide not more than 50 percent of project funds.

(d) Direct Air Capture Technology Prize Program.--

(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:

(A) Qualified carbon dioxide.--

(i) In general.--The term ``qualified carbon dioxide'' means any carbon dioxide that--

(I) is captured directly from the ambient air; and

(II) is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of disposal, injection, or utilization.

(ii) Inclusion.--The term ``qualified carbon dioxide'' includes the initial deposit of captured carbon dioxide used as a tertiary injectant.

(iii) Exclusion.--The term ``qualified carbon dioxide'' does not include carbon dioxide that is recaptured, recycled, and reinjected as part of the enhanced oil and natural gas recovery process.

(B) Qualified direct air capture facility.--

(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the term

``qualified direct air capture facility'' means any facility that--

(I) uses carbon capture equipment to capture carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air; and

(II) captures more than 10,000 metric tons of qualified carbon dioxide annually.

(ii) Exclusion.--The term ``qualified direct air capture facility'' does not include any facility that captures carbon dioxide--

(I) that is deliberately released from naturally occurring subsurface springs; or

(II) using natural photosynthesis.

(2) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall establish a direct air capture prize program designed to significantly reward development, demonstration, and deployment of direct air capture technologies.

(3) Direct air capture prize program.--

(A) Awards.--Under the prize program, the Secretary shall provide financial awards in a competitive setting equally for each ton of qualified carbon dioxide captured by a qualified direct air capture facility until appropriated funds are expended. The prize per metric ton shall not exceed--

(i) $180 for qualified carbon dioxide captured and stored in saline storage formations;

(ii) a lesser amount as determined by the Secretary for qualified carbon dioxide captured and stored in conjunction with enhanced oil recovery operations; or

(iii) a lesser amount as determined by the Secretary for qualified carbon dioxide captured and utilized in any activity consistent with section 45Q(f)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 45Q(f)(5)).

(B) Administration.--

(i) Requirements.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit requirements for qualifying metric tons of carbon dioxide. In carrying out this clause, the Administrator shall develop specific requirements for--

(I) the process of applying for prizes; and

(II) the demonstration of performance of approved projects.

(ii) Determination.--For purposes of determining the amount of metric tons of qualified carbon dioxide eligible for prizes under clause (i), the amount shall be equal to the net metric tons of carbon dioxide removal demonstrated by the recipient, subject to the requirements set forth by the Administrator under such clause.

(C) Schedule of payment.--The Secretary shall award prizes on an annual basis to qualified direct air capture facilities for metric tons of qualified carbon dioxide captured and verified at the point of disposal, injection, or utilization.

(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $200,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and

$400,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended.

(e) Increased Funding for Injection Well Permitting.--

(1) Authorization of appropriations.--For activities involved in the permitting by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of Class VI wells for the injection of carbon dioxide for the purpose of geologic sequestration in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Administrator on December 10, 2010 (75 Fed. Reg. 77230), there are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

(2) State permitting programs.--

(A) Grants.--The Administrator shall provide grants to States that receive program approval for permitting Class VI wells for the injection of carbon dioxide pursuant to section 1422 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300h-1), for the purpose of defraying State expenses related to the establishment and operation of such State permitting programs.

(B) Authorization of appropriations.--For State grants described in subparagraph (A), there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

amendment no. 21 offered by mr. rouda of california

Page 1220, after line 11, insert the following:

TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS

SEC. 26001. SMART WATER INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT GRANTS.

Title II of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 222. SMART WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY.

``(a) Policy.--It is the policy of the United States to support the modernization of the Nation's publicly owned treatment works to maintain reliable and affordable water quality infrastructure that addresses demand impacts, including resiliency to improve public health and natural resources.

``(b) Grants.--

``(1) Grants to treatment works.--The Administrator shall make direct grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works for planning, design, construction, and operations training of--

``(A) intelligent wastewater collection systems and stormwater management operations, including technologies that rely on--

``(i) real-time monitoring, embedded intelligence, and predictive maintenance capabilities that improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and resiliency of wastewater pumping systems;

``(ii) real-time sensors that provide continuous monitoring of wastewater collection system water quality to support the optimization of stormwater and wastewater collection systems, with a priority for water quality impacts; and

``(iii) the use of artificial intelligence and other intelligent optimization tools that reduce operational costs, including operational costs relating to energy consumption and chemical treatment; and

``(B) innovative and alternative combined sewer and stormwater control projects, including groundwater banking, that rely upon real-time data acquisition to support predictive aquifer recharge through water reuse and stormwater management capabilities.

``(2) Rural communities set-aside.--Of amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (h), the Administrator use not more than 20 percent to make grants to communities with populations not greater than 10,000.

``(c) Cost-share.--The non-Federal share of the costs of an activity carried out using a grant under subsection (b) shall be 25 percent.

``(d) Exception.--The Administrator may waive the cost-share requirement of subsection (c) if the Administrator determines such cost-share would be financially unreasonable due to a community's ability to comply with such cost-share requirement.

``(e) Program Implementation.--

``(1) Guidance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall issue guidance to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works on how to apply for assistance.

``(2) Decision on applications.--The Administrator shall make a determination of whether to make a grant to an applicant within 30 days of receipt of an application. In the case that the Administrator determines an application is deficient, the applicant shall be advised of any such deficiencies and provided the opportunity to resubmit the application.

``(3) Disbursement.--A grant shall be made not later than 60 days after the date on which the Administrator approves an application.

``(f) Compliance With Buy America.--The requirements of section 608 shall apply to funds granted under this section.

``(g) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing projects funded under this section, results in improving the resiliency of publicly owned treatment works, and recommendations to improve the achievement of the program's policy. For purposes of the first report to Congress, the Administrator shall report on the program's implementation, including a description of projects approved and those disapproved. In providing such information, the Administrator shall detail the reasons that a project was not awarded assistance.

``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated $500,000,000 to carry out this section, to remain available until expended.''.

amendment no. 22 offered by mr. ruiz of california

After section 34105, insert the following:

SEC. 34106. ACCESS ROAD FOR DESERT SAGE YOUTH WELLNESS

CENTER.

(a) Acquisition of Land.--

(1) Authorization.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Indian Health Service, is authorized to acquire, from willing sellers, the land in Hemet, California, upon which is located a dirt road known as ``Best Road'', beginning at the driveway of the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center at Faure Road and extending to the junction of Best Road and Sage Road.

(2) Compensation.--The Secretary shall pay fair market value for the land authorized to be acquired under paragraph

(1). Fair market value shall be determined--

(A) using Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and

(B) by an appraiser acceptable to the Secretary and the owners of the land to be acquired.

(3) Additional rights.--In addition to the land referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary is authorized to acquire, from willing sellers, land or interests in land as reasonably necessary to construct and maintain the road as required by subsection (b).

(b) Construction and Maintenance of Road.--

(1) Construction.--After the Secretary acquires the land pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall construct on that land a paved road that is generally located over Best Road to facilitate access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center in Hemet, California.

(2) Maintenance.--The Secretary--

(A) shall maintain and manage the road constructed pursuant to paragraph (1); or

(B) enter into an agreement with Riverside County, California, to own, maintain and manage the road constructed pursuant to paragraph (1).

amendment no. 23 offered by mr. sarbanes of maryland

Insert the following at the end of title III of division L:

CHAPTER 4--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 83501 REAUTHORIZATION OF CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND

WATERTRAILS NETWORK.

Section 502(c) of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998

(54 U.S.C. 320101 note; Public Law 105-312) is amended by striking ``2019'' and inserting ``2025''.

amendment no. 24 offered by mr. scott of virginia

At the end of division H, add the following:

SEC. 40002. DEFINITIONS.

In this division:

(1) Chesapeake bay agreements.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay agreements'' means the formal, voluntary agreements--

(A) executed to achieve the goal of restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem and the living resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed ecosystem; and

(B) signed by the Chesapeake Executive Council.

(2) Chesapeake bay program.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay program'' means the program directed by the Chesapeake Executive Council in accordance with the Chesapeake Bay agreements.

(3) Chesapeake bay watershed.--The term ``Chesapeake Bay watershed'' means the region that covers--

(A) the Chesapeake Bay;

(B) the portions of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia that drain into the Chesapeake Bay; and

(4) Chesapeake executive council.--The term ``Chesapeake Executive Council'' means the council comprised of--

(A) the Governors of each of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia;

(B) the Mayor of the District of Columbia;

(D) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(5) Chesapeake wild program.--The term ``Chesapeake WILD program'' means the nonregulatory program established by the Secretary under section 40003(a).

(6) Grant program.--The term ``grant program'' means the Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense grant program established by the Secretary under section 40004(a).

(7) Restoration and protection activity.--The term

``restoration and protection activity'' means an activity carried out for the conservation, stewardship, and enhancement of habitat for fish and wildlife--

(A) to preserve and improve ecosystems and ecological processes on which the fish and wildlife depend; and

(B) for use and enjoyment by the public.

(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

SEC. 40003. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.

(a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a nonregulatory program, to be known as the ``Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense program''.

(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Chesapeake WILD program include--

(1) coordinating restoration and protection activities among Federal, State, local, and regional entities and conservation partners throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(2) engaging other agencies and organizations to build a broader range of partner support, capacity, and potential funding for projects in the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(3) carrying out coordinated restoration and protection activities, and providing for technical assistance, throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed--

(A) to sustain and enhance restoration and protection activities;

(B) to improve and maintain water quality to support fish and wildlife, habitats of fish and wildlife, and drinking water for people;

(C) to sustain and enhance water management for volume and flood damage mitigation improvements to benefit fish and wildlife habitat;

(D) to improve opportunities for public access and recreation in the Chesapeake Bay watershed consistent with the ecological needs of fish and wildlife habitat;

(E) to facilitate strategic planning to maximize the resilience of natural ecosystems and habitats under changing watershed conditions;

(F) to utilize green infrastructure or natural infrastructure best management practices to enhance fish and wildlife habitat;

(G) to engage the public through outreach, education, and citizen involvement to increase capacity and support for coordinated restoration and protection activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(H) to sustain and enhance vulnerable communities and fish and wildlife habitat;

(I) to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and plant corridors; and

(J) to increase scientific capacity to support the planning, monitoring, and research activities necessary to carry out coordinated restoration and protection activities.

(1) draw on existing plans for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, or portions of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Chesapeake Bay agreements, and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including Chesapeake Bay program partners, such as the Federal Government, State and local governments, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and other regional organizations, as appropriate, to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed;

(2) adopt a Chesapeake Bay watershed-wide strategy that--

(A) supports the implementation of a shared set of science-based restoration and protection activities developed in accordance with paragraph (1); and

(B) targets cost-effective projects with measurable results; and

(3) establish the grant program in accordance with section 40004.

(d) Coordination.--In establishing the Chesapeake WILD program, the Secretary shall consult, as appropriate, with--

(1) the heads of Federal agencies, including--

(A) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(B) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(D) the Chief of Engineers;

(E) the Director of the United States Geological Survey;

(F) the Secretary of Transportation;

(G) the Chief of the Forest Service; and

(H) the head of any other applicable agency;

(2) the Governors of each of the States of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia and the Mayor of the District of Columbia;

(3) fish and wildlife joint venture partnerships; and

(4) other public agencies and organizations with authority for the planning and implementation of conservation strategies in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

SEC. 40004. GRANTS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Chesapeake Wild Grant Program.--To the extent that funds are made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall establish and carry out, as part of the Chesapeake WILD program, a voluntary grant and technical assistance program, to be known as the ``Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense grant program'', to provide competitive matching grants of varying amounts and technical assistance to eligible entities described in subsection (b) to carry out activities described in section 40003(b).

(b) Eligible Entities.--The following entities are eligible to receive a grant and technical assistance under the grant program:

(1) A State.

(2) The District of Columbia.

(3) A unit of local government.

(4) A nonprofit organization.

(5) An institution of higher education.

(6) Any other entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate in accordance with the criteria established under subsection (c).

(c) Criteria.--The Secretary, in consultation with officials and entities described in section 40003(d), shall establish criteria for the grant program to help ensure that activities funded under this section--

(1) accomplish 1 or more of the purposes described in section 40003(b); and

(2) advance the implementation of priority actions or needs identified in the Chesapeake Bay watershed-wide strategy adopted under section 40003(c)(2).

(d) Cost Sharing.--

(1) Department of the interior share.--The Department of the Interior share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Non-department of the interior share.--

(A) In general.--The non-Department of the Interior share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program may be provided in cash or in the form of an in-kind contribution of services or materials.

(B) Other federal funding.--Non-Department of the Interior Federal funds may be used for not more than 25 percent of the total cost of a project funded under the grant program.

(e) Administration.--The Secretary may enter into an agreement to manage the grant program with an organization that offers grant management services.

SEC. 40005. REPORTING.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the implementation of sections 40002 through 40006 of this Act, including a description of each project that has received funding under this Act.

SEC. 40006. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out sections 40002 through 40006 of this Act.

(b) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under subsection (a) shall supplement, and not supplant, funding for other activities conducted by the Secretary in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

amendment no. 25 offered by mr. walberg of michigan

Page 718, line 15, strike ``race and ethnicity'' and insert

``race, ethnicity, and mode of transportation''.

amendment no. 26 offered by mr. walden of oregon

Page 157, after line 23, insert the following:

SEC. 1118. FEDERAL GRANTS FOR PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE SAFETY

IMPROVEMENTS.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any provision of title 23, United States Code, or any regulation issued by the Secretary of Transportation, section 129(a)(3) of such title shall not apply to a covered public authority that receives funding under such title for pedestrian and bike safety improvements.

(b) No Toll.--A covered public authority may not charge a toll, fee, or other levy for use of such improvements.

(c) Effective Date.--A covered public authority shall be eligible for the exemption under subsection (a) for 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act. Any such exemption granted shall remain in effect after the effective date described in this section.

(d) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) Covered public authority.--The term ``covered public authority'' means a public authority with jurisdiction over a toll facility located within both--

(A) a National Scenic Area; and

(B) the National Trail System.

(2) National scenic area.--The term ``National Scenic Area'' means an area of the National Forest System federally designated as a National Scenic Area in recognition of the outstanding natural, scenic, and recreational values of the area.

(3) National trail system.--The term ``National Trail System'' means an area described in section 3 of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1242).

(4) Public authority; toll facility.--The terms ``public authority'' and ``toll facility'' have the meanings such terms would have if such terms were included in chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code.

amendment no. 27 offered by mr. welch of vermont

In subtitle B of title III of division G, strike subchapter A of chapter 1 and insert the following:

Subchapter A--HOPE for HOMES

SEC. 33201. DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) Contractor certification.--The term ``contractor certification'' means an industry recognized certification that may be obtained by a residential contractor to advance the expertise and education of the contractor in energy efficiency retrofits of residential buildings, including--

(A) a certification provided by--

(i) the Building Performance Institute;

(ii) the Air Conditioning Contractors of America;

(iii) the National Comfort Institute;

(iv) the North American Technician Excellence;

(v) RESNET;

(vi) the United States Green Building Council; or

(vii) Home Innovation Research Labs; and

(B) any other certification the Secretary determines appropriate for purposes of the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program.

(2) Contractor company.--The term ``contractor company'' means a company--

(A) the business of which is to provide services to residential building owners with respect to HVAC systems, insulation, air sealing, or other services that are approved by the Secretary;

(B) that holds the licenses and insurance required by the State in which the company provides services; and

(C) that provides services for which a partial system rebate, measured performance rebate, or modeled performance rebate may be provided pursuant to the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program.

(3) Energy audit.--The term ``energy audit'' means an inspection, survey, and analysis of the energy use of a building, including the building envelope and HVAC system.

(4) Home.--The term ``home'' means a residential dwelling unit in a building with no more than 4 dwelling units that--

(A) is located in the United States;

(B) was constructed before the date of enactment of this Act; and

(5) Home energy savings retrofit rebate program.--The term

``Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program'' means the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program established under section 33203.

(6) Homeowner.--The term ``homeowner'' means the owner of an owner-occupied home or a tenant-occupied home.

(7) Home valuation certification.--The term ``home valuation certification'' means the following home assessments:

(A) Home Energy Score.

(B) PEARL Certification.

(D) LEED.

(E) Any other assessment the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(8) HOPE qualification.--The term ``HOPE Qualification'' means the qualification described in section 33202B.

(9) HOPE training credit.--The term ``HOPE training credit'' means a HOPE training task credit or a HOPE training supplemental credit.

(10) HOPE training task credit.--The term ``HOPE training task credit'' means a credit described in section 33202A(a).

(11) HOPE training supplemental credit.--The term ``HOPE training supplemental credit'' means a credit described in section 33202A(b).

(12) HVAC system.--The term ``HVAC system'' means a system--

(A) consisting of a heating component, a ventilation component, and an air-conditioning component; and

(B) which components may include central air conditioning, a heat pump, a furnace, a boiler, a rooftop unit, and a window unit.

(13) Measured performance rebate.--The term ``measured performance rebate'' means a rebate provided in accordance with section 33203B and described in subsection (e) of that section.

(14) Modeled performance rebate.--The term ``modeled performance rebate'' means a rebate provided in accordance with section 33203B and described in subsection (d) of that section.

(15) Moderate income.--The term ``moderate income'' means, with respect to a household, a household with an annual income that is less than 80 percent of the area median income, as determined annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(16) Partial system rebate.--The term ``partial system rebate'' means a rebate provided in accordance with section 33203A.

(17) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

(18) State.--The term ``State'' includes--

(A) a State;

(B) the District of Columbia;

(D) Guam;

(E) American Samoa;

(F) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;

(G) the United States Virgin Islands; and

(H) any other territory or possession of the United States.

(19) State energy office.--The term ``State energy office'' means the office or agency of a State responsible for developing the State energy conservation plan for the State under section 362 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act

(42 U.S.C. 6322).

PART 1--HOPE TRAINING

SEC. 33202. NOTICE FOR HOPE QUALIFICATION TRAINING AND

GRANTS.

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Building Technologies Office of the Department of Energy, shall issue a notice that includes--

(1) criteria established under section 33202A for approval by the Secretary of courses for which credits may be issued for purposes of a HOPE Qualification;

(2) a list of courses that meet such criteria and are so approved; and

(3) information on how individuals and entities may apply for grants under this part.

SEC. 33202A. COURSE CRITERIA.

(a) HOPE Training Task Credit.--

(1) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish criteria for approval of a course for which a credit, to be known as a HOPE training task credit, may be issued, including that such course--

(A) is equivalent to at least 30 hours in total course time;

(B) is accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council or is determined to be equivalent by the Secretary;

(C) is, with respect to a particular job, aligned with the relevant National Renewable Energy Laboratory Job Task Analysis, or other credentialing program foundation that helps identify the necessary core knowledge areas, critical work functions, or skills, as approved by the Secretary;

(D) has established learning objectives; and

(E) includes, as the Secretary determines appropriate, an appropriate assessment of such learning objectives that may include a final exam, to be proctored on-site or through remote proctoring, or an in-person field exam.

(2) Included courses.--The Secretary shall approve one or more courses that meet the criteria described in paragraph

(1) for training related to--

(A) contractor certification;

(B) energy auditing or assessment;

(D) insulation installation and air leakage control;

(E) health and safety regarding the installation of energy efficiency measures or health and safety impacts associated with energy efficiency retrofits; and

(F) indoor air quality.

(b) HOPE Training Supplemental Credit Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish criteria for approval of a course for which a credit, to be known as a HOPE training supplemental credit, may be issued, including that such course provides--

(1) training related to--

(A) small business success, including management, home energy efficiency software, or general accounting principles;

(B) the issuance of a home valuation certification;

(D) understanding and being able to participate in the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program; and

(2) as the Secretary determines appropriate, an appropriate assessment of such training that may include a final exam, to be proctored on-site or through remote proctoring, or an in-person field exam.

(c) Existing Approved Courses.--The Secretary may approve a course that meets the applicable criteria established under this section that is approved by the applicable State energy office or relevant State agency with oversight authority for residential energy efficiency programs.

(d) In-person and Online Training.--An online course approved pursuant to this section may be conducted in-person, but may not be offered exclusively in-person.

SEC. 33202B. HOPE QUALIFICATION.

(a) Issuance of Credits.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary, or an entity authorized by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2), may issue--

(A) a HOPE training task credit to any individual that completes a course that meets applicable criteria under section 33202A; and

(B) a HOPE training supplemental credit to any individual that completes a course that meets the applicable criteria under section 33202A.

(2) Other entities.--The Secretary may authorize a State energy office implementing an authorized program under subsection (b)(2), an organization described in section 33202C(b), and any other entity the Secretary determines appropriate, to issue HOPE training credits in accordance with paragraph (1).

(b) HOPE Qualification.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary may certify that an individual has achieved a qualification, to be known as a HOPE Qualification, that indicates that the individual has received at least 3 HOPE training credits, of which at least 2 shall be HOPE training task credits.

(2) State programs.--The Secretary may authorize a State energy office to implement a program to provide HOPE Qualifications in accordance with this part.

SEC. 33202C. GRANTS.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, to the extent amounts are made available in appropriations Acts for such purposes, provide grants to support the training of individuals toward the completion of a HOPE Qualification.

(b) Provider Organizations.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide a grant of up to

$20,000 under this section to an organization to provide training online, including establishing, modifying, or maintaining the online systems, staff time, and software and online program management, through a course that meets the applicable criteria established under section 33202A.

(2) Criteria.--In order to receive a grant under this subsection, an organization shall be--

(A) a nonprofit organization;

(B) an educational institution; or

(C) an organization that has experience providing training to contractors that work with the weatherization assistance program implemented under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.) or equivalent experience, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) Additional certifications.--In addition to any grant provided under paragraph (1), the Secretary may provide an organization up to $5,000 for each additional course for which a HOPE training credit may be issued that is offered by the organization.

(c) Contractor Company.--The Secretary may provide a grant under this section of $1,000 per employee to a contractor company, up to a maximum of $10,000, to reimburse the contractor company for training costs for employees, and any home technology support needed for an employee to receive training pursuant to this section. Grant funds provided under this subsection may be used to support wages of employees during training.

(d) Trainees.--The Secretary may provide a grant of up to

$1,000 under this section to an individual who receives a HOPE Qualification.

(e) State Energy Office.--The Secretary may provide a grant under this section to a State energy office of up to $25,000 to implement an authorized program under section 33202B(b).

SEC. 33202D. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $500,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, to remain available until expended.

PART 2--HOME ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT REBATE PROGRAM

SEC. 33203. ESTABLISHMENT OF HOME ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT

REBATE PROGRAM.

The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, to--

(1) provide rebates in accordance with section 33203A; and

(2) provide grants to States to carry out programs to provide rebates in accordance with section 33203B.

SEC. 33203A. PARTIAL SYSTEM REBATES.

(a) Amount of Rebate.--In carrying out the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, and subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary shall provide a homeowner a rebate, to be known as a partial system rebate, of, except as provided in section 33203C, up to--

(1) $800 for the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing within a home of the homeowner; and

(2) $1,500 for the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing within a home of the homeowner and replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system, of such home.

(b) Specifications.--

(1) Cost.--The amount of a partial system rebate provided under this section shall, except as provided in section 33203C, not exceed 30 percent of cost of the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing under subsection

(a)(1), or the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing and replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system, under subsection (a)(2). Labor may be included in such cost but may not exceed--

(A) in the case of a rebate under subsection (a)(1), 50 percent of such cost; and

(B) in the case of a rebate under subsection (a)(2), 25 percent of such cost.

(2) Replacement of an hvac system, the heating component of an hvac system, or the cooling component of an hvac system.--In order to qualify for a partial system rebate described in subsection (a)(2)--

(A) any HVAC system, heating component of an HVAC system, or cooling component of an HVAC system installed shall be Energy Star Most Efficient certified;

(B) installation of such an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system, shall be completed in accordance with standards specified by the Secretary that are at least as stringent as the applicable guidelines of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America that are in effect on the date of enactment of this Act;

(C) if ducts are present, replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system shall include duct sealing; and

(D) the installation of insulation and air sealing shall occur within 6 months of the replacement of the HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system.

(c) Additional Incentives for Contractors.--In carrying out the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, the Secretary may provide a $250 payment to a contractor per home for which--

(1) a partial system rebate is provided under this section for the installation of insulation and air sealing, or installation of insulation and air sealing and replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system, by the contractor;

(2) the applicable homeowner has signed and submitted to the Secretary a release form made available pursuant to section 33203E(b) authorizing the contractor access to information in the utility bills of the homeowner; and

(3) the contractor inputs, into the Department of Energy's Building Performance Database--

(A) the energy usage for the home for the 12 months preceding, and the 24 months following, the installation of insulation and air sealing or installation of insulation and air sealing and replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system;

(B) a description of such installation or installation and replacement; and

(d) Process.--

(1) Forms; rebate processing system.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, shall--

(A) develop and make available rebate forms required to receive a partial system rebate under this section;

(B) establish a Federal rebate processing system which shall serve as a database and information technology system that will allow homeowners to submit required rebate forms; and

(C) establish a website that provides information on partial system rebates provided under this section, including how to determine whether particular measures qualify for a rebate under this section and how to receive such a rebate.

(2) Submission of forms.--In order to receive a partial system rebate under this section, a homeowner shall submit the required rebate forms, and any other information the Secretary determines appropriate, to the Federal rebate processing system established pursuant to paragraph (1).

(e) Funding.--

(1) Limitation.--For each fiscal year, the Secretary may not use more than 50 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this part to carry out this section.

(2) Allocation.--The Secretary shall allocate amounts made available to carry out this section for partial system rebates among the States using the same formula as is used to allocate funds for States under part D of title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6321 et seq.).

SEC. 33203B. STATE ADMINISTERED REBATES.

(a) Funding.--In carrying out the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, and subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Secretary shall provide grants to States to carry out programs to provide rebates in accordance with this section.

(b) State Participation.--

(1) Plan.--In order to receive a grant under this section a State shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes a plan to implement a State program that meets the minimum criteria under subsection (c).

(2) Approval.--Not later than 60 days after receipt of a completed application for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall either approve the application or provide to the applicant an explanation for denying the application.

(c) Minimum Criteria for State Programs.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and publish minimum criteria for a State program to meet to qualify for funding under this section, including--

(1) that the State program be carried out by the applicable State energy office or its designee;

(2) that a rebate be provided under a State program only for a home energy efficiency retrofit that--

(A) is completed by a contractor who meets minimum training requirements and certification requirements set forth by the Secretary;

(B) includes installation of one or more home energy efficiency retrofit measures for a home that together are modeled to achieve, or are shown to achieve, a reduction in home energy use of 20 percent or more from the baseline energy use of the home;

(C) does not include installation of any measure that the Secretary determines does not improve the thermal energy performance of the home, such as a pool pump, pool heater, spa, or EV charger; and

(D) includes, after installation of the applicable home energy efficiency retrofit measures, a test-out procedure conducted in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary of such measures to ensure--

(i) the safe operation of all systems post retrofit; and

(ii) that all improvements are included in, and have been installed according to--

(I) manufacturers installation specifications; and

(II) all applicable State and local codes or equivalent standards approved by the Secretary;

(3) that the State program utilize--

(A) for purposes of modeled performance rebates, modeling software approved by the Secretary for determining and documenting the baseline energy use of a home and the reductions in home energy use resulting from the implementation of a home energy efficiency retrofit; and

(B) for purposes of measured performance rebates, methods and procedures approved by the Secretary for determining and documenting the baseline energy use of a home and the reductions in home energy use resulting from the implementation of a home energy efficiency retrofit, including methods and procedures for use of advanced metering infrastructure, weather-normalized data, and open source standards, to measure such baseline energy use and such reductions in home energy use;

(4) that the State program include implementation of a quality assurance program--

(A) to ensure that home energy efficiency retrofits are achieving the stated level of energy savings, that efficiency measures were installed correctly, and that work is performed in accordance with procedures developed by the Secretary, including through quality-control inspections for a portion of home energy efficiency retrofits completed by each applicable contractor; and

(B) under which a quality-control inspection of a home energy efficiency retrofit is performed by a quality assurance provider who--

(i) is independent of the contractor for such retrofit; and

(ii) will confirm that such contractor is a contractor who meets minimum training requirements and certification requirements set forth by the Secretary;

(5) that the State program include requirements for a homeowner, contractor, or rebate aggregator to claim a rebate, including that the homeowner, contractor, or rebate aggregator submit any applicable forms approved by the Secretary to the State, including a copy of the certificate provided by the applicable contractor certifying projected or measured reduction of home energy use;

(6) that the State program may include requirements for an entity to be eligible to serve as a rebate aggregator to facilitate the delivery of rebates to homeowners or contractors;

(7) that the State program include procedures for a homeowner to transfer the right to claim a rebate to the contractor performing the applicable home energy efficiency retrofit or to a rebate aggregator that works with the contractor; and

(8) that the State program provide that a homeowner, contractor, or rebate aggregator may claim more than one rebate under the State program, and may claim a rebate under the State program after receiving a partial system rebate under section 33203A, provided that no 2 rebates may be provided with respect to a home using the same baseline energy use of such home.

(d) Modeled Performance Rebates.--

(1) In general.--In carrying out a State program under this section, a State may provide a homeowner, contractor, or rebate aggregator a rebate, to be known as a modeled performance rebate, for an energy audit of a home and a home energy efficiency retrofit that is projected, using modeling software approved by the Secretary, to reduce home energy use by at least 20 percent.

(2) Amount.--

(A) In general.--Except as provided in section 33203C, and subject to subparagraph (B), the amount of a modeled performance rebate provided under a State program shall be equal to 50 percent of the cost of the applicable energy audit of a home and home energy efficiency retrofit, including the cost of diagnostic procedures, labor, reporting, and modeling.

(B) Limitation.--Except as provided in section 33203C, with respect to an energy audit and home energy efficiency retrofit that is projected to reduce home energy use by--

(i) at least 20 percent, but less than 40 percent, the maximum amount of a modeled performance rebate shall be

$2,000; and

(ii) at least 40 percent, the maximum amount of a modeled performance rebate shall be $4,000.

(e) Measured Performance Rebates.--

(1) In general.--In carrying out a State program under this section, a State may provide a homeowner, contractor, or rebate aggregator a rebate, to be known as a measured performance rebate, for a home energy efficiency retrofit that reduces home energy use by at least 20 percent as measured using methods and procedures approved by the Secretary.

(2) Amount.--

(A) In general.--Except as provided in section 33203C, and subject to subparagraph (B), the amount of a measured performance rebate provided under a State program shall be equal to 50 percent of the cost, including the cost of diagnostic procedures, labor, reporting, and energy measurement, of the applicable home energy efficiency retrofit.

(B) Limitation.--Except as provided in section 33203C, with respect to a home energy efficiency retrofit that is measured as reducing home energy use by--

(i) at least 20 percent, but less than 40 percent, the maximum amount of a measured performance rebate shall be

$2,000; and

(ii) at least 40 percent, the maximum amount of a measured performance rebate shall be $4,000.

(f) Coordination of Rebate and Existing State-sponsored or Utility-sponsored Programs.--A State that receives a grant under this section is encouraged to work with State agencies, energy utilities, nonprofits, and other entities--

(1) to assist in marketing the availability of the rebates under the applicable State program;

(2) to coordinate with utility or State managed financing programs;

(3) to assist in implementation of the applicable State program, including installation of home energy efficiency retrofits; and

(4) to coordinate with existing quality assurance programs.

(g) Administration and Oversight.--

(1) Review of approved modeling software.--The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, list and review all modeling software approved for use in determining and documenting the reductions in home energy use for purposes of modeled performance rebates under subsection (d). In approving such modeling software each year, the Secretary shall ensure that modeling software approved for a year will result in modeling of energy efficiency gains for any type of home energy efficiency retrofit that is at least as substantial as the modeling of energy efficiency gains for such type of home energy efficiency retrofit using the modeling software approved for the previous year.

(2) Oversight.--If the Secretary determines that a State is not implementing a State program that was approved pursuant to subsection (b) and that meets the minimum criteria under subsection (c), the Secretary may, after providing the State a period of at least 90 days to meet such criteria, withhold grant funds under this section from the State.

SEC. 33203C. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR MODERATE INCOME

HOUSEHOLDS.

(a) Certifications.--The Secretary shall establish procedures for certifying that the household of a homeowner is moderate income for purposes of this section.

(b) Percentages.--Subject to subsection (c), for households of homeowners that are certified pursuant to the procedures established under subsection (a) as moderate income the--

(1) amount of a partial system rebate under section 33203A shall not exceed 60 percent of the applicable purchase and installation costs described in section 33203A(b)(1); and

(2) amount of--

(A) a modeled performance rebate under section 33203B provided shall be equal to 80 percent of the applicable costs described in section 33203B(d)(2)(A); and

(B) a measured performance rebate under section 33203B provided shall be equal to 80 percent of the applicable costs described in section 33203B(e)(2)(A).

(c) Maximum Amounts.--For households of homeowners that are certified pursuant to the procedures established under subsection (a) as moderate income the maximum amount--

(1) of a partial system rebate--

(A) under section 33203A(a)(1) for the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing within a home of the homeowner shall be $1600; and

(B) under section 33203A(a)(2) for the purchase and installation of insulation and air sealing within a home of the homeowner and replacement of an HVAC system, the heating component of an HVAC system, or the cooling component of an HVAC system, of such home, shall be $3,000;

(2) of a modeled performance rebate under section 33203B for an energy audit and home energy efficiency retrofit that is projected to reduce home energy use as described in--

(A) section 33203B(d)(2)(B)(i) shall be $4,000; and

(B) section 33203B(d)(2)(B)(ii) shall be $8,000; and

(3) of a measured performance rebate under section 33203B for a home energy efficiency retrofit that reduces home energy use as described in--

(B) section 33203B(e)(2)(B)(i) shall be $4,000; and

(d) Outreach.--The Secretary shall establish procedures to--

(1) provide information to households of homeowners that are certified pursuant to the procedures established under subsection (a) as moderate income regarding other programs and resources relating to assistance for energy efficiency upgrades of homes, including the weatherization assistance program implemented under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.); and

(2) refer such households, as applicable, to such other programs and resources.

SEC. 33203D. EVALUATION REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until the termination of the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use of funds made available to carry out this part.

(b) Contents.--Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include--

(1) how many home energy efficiency retrofits have been completed during the previous year under the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program;

(2) an estimate of how many jobs have been created through the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program, directly and indirectly;

(3) a description of what steps could be taken to promote further deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits;

(4) a description of the quantity of verifiable energy savings, homeowner energy bill savings, and other benefits of the Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program;

(5) a description of any waste, fraud, or abuse with respect to funds made available to carry out this part; and

(6) any other information the Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 33203E. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide such administrative and technical support to contractors, rebate aggregators, States, and Indian Tribes as is necessary to carry out this part.

(b) Information Collection.--The Secretary shall establish, and make available to a homeowner, or the homeowner's designated representative, seeking a rebate under this part, release forms authorizing access by the Secretary, or a designated third-party representative to information in the utility bills of the homeowner with appropriate privacy protections in place.

SEC. 33203F. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this part $1,200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, to remain available until expended.

(b) Tribal Allocation.--Of the amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall work with Indian Tribes and use 2 percent of such amounts to carry out a program or programs that as close as possible reflect the goals, requirements, and provisions of this part, taking into account any factors that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

PART 3--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 33204. APPOINTMENT OF PERSONNEL.

Notwithstanding the provisions of title 5, United States Code, regarding appointments in the competitive service and General Schedule classifications and pay rates, the Secretary may appoint such professional and administrative personnel as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this subchapter.

SEC. 33204A. MAINTENANCE OF FUNDING.

Each State receiving Federal funds pursuant to this subchapter shall provide reasonable assurances to the Secretary that it has established policies and procedures designed to ensure that Federal funds provided under this subchapter will be used to supplement, and not to supplant, State and local funds.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) and the gentleman from Missouri

(Mr. Graves) each will control 30 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of these en bloc amendments which provides consideration of 27 amendments sponsored by Members on both sides of the aisle.

The amendments contained in this en bloc amend various divisions of the bill, and affect highways, transit, rail, safety, water, natural resources, and energy policy in the base bill. Some of these amendments include:

A designation of a route through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia as a future Interstate 14, and designation of a route through Texas and New Mexico as future Interstate 27;

Directing a study on the effectiveness of suicide barriers on physical structures other than bridges;

Clarifying that replacement of functionally obsolete warning devices are eligible under the railway grade crossing program;

Clarifying that transportation demand data and modeling directed by the bill must include an analysis of the level of accuracy of existing modeling tools;

Granting Puerto Rico the authority to begin issuing commercial drivers' licenses, as all States have the authority to do;

Allowing certain Surface Transportation Program funds to be used on local roads, including farm-to-market roads, in rural areas. There is a strong emphasis in this bill on rural areas;

Making grant funds available to States who ban any non-navigational viewing of cellphones while driving;

Requiring the Secretary of Transportation, within 2 years of enactment, to issue a motor vehicle safety standard for newly manufactured commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with a universal electronic vehicle identifier to identify the vehicle for the purposes of roadside inspections and enforcement;

Requiring States that collect data on traffic stops as part of the racial profiling grant program to include the data on the mode of transportation associated with the stop.

These are just a few. I look forward to hearing further discussion on these amendments from the various sponsors.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for offering these amendments to improve the Moving Forward Act. I urge adoption of the amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to en bloc E.

Of the 171 amendments in this bill, or in this bloc that we are considering, it contains 27 individual amendments carefully selected and grouped by the other side of the aisle with absolutely no input whatsoever from Republicans. Unfortunately, this is par for the course for the way the majority has managed its my-way-or-the-highway bill.

These 27 amendments were picked so the majority could falsely claim that their bill includes bipartisan provisions, when in reality this bill is still nothing more than a partisan wish list.

Mr. Speaker, if a car is a lemon, putting a nice cup holder in it isn't going to make me buy it.

Regardless, we should at least have adequate time or an adequate amount of time to consider and debate each of these amendments individually, because, frankly, there are a number of amendments in here that I do support. But this process has not been open. It should be open. But, instead, we have been dealt a poor hand from a stacked deck.

It would be an understatement to say that I am disappointed by how the majority is rushing this bill, which spends $1\1/2\ trillion of the taxpayers' money through a sham legislative process.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I would point out that all of these amendments are bipartisan and two of them are solely Republican. So, you know, the gentleman may have general objections to the bill for other reasons, as we discussed yesterday, the emphasis on climate change, and other provisions of the bill for safe drinking water, a substantial increase in wastewater, and all that, but this en bloc should be virtually non-

controversial.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi).

Mr. SUOZZI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Moving Forward Act, expertly led by Chairman DeFazio.

This transformative $1.5 trillion infrastructure investment, the largest in our Nation's history, would not only help rebuild America's decaying infrastructure, not only stimulate our post-coronavirus economy, not only create solid middle class jobs, hopefully many of them union jobs, but will also make the most significant investment in protecting our environment in a generation.

Investments here will combat climate change, improve the resiliency of our shorelines, improve water quality for many American communities, and much, much more.

This bill also includes a provision of mine, which incentivizes homeowners in my district, and throughout the Nation, to upgrade their antiquated septic systems by reversing a wrong-headed IRS decision that requires homeowners to pay income taxes on septic system improvement grants that they receive from local governments, such as Suffolk County in my district.

Admittedly, this is not a high-profile provision, but it will help homeowners financially and dramatically improve our environment by reducing the devastating impacts of nitrogen pollution.

Over the past 25 years, as a former mayor, county executive, and now a Member of this body, I have seen firsthand how reducing nitrogen has helped revitalize the Long Island Sound, our national park. This can happen up and down the coast of America.

Investments like these are critical pieces in a comprehensive approach we must take to preserve and protect our environment. I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.

{time} 1045

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Miss Gonzalez-Colon).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise to speak on my amendments 12 and 13 included in the en bloc No. 4.

Amendment 12 incorporates my bipartisan bill, H.R. 6050, making Puerto Rico an eligible applicant for the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Grants as well as its Drought Resiliency Project Grants.

These programs provide Federal funding for water conservation projects, as well as projects that improve water management to increase resiliency to droughts.

Currently, Puerto Rico is the only territory and noncontiguous jurisdiction in the U.S. where these grants are not available.

Reliable water service is essential, particularly as we confront COVID-19 and we are asking people to wash their hands, and yet, in Puerto Rico we are announcing rationing measures impacting over 140,000 customers. Unfortunately, as much as 59 percent of the water produced by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority is lost through a deficient distribution system.

This situation is further complicated by our vulnerability to droughts. In fact, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, 77.48 percent of Puerto Rico is currently under abnormally dry conditions. Approximately 59.84 percent of the island is experiencing drought, while 26.11 percent is facing a severe drought. The Governor of Puerto Rico, as I just told everybody here, has already announced water rationing measures impacting more than 140,000 customers.

Given this reality, Congress should ensure Puerto Rico, just as Alaska and Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. territories, is eligible for WaterSMART and Drought Resiliency Project Grants.

My second amendment, amendment 13, allows Puerto Rico to issue commercial driver's licenses, or CDLs, and makes the island eligible to receive Commercial Driver's License Improvement Grants.

Requirements of CDL licensure promote increased skills, knowledge, and safety of those operating a commercial motor vehicle to a well-

established standard.

This amendment provides Puerto Rico a 5-year grace period to come into CDL compliance and provides immediate eligibility for grants to expedite this process.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment in the en bloc package.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici).

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support of the en bloc amendments and the Moving Forward Act.

In the last few months, more than 47 million people in this country filed for unemployment. They need our support. The Moving Forward Act will help address our Nation's deteriorating infrastructure and will help us transition to a clean energy economy while creating high-

quality, good-paying jobs. My amendment will make meaningful investments in our workforce through registered apprenticeships and paid on-the-job training programs to fill those jobs.

Last year, I worked with Congressman Mitchell, Senator Kaine, and Senator Portman to introduce the Building U.S. Infrastructure By Leveraging Demands for Skills, or BUILDS, Act, to increase workforce diversity in the transportation, infrastructure, and energy sectors.

My amendment includes language from this bill to provide individuals who have historically faced barriers to employment, especially women and people of color, with the support, services, and training they need to succeed and to find better-paying jobs with preemployment services, early employment support, and continuing employment services.

I thank Chairman DeFazio and Chairman Scott for their support and leadership.

I urge my colleagues to support not only the en bloc amendments but the underlying bill, as well.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

This amendment, which mirrors bipartisan bill H.R. 380 is straightforward. It requires the Federal decision makers at the Department of the Interior to consider the threat of invasive species when installing fishways.

We all know that over time, the number of dams in this country have decreased. As the number of dams has decreased, a benefit is a lot of times fish are able to swim upstream, spawn more, and improve the overall health of our rivers.

However, there are times where there are some fish that are not so good, and that is when we have invasive species. I have a big problem with that on the most significant river in the State of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin River. There is a dam there, and they were talking about putting up a fishway, which, on the face of it, sounds nice.

The problem is, below the dam we have Asian carp; they are large fish, not native to Wisconsin. It would be devastating to the local fish. If they were ever able to work their way over the dam, they would not only pollute the Wisconsin River, but the lakes which feed into the Wisconsin River all over northern Wisconsin could also be polluted. And it is even possible that because there are areas that are kind of dicey, they could even work their way into the Great Lakes and all the way up the Saint Lawrence River.

I appreciate the fact that we have considered this amendment. I hope it is adopted as part of the en bloc.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell).

Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon for yielding.

I rise in strong support of this en bloc, which includes an important bipartisan natural infrastructure amendment that adds H.R. 3742, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act to H.R. 2.

When we talk about infrastructure, natural infrastructure, habitat restoration and resilience projects must be part of the conversation.

Such investments not only create jobs, up to 33 created per $1 million of investment, but they make communities safer. They grow our outdoor recreation economy. And they help recover at-risk wildlife populations.

This amendment will enable States, territories, and Tribes to complete proactive collaborative on-the-ground habitat restoration and the natural infrastructure projects that will recover more than 12,000 wildlife, fish, and plant species of the greatest conservation need.

This amendment is modeled after legislation that has more than 180 bipartisan cosponsors, and it passed out of the Natural Resources Committee with a majority of both Republicans and Democrats.

I thank my colleagues, Representatives Fortenberry and Raskin for coleading this amendment, as well as everybody who helped get us here today, including Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Whip Clyburn, my dear friend, the chairman leading all of this, Chairman McGovern, Chairman Grijalva, the Natural Resources Committee staff, and the entire RAWA coalition.

I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc and to support this bill. The country needs it.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Fortenberry).

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, as well as Mr. DeFazio for his leadership on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, I believe, is the single most exciting policy development in the conservation space in decades.

As an amendment to today's bill, we are doing three things here: We are protecting ecosystems; we are enhancing community; and we are supporting recreation.

I also add my thanks to Representative Debbie Dingell, who has been a tremendous leader in this particular effort, as well as Jamie Raskin, the Congressman from Maryland, for joining us.

Mr. Speaker, most Americans don't know that the Federal Government requires that States do wildlife management planning. This amendment funds that Federal mandate in a more creative fashion, by connecting resource extraction with prudent resource recovery, to help States improve their plans and create a continuity of habitat for multiuse opportunities within communities. That is why we have such a diverse group of persons supporting this bill: Hunters and anglers and birders and hikers and other wildlife enthusiasts, as well as those who are involved in the burgeoning field of ecotourism.

Mr. Speaker, here is another benefit. When something goes wrong, of course, we tend to act. And in this regard, we act through a very important law called the Endangered Species Act. But this amendment puts preventative measures in place, moving upstream from the emergency room enactment of the Endangered Species Act and moving us from regulation and litigation to collaboration and conservation, which saves huge amounts of government resources, societal resources, while it also enhances our environmental security.

And while there are some structural difficulties with the overall bill from my perspective, nonetheless, this provision is a winner.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).

Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio for yielding. I also thank his staff for working very hard to put this bill together that will add $1.5 billion to the $1 trillion that will be added for our highways and the infrastructure that we need. Thank you so much.

I am pleased to offer this bipartisan amendment in order to designate the I-27 Ports-to-Plains Corridor as a future interstate that starts in Laredo, the largest inland port in the country.

I thank Jodey Arrington, Brian Babin, Lizzie Fletcher, and Ben Lujan for all the work that they have done to get to this point.

This designation will make Texas and New Mexico eligible for increased Federal funding to complete the I-27 highway expansion project, creating economic growth, jobs, and trade opportunities across those two states.

The I-27 expansion would immediately grow the Texas GDP by $17.2 billion and create 178,000 construction jobs. It would also add 17,710 long-term employment opportunities in the new I-27 corridor. It would also make Laredo the only port of entry that will have I-35, I-69, and I-27 as corridors, also.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this bipartisan amendment that will help improve trade in south Texas, Texas, and across New Mexico.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia), a member of the committee.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of these en bloc amendments, which includes a bipartisan amendment that I filed with Representative Gallagher of Wisconsin.

Our amendment combats old practices like the performance metric now known as ``level of service'' that provides faster, wider roads with more lanes, rather than a holistic analysis that takes into account increased traffic, induced demand, or alternatives like bike and transit access.

Our amendment improves the existing travel demand study included in H.R. 2 to examine ways we can prevent new projects from inadvertently increasing traffic volume, time, or congestion, all of which are bad for drivers and bad for the environment.

We can and must make smarter investments by using current data and best practices, and that is what this bipartisan amendment is all about.

It is endorsed by Transportation for America, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Law and Policy Center, and the League of Conservation Voters.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this en bloc.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

{time} 1100

Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.

At home we have seen firsthand the effects of our Nation's aging and overburdened infrastructure in crumbling roads, inadequate public transit, and more frequent floods.

Today's package is not simply about rebuilding our roads, bridges, and rail, though it does all that. The Moving Forward Act is about making smart, transformative investments in our future: investing in rebuilding school infrastructure to help them safely reopen; expanding internet access to underserved communities to close the digital divide; and creating millions of good-paying jobs in the process, lifting up entire communities.

I am particularly proud this legislation has been designed with addressing the climate crisis as a top priority.

Climate change is an existential threat. We see it in rising lake levels, a record level in Lake Michigan. We see it across the country in stronger storms and longer hurricane seasons, longer fire seasons, and disrupted growing seasons.

We have to act now. We have to reduce emissions. We have to build resiliency.

To that end, I am proud that this act includes two clean energy provisions I have previously introduced to promote electric vehicle charging stations and incentivize waste heat to power projects.

This comprehensive package is transformative legislation that will ensure our Nation's infrastructure is built to ensure our success in the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleague to join us in support of this important legislation.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the en bloc amendment. I also rise to thank Chairman DeFazio for including the Hot Cars Act in the base bill.

There are far too many ways that parents can lose their children that we can't control. There are diseases that take the lives of our kids that we are just not equipped today to stop. But we have a duty to do everything that we can to ensure that parents don't lose a child when we can prevent it.

Fifty-three children died of heatstroke in cars last year. In most cases, parents--good parents--accidentally leave their children in cars. In other cases, kids crawl into an empty car and then somehow can't get out again.

Education alone cannot solve the problem. Even the most attentive parents can become distracted and inadvertently leave a child in the car.

I have talked to those parents. It is a crushing experience, as you can imagine, one you never get over.

A simple sensor, an alert system, that would notify parents that they have left a child in their car can save lives.

It is really past time for us to enact this crucial legislation. The heat of the summer is really just beginning. Let's get to it.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. DeFazio again for including this bill.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2 that Chairman DeFazio has helped craft and the en bloc amendment which is being discussed now.

Transportation is Memphis. Memphis is blessed to be on the banks of the greatest river in our country, the Mississippi, and fortunate to have Fred Smith born there, which brought the greatest air cargo company in the world to Memphis, Federal Express. That is our number one employer.

This bill will help airports, investments in airports, and create jobs, helping FedEx and helping Memphis. It will invest in harbors--we have the fifth largest inland harbor in the country--with dredging. That is important for the Port of Memphis.

We have five Class 1 railroads, and there are investments there, and that produces jobs and moves goods and services.

We have two interstate systems and roads that need improvement. This bill will put money into roads and bridges and create those jobs.

It will further put money into broadband, which it is very important to reach into the inner cities to give an opportunity for young people, African Americans in particular, to get access to the internet and all the information that they need to have a good education and a good livelihood later on.

This bill includes several priorities that I have had, including a DUI law that is part of this en bloc amendment that will see to it that there is a study on why DUI convictions aren't shared by States so that people who have multiple DUIs will be punished accordingly and save innocent potential victims from the carnage of a DUI accident.

It happened in Mississippi. A young Memphis girl was killed by a multiple offender, but nobody knew they were a multiple offender because their convictions were not submitted to a central base.

This also incorporates the Complete Streets Act that makes our planning more in keeping with the 21st century for pedestrians and bicyclers and others who use our roads in alternative ways.

This is an excellent bill. I am proud to support it. It creates jobs. It is good for Memphis. It is good for America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio. There is no more important bill than this.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Schrier).

Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding to me.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a severe toll on our economy and has resulted in the permanent loss of countless jobs and highlighted the need for broadband access for workers and students.

That is why the Moving Forward Act is so critical right now. It is a bold infrastructure package that will put America back to work, create new jobs, expand broadband access, and invest in schools and tomorrow's clean energy infrastructure.

I am proud to have included two important wins for Washington in this package.

My bill to fund the Legacy Roads and Trails Program will prioritize culvert repairs and riparian habitat in Washington's forests.

My amendment to ensure transit agencies in King and Pierce Counties have flexibility and predictability will allow them to continue to serve riders during this public health crisis.

Passing the Moving Forward Act now is how we shore up our infrastructure, set the stage for a clean energy future, and restore our economy and families' financial security.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ruiz).

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this en bloc amendment, which includes my bill turned into an amendment to authorize the construction of an access road to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center in Hemet, California, in my district.

The Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center is the only Indian Health Service youth treatment center in the entire State of California. The only way to get to the facility, however, is by traversing a dirt road that cracks in the heat and washes out in the rain.

The Indian Health Service wasn't able to secure the right-of-way to pave the access road, so my amendment would give the Indian Health Service the authority to improve and pave the access road to give Tribal youth safe and secure passage to this facility so they can receive treatment and individual counseling in a culturally appropriate way that they need to reach their full potential.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his support of my amendment to improve the infrastructure of the Indian Health Service facility in my district and for his work on H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley).

Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, and thank my colleagues for their work on this legislation.

Our Nation's transportation and infrastructure policies play a critical role in building healthy and safe communities, but for far too long, they have perpetuated many of our most entrenched inequities.

My amendment would require us to examine how our Nation's transportation policies have impacted and targeted our most vulnerable. It is critical that we understand how transportation policies are criminalizing Black and Brown communities.

Specifically, we have seen violent enforcement of fare evasion policies and the discriminatory placement of speed cameras and other surveillance technology in our lowest income communities.

Mr. Speaker, this is a moment of reckoning. There is a multiracial, multigenerational movement that, for the last month, has been affirming that Black lives matter, demanding an end to racist systems and policies that disproportionately criminalize our Black and Brown neighbors.

We have a mandate to center justice in all of our policymaking. Our transportation policies are no exception.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on my side, and I am prepared to close if the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) is ready to close.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in opposition to this en bloc amendment, and I am, frankly, embarrassed by the process.

I am willing to bet that everyone who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is proud of its track record of working across the aisle to get things done. That is the proven track record for success for getting bills actually signed into law, but that is not how our committee has operated during the process on this particular piece of legislation.

If you choose to operate and move legislation in this manner, you are going to get nothing accomplished; you are not going to get any bill signed into law. The only thing you are going to get out of this process is going to be a press release, and that is it.

This is a sham process, and dusting this massive bill with a few amendments that Republicans support doesn't make it a bipartisan process or a bipartisan product.

When the majority is ready to work across the aisle on responsible legislation, we will continue to stand at the ready to work with them. But I can't vote for this en bloc package, and I cannot vote for the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

In response to that, I will revisit a little bit of yesterday's debate.

President Trump ran on the issue of infrastructure. President Trump met with us a year ago in March. We started out saying we needed $1 trillion to $1.3 trillion for infrastructure. He went to $1.9 trillion, and then he ended up at $2 trillion.

We discussed and agreed on what would be in an infrastructure bill: roads, bridges, highways, transit, wastewater, drinking water, rail, and broadband. All of those are part of this package.

The total package is less than what the President requested a year ago March. He said $2 trillion. This is close to $1.5 trillion. Those components of the bill are about $1 trillion. So, that would be very close to what he wanted.

{time} 1115

The other components have become necessary because of COVID.

I was talking to the chairman of Education and Labor, and it has become clear that 50 percent of the schools in America do not have HVAC systems that can handle COVID--50 percent. A lot of these schools are pretty darn decrepit. So we are investing a bunch of money to safely educate our kids.

Mr. Speaker, my hometown, Springfield, Oregon, a great place, people have a great public spirit. We have voted to bond ourselves several times for new schools. We have a fabulous new middle school, absolutely incredible. It has a very big trades department, because not all kids are going on the high school track, and we need more trades. We are going to need trades to implement our infrastructure bills. So we need to help.

I remember I went to a post-World War II, brand-new elementary school. That school is still sitting there, and a lot of these schools are not suitable for children at this pandemic time.

It also includes money for housing. We have a housing crisis in most of America. Certainly, on the coast; although, of course, this administration cares nothing for the people who live on the coast. But even in some of the middle of the country, there is a housing crisis. This bill begins to deal with that.

It also begins to deal with our absolutely decrepit public housing. That is Federal public housing, much of which is 50, 60 years old when the Federal Government did things like this, and it needs rehabilitation.

So, yes, we have added a couple of elements to this bill that weren't discussed with the President, but they became necessary because of COVID.

And also the Postal Service, which is more essential today than ever. Trump hates it because Jeff Bezos has Amazon, and he thinks Amazon is getting subsidized by the Postal Service. Actually, no, the Postal Service makes a bunch of money by delivering Amazon packages, but it is difficult to penetrate.

So he wants to destroy the Postal Service, which will actually disproportionately affect the people who voted for him in red States, and particularly rural areas. They are getting their prescriptions and other things delivered by the USPS.

Now, rain, shine, night, day, COVID or not, the Postal Service is doing it, doing it in 35-year-old delivery vehicles. They are decrepit and incredibly expensive to maintain. This bill would help them buy a new fleet and would help them to get through this crisis.

So, yes, there are some other things in this that were not in a traditional infrastructure bill.

As far as the portion of the bill that comes from our committee, the President had seven infrastructure weeks, and we were promised numerous times that they were imminently going to propose a bill. The only bill they ever proposed would have shifted the entire burden to the States and said: Oh, and the private sector will take care of the rest of it.

There wasn't a Republican I am aware of who even supported that stupid proposal. That is it.

But now we are told: Oh, they are on the cusp again, $2 trillion coming soon.

Well, we are trying to help them deliver here.

We heard: Oh, Presidents don't propose these things. They don't do these things.

We are here on the anniversary of JFK putting transit into transportation. We are here the day after the anniversary of a Republican President, Dwight David Eisenhower, signing the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act and funding it with a trust fund, which hasn't been supplemented since 1993 because the Republicans have been in charge most of that time, and they won't raise the user fee.

Their alternative bill, by the way, doesn't raise the user fee. So they are about $120 billion out of whack with a bill that only increases highways by 10 percent, zeros out any increase in transit, and does nothing for rail.

So, yes, this is a different product. But this amendment--and I misspoke earlier. Eight of the amendments in this package are fully Republican amendments; the others are bipartisan amendments.

So you can raise concerns about the overall process and the overall bill, but this part is solid, and it should be approved by a large majority in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.

Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio).

The en bloc amendments were agreed to.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Amendments En Bloc No. 5 Offered by Ms. Waters of California

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider an amendment en bloc consisting of amendments printed in part F of House Report 116-

438.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, as the designee of the chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and pursuant to House Resolution 1028, I offer an amendment en bloc consisting of the amendments printed in part F of House Report 116-438.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc No. 5 consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, printed in part F of House Report 116-438, offered by Ms. Waters of California:

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Adams of North Carolina

Page 2147, after line 25, insert the following new section:

SEC. 90114. EXAMINING LOAN MODIFICATIONS TO THE HBCU CAPITAL

FINANCING PROGRAM.

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall report to the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate the results of an analysis to determine the potential benefits and costs of offering loan modifications under the HBCU Capital Financing Program under part D of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq.) as described in the report entitled ``Action Needed to Improve Participation in Education's HBCU Capital Financing Program'' published by Government Accountability Office in June 2018 (GAO-18-455).

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mrs. Axne of Iowa

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. GRANT PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURED HOUSING

PRESERVATION.

(a) Authority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a grant program under this section and, to the extent amounts are made available pursuant to subsection (j), make grants under such program to eligible entities under subsection (b) for acquiring and preserving manufactured housing communities.

(b) Eligible Entities.--A grant under this section may be made only to entities that meet such requirements as the Secretary shall establish to ensure that any entity receiving a grant has the capacity to acquire and preserve housing affordability in such communities, including--

(1) a nonprofit organization, including land trusts;

(2) a public housing agency or other State or local government agency;

(3) an Indian tribe (as such term is defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)) or an agency of an Indian tribe;

(4) a resident organization in which homeowners are members and have open and equal access to membership; or

(5) such other entities as the Secretary determines will maintain housing affordability in manufactured housing communities.

(1) the acquisition and preservation of manufactured housing communities;

(2) such acquisition and preservation, together with costs for making improvements to common areas and community property for acquired manufactured housing communities; or

(3) the demolition, removal, and replacement of dilapidated homes from a manufactured housing community.

(d) Preservation; Affordability; Ownership.--A grant under this section may be made only if the Secretary determines that the grantee will enter into such binding agreements as the Secretary considers sufficient to ensure that--

(1) the manufactured housing community acquired using such grant amounts--

(A) will be maintained as a manufactured housing community for a period that begins upon the making of such grant and has a duration not shorter than 20 years;

(B) will be managed in a manner that benefits the residents and maintains their quality of life for a period not shorter than 20 years;

(C) will, for a period not shorter than 20 years, be subject to limitations on annual increases in rents for lots for manufactured homes in such community either through resident control over increases or, if owned by a party other than the residents, as the Secretary considers appropriate to ensure continued affordability and maintenance of the property, but not in any case annually to exceed the percentage that is equal to the percentage increase for the immediately preceding year in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) plus 7 percent, and such rents will comply with any applicable State laws;

(D) will be owned by an entity described in subsection (b) for a period not shorter than 20 years; and

(E) has not been the primary beneficiary of a grant under this section during the preceding 5 years; and

(2) if in the determination of the Secretary the provisions of the agreement have not been met, the grant shall be repaid.

(e) Amount.--The amount of any grant under this section may not exceed the lesser of--

(1) $1,000,000; or

(2) the amount that is equal to $20,000 multiplied by the number of manufactured home lots in the manufactured housing community for which the grant is made.

(f) Matching Funds.--The Secretary shall require a grantee of grant under this section to provide non-Federal matching funds for use only for the same purposes for which the grant is used in an amount equal or exceeding the amount of the grant provided to the grantee. Such non-Federal matching funds may be provided by State, tribal, local, or private resources and may be a grant or loan, in cash or in-kind.

(g) Applications; Selection.--

(1) Applications.--The Secretary shall provide for eligible entities under subsection (b) to apply for grants under this section, and shall require such applications to contain such assurances as the Secretary may require regarding the availability of matching funds sufficient to comply with subsection (f) and any organizational documents regarding the manufactured housing community for which the grant is made, as may be required by the State in which such community is located. The Secretary shall accept applications on a rolling basis and approve or deny each application within 20 business days of receipt in order to facilitate market-based transactions by an applicant.

(2) Selection.--The Secretary shall establish criteria for selection of applicants to receive grants under this section, which criteria shall--

(A) give priority to grantees who would use such grant amounts to carry out activities under subsection (c) within areas having a high concentration of low-, very low-, or extremely low-income families (as such terms are defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b));

(B) give priority to grants for the benefit of communities that have not received a grant under this section during the preceding 10 years; and

(C) ensure that not more than 40 percent of grant funds for any fiscal year are awarded to entities identified in subsection (b)(5).

(h) Reports.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary shall submit a report annually regarding the grant program under this section to Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, and shall make each such report publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The first such report shall be made for the first fiscal year in which any grants are made under this section and a report shall be made for each fiscal year in which a grantee is subject to the requirements under subparagraph (d)(1)(A).

(2) Contents.--Each such report shall include, for the fiscal year covered by the report--

(A) a description of the grants made under the program, including identification of what type of eligible entity under subsection (b) each grantee is;

(B) for each manufactured home community for which a grant under this section is made, identification of --

(i) the number of manufactured home units in the community at the time of the grant;

(ii) the lot rents in the community at such time; and

(iii) if a manufactured home community was purchased using grant amounts, the purchase price of the community;

(C) summary information identifying the total applications received for grants under this section and total grant funding sought, disaggregated by the types of eligible entities under subsection (b) of the applicants; and

(D) an analysis of the effectiveness of the program, including identification of changes to the number of units and lot rents in communities for which a grant was made, any significant upgrades made to the communities, demographic changes in communities, and, if any community is sold during the period covered under subsection (d), the sale price of the community.

(i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Manufactured home.--The term ``manufactured home'' means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that--

(A) in the traveling mode, is 8 body feet or more in width and 40 body feet or more in length, or when erected on site is 320 square feet or more;

(B) is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling (with or without a permanent foundation when connected to required utilities) and includes plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems; and

(C) in the case of a structure manufactured after June 15, 1976, is certified as meeting the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards issued under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.) by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and displays a label of such certification on the exterior of each transportable section.Such term shall not include any self-propelled recreational vehicle.

(2) Manufactured housing community.--The term

``manufactured housing community'' means a community comprised primarily of manufactured homes used primarily for residential purposes.

(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, of which not more than 5 percent may be used for administration and oversight.

(k) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out this section.

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Bonamici of Oregon

Page 1691, after line 10, insert the following:

TITLE I--NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAYS PROGRAM.

At the end of division H, insert the following:

TITLE II--BUILDING U.S. INFRASTRUCTURE BY LEVERAGING DEMANDS FOR SKILLS

(BUILDS)

SEC. 40101. DEFINITIONS.

(1) In general.--In this title, except as otherwise provided in this title, the terms have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(2) Apprenticeship, apprenticeship program.--The term

``apprenticeship'' or ``apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), including any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act, as such requirement, standard, or rule was in effect on December 30, 2019.

(3) CTE terms.--The terms ``area career and technical education school'', ``articulation agreement'', ``career guidance and academic counseling'', ``credit transfer agreement'', ``early college high school'', ``high school'',

``program of study'', ``Tribal educational agency'', and

``work-based learning'' have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302).

(4) Education and training provider.--

(A) In general.--The term ``education and training provider'' means an entity listed in subparagraph (B) that provides academic curriculum and instruction related to targeted infrastructure industries.

(B) Entities.--An entity described in this subparagraph is as follows:

(i) An area career and technical education school, early college high school, or high school providing career and technical education programs of study.

(ii) An Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal educational agency.

(iii) A minority-serving institution (as described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))).

(iv) A provider of adult education and literacy activities under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (29 U.S.C. 3271 et seq.);

(v) A local agency administering plans under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.), other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741);

(vi) A related instruction provider for an apprenticeship program.

(vii) A public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).

(viii) A provider included on the list of eligible providers of training services described in section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)).

(ix) A consortium of entities described in any of clauses

(i) through (viii).

(5) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--

(A) an industry or sector partnership;

(B) a State board or State workforce development agency, or a local board or local workforce development agency;

(D) an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal educational agency;

(E) a labor organization or joint-labor management organization; or

(F) a qualified intermediary.

(6) Nontraditional population.--The term ``nontraditional population'' means a group of individuals (such as a group of individuals from the same gender or race) the members of which comprise fewer than 25 percent of the individuals employed in a targeted infrastructure industry.

(7) Qualified intermediary.--

(A) In general.--The term ``qualified intermediary'' means an entity that demonstrates an expertise--

(i) in engaging in the partnerships described in subparagraph (B); and

(ii) serving participants and employers of programs funded under this title by--

(I) connecting employers to programs funded under this title;

(II) assisting in the design and implementation of such programs, including curriculum development and delivery of instruction;

(III) providing professional development activities such as training to mentors;

(IV) connecting students or workers to programs funded under this title;

(V) developing and providing personalized support for individuals participating in programs funded under this title, including by partnering with organizations to provide access to or referrals for supportive services and financial advising; or

(VI) providing services, resources, and supports for development, delivery, expansion, or improvement of programs funded under this title.

(B) Required partnerships.--In carrying out activities under this title, the qualified intermediary shall act in partnerships with--

(i) industry or sector partnerships, including establishing a new industry or sector partnership or expanding an existing industry or sector partnership;

(ii) partnerships among employers, joint labor-management organizations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, State or local workforce development boards, education and training providers, social service organizations, economic development organizations, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, or one-stop operators, or one-stop partners, in the State workforce development system; or

(iii) partnerships among one or more of the entities described in clauses (i) and (ii).

(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Labor.

(9) Targeted infrastructure industry.--The term ``targeted infrastructure industry'' means an industry, including the transportation (including surface, transit, aviation, maritime, or railway transportation), construction, energy

(including the deployment of renewable and clean energy, energy efficiency, transmission, and battery storage), information technology, or utilities industry) to be served by a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this title.

SEC. 40102. GRANTS AUTHORIZED.

(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Education, and the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the Army Corps of Engineers, shall award, on a competitive basis, grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to plan and implement activities to achieve the strategic objectives described in section 40104(b) with respect to a targeted infrastructure industry identified in the application submitted under section 40103 by such eligible entities.

(b) Types of Awards.--A grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this title may be in the form of--

(1) an implementation grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, for entities seeking an initial grant under this title; or

(2) a renewal grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for entities that have already received an implementation grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this title.

(d) Amount.--The amount of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under this title may not exceed--

(1) for an implementation grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, $2,500,000; and

(2) for a renewal grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, $1,500,000.

(e) Award Basis.--

(1) Geographic diversity.--The Secretary shall award funds under this title in a manner that ensures geographic diversity (such as urban and rural distribution) in the areas in which activities will be carried out using such funds.

(2) Priority for awards.--In awarding funds under this title, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--

(A) in the case of awarding implementation grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements--

(i) demonstrate long-term sustainability of a program or activity funded under this title;

(ii) will serve a high number or high percentage of nontraditional populations and individuals with barriers to employment; and

(iii) will provide a non-Federal share of the cost of the activities; and

(B) in the case of awarding renewal grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements--

(i) meet the criteria established in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) have demonstrated ability to meet the--

(I) strategic objectives of the implementation grant, contract or cooperative agreement described in section 40103(b)(4); and

(II) meet or exceed the requirements of the evaluations and progress reports described in section 40104(f).

SEC. 40103. APPLICATION.

(a) In General.--An eligible entity desiring a grant. contract, or cooperative agreement under this title shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the contents described in subsection (b).

(b) Contents.--An application submitted under this title shall contain, at a minimum--

(1) a description of the entities engaged in activities funded under the grant, including--

(A) evidence of the eligible entity's capacity to carry out activities to achieve the strategic objectives described in section 40104(b); and

(B) identification, and expected participation and responsibilities of each key stakeholder in the targeted infrastructure industry described in section 40104(b)(1) with which the eligible entity will partner to carry out such activities;

(2) a description of the targeted infrastructure industry to be served by the eligible entity with funds received under this title, and a description of how such industry was identified, including--

(A) the quantitative data and evidence that demonstrates the demand for employment in such industry in the geographic area served by the eligible entity under this title; and

(B) a description of the local, State, or federally funded infrastructure projects with respect to which the eligible entity anticipates engaging the partners described in paragraph (1)(B);

(3) a description of the workers that will be targeted or recruited by the eligible entity, including--

(A) how recruitment activities will target nontraditional populations to improve the percentages of nontraditional populations employed in targeted infrastructure industries; and

(B) a description of potential barriers to employment for targeted workers, and a description of strategies that will be used to help workers overcome such barriers;

(4) a description of the strategic objectives described in section 40104(b) that the eligible entity intends to achieve concerning the targeted infrastructure industry and activities to be carried out as described in section 40104, including--

(A) a timeline for progress towards achieving such strategic objectives;

(B) a description of the manner in which the eligible entity intends to make sustainable progress towards achieving such strategic objectives; and

(C) assurances the eligible entity will provide performance measures for measuring progress towards achieving such strategic objectives, as described in section 40104(f);

(5) a description of the recognized postsecondary credentials that the eligible entity proposes to prepare individuals participating in activities under this title for, which shall--

(A) be nationally or regionally portable and stackable;

(B) be related to the targeted infrastructure industry that the eligible entity proposes to support; and

(C) be aligned to a career pathway and work-based learning opportunity, such as an apprenticeship program or a pre-apprenticeship program articulating to an apprenticeship program;

(6) a description of the Federal and non-Federal resources, available under provisions of law other than this title, that will be leveraged in support of the partnerships and activities under this title; and

(7) a description of how the eligible entity or the education and training provider in partnership with such eligible entity under this title will establish or implement plans to be included on the list of eligible providers of training services described in section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)).

SEC. 40104. ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.

(a) In General.--An eligible entity receiving funds under this title shall carry out activities described this section to achieve the strategic objectives identified in the entity's application under section 40103, including the objectives described in subsection (b).

(b) Strategic Objectives.--The activities to be carried out with the funds awarded under this title shall be designed to achieve strategic objectives, including the following:

(1) Recruiting key stakeholders (such as employers, labor organizations, local boards, and education and training providers, economic development agencies, and as applicable, qualified intermediaries) in the targeted infrastructure industry to establish or expand industry and sector partnerships for the purpose of--

(A) assisting the eligible entity in carrying out the activities described in subsection (a); and

(B) convening with the eligible entity in a collaborative structure that supports the sharing of information and best practices for supporting the development of a diverse workforce to support the targeted infrastructure industry.

(2) Identifying the training needs of the State or local area in the targeted infrastructure industry, including--

(A) needs for skills critical to competitiveness and innovation in the industry;

(B) needs of the apprenticeship programs or other paid work-based learning programs supported by the funds; and

(C) the needed establishment, expansion, or revisions of career pathways and academic curriculum in the targeted infrastructure industries to establish talent pipelines for such industry.

(3) Identifying and quantifying any disparities or gaps in employment of nontraditional populations in the targeted infrastructure industries and establishing or expanding strategies to close such gaps.

(4) Supporting the development of consortia of education and training providers receiving assistance under this title to align curricula, recognized postsecondary credentials, and programs to the targeted infrastructure industry needs and the credentials described in section 40103(b)(5), particularly for high-skill, high-wage or in-demand industry sectors or occupations related to the targeted infrastructure industry.

(5) Providing information on activities carried out with such funds to the State and local board and the State agency carrying out the State program under the Wagner-Peyser Act

(29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.), including staff of the agency that provide services under such Act, to enable the State agency to inform recipients of unemployment compensation or the employment and training opportunities that may be offered through such activities.

(6) Establishing or expanding partnerships with employers in industry or sector partnerships to attract potential workers from a diverse jobseeker base, including individuals with barriers to employment and nontraditional populations, by identifying any such barriers through analysis of the labor market data and recruitment strategies, and implementing strategies to help such workers overcome such barriers and increase diversity in the targeted infrastructure industries.

(c) Planning Activities.--An eligible entity receiving a planning grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this title shall use not more than $250,000 of such funds to carry out planning activities during the first year of the grant, contract, or agreement period, which may include--

(1) establishing or expanding industry or sector partnerships described in subsection (b)(1);

(2) conducting outreach to local labor organizations, employers, industry associations, education and training providers, economic development organizations, and qualified intermediaries, as applicable;

(3) recruiting individuals for participation in programs assisted with funds under this title, including individuals with barriers to employment and nontraditional populations;

(4) establishing or expanding paid work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeship programs or programs articulating to apprenticeship programs;

(5) establishing or implementing plans for any education and training provider receiving funding under this title to be included on the list of eligible providers of training services described in section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d));

(6) establishing or implementing plans for awarding academic credit or providing for academic alignment towards credit pathways for programs or programs of study assisted with funds under this title, including academic credit for industry recognized credentials, competency-based education, work-based learning, or apprenticeship programs;

(7) making available open, searchable, and comparable information on the recognized postsecondary credentials awarded under such programs, including the related skills or competencies and related employment and earnings outcomes;

(8) conducting an evaluation of workforce needs in the local area; or

(9) career pathway and curriculum development or expansion, program establishment, and acquiring equipment necessary to support activities permitted under this section.

(d) Employer Engagement.--An eligible entity receiving funds under this title shall use the grant funds to provide services to engage employers in efforts to achieve the strategic objectives identified in the partnership's application under section 40103(b)(4), such as--

(1) navigating the registration process for a sponsor of an apprenticeship program;

(2) connecting the employer with an education and training provider, to support the development of curriculum for work-based learning opportunities, including the related instruction for apprenticeship programs;

(3) providing training to incumbent workers to serve as trainers or mentors to individuals participating in a work-based learning program funded under this title;

(4) subsidizing the wages and benefits for individuals participating in activities or programs funded under this title for a period of not more than 6 months for employers demonstrating financial need, including due to COVID-19; and

(5) recruiting for employment or participation in programs funded under this title, including work-based learning programs, including--

(A) individuals participating in programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.);

(B) recipients of assistance through the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);

(C) recipients of assistance through the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);

(D) individuals with a barrier to employment; or

(E) nontraditional populations in the targeted infrastructure industry served by such funds.

(e) Participant Supports.--The eligible entity receiving funds under this title shall use the grant funds to provide services to support the success of individuals participating in a program supported under this title, which shall include--

(1) in coordination with the State or local board--

(A) training services as described in section 134(c)(3) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(c)(3));

(B) career services as described in section 134(c)(2) of such Act; and

(2) providing access to necessary supplies, materials, technological devices, or required equipment, attire, and other supports necessary to participate in such programs or to start employment;

(3) job placement assistance, including in paid work-based learning opportunities which may include apprenticeship programs, or employment at the completion of a program provided by an education and training provider;

(4) providing career awareness activities, such as career guidance and academic counseling; and

(5) services to ensure individuals served by funds under this title maintain employment after the completion of a program funded under this title for at least 12 months, including through the continuation of services described under paragraphs (1) through (4) as applicable continuation of services described under paragraphs (1) through (4).

(f) Evaluation and Progress Reports.--Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this title, and annually thereafter, the eligible entity receiving the grant shall submit a report to the Secretary and the Governor of the State that the eligible entity serves, that--

(1) describes the activities funded under this title;

(2) evaluates the progress the eligible entity has made towards achieving the strategic objectives identified under section 40103(b)(4); and

(3) evaluates the levels of performance achieved by the eligible entity for training participants with respect to the performance indicators under section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) for all such workers, disaggregated by each population specified in section 3(24) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(24)) and by race, ethnicity, sex, and age.

(g) Administrative Costs.--An eligible partnership may use not more than 5 percent of the funds awarded through a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this title for administrative expenses in carrying out this section.

SEC. 40105. ADMINISTRATION BY THE SECRETARY.

(a) In General.--The Secretary may use not more than 2 percent of the amount appropriated under section 40106 for each fiscal year for administrative expenses to carry out this title, including the expenses of providing the technical assistance and oversight activities under subsection (b).

(b) Technical Assistance; Oversight.--The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and oversight to assist the eligible entities in applying for and administering grants awarded under this title.

SEC. 40106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each of the succeeding 4 fiscal years.

SEC. 40107. SPECIAL RULE.

Any funds made available under this title that are used to fund an apprenticeship or apprenticeship program shall only be used for, or provided to, an apprenticeship or apprenticeship program that meets the definition of such term in section 40101 of this title, including any funds awarded for the purposes of grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, or the development, implementation, or administration, of an apprenticeship or an apprenticeship program.

amendment no. 4 offered by ms. brownley of california

Page 1658, after line 14, insert the following:

(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:

``(3) The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall ensure that in acquiring medium- and heavy-duty vehicles for a Federal fleet, a Federal entity shall acquire zero emission vehicles to the maximum extent feasible.'';

amendment no. 5 offered by mr. cardenas of california

At the end of section 50002, add the following:

(g) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, as the Postal Service replaces or upgrades its fleet of delivery vehicles, the Postal Service should take all reasonable steps to ensure that its vehicles are equipped with climate control units to protect the health and safety of its mail carriers, especially those working in areas of the country that are subject to extreme temperatures.

amendment no. 6 offered by mr. courtney of connecticut

Page 1707, line 11, strike ``or''.

Page 1707, after line 11, insert the following:

(3) activities designed to preserve existing housing by remediation of iron sulfide or other minerals causing housing degredation; or

Page 1707, line 12, strike ``(3)'' and insert ``(4)''.

amendment no. 7 offered by mr. gallego of arizona

Page 1232, after line 10, insert the following (and redesignate the succeeding paragraphs accordingly):

(14) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native Hawaiian organization'' means any organization--

(A) that serves the interests of Native Hawaiians;

(B) in which Native Hawaiians serve in substantive and policymaking positions;

(D) that is recognized for having expertise in Native Hawaiian affairs, digital connectivity, or access to broadband service.

Page 1243, after line 20, insert the following:

(3) Tribal and native hawaiian consultation and engagement.--In establishing the Program under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall conduct robust, interactive, pre-decisional, transparent consultation with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Page 1269, line 5, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.

Page 1269, after line 7, insert the following:

(D) providing assistance specific to Indian Tribes, tribally designated entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations, including--

(i) conducting annual outreach to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations on the availability of technical assistance for applying for or otherwise participating in the Program;

(ii) providing technical assistance at the request of any Indian Tribe, tribally designated entity, or Native Hawaiian organization that is applying for or participating in the Program in order to facilitate the fulfillment of any applicable requirements in subsections (c) and (d); and

(iii) providing additional technical assistance at the request of any Indian Tribe, tribally designated entity, or Native Hawaiian organization that is applying for or participating in the Program to improve the development or implementation of a Digital Equity plan, such as--

(I) assessing all Federal programs that are available to assist the Indian Tribe, tribally designated entity, or Native Hawaiian organization in meeting the goals of a Digital Equity plan;

(II) identifying all applicable Federal, State, and Tribal statutory provisions, regulations, policies, and procedures that the Assistant Secretary determines are necessary to adhere to for the deployment of broadband service;

(III) identifying obstacles to the deployment of broadband service under a Digital Equity plan, as well as potential solutions; or

(IV) identifying activities that may be necessary to the success of a Digital Equity plan, including digital literacy training, technical support, privacy and cybersecurity expertise, and other end-user technology needs; and

amendment no. 8 offered by mr. garcia of illinois

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. LEAD ABATEMENT FOR FAMILIES.

(a) Identification of Lead Water Service Lines.--

(1) Review.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with public housing agencies, owners of other federally assisted housing, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration shall, not later than the expiration of the 24-month period beginning upon the date of the enactment of this Act, undertake and complete a review of all public housing projects and all other federally assisted housing projects to identify any such projects for which the source of potable water is a lead-based water service pipe or pipes.

(2) Report.--Upon completion of the review required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress setting forth the results of the review and identifying any projects for which the source of potable water is a lead-based water service pipe or pipes.

(b) Grant Authority.--

(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to public housing agencies and owners of other federally assisted housing to cover the eligible costs of removing and replacing lead-based water service pipes for housing projects identified pursuant to the review under subsection (a).

(2) Eligible costs.--Amounts from a grant under this subsection may be used only for costs of removing and replacing a lead-based water service pipe for a housing project.

(3) Assurances.--The Secretary shall require each public housing agency and owner of other federally assisted housing receiving a grant under this subsection for a housing project to make such assurances and enter into such agreements as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure that--

(A) the lead-based water service pipes for the project that will be removed and replaced using such grant amounts are identified; and

(B) all work to remove and replace such pipes is completed before the expiration of the 24-month period beginning upon the initial availability to the agency or owner of such grant amounts.

(4) Limitation on amounts.--The amount of grant under this subsection with respect to a housing project may not exceed the estimate of the Secretary of the full cost or removing and replacing the lead-based water service pipes for the project identified pursuant to paragraph (3)(A).

(c) Final Report.--Upon the expiration of the 6-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report identifying the housing projects for which lead -based water service pipes were removed and replaced using grants under subsection

(b) and analyzing the effectiveness of the program for such grants.

(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this sectionn, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) Housing project.--The term ``housing project'' means a public housing project or a project that is other federally assisted housing.

(2) Other federally assisted housing.--The term ``other federally assisted housing'' has the meaning given the term

``federally assisted housing'' in section 683 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13641), except that such term does not include any public housing project described in paragraph (2)(A) of such section.

(3) Lead-based water service pipe.--The term ``lead-based water service pipe'' means, with respect to a housing project, a pipe or other conduit that--

(A) is used to supply potable water for the housing project from outside the project; and

(B) does not satisfy the definition of ``lead-free'' established under section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act

(42 U.S.C. 300g-6).

(4) Public housing.--The term ``public housing'' has the meaning given such term in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).

(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(e) Regulations.--The Secretary, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Administration, may issue any regulations necessary to carry out this section.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated for grants under subsection (b)--

(1) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(2) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and

(3) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.

Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Hastings of Florida

At the end of division J, add the following:

SEC. 60015. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

CONNECTIVITY IN FEDERALLY-ASSISTED HOUSING.

(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on broadband service in Federally-assisted housing.

(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) shall include--

(1) an analysis of Federally-assisted housing units that have access to broadband service and the number of such units that do not have access to broadband service, disaggregated by State, county, and congressional district, that includes geographic information and any Federal agency responsible for such units;

(2) an analysis of which such units are not currently capable of supporting broadband service deployment and would require retrofitting to support broadband service deployment, disaggregated by State, county, and congressional district, that includes geographic information and any Federal agency responsible for such units;

(3) an analysis of the estimated costs and timeframe necessary for retrofitting buildings to achieve 100 percent access to broadband service;

(4) an analysis of the challenges to more widespread deployment of broadband service, including the comparative markets dynamics to expansion in rural areas and low-income urban areas, and the challenges to pursuing retrofits to achieve 100 percent access to broadband service;

(5) descriptions of lessons learned from previous retrofitting actions;

(6) an evaluation of the ConnectHome pilot program of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and

(7) recommendations for Congress for achieving 100 percent access to broadband service in Federally-assisted housing.

(1) Broadband service.--The term ``broadband service'' has the meaning given the term ``broadband internet access service'' in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.

(2) Federally-assisted housing.--In this section, the term

``Federally-assisted housing'' means any single-family or multifamily housing that is assisted under a program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or the Secretary of Agriculture.

SEC. 60016. MASTER PLAN FOR BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN

FEDERALLY-ASSISTED HOUSING.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with other relevant heads of Federal agencies, shall develop a master plan for achieving retrofitting Federally-assisted housing to support broadband service. The Secretary shall submit such plan to Congress not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(b) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``broadband service'' and ``Federally-assisted housing'' have the meanings given in section 60015.

Amendment No. 10 Offered by Ms. Jayapal of Washington

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON

HOMELESSNESS.

(a) Repeal of Termination.--Title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.) is amended--

(1) by striking section 209 (42 U.S.C. 11319); and

(2) by redesignating sections 207 and 208 (42 U.S.C. 11317, 11318) as sections 208 and 209, respectively.

(b) Functions.--Section 203 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11313) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (12), by striking ``and'' at the end;

(B) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

``(14) rely on evidence-based practices;

``(15) identify and promote successful practices, including the Housing First strategy and the permanent supportive housing model; and

``(16) prioritize addressing disparities faced by members of a population at higher risk of homelessness, including by issuing reports and making recommendations to agencies.''; and

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon;

(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

``(3) make formal reports and recommendations to Federal agencies, which shall include comments on how proposed regulatory changes would impact persons experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or who are cost-burdened.''.

(1) In general.--Title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is amended by inserting after section 206 (42 U.S.C. 11316) the following new section:

``SEC. 207. ADVISORY BOARD.

``(a) Establishment.--There is established an advisory board for the Council.

``(b) Membership.--

``(1) Composition.--The advisory board shall be composed of not less than 20 individuals, selected in accordance with paragraph (3) from nominees proposed pursuant to paragraph

(2), as follows:

``(A) Not less than 10 members shall be individuals who are homeless or experiencing housing instability, or were so during the 5 calendar years preceding appointment to the advisory board or who have been so in the last 5 calendar years.

``(B) Not less than 8 members shall be individuals who are members of, or advocate on behalf of, or both, a population at higher risk of homelessness, including such transgender and gender non-conforming persons, Asian, Black, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color, youth in or formerly in the foster care system, and justice-system involved youth and adults.

``(2) Nomination.--Nominees for members of the advisory board shall be proposed by any grantee or subgrantee under this Act.

``(3) Selection.--Advisory Board members shall be selected as follows:

``(A) At least 5 members shall be selected by the majority party members of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and 5 members shall be selected by the minority party members of such committee.

``(B) At least 5 members shall be selected by the majority party members of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and 5 members shall be selected by the minority party members of such committee.

``(4) Terms.--Members of the advisory board shall serve terms of 2 years.

``(c) Functions.--The advisory board shall review the work of the Council, make recommendations regarding how the Council can most effectively pursue the goal of ending homelessness, and raise specific points of concern with members of the Council who represent Federal agencies.

``(d) Meetings.--The advisory board shall meet not less often than twice each year.

``(e) Council Meetings.--The Council shall meet regularly and not less often than once a year with the advisory board and shall provide timely written responses to recommendations, proposals, and concerns issued by the advisory board.

``(f) Chairman.--The position of Chairman of the advisory board shall be filled by an individual who is a current or former member of the advisory board, is nominated by at least two members of the advisory board, and is confirmed by a vote of not less than 75 percent of the members of the advisory board.

``(g) Compensation.--Any amounts made available for administrative costs of the Council may be used for costs of travel or online access to meetings for participation by members of the advisory board in board meetings, and for per diem compensation to advisory board members for board meetings.

``(h) Rule of Construction.--The agencies implementing this Act shall construe this Act in a manner that facilitates and encourage the full participation of advisory board members and shall consider the barriers faced by persons experiencing homelessness and shall endeavor to overcome such barriers to participation.''.

(2) Representation of chairman on council.--Section 202(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11312(a)) is amended--

(A) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (21); and

(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(22) The chairman of the advisory board established by section 207.''.

(d) Director.--Subsection (a) of section 204 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11314(a)) is amended--

(1) by striking ``(a) Director.--The Council shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall be'' and inserting the following:

``(a) Director.--

``(1) In general.--The chief executive officer of the Council shall be the Executive Director, who shall be appointed in accordance with paragraph (2) and''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

``(1) Process for appointment.--A vacancy in the position of Executive Director shall be filled by an individual nominated and appointed to such position by the Council, except that the Council may not appoint any nominee who is not confirmed by approval of 75 percent of the aggregate of all members of the Council and the advisory board under section 207 pursuant to an election in which each such member's vote is given identical weight. If the Council is unable to agree on an Executive Director, the chairperson of the advisory council shall act as interim Executive Director.''.

(e) Definitions.--Section 207 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11317) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

``(3) The term `Housing First' means, with respect to addressing homelessness, an approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent and affordable housing opportunities and appropriate services without preconditions and low or no barriers to entry, including barriers relating to sobriety, treatment, work requirements, and service participation requirements.

``(4) The term `permanent supportive housing' means housing that provides--

``(A) indefinite leasing or rental assistance; and

``(B) non-mandatory, culturally competent supportive services to assist persons to achieve housing stability and maintain their health and well-being.

``(5)(A) The term `population at higher risk of homelessness' means a group of persons that is defined by a common characteristic and that has been found to experience homelessness, housing instability, or to be cost-burdened at a rate higher than that of the general public.

``(B) Information that may be used in demonstrating such a higher rate includes data generated by the Federal Government, by State or municipal governments, by peer-reviewed research, and by organizations having expertise in working with or advocating on behalf of homeless, housing unstable, or cost-burdened groups.

``(C) Such term shall include populations for which such higher rate has already been demonstrated, including Asian, Black, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other communities of color; persons with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, elderly persons, foster and former foster youth; LGBTQ persons, gender non-binary and gender non-conforming persons, justice system-involved persons, and veterans.''.

(f) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 101(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 note) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 209 and 210 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 209. Encouragement of State involvement.''.

Amendment No. 11 Offered by Ms. Jayapal of Washington

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. GAO STUDY OF HOUSING NEEDS OF POPULATIONS AT

HIGHER RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

(a) In General.--No later than the expiration of the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall identify and analyze the housing infrastructure needs of populations at higher risk of homelessness, and shall submit a report to the Congress recommending regulatory, policy, and practice changes that would ensure that Federal agencies better reduce and prevent homelessness and housing instability faced by populations at higher risk of homelessness.

(b) Population at Higher Risk of Homelessness.--

(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term

``population at higher risk of homelessness'' means a group of persons that is defined by a common characteristic and that has been found to experience homelessness, housing instability, or to be cost-burdened at a rate higher than that of the general public.

(2) Higher rate.--Information that may be used in demonstrating such a higher rate includes data generated by the Federal Government, by State or municipal governments, by peer-reviewed research, and by organizations having expertise in working with or advocating on behalf of homeless, housing unstable, or cost-burdened groups.

(3) Included populations.--Such term shall include populations for which such higher rate has already been demonstrated, including Asian, Black, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and other communities of color; persons with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, elderly persons, foster and former foster youth; LGBTQ persons, gender non-binary and gender non-conforming persons, justice system-involved persons, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other intimate partner violence, and veterans.

Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Lowenthal of California

Page 1677, after line 16, insert the following:

Subtitle E--Other Matters

SEC. 33501. WATER REUSE INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the

``Administrator''), shall establish a Water Reuse Interagency Working Group (referred to in this section as the ``Working Group'').

(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Working Group is to develop and coordinate actions, tools, and resources to advance water reuse across the United States, including through the implementation of a National Water Reuse Action Plan that creates opportunities for water reuse in the mission areas of each of the Federal agencies included in the Working Group under subsection (c) (referred to in this section as the ``Action Plan'').

(1) chaired by the Administrator; and

(2) comprised of senior representatives from such Federal agencies as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

(d) Duties of the Working Group.--In carrying out this section, the Working Group shall--

(1) with respect to water reuse, leverage the expertise of industry, the research community, nongovernmental organizations, and government;

(2) seek to foster water reuse as an important component of integrated water resources management;

(3) conduct an assessment of new opportunities to advance water reuse and annually update the Action Plan with new actions, as necessary, to pursue those opportunities;

(4) seek to coordinate Federal programs and policies to support the adoption of water reuse;

(5) consider how each Federal agency can explore and identify opportunities to support water reuse through the programs and activities of that Federal agency; and

(6) consult, on a regular basis, with representatives of relevant industries, the research community, and nongovernmental organizations.

(e) Report.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the activities and findings of the Working Group.

(f) Sunset.--

(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Working Group shall terminate on the date that is 6 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) Extension.--The Administrator may extend the date of termination of the Working Group under paragraph (1).

Amendment No. 13 Offered by Ms. McCollum of Minnesota

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following:

SEC. 60016. BUY AMERICA REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACTIVITIES.

Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 5323. BUY AMERICA.

``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not obligate any funds authorized to be appropriated for any project authorized under this title and administered by the Secretary, unless steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials used in such project are produced in the United States.

``(b) Inapplicability.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to the development of any housing, including single-family and multifamily housing.

``(c) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirements of subsection (a) if the Secretary finds---

``(1) that such requirements would be inconsistent with the public interest;

``(2) that products described in subsection (a) are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or

``(3) that inclusion of domestic material will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent.

``(d) Notice.--Not later than 15 days before making a determination regarding a waiver described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide notification and an opportunity for public comment on the request for such waiver.

``(e) International Agreements.--This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.''.

Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Neguse of Colorado

Page 1691, after line 20, insert the following:

SEC. 40002. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FEDERAL

RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) In General.--Section 1007(c)(1) of the America COMPETES Act (42 U.S.C. 6619(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and funding for research infrastsructure'' after ``research infrastructure''.

(b) GAO Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and every 3 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes--

(1) an assessment of the current state of Federal science facilities and related infrastructure, including with respect to climate control systems, the functionality of equipment and the usage of such equipment, the quality of buildings in which such facilities are housed (including the resiliency of such buildings to changes in climate, weather, and natural surroundings), and the safety of the materials used in construction of facilities;

(2) An identification of the facilities in most critical need of repair or renovation;

(3) the estimated costs of completing such repairs of renovations; and

(4) an evaluation of whether facility occupancy is sufficient to meet agency demands.

Amendment No. 15 Offered by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez of New York

Page 1692, line 14, insert ``and $50,000,000 shall be for updating postal facilities to increase accessibility for disabled individuals, with a focus on such facilities that are included in the National Register of Historic Places'' after ``vehicles''.

Amendment No. 16 Offered by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez of New York

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. REPEAL OF FAIRCLOTH AMENDMENT.

Section 9(g) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(g)) is amended by striking paragraph (3)

(relating to limitation on new construction).

Amendment No. 17 Offered by Ms. Omar of Minnesota

Page 1241, after line 18, insert the following new section:

SEC. 31107. STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONNECT SOCIALLY

DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this act, the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, in consultation with the Commission and the Rural Utility Service of the Department of Agriculture, shall, after public notice and an opportunity for comment, conduct a study to assess the extent to which Federal funds for broadband internet access services, including the Universal Service Fund programs and other Federal broadband service support programs, have expanded access to and adoption of broadband internet access service by socially disadvantaged individuals as compared to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged individuals.

(b) Report and Publication.--

(1) Submission.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth shall submit a report on the results of the study under subsection (a) to--

(A) the Committee on Energy & Commerce in the House of Representatives;

(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the Senate; and

(2) Public publication.--Contemporaneously with submitting the report required by paragraph (1), the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth shall publish such report on the public facing website of--

(A) the National Telecommunications and Information Administration;

(B) the Commission; and

(3) Recommendations.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall include recommendations with regard who to how Federal funds for the Universal Service Fund programs and Federal broadband service support programs may be dispersed in an a manner that better expands access to and adoption of broadband internet access service by socially disadvantaged individuals as compared to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged individuals.

(c) Socially Disadvantaged Individual.--In this section, the term ``socially disadvantaged individual'' has the meaning given that term in section 8 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637).

Amendment No. 18 Offered by Ms. Pressley of Massachusetts

Page 1714, after line 2, insert the following new section:

SEC. 60016. STUDY OF EFFECTS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY ON ACCESS TO

HOUSING.

Not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall--

(1) conduct and complete a study on the effects of criminal history or involvement with the criminal legal system on access to private and assisted housing, taking into consideration demographic information, type of housing, socio-economic status, geography, nature of the offense, and other relevant factors allowing greater understanding of the impact of criminal history on access to housing; and

(2) submit to the Congress a report setting forth the findings of the study, which shall be disaggregated according to the factors considered pursuant to paragraph (1).

amendment no. 19 offered by mr. ruiz of california

Page 1973, after line 2, insert the following:

Subtitle E--Tribal Land to Trust

SECTION 82501. LANDS TO BE TAKEN INTO TRUST.

(a) In General.--The approximately 2,560 acres of land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, numbered 16, 21, 27, and 29 and generally depicted as ``BLM Exchange Lands (2,560 Acres)'' on the map titled ``ACBCI/BLM LAND EXCHANGE'' is hereby taken into trust for the benefit of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

(b) Lands Part of Reservation.--Lands taken into trust by this section shall be part of the Tribe's reservation and shall be administered in accordance with the laws and regulations generally applicable to property held in trust by the United States for an Indian tribe.

(c) Gaming Prohibited.--Lands taken into trust by this section for the benefit of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians shall not be eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).

amendment no. 20 offered by mr. ruiz of california

Page 1352, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. 31302. UNIVERSAL SERVICE IN INDIAN COUNTRY AND AREAS

WITH HIGH POPULATIONS OF INDIAN PEOPLE.

Section 254(b)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(b)(3)) is amended by inserting ``and in Indian country (as defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code) and areas with high populations of Indian (as defined in section 19 of the Act of June 18, 1934 (Chapter 576; 48 Stat. 988; 25 U.S.C. 5129)) people'' after ``high cost areas''.

amendment no. 21 offered by mr. rush of illinois

At the end of title III of division G, add the following new subtitle:

Subtitle E--Energy Workforce Development

CHAPTER 1--OFFICE OF ECONOMIC IMPACT, DIVERSITY, AND EMPLOYMENT

SEC. 33501. NAME OF OFFICE.

(a) In General.--Section 211 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7141) is amended--

(1) in the section heading, by striking ``minority economic impact'' and inserting ``economic impact, diversity, and employment''; and

(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``Office of Minority Economic Impact'' and inserting ``Office of Economic Impact, Diversity, and Employment''.

(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the Department of Energy Organization Act is amended by amending the item relating to section 211 to read as follows:

``Sec. 211. Office of Economic Impact, Diversity, and Employment.''.

SEC. 33502. ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

Section 211 of the Department of Energy Organization Act

(42 U.S.C. 7141) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections

(g) and (h), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:

``(f) The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall establish and carry out the programs described in sections 33511 and 33512 of the Moving Forward Act.''.

SEC. 33503. AUTHORIZATION.

Subsection (h) of section 211 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7141), as redesignated by section 33502 of this Act, is amended by striking ``not to exceed

$3,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, not to exceed $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, and not to exceed $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1981. Of the amounts so appropriated each fiscal year, not less than 50 percent shall be available for purposes of financial assistance under subsection (e).'' and inserting

``$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.''.

CHAPTER 2--ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 33511. ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Economic Impact, Diversity, and Employment, shall establish and carry out a comprehensive, nationwide program to improve education and training for jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries, in order to increase the number of skilled workers trained to work in such energy-related industries, including by--

(1) encouraging underrepresented groups, including religious and ethnic minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, unemployed energy workers, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals to enter into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (in this section referred to as ``STEM'') fields;

(2) encouraging the Nation's educational institutions to equip students with the skills, mentorships, training, and technical expertise necessary to fill the employment opportunities vital to managing and operating the Nation's energy-related industries;

(3) providing students and other candidates for employment with the necessary skills and certifications for skilled, semiskilled, and highly skilled jobs in such energy-related industries;

(4) strengthening and more fully engaging Department of Energy programs and laboratories in carrying out the Department's Minorities in Energy Initiative; and

(5) to the greatest extent possible, collaborating with and supporting existing State workforce development programs to maximize program efficiency.

(b) Priority.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize the education and training of underrepresented groups for jobs in energy-related industries.

(c) Direct Assistance.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide direct assistance (including financial assistance awards, technical expertise, and internships) to educational institutions, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs. The Secretary shall distribute such direct assistance in a manner proportional to the needs of, and demand for jobs in, energy-related industries, consistent with information obtained under subsections (e)(3) and (i).

(d) Clearinghouse.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a clearinghouse to--

(1) maintain and update information and resources on training programs for jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries; and

(2) act as a resource for educational institutions, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs that would like to develop and implement training programs for such jobs.

(e) Collaboration and Report.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary--

(1) shall collaborate with educational institutions, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, apprenticeship programs, and energy-related industries;

(2) shall encourage and foster collaboration, mentorships, and partnerships among industry, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs that currently provide effective training programs for jobs in energy-related industries and educational institutions that seek to establish these types of programs in order to share best practices and approaches that best suit local, State, and national needs; and

(3) shall collaborate with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Commerce, the Bureau of the Census, and energy-related industries to--

(A) develop a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the workforce needs of such energy-related industries, and job opportunities in such energy-related industries, by State and by region; and

(B) publish an annual report on job creation in the energy-related industries described in subsection (i)(2).

(f) Guidelines for Educational Institutions.--

(1) In general.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and the National Science Foundation, shall develop voluntary guidelines or best practices for educational institutions to help provide graduates with the skills necessary for jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries.

(2) Input.--The Secretary shall solicit input from energy-related industries in developing guidelines or best practices under paragraph (1).

(3) Energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.--The guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph (1) shall include grade-specific guidelines for teaching energy efficiency technology, manufacturing efficiency technology, community energy resiliency, and conservation initiatives to educate students and families.

(4) STEM education.--The guidelines or best practices developed under paragraph (1) shall promote STEM education in educational institutions as it relates to job opportunities in energy-related industries.

(g) Outreach to Minority-Serving Institutions.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--

(1) give special consideration to increasing outreach to minority-serving institutions;

(2) make resources available to minority-serving institutions with the objective of increasing the number of skilled minorities and women trained for jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries;

(3) encourage energy-related industries to improve the opportunities for students of minority-serving institutions to participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study programs; and

(4) partner with the Department of Energy laboratories to increase underrepresented groups' participation in internships, fellowships, traineeships, and employment at all Department of Energy laboratories.

(h) Outreach to Displaced and Unemployed Energy Workers.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--

(1) give special consideration to increasing outreach to employers and job trainers preparing displaced and unemployed energy workers for emerging jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries;

(2) make resources available to institutions serving displaced and unemployed energy workers with the objective of increasing the number of individuals trained for jobs in energy-related industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and retrofitting jobs in such energy-related industries; and

(3) encourage energy-related industries to improve opportunities for displaced and unemployed energy workers to participate in industry internships and cooperative work-study programs.

(i) Guidelines To Develop Skills for an Energy Industry Workforce.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, in collaboration with energy-related industries--

(1) identify the areas with the greatest demand for workers in each such industry; and

(2) develop guidelines for the skills necessary for work in the following energy-related industries:

(A) Energy efficiency industry, including work in energy efficiency, conservation, weatherization, retrofitting, or as inspectors or auditors.

(B) Renewable energy industry, including work in the development, engineering, manufacturing, and production of renewable energy from renewable energy sources (such as solar, hydropower, wind, or geothermal energy).

(C) Community energy resiliency industry, including work in the installation of rooftop solar, in battery storage, and in microgrid technologies.

(D) Fuel cell and hydrogen energy industry.

(E) Manufacturing industry, including work as operations technicians, in operations and design in additive manufacturing, 3-D printing, and advanced composites and advanced aluminum and other metal alloys, industrial energy efficiency management systems, including power electronics, and other innovative technologies.

(F) Chemical manufacturing industry, including work in construction (such as welders, pipefitters, and tool and die makers) or as instrument and electrical technicians, machinists, chemical process operators, engineers, quality and safety professionals, and reliability engineers.

(G) Utility industry, including work in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas, such as utility technicians, operators, lineworkers, engineers, scientists, and information technology specialists.

(H) Alternative fuels industry, including work in biofuel development and production.

(I) Pipeline industry, including work in pipeline construction and maintenance or work as engineers or technical advisors.

(J) Nuclear industry, including work as scientists, engineers, technicians, mathematicians, or security personnel.

(K) Oil and gas industry, including work as scientists, engineers, technicians, mathematicians, petrochemical engineers, or geologists.

(L) Coal industry, including work as coal miners, engineers, developers and manufacturers of state-of-the-art coal facilities, technology vendors, coal transportation workers and operators, or mining equipment vendors.

(j) Enrollment in Training and Apprenticeship Programs.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall work with industry, local workforce development boards, State workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and apprenticeship programs to help identify students and other candidates, including from underrepresented communities such as minorities, women, and veterans, to enroll into training and apprenticeship programs for jobs in energy-related industries.

(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.

SEC. 33512. ENERGY WORKFORCE GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Program.--

(1) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Economic Impact, Diversity, and Employment, shall establish and carry out a program to provide grants to eligible businesses to pay the wages of new and existing employees during the time period that such employees are receiving training to work in the renewable energy sector, energy efficiency sector, or grid modernization sector.

(2) Guidelines.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders, contractors, and organizations that work to advance existing residential energy efficiency, shall establish guidelines to identify training that is eligible for purposes of the program established pursuant to paragraph

(1).

(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under the program established under subsection (a) or a business or labor management organization that is directly involved with energy efficiency or renewable energy technology, or working on behalf of any such business, shall provide services related to--

(1) renewable electric energy generation, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and other renewable electric energy generation technologies;

(2) energy efficiency, including energy-efficient lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, air source heat pumps, advanced building materials, insulation and air sealing, and other high-efficiency products and services, including auditing and inspection;

(3) grid modernization or energy storage, including smart grid, microgrid and other distributed energy solutions, demand response management, and home energy management technology; or

(4) fuel cell and hybrid fuel cell generation.

(1) 20 or fewer employees may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection (a) to pay up to--

(A) 45 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by the eligible business; and

(B) 90 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business;

(2) 21 to 99 employees may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection (a) to pay up to--

(A) 37.5 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by the eligible business; and

(B) 75 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business; and

(3) 100 employees or more may use a grant provided under the program established under subsection (a) to pay up to--

(A) 25 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by the eligible business; and

(B) 50 percent of an employee's wages for the duration of the training, if the training is provided by an entity other than the eligible business.

(d) Priority for Targeted Communities.--In providing grants under the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible businesses that--

(1) recruit employees--

(A) from the communities that the businesses serve; and

(B) that are minorities, women, persons who are or were foster children, persons who are transitioning from fossil energy sector jobs, or veterans; and

(2) provide trainees with the opportunity to obtain real-world experience.

(e) Limit.--An eligible business may not receive more than

$100,000 under the program established under subsection (a) per fiscal year.

(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $70,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.

SEC. 33513. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle:

(1) Apprenticeship.--The term ``apprenticeship'' means an apprenticeship registered under the Act of August 16, 1937

(commonly known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).

(2) Educational institution.--The term ``educational institution'' means an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education.

(3) Elementary school and secondary school.--The terms

``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(4) Energy-related industry.--The term ``energy-related industry'' includes each of the energy efficiency, renewable energy, chemical manufacturing, utility, alternative fuels, pipeline, nuclear energy, oil, gas, and coal industries.

(5) Institution of higher education.--The term

``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965

(20 U.S.C. 1002).

(6) Labor organization.--The term ``labor organization'' has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152).

(7) Local workforce development board.--The term ``local workforce development board'' means a local board, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(29 U.S.C. 3102).

(8) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-serving institution'' means an institution of higher education that is of one of the following:

(A) Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5))).

(B) Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))).

(C) Alaska Native-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).

(D) Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))).

(E) Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 318(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b))).

(F) Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in section 319(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965

(20 U.S.C. 1059f(b))).

(G) Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 320(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b))).

(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy.

(10) State workforce development board.--The term ``State workforce development board'' means a State board, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(29 U.S.C. 3102).

amendment no. 22 offered by mr. soto of florida

Page 2107, after line 25, insert the following:

Subtitle G.--Sinkhole Hazard Identification

SEC. 84701. SINKHOLE HAZARD IDENTIFICATION.

(a) Program.--The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to--

(1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and

(2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation.

(b) Review of Maps.--Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section.

(c) Website.--The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.

amendment no. 23 offered by ms. speier of california

Page 1303, line 14, strike ``; or'' and insert a semicolon.

Page 1303, line 22, strike the period at the end and insert

``; or''.

Page 1303, after line 22, insert the following:

(D) at least one member of the household has received a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) in the most recent academic year.

amendment no. 24 offered by mrs. torres of california

In division H, add at the end the following:

SEC. 40002. AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE OPPORTUNITY BONDS.

Chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

``SUBCHAPTER III--AMERICAN INFRASTRUCTURE OPPORTUNITY BONDS

``Sec. 3131. Issuance of American Infrastructure Opportunity

Bonds and use of proceeds

``(a) Issuance of Bonds.--If the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the real rate is equal to zero percent or less, the Secretary shall--

``(1) issue Government bonds with a face value of

$20,000,000,000; and

``(2) deposit amounts equivalent to the proceeds from such issuance into the Highway Trust Fund, of which 20 percent shall be deposited into the Mass Transit Account established under section 9503(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:

``(1) Federal interest rate.--The term `Federal interest rate' means the current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity of approximately 1 year, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.

``(2) Inflation rate.--The term `inflation rate' means the change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor with respect to the previous calendar month.

``(3) Real rate.--The term `real rate' means--

``(A) the Federal interest rate, minus

``(B) the inflation rate.''; and

(2) in the analysis for such chapter, by adding at the end the following:

``subchapter iii--american infrastructure opportunity bonds

``3131. Issuance of American Infrastructure Opportunity Bonds and use of proceeds.''.

amendment no. 25 offered by ms. velazquez of new york

Page 1698, lines 12 and 13, strike ``35 percent and not more than 75'' and insert ``50''.

Page 1698, strike ``including'' in line 18 and all that follows through line 21, and insert the following: ``which shall not exclude public housing agencies working in good faith to resolve urgent health and safety concerns based on written notification of violations from the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Justice, or Department of Housing and Urban Development.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves) each will control 15 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the Moving Forward Act is long overdue, and it comes on the heels of a devastating pandemic that has killed more than 125,000 Americans and shut down much of our economy.

The Moving Forward Act will repair our Nation's dilapidated roads, bridges, and public transit systems. It will rebuild our drinking water infrastructure, upgrade our schools and hospitals, and improve our affordable housing infrastructure. The Moving Forward Act will also create millions of jobs and help our economy to recover.

This en bloc amendment makes several improvements to H.R. 2, including the addition of new language that would support the infrastructure of historically Black colleges and universities, support long-term affordability of manufactured housing communities, remove lead in public housing, permanently authorize the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and make postal offices more accessible for persons with disabilities.

These are positive efforts to more comprehensively address the infrastructure needs of this country, and I commend each of the Members offering an amendment included in this en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this en bloc amendment. I want to put things in perspective.

Mr. Speaker, I mentioned on the floor yesterday that there were approximately 390 amendments filed on this bill--390 amendments filed. There are approximately 148 Democrat amendments and there were 22 Republican amendments that were accepted and allowed to be voted on, but because of this distorted process, those were only being allowed seven votes.

Mr. Speaker, en bloc B, there were 45 Democrat amendments; en bloc C, there were 34 Democrat amendments; en bloc D, there were 28 Democrat amendments; and in this bloc F, there are 25 Democrat amendments--zero Republican amendments in any of those blocs.

The amendments in this bloc, there is another grab bag of the majority's priorities, many of which take a very generous view of what actual infrastructure is.

This bill is supposed to be infrastructure legislation. The bloc includes everything from air-conditioning for postal vehicles to studying sinkholes, to unworkable vehicle mandates that have zero consideration for actual taxpayer funds. It mandates the acquisition of certain types of vehicles without looking at any type of economic analysis on the use of those taxpayer funds.

It continues to ignore the need for reasonable bipartisan solutions to address our biggest infrastructure needs, and rather than looking forward at solutions, the amendment tries to eliminate longstanding bipartisan agreements that have addressed our infrastructure needs and, instead, put these left-leaning visions in place.

It doesn't have to be this way. It didn't have to be this way. We could have come together and written an infrastructure bill that would have easily cleared this Chamber.

Mr. Speaker, I want to remind you, going back to TEA-21 when our distinguished chairman was around, TEA-21, the highway bill, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, the vote coming out of this House was 337 ``yes'' votes--337--to 80 ``no'' votes.

In SAFETEA-LU, our distinguished chairman emeritus, the dean of the House, led that effort. The vote out of the House was 417 to 9 ``no'' votes--417 ``yes'' to 9 ``no'' votes.

MAP-21, 293 ``aye'' votes, 127 ``no'' votes, and I want to make note that our chairman, Chairman DeFazio, voted ``yes.'' He was in the minority but voted ``yes.''

And, of course, the FAST Act, once again, when the Republicans were in charge, a big four agreement, when Republicans and Democrats had to come together. The vote was 372 ayes to 54 nays.

Right now, just to demonstrate this is doable, right now, Republicans and Democrats are working together in this very committee on the Water Resources Development Act, including both resilience and climate provisions in those negotiations.

Mr. Speaker, this is a failure of leadership, and it is incredibly disappointing to watch this continue to happen when we have such urgent needs in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman form Iowa (Mrs. Axne), a distinguished member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mrs. AXNE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters and Chairman DeFazio for their work.

Manufactured housing can be a critical tool to providing affordable housing and a pathway to homeownership. But in Iowa, that option has been abused by outside investors who have bought up mobile home parks and promptly raised rents to Iowans by as much as 70 percent, and that is simply unconscionable.

We must protect the residents in these communities and preserve these homes as affordable housing. My amendment does exactly that. It provides grants of up to $1 million for the good actors in this space who will manage the community for the benefit of the residents for the long term.

We all know that America needs more affordable housing, and we need to do what we can to keep that now, not lose it to predatory landlords who are solely looking out for their bottom line.

I urge the adoption of my amendment.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Stivers).

Mr. STIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Graves for yielding me the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this en bloc amendment.

There is a lot of bipartisan support for an infrastructure bill, so it is a shame that today we are considering a political messaging bill that is dead on arrival in the Senate.

Part of the reason this legislation will fail is that it is a wish list for progressive priorities, many of which are outside the scope of what Americans consider to be addressing real and immediate transportation needs.

{time} 1130

The bill was drafted without any bipartisan input. As the ranking member on the Housing, Community Development and Insurance Subcommittee, I believe that housing and infrastructure are important enough to merit their own debates.

While there are a few good ideas in this amendment, there are also a few bad ones. The underlying bill spends about $100 billion on housing programs. That is done without any debate in the House on the House floor other than this 15-minute debate. In fact, we haven't done much debate in the Financial Services Committee. Housing needs deserve their own debate. They deserve their own time.

The majority would be wise to do hard work and bring truly bipartisan housing-specific bills to the floor. Instead they have chosen to package housing priorities with transportation priorities, which are both important, but it makes it less likely that either one of these will ultimately become law and be addressed.

Very quickly I will speak to one amendment that, in particular, I think merits more discussion than it will receive today, and it would eliminate the Faircloth Amendment. That was an amendment that passed during the Clinton era that capped the number of housing projects. Bill Clinton signed that into law. I think it is really telling that we are going to undo it without any real debate. That was passed in 1998. That was a consensus change that moved us away from constructing new public housing units after decades of examples, including the infamous Cabrini-Green Homes in Chicago showing the idea that concentrating low-

income Americans in inner cities did not reduce poverty, and it did increase crime.

Even more so, it was another Democrat President, Barack Obama, who created an innovative and highly successful Rental Assistance Demonstration project. We had a hearing in the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development and Insurance earlier this year on housing, and a lot of people from the public housing sector talked about how successful the Rental Assistance Demonstration project was at getting private capital to public housing units. It converts them into new, modern, privately owned, project-based section 8 properties. In fact, thanks to RAD and other modernizations, notable housing authorities like San Francisco and Atlanta no longer have any units of public housing, and they have experienced remarkable turnarounds in terms of crime rates and reduced poverty levels.

RAD is a truly bipartisan success story. It has raised $12.6 billion in private funding to convert 100,000 units of public housing to private-market housing, and it rehabilitated troubled properties creating better outcomes for the residents.

All of this has been achieved without Congress' providing billions of dollars of funding. It has been private money that has funded the RAD program.

Instead of looking to RAD and other modernizations for our housing infrastructure, this bill instead focuses on going backwards to a time of failed housing policies at the very moment when, frankly, we need to be looking at 21st century infrastructure.

It just doesn't make sense that the only way the majority can justify doing it would be to slip an idea like this, with 25 en bloc Democratic amendments, into a partisan 2,300-page bill. That just doesn't make sense. We should have a separate debate about housing policy. I believe there are a lot of things we could come together on.

Again, the RAD program was started under Secretary Donovan and President Obama. It was a Democratic program that has been very, very successful, and it has been lauded by Republicans and Democrats alike.

I don't think we should be setting unrelated policy in a 2,300-page bill with an en bloc amendment like this. I wish that we had taken a different road.

I, unfortunately, have to oppose this en bloc amendment. But I am hopeful that we can come together and have a focused debate about the future of Federal housing policy, and I believe that we can come together as Republicans and Democrats to find a solution.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I am surprised the gentleman who serves on the Financial Services Committee has not been a part of all of the housing debates we have had, all of the information on housing.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia), a distinguished member of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. GARCIA of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I give a special thanks to Chair Waters for helping advance this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this en bloc which includes an amendment that I filed with Congresswoman Pressley of Massachusetts, amendment 343, directing the department of Housing and Urban Development to find lead pipes in our Nation's public and federally assisted housing and provide grants to remove them.

Frankly, it is a scandal that we have to bring this legislation to the House floor in 2020, but we do. Chicago has more lead pipes than any other city in the U.S. More than 350,000 homes in my city have lead service lines.

But the problem is nationwide. According to the National Housing Law Project, over 90,000 children nationwide in the Housing Choice Vouchers program have lead poisoning, while another 340,000 living in federally subsidized housing are at risk. These are children.

By now the dangers of lead poisoning are well-known. A 2015 study determined that children in Chicago with lead in their blood were more than 32 percent likely to fail standardized tests by the third grade.

We must remember, removing lead pipes is a racial justice issue.

White flight to the suburbs left some of our oldest municipalities strapped for cash. Most jurisdictions require property owners to pay for the replacement of lead pipes on their own property, and the burden falls heavily on working class Black and Brown communities like mine.

After decades of disinvestment, our Nation's public housing authorities simply do not have the resources to get rid of lead pipes fast enough. It is past time for Congress to act to keep families in this country safe and healthy in their homes. Housing is infrastructure, and I believe that this amendment is an important part of H.R. 2.

I would like to thank Congresswoman Pressley for joining me in offering this amendment, as well as supporting organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the National Housing Trust.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this en bloc.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Omar), who is a distinguished member on the Education and Labor Committee.

Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of an amendment I authored to strengthen the broadband provisions of H.R. 2.

We often discuss the dangers of the digital divide, and I am proud of the investment we are making today to help close that divide. But as with most issues of economic inequality, its effects run deeper for communities of color, immigrants, and low-income families.

So it is very important for us to quantify the impact that Federal broadband investments have had on socially disadvantaged communities, so that we can assure Federal resources are being invested fairly throughout the country or if these programs are inadvertently widening the racial and wealth connectivity gap.

I hope my colleagues will join me in this important effort.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, once again, 25 amendments, and we are being given 30 minutes to debate 25 different amendments. We just effectively approved

$250 million--one-quarter of a billion dollars--in 2 minutes.

These aren't our funds. These are taxpayer funds. This bill had, I believe it was around 1,300, 1,400 pages of text just airdropped in the bill. It wasn't marked up in committee. It was just airdropped in the bill, added to it, and now we are just going to appropriate trillions of dollars in taxpayer funds without adequate consideration.

Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge rejection of this en bloc, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ruiz), who is a distinguished member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the en bloc amendment and urge support for my two amendments that are included.

My first amendment would take land in the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to fulfill an agreement between the Agua Caliente and the Bureau of Land Management. This bill would help consolidate the checkerboard pattern of land ownership and allow the Tribe to better manage their ancestral lands which contain numerous significant cultural sites, trails, and other elements of their history.

My second amendment, the Tribal Internet Advancement Act, would expand broadband access in Indian Country by adding Tribal lands as a priority for broadband expansion under the FCC's Universal Service Fund.

Last year, the FCC issued a report in response to my bill, the Tribal Broadband Deployment Act, which showed that Tribal nations lag far behind the rest of the population in broadband access. This lack of access to broadband is a significant barrier to economic advancement, education, and, as now evident, telemedicine during the pandemic, and well-being.

So, Mr. Speaker, I urge support for my amendment and H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, in order to close the digital divide in Indian Country.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), who is a distinguished member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, while the Moving Forward Act is not perfect, I am glad the bill includes my amendment, the American Infrastructure Opportunity Bonds Act.

This amendment would take advantage of times when interest rates are below the rate of inflation, making borrowing essentially free. The amendment would direct the Treasury to issue government bonds, in effect borrowing at these low interest rates. The amendment then directs the proceeds to the Highway Trust Fund to support infrastructure investment, creating jobs.

This amendment is a smart investment taking advantage of unique interest rates to fund infrastructure in a responsible way. During severe recessions, my amendment will provide crucial support for necessary infrastructure projects helping both those who build and those who rely on roads and public transportation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its adoption.

Ms. WATERS. I reserve the right to close, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to highlight what just happened.

We just went and effectively approved an amendment that would allow for $20 billion in bonds to be issued. We just effectively approved the transfer of 2,500 acres of taxpayer property without the consideration of the Natural Resources Committee, the committee of jurisdiction.

This is like Monopoly money we are sitting here playing with, but the reality is these are taxpayer funds. These aren't our moneys. These are funds of the taxpayers.

This bill has not been through the proper process to ensure that we are actually and legitimately addressing the importance and the integrity of taxpayer funds.

I will say it again: dating back decades, Mr. Speaker, we have had bipartisan legislation related to infrastructure--bipartisan. Dating back to the late 1990s, TEA-21, 337-80; SAFETEA-LU, 417-9; MAP-21, 293-

127. I will say it again: our distinguished chairman voted for it. The FAST Act got 372 ``aye'' votes.

These were all House versions, Mr. Speaker, not the conference report. What we are seeing right now, what we are doing--I believe, again, the number is 148 Democrat amendments compared to, I believe it is 22 Republican amendments.

This is not representation. This entire process is a farce. We just approved perhaps billions of dollars--or we are about to approve billions of dollars--by giving it 30 minutes' consideration. That is not what we were sent here to do. This process is fatally flawed.

Three hundred ninety amendments distilled down to effectively allowing up to seven votes?

This is a failure in leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I urge rejection of this en bloc. I urge rejection of the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

{time} 1145

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman DeFazio for all of his hard work on the Moving Forward Act, and I especially thank him for including my Housing is Infrastructure legislation in this important bill.

My colleague from Ohio has expressed concerns that our committee has not sufficiently debated the housing provisions in this bill. But let me remind him that we held a hearing on H.R. 5187, which is the same text of the housing division in this bill, and that hearing was held in April 2019. We also had a markup on this legislation in February of this year.

So, I don't know where he was when all of this was taking place, but we certainly had sufficient hearings and markup on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear that Democrats are committed to investing in and improving our Nation's infrastructure, including our affordable housing infrastructure.

Republicans continue to insist that these investments are irresponsible, but I contend that it would be irresponsible not to make these investments. When we have children living in housing that exposes them to lead poisoning and homes in flood zones that are not built to code, we are setting ourselves up for much higher costs down the road. We must make the responsible choice and pass H.R. 2.

Mr. Speaker, this is such a significant piece of legislation, legislation that speaks to the repair of the infrastructure of this country.

Bridges are in disrepair and have been deemed to be dangerous. They may fall apart, and some have. We have water systems in this country--

everybody knows about Flint, but there are a lot of more Flints in this Nation, with old pipes, pipes with lead, children exposed to water that could cause them brain damage for the rest of their lives. We have roads and highways that are in great disrepair.

The President of the United States wants to spend $2 trillion, and I am pleased about that.

I don't know what my colleague on the opposite side of the aisle is so upset about. He is talking about the Republicans didn't get enough amendments. Well, it is not our fault if they don't know how to craft amendments that are appropriate and that should be in this bill. Because in our Committee on Rules, Democrats have been very fair in the way that they have dealt with this.

I don't know what he is so upset about that they didn't get into this bill. No, this bill does not include investment in building a wall, if that is what they are interested in. We are not about building any walls to keep out immigrants from Mexico or anyplace else, if that is what they are interested in.

This bill does not do that. This bill is about making sure that our citizens get the support from their government that they deserve, to make sure that their communities are safer, that our schools are safer, that our drinking water is safer. This is about making sure that we put the resources into this country that are so desperately needed and much of which have been neglected for far too long.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud of this bill and what it is going to do for all of our citizens in this country, north, south, east, and west. I am proud that the leadership of the Democratic Party in this government have taken this as a number one priority, and we are presenting a total piece of legislation that addresses concerns that all of our Members have said they have had.

Mr. Speaker, again, I am proud of the work that Mr. DeFazio has done, and I am proud of all the amendments that have been included in this bill. I am pleased that I have the opportunity today to stand here on these en bloc amendments and participate in one of the most important pieces of legislation this House could have ever presented.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.

Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters).

The en bloc amendments were agreed to.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Amendments En Bloc No. 6 Offered by Mr. Graves of Missouri

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider an amendment en bloc consisting of amendments printed in part G of House Report 116-

438.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer amendments en bloc printed in part G.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendments en bloc.

Amendments en bloc No. 6 consisting of amendment Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, printed in part G of House Report 116-438, offered by Mr. Graves of Missouri:

amendment no. 1 offered by mr. bost of illinois

Page 210, strike lines 13 through page 213, line 5 and insert the following:

``(3) Eligible projects.--

``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), funds set aside under this subsection may be obligated for any of the following projects or activities:

``(i) Construction, planning, and design of on-road and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nonmotorized forms of transportation, including sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting and other safety-related infrastructure, and transportation projects to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

``(ii) Construction, planning, and design of infrastructure-related projects and systems that will provide safe routes for nondrivers, including children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to access daily needs.

``(iii) Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, or other nonmotorized transportation users.

``(iv) Construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas.

``(v) Community improvement activities, including--

``(I) inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising;

``(II) historic preservation and rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities;

``(III) vegetation management practices in transportation rights-of-way to improve roadway safety, prevent against invasive species, and provide erosion control; and

``(IV) archaeological activities relating to impacts from implementation of a transportation project eligible under this title.

``(vi) Any environmental mitigation activity, including pollution prevention and pollution abatement activities and mitigation to address stormwater management, control, and water pollution prevention or abatement related to highway construction or due to highway runoff, including activities described in sections 328(a) and 329.

``(vii) Projects and strategies to reduce vehicle-caused wildlife mortality related to, or to restore and maintain connectivity among terrestrial or aquatic habitats affected by, a transportation facility otherwise eligible for assistance under this subsection.

``(viii) The recreational trails program under section 206.

``(ix) The safe routes to school program under section 211.

``(x) Activities in furtherance of a vulnerable road user assessment described in section 148.

``(xi) Any other projects or activities described in section 101(a)(29) or section 213, as such sections were in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94).

``(B) Prohibition against eminent domain.--

``(i) In general.--Funds set aside under this subsection may not be obligated for any project or activity that includes the exercise of eminent domain authority to carry out such project or activity.

``(ii) Exception .--Notwithstanding clause (i), funds reserved under this subsection may be obligated for a project or activity that includes the exercise of eminent domain authority if such project or activity is--

``(I) described in section 101(a)(29)(B), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94);

``(II) an acquisition necessary to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq); or

``(III) described in the safe routes to school program under section 211.''.

amendment no. 2 offered by mr. crawford of arkansas

Page 981, strike lines 8 through 11.

Page 981, line 12, strike ``(j)'' and insert ``(i)''.

Page 982, line 21, strike ``(k)'' and insert ``(j)''.

amendment no. 3 offered by mr. fulcher of idaho

Page 1920, after line 19, insert the following:

SEC. 81324. AQUIFER RECHARGE FLEXIBILITY.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the

``Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act''.

(b) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Reclamation.

(2) Commissioner.--The term ``Commissioner'' means the Commissioner of Reclamation.

(3) Eligible land.--The term ``eligible land'', with respect to a Reclamation project, means land that--

(A) is authorized to receive water under State law; and

(B) shares an aquifer with land located in the service area of the Reclamation project.

(4) Net water storage benefit.--The term ``net water storage benefit'' means an increase in the volume of water that is--

(A) stored in 1 or more aquifers; and

(B)(i) available for use within the authorized service area of a Reclamation project; or

(ii) stored on a long-term basis to avoid or reduce groundwater overdraft.

(5) Reclamation facility.--The term ``Reclamation facility'' means each of the infrastructure assets that are owned by the Bureau at a Reclamation project.

(6) Reclamation project.--The term ``Reclamation project'' means any reclamation or irrigation project, including incidental features thereof, authorized by Federal reclamation law or the Act of August 11, 1939 (commonly known as the ``Water Conservation and Utilization Act'') (53 Stat. 1418, chapter 717; 16 U.S.C. 590y et seq.), or constructed by the United States pursuant to such law, or in connection with which there is a repayment or water service contract executed by the United States pursuant to such law, or any project constructed by the Secretary through the Bureau for the reclamation of land.

(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(1) Use of reclamation facilities.--

(A) In general.--The Commissioner may allow the use of excess capacity in Reclamation facilities for aquifer recharge of non- Reclamation project water, subject to applicable rates, charges, and public participation requirements, on the condition that--

(i) the use--

(I) shall not be implemented in a manner that is detrimental to--

(aa) any power service or water contract for the Reclamation project; or

(bb) any obligations for fish, wildlife, or water quality protection applicable to the Reclamation project;

(II) shall be consistent with water quality guidelines for the Reclamation project;

(III) shall comply with all applicable--

(aa) Federal laws; and

(bb) policies of the Bureau; and

(IV) shall comply with all applicable State laws and policies; and

(ii) the non-Federal party to an existing contract for water or water capacity in a Reclamation facility consents to the use of the Reclamation facility under this subsection.

(B) Effect on existing contracts.--Nothing in this subsection affects a contract--

(i) in effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and

(ii) under which the use of excess capacity in a Bureau conveyance facility for carriage of non-Reclamation project water for aquifer recharge is allowed.

(2) Aquifer recharge on eligible land.--

(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), the Secretary may contract with a holder of a water service or repayment contract for a Reclamation project to allow the contractor, in accordance with applicable State laws and policies--

(i) to directly use water available under the contract for aquifer recharge on eligible land; or

(ii) to enter into an agreement with an individual or entity to transfer water available under the contract for aquifer recharge on eligible land.

(B) Authorized project use.--The use of a Reclamation facility for aquifer recharge under subparagraph (A) shall be considered an authorized use for the Reclamation project if requested by a holder of a water service or repayment contract for the Reclamation facility.

(C) Modifications to contracts.--The Secretary may contract with a holder of a water service or repayment contract for a Reclamation project under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that a new contract or contract amendment described in that paragraph is--

(i) necessary to allow for the use of water available under the contract for aquifer recharge under this subsection;

(ii) in the best interest of the Reclamation project and the United States; and

(iii) approved by the contractor that is responsible for repaying the cost of construction, operations, and maintenance of the facility that delivers the water under the contract.

(D) Requirements.--The use of Reclamation facilities for the use or transfer of water for aquifer recharge under this subsection shall be subject to the requirements that--

(i) the use or transfer shall not be implemented in a manner that materially impacts any power service or water contract for the Reclamation project;

(ii) before the use or transfer, the Secretary shall determine that the use or transfer--

(I) results in a net water storage benefit for the Reclamation project; or

(II) contributes to the recharge of an aquifer on eligible land; and

(iii) the use or transfer complies with all applicable--

(I) Federal laws and policies; and

(II) interstate water compacts.

(3) Conveyance for aquifer recharge purposes.--The holder of a right-of-way, easement, permit, or other authorization to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management may transport water for aquifer recharge purposes without requiring additional authorization from the Secretary where the use does not expand or modify, other than the timing of use, the operation of the right-of-way, easement, permit, or other authorization across public land.

(4) Effect.--Nothing in this section creates, impairs, alters, or supersedes a Federal or State water right.

(5) Exemption.--This Act shall not apply to the State of California.

(6) State-led advisory group.--The Secretary may participate in any State-led collaborative, multi-stakeholder advisory group created in any watershed the purpose of which is to monitor, review, and assess aquifer recharge activities.

amendment no. 4 offered by mr. graves of louisiana

On page 1968, after line 16, insert the following:

(c) Preserving The Sustainability of the Funding Source.--The Secretary shall not award grants to eligible entities for the projects in subsection (a) until the Secretary certifies that the actions in subsection (a) are more nationally significant than the ecological restoration and sustainability of the region (including adjacent coastal areas) responsible for producing such revenue as defined by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 1331 note).

amendment no. 5 offered by mr. hice of georgia

Page 1692, line 1, strike ``ZERO-EMISSION POSTAL FLEET AND''.

Page 1692, strike line 4 and all that follows through page 1694, line 23.

amendment no. 6 offered by mr. lamalfa of california

Page 984, strike line 16 and all that follows through page 985, line 2 (and redesignate subsequent clauses accordingly).

amendment no. 7 offered by mr. mckinley of west virginia

Page 1137, after line 10, insert the following:

SEC. 22117. CERTIFICATION.

Section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1341) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) in paragraph (1)--

(i) in the first sentence--

(I) by inserting ``by the applicant'' after ``any discharge''; and

(II) by inserting ``as a result of the federally licensed or permitted activity'' after ``into the navigable waters'';

(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``activity'' and inserting ``discharge'';

(iii) in the third sentence, by striking ``applications'' each place it appears and inserting ``requests'';

(iv) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``act on'' and inserting ``grant or deny''; and

(v) by inserting after the fourth sentence the following:

``The certifying State, interstate agency, or Administrator shall publish the requirements for certification that meet the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307. The decision to grant or deny a request shall be based only on the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307 and the grounds for a decision shall be set forth in writing to the applicant.'';

(B) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in the second sentence--

(I) by striking ``such a discharge'' and inserting ``a discharge made into the navigable waters by the applicant as described in paragraph (1)'';

(II) by inserting ``receipt of the'' before ``notice''; and

(III) by striking ``of application for such Federal license or permit'' and inserting ``under the preceding sentence'';

(ii) in the third sentence--

(I) by striking ``such discharge'' and inserting ``any discharge made into the navigable waters by the applicant as described in paragraph (1)''; and

(II) by striking ``any water quality requirement'' and inserting ``the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307'';

(iii) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``insure compliance with applicable water quality requirements.'' and inserting ``ensure any discharge into the navigable waters by the applicant as described in paragraph (1) will comply with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307.''; and

(iv) by striking the first sentence and inserting ``Not later than 90 days after receipt of a request for certification, the certifying State, interstate agency, or Administrator shall identify in writing all specific additional materials or information that are necessary to make a final decision on a request for certification. On receipt of a request for certification, the certifying State or interstate agency, as applicable, shall immediately notify the Administrator of the request.'';

(i) in the first sentence, by striking ``there will be compliance'' and inserting ``a discharge made into the navigable waters by the applicant as described in paragraph

(1) will comply''; and

(ii) in the second sentence--

(I) by striking ``section'' and inserting ``the applicable provisions of sections''; and

(II) by striking ``or 307 of this Act'' and inserting ``and 307'';

(D) in paragraph (4)--

(i) in the first sentence, by striking ``applicable effluent limitations'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``any discharge made by the applicant into the navigable waters as described in paragraph

(1) will not violate the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307.'';

(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ``will violate applicable effluent limitations or other limitations or other water quality requirements such Federal'' and inserting

``will result in a discharge made into the navigable waters by the applicant as described in paragraph (1) that violates the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307, the Federal''; and

(iii) in the third sentence--

(I) by striking ``such facility or activity'' and inserting

``a discharge made by the applicant into the navigable waters as described in paragraph (1)''; and

(II) by striking ``section 301, 302, 303, 306, or 307 of this Act'' and inserting ``sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307''; and

(E) in paragraph (5)--

(i) by striking ``such facility or activity has been operated in'' and inserting ``any discharge made by the applicant into the navigable waters as described in paragraph

(1) is in''; and

(ii) by striking ``section 301, 302, 303, 306, or 307 of this Act'' and inserting ``sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307''; and

(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``assure that any applicant for a Federal license or permit will comply with any applicable'' and inserting the following: ``ensure that any discharge made by the applicant into the navigable waters as described in subsection (a)(1) shall comply with the applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307. Any limitations or requirements in the preceding sentence shall become a condition on any Federal license or permit subject to the provisions of this section.

``(e) Definition of Applicable Provisions of Sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307.--In this section, the term

`applicable provisions of sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307' means, as applicable,''; and

(3) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)--

(A) by striking ``with'';

(B) by striking ``other appropriate''; and

(C) by striking ``set forth'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``implementing water quality criteria under section 303 necessary to support the specified designated use or uses of the receiving navigable water.''.

amendment no. 8 offered by mr. stauber of minnesota

Page 1137, after line 10, insert the following:

SEC. 22117. PERMITS FOR DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL.

Section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(u) Exception to Permitting Requirement.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any person issued a permit by a State for the discharge of dredged or fill material which complies with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) through (H) of subsection (h)(1) shall not be required to obtain a permit under this section.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) each will control 15 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, although I support this amendment, I want to, again, note my continued disappointment in this overall process.

More than once, I faulted the majority's one-sided committee markup of H.R. 2, but at least we were given time to consider 165 Republican amendments, although 112 were ultimately rejected and mostly through en bloc. But now the majority wants to further stifle consideration of minority amendments by giving us a scant eight Republican amendments out of nearly 400 that were filed. We weren't even given the courtesy to choose.

In 2015, if everyone remembers, and for those who weren't here, when the House considered the last surface transportation law, the FAST Act, there were more Democrat-led amendments--remember, Republicans were in the majority. There were more Democrat-led amendments that were agreed to than there were Republican-led amendments that were made in order for today's debate.

Of course, the FAST Act was a bill that was developed at that time by both the majority and the minority, which is a stark difference from the majority's bill that we are discussing today.

In fact, I remember the Big Four agreement. If the chairmen of both the subcommittee and the full committee and the ranking members of both the subcommittee and full committee, if one of us didn't agree on a provision, then it wasn't included. It was as simple as that.

Today could have been a great day for all of us, and we could be approving a bill that all of us could be proud of. Instead, we are left with a bill and a process that shreds one of the only bipartisan issues left in Congress. It just shreds it to pieces.

I can answer the gentlewoman who managed the last section of the bill, the financial services section. She said: I don't understand why everybody is so disappointed in this.

Mr. Speaker, because it is a failure. An absolute failure is what this bill is. And it is not going anywhere, absolutely not going anywhere.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to oppose this partisan process, but I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this en bloc, which provides for the consideration of eight amendments. The amendments contained in this en bloc amend various divisions of the bill. I will speak to a few that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Bost) would bar the use of eminent domain only for pedestrian and bicycle projects. Oh, by the way, he still supports eminent domain for pipeline projects, a very disruptive one proposed in my district and here on the East Coast and maybe even where he lives. He isn't dealing with that kind of eminent domain, not dealing with highway eminent domain, not dealing with transit eminent domain. He just doesn't like alternate modes.

Well, these would only take place under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act, which provides strong protection to landowners to ensure that any involuntary land acquisitions are fair, striking the right balance of protecting landowner rights, and construct necessary infrastructure.

Generally, this has been used on rail-to-trail projects or bike projects when there is one reluctant landowner who thinks that nasty people are going to be riding their bikes by the fringe of their property.

In my largest city, Eugene, it took several years to get one landowner to finally allow a circular bike path to transit around the river. One landowner held it up for 3 years because of the concerns about the kind of people who would be riding bikes. Ultimately, a large fence was erected there with the barriers and all that to keep those people out. The path was done, but it shouldn't have taken 3 years. That all could have been set earlier under the Uniform Relocation Act.

Mr. Speaker, we are reemphasizing transportation alternatives. They were pretty much done away with during the FAST Act and MAP-21. That means cycling, pedestrians, scooters, and other modes now, which have proved very viable in the time of corona, when people are a little reluctant to get into taxicabs or even Ubers or whatever, if they don't have their own single-occupancy vehicle.

We can realize a lot more safe commuting. We also have had a disturbing increase in pedestrian cycling deaths. This bill would help with that.

There are also two amendments by the gentleman from West Virginia

(Mr. McKinley) that preempt State authority to protect waters within that State.

Now, I understand. Yes, if you are from West Virginia, mountaintop mining removal, dumping in the streams, all that. Great. We wouldn't want to protect the waters. The water is doing just fine underneath all of that toxic mining waste. And then, well, we did have a little poisoning incident right near the State capital, as I remember, where people couldn't use the water for quite a while. But, hey, States should not be able to protect their drinking water or recreational waters or any waters within that State.

Then a wonderful one from Mr. Stauber that would deem--deem, meaning no process necessary--the permits for dredge-and-fill activities, no oversight. That would, of course, overturn the precedents set by the Clean Water Act since 1987. But he is providing backup support to Trump, who is pretty much decimating the Clean Water Act with his dirty water rule.

Then, Mr. LaMalfa says that he wants to make it harder to get a railroad rehabilitation improvement fund grant. Well, he is upset about California's high-speed rail. Unfortunately, he would make it virtually impossible for the Texas high-speed rail, which, by the way, is a private project and, I believe, supported by many Republicans in this House from Texas. He would make it impossible for them to get a RRIF loan if his amendment should pass. But, hey, he doesn't like the California high-speed rail, so tough luck to the people from Texas and elsewhere who want high-speed rail.

Mr. Speaker, right now, a lot of the RRIF money remains unused, so we are trying to help expedite that in this bill. He would make it, again, nearly impossible and harder.

Then, Mr. Crawford would take away the 50 percent set-aside for large projects, over $100 million in the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grant program.

{time} 1200

And outside my jurisdiction, Mr. Hice would strike the $25 billion to the United States Postal Service.

I mentioned this earlier. Trump hates the Postal Service because he thinks that they are subsidizing Amazon. Actually, Amazon is subsidizing the post office, but, hey, we don't deal with facts downtown here very much anymore--or he doesn't.

And it would also strike the money that they could use to buy a new fleet of vehicles. They should keep driving around in those crappy 35-

year-old vehicles which require massive amounts of maintenance and are, of course, polluting.

So I would also oppose that amendment, even though it is not within my jurisdiction.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Missouri has 12\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentleman from Oregon has 9\1/2\ minutes remaining.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Hice).

Mr. HICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the postal provisions in H.R. 2 and have offered an amendment to strike them from the bill.

As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations of the Oversight and Reform Committee, I was very much disappointed that we were not consulted on these provisions.

My colleagues from the Oversight and Reform Committee and I have been closely following the financial health of the Postal Service, and we receive, in fact, weekly updates on mail volume, revenue, and cash on hand. The numbers are very clear, what we have received. The $25 billion postal bailout provided in H.R. 2 is just simply premature. We don't need to go there at this point.

A few weeks ago, I asked the Postmaster General to revise the initial estimates for the direct impact from the pandemic, which included this

$25 billion for modernization. The reality is that, over the last several months, the revenue trends no longer support the Postal Service's multibillion-dollar bailout request. This is because there are much better numbers and performance that has been driven by package volume.

Let me give you some examples.

During the first 11 weeks of the pandemic, the Postal Service earned

$330 million more in revenue than this same time last year. The Postal Service also improved its amount of cash on hand by at least $600 million. And as of June 4, they had $13.2 billion in cash.

In addition, while negotiations with the Treasury Department are still ongoing, the Postal Service has yet to even tap into the $10 billion in lending that was authorized by Congress in the CARES Act.

A long-term plan to turn the Postal Service around is also being developed. My colleagues from the Oversight and Reform Committee and I have called for a 10-year business plan to improve the Postal Service's business model.

And given the start of the new Postmaster General's term, we are hopeful that an updated plan that outlines specific reforms to put the Postal Service on firm financial footing is going to happen.

But absent revised estimates and a business plan, it is unclear what the true needs of the Postal Service are. I will just say that the USPS was designed to be self-sufficient, a self-sufficient entity. The only way of dealing with that issue is by long-term legislative reform, not a bailout. That is the only way to do it.

So we cannot continue throwing taxpayer money away and particularly adding green new deals. I ask my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), the chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform with jurisdiction over the post office.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his extraordinary leadership on H.R. 2.

I thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle, but I am urging a ``no'' vote on his amendment. We are in the midst of a national emergency caused by the coronavirus, and it is having a dire effect on the Postal Service.

Despite better-than-expected revenues in recent months, the Postal Service is still at risk of running out of money. It could be forced to cease operations if it does not receive financial assistance from the Federal Government soon. This amendment would eliminate the critical funding that the post office needs.

Throughout the pandemic, the Postal Service has continued to deliver lifesaving medications and vital supplies, especially to rural America. If the Postal Service ceases to exist, rural Americans will suffer the most, because it is the only delivery company that serves them.

If any issue should be bipartisan, it is this one, because the post office affects every American and is critical to many of us. The Postal Service helps bind us together and delivers to every address in the Nation, no matter how remote.

But the dedicated staff that braves the coronavirus pandemic every day cannot continue to do their job without reliable transportation or funding. We must fulfill our constitutional duty and act now to save the Postal Service.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose this amendment.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves).

Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I have expressed my frustration about the fact that so few Republican amendments have been allowed to even be debated, yet this is the one en bloc amendment. This is block G, and there are eight Republican amendments--eight--eight Republican amendments where we actually get to debate. And, of course, they are all wrapped in. Our amendment is No. 349. And, as I have mentioned before, nearly 380 or 390 amendments on this bill.

Our amendment amends page 1968 that I am sure everyone here has read, and what this does is it very simply--it very simply says that, in order for this brand-new urban park grant program that has not been through the committee of jurisdiction, the Natural Resources Committee, if you are going to take money from one area and give it to this urbanized park grant program, you at least need to make sure that the area where the revenues are coming from, which happens to be the area that I represent, that it is sustainable, that it is ecologically sustainable and the community is sustainable and that it would be a better investment for taxpayers to invest in the urban parks than it would be to ensure the ecological and the community resilience or sustainability of these regions.

That is it, a very simple amendment.

I would love to have anybody come explain to me why they are going to vote ``no,'' because we are going to see this amendment voted down in just a few minutes. I would love for anybody--and I would be happy to yield time, Madam Speaker. I would be happy to have anybody explain to me why they are opposed to this amendment and what they are going to explain to people next time we have a hurricane and these communities are decimated. That is what I would love to hear.

So, Madam Speaker, I yield my remaining time to my friends on the other side of the aisle to explain to me the opposition to this amendment.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin.)

Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Moving Forward Act as a critical investment in our Nation's infrastructure.

No matter where you stand politically, the state of our crumbling infrastructure is something that all people, and certainly all Michiganders, agree on.

The disastrous breaching of two major dams in my State last month is all you need to know. It is a cautionary tale for everyone.

We are in need of generational investment in our infrastructure, and this bill includes many of the priorities I have fought for for our district, including major money for high-speed broadband for all Americans, significant funds for upgrades to our schools, and $40 billion for clean water investment projects, including PFAS treatment.

I am also pleased that the House adopted two of my amendments which protect Michigan's most precious gifts, which is our waters and our water.

One of my amendments is directly related to an issue called Line 5, a pipeline in our beautiful Great Lakes. It will require the Federal agency responsible for pipeline safety to share information related to pipeline leaks, damage, or disruption with relevant State and local governments.

This is enormously relevant, given the recent disruption of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The people of Michigan deserve to be sure of the safety of the pipeline. My amendment would make sure they have the relevant information.

Investing in our country's infrastructure can and should be a bipartisan issue. I urge my colleagues to support on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Brady), the ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee.

Mr. BRADY. Madam Speaker, I first want to thank the ranking member for his insistence that both parties work together to develop and fund infrastructure priorities in America. This is the way it ought to work. This issue has never been partisan in the past. Mr. Graves has made the point, we will go to the table and work together. He is exactly right, and I support his efforts.

I rise today to support Representative LaMalfa's amendment to strike certain credit risk premium provisions in the underlying bill. The amendment protects Federal taxpayers all across America, makes sure they are not stuck holding the bag when a specific railroad defaults on its loans.

The author of the original provision readily admits that this is an earmark for Texas Central Railroad in Texas. This is a private company that had claimed for years that they would fund this privately and it would be a State railroad, but they have reneged on that. They are now considering one of these loans to build a high-speed rail between Houston and Dallas.

But Texas Central's train is so risky and their financial situation so poor, they say they can't even pay the risk premium upfront. And for this reason, they request that legislators change the Federal law in order to help the company qualify for a loan they would never receive under standard rules.

This is a huge red flag if I have ever seen one. That is why I feel it is important for legislators of both parties to support Representative LaMalfa's amendment, to ensure that we don't lose important taxpayer protections for these RRIF loans and allow for a prolonged CRP payment schedule.

Here is the situation: Texas Central Railroad is privately funded and a State railroad, and it has always promised to Texas that this

``project does not need, does not want, and will not ask for government grants for construction or public money to subsidize operations.''

Yet it is now clear that promise, which was used to gain support from citizens in communities across Texas, was misleading. In April, Texas Central announced they would renege on their original promise; they would now seek Federal stimulus money.

And there is a reason they are doing that. The project's costs have tripled from its original estimates of $30 billion. These ballooning projections are especially concerning, considering the project also faces other significant hurdles:

Lack of financial feasibility;

They have no power for eminent domain, thank goodness, although they are coming to Washington for power to seize people's lands without their consent;

There are potential safety and funding issues; and

Near uniform opposition from local and State officials along the rural route of this railroad.

Texas Central is now asking House Democrats in the House to include a change in the Green New Deal legislation to make it easier to renege on these loans. We should not condone this. We are in a COVID crisis. Those dollars should be used for healthcare, not a boondoggle.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans).

{time} 1215

Mr. EVANS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act.

Our Nation's public schools are in desperate need of repair, school facilities across the country. I come from the city of Philadelphia, where our average public school buildings are more than 70 years old.

I am proud to say that H.R. 158, the Rehabilitation of Historical Schools Act, which I am the sponsor of, is in this. H.R. 158 allows the historic tax credit to be used for rehabilitation of public school buildings.

President Trump used the historical tax credit to transform an old public building, a post office, into a hotel. I believe that should be made available to fix our schools. Our children all deserve an equal shot at the future, regardless of their ZIP Code.

I stand proudly supporting H.R. 2, because I commend the leadership of my chairman here, who is demonstrating that we need to work this all together.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, can I inquire as to the time left on both sides?

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Wild). The gentleman from Missouri has 4\1/2\ minutes remaining. The gentleman from Oregon has 5\1/2\ minutes remaining.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I don't have any other speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I would just take this time to thank a few folks for this epic legislation, the transformative 21st century transportation bill and, of course, for things from other committees that we have explained during the debate: Helena Zyblikewycz, my chief counsel on highways and transit, incredible yeoman's work; Auke Mahar-Piersma, who took over rail; Garrett Gee; Jackie Schmitz; Brittany Lundberg, from my hometown; Chris Bell; Andrea Wohleber; Katherine Ambrose; Alice Koethe; Kathy Dedrick; Mohsin Syed, our committee counsel; Jill Harrelson; Maddy Pike; Edward McGlone; Michael Hudspith; Jamie Harrell; and many more on other subcommittees.

I am just going to return to Kathy Dedrick for a moment. I do this sometimes; it always embarrasses her. We used to have a program here called the page program. I thought it was a great thing. A lot of pages went on, a number, to becomes Members of Congress or to come back and work in government service.

Kathy was my first congressional page, obviously, a few years ago. She is from Lebanon, Oregon. She came back later and worked for me when we did the SAFETEA-LU bill, a few years ago, as my designated person when I chaired the Highways Subcommittee--I mean, when I was ranking member on the Highways Subcommittee. She worked for Al Gore. She worked downtown. At a very auspicious and appropriate time, she came back to be my chief of staff on the committee and has just done absolutely incredible work.

Hopefully, I won't have to be disturbing her at all hours of the day and night and on weekends too much in the near future, and the same to many of my other staff who I have been bothering a lot as we worked through this process and other legislation in these very difficult times.

Madam Speaker, I thank everyone who helped, and I thank those from other committees who contributed so much to the bill.

Madam Speaker, I thank the Republican side. Paul Sass, Jack Ruddy--I am sure that Sam is going to do this, but I am going to do it anyway--

Corey Cooke, Michael Falencki, a dozen committees. I said all the other committees.

Office of Legislative Counsel, they have been troopers in putting all this together: Wade Ballou, Karen Anderson, Robert Casturo, and Kakuti Lin.

The Congressional Research Service, Christopher Davis sat in on our epic 24-hour markup and provided invaluable advice when we threatened to fall into the parliamentary black hole a couple of times. He kept us out of it.

And then the floor staff and, of course, the Office of the Parliamentarian for their work as we determined jurisdictions and appropriateness of amendments.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I would like to lend my support for the gentleman's thank-yous for the staff. We all know that staff works very, very hard on these pieces of legislation, and they put in a tremendous amount of time and effort, regardless of which side that they happen to be on.

Madam Speaker, I want to continue to note how much of a missed opportunity that this is and this was. I support this amendment, but unfortunately, it doesn't fix the overall bill for it to make really too much of a difference.

The sad thing is, is we know we could have come together and written an infrastructure bill that would easily gain bipartisan support, which it needs to become law.

In 2 weeks, the T&I Committee plans to mark up the bipartisan Water Resources Act, and I hope and I expect that it will pass. It is bipartisan at this point because it is a bill that both sides continue to develop together. We have worked together on it. That bipartisan process stands in stark contrast to the process that has been used today.

The water resources bill absolutely has a chance of becoming law, whereas this $1.5 trillion wish list won't go anywhere after today.

I congratulate my Republican colleagues for their work on these particular amendments, and I would urge Members to support this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, none of what we do here would happen without countless hours of staff work. I especially want to thank the following members of my own staff, all of whom have worked tirelessly on this bill:

Paul Sass, Jack Ruddy, Corey Cooke, Tara Hupman, Justin Harclerode, Abigail Camp, Nick Christensen, Jamie Hopkins, Tyler Micheletti, Shawn Bloch, Michael Falencki.

Cheryle Tucker, Trey McKenzie, Victor Sarmiento, Drew Feeley, Melissa Beaumont, Johanna Hardy, Ian Bennitt, Jon Pawlow, Holly Woodruff Lyons, T. Hunter Presti, John Rayfield.

I also want to thank the Democratic Committee staff for their work on this bill.

Finally, I want to thank the Office of Legislative Counsel, especially Karen Anderson and Robert Casturo, for their long hours and hard work in drafting the bill before us, as well as the majority of amendments offered both at our markup and at Rules Committee. Their professionalism and skill are always appreciated, and we owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.

Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves).

The question is on the amendments en bloc offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves).

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it.

Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I demand the yeas and nays.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 965, the yeas and nays are ordered.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Amendment No. 1 Offered by Ms. Foxx of North Carolina

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in part H of House Report 116-438.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.

The text of the amendment is as follows:

At the end of division H, add the following new section:

SEC. ___. PREVAILING RATE OF WAGE REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Repeals.--The following provisions are repealed:

(1) Section 113 of title 23, United States Code (and the item relating to such section in the analysis for chapter 1 of such title).

(2) Section 5333(a) of title 49, United States Code.

(b) Applicability.--

(1) Effective date.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by this section shall take effect on the 31st day following the date of enactment of this Act.

(2) Existing contracts.--The amendments made by this section shall not affect any contract in existence on the date of enactment of this Act or made pursuant to an invitation for bids outstanding on such date of enactment.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) and a Member opposed each will control 15 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 2. This amendment will modernize our infrastructure spending to yield more investments in infrastructure projects, more jobs for frontline workers, and equitable spending for communities across our Nation.

I am always hesitant about measures that are brought before this Chamber that are partisan, which is what H.R. 2 is. I am disappointed that Democrats decided to turn the infrastructure bill into a partisan exercise by spending over a trillion dollars, while failing to address this longstanding problem and save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year.

Instead of recognizing and addressing ongoing issues with the Highway Trust Fund's inevitable insolvency, this bill relies on deficit spending and adds to the taxpayers' growing burdens at a time when many families are struggling with the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 crisis.

Instead of building the infrastructure Americans need, this bill gives priority to rail lines and urban hubs, even as Americans across the country begin to flee these high-cost areas.

Instead of building a bipartisan consensus to streamline the project review process, this bill binds the hands of States and localities and burdens the American public with unworkable mandates.

Madam Speaker, at a time when numerous other bills that had been brought to the floor carry a $1 trillion price tag, without offsetting cost, we must look for ways to rein in out-of-control spending. My amendment would inject a modicum of fiscal research into this $1.5 trillion bill by reversing a Federal contracting policy that was designed to protect established union work at the expense of would-be competitors, taxpayers, and our Nation's investment in infrastructure.

My amendment will allow us to continue to fund important highway projects by making commonsense reforms to lower the cost of infrastructure contracts funded by the American taxpayer.

The Davis-Bacon Act requires Federal contractors and subcontractors to pay the local prevailing wage for construction projects on which the Federal Government is a party. It sounds innocent, but the devil is always in the details. The prevailing wage is severely dictated not by market forces but by the domination of union bargaining power.

By using this metric, Congress is effectively pricing out any would-

be competition for contracts and shielding entrenched interests from competition.

What is the result of Davis-Bacon, which was adopted before Federal minimum wage standards existed? According to a report from the Joint Economic Committee, Davis-Bacon-determined wages tend to inflate labor costs an average of 22 percent above market rates.

Additionally, research from Suffolk University found that Davis-Bacon requirements cost U.S. taxpayers an additional $8.6 billion annually and add 9.9 percent to construction costs.

The Congressional Budget Office has found that removing this burdensome mandate would free up $13 billion over 10 years. Perhaps that is why the Government Accountability Office advocated for its repeal over 40 years ago.

I know Congress is often derelict in its duty, but that is simply inexcusable. These inflated costs mean bloated government spending and less bang for the taxpayers' buck.

Beyond requiring taxpayers to overpay for construction projects, Davis-Bacon requirements force businesses working on Federal highway projects to comply with burdensome paperwork and reporting regulations, which further inflate costs and slow project completion.

The premise of this bill is that it invests in America. If that is the goal, then we must address this outdated stumbling block to our Nation's progress. Davis-Bacon concentrates wealth by government fiat instead of growing our economy. It artificially limits the number of construction projects in which we engage. Finally, it limits the number of jobs created.

Madam Speaker, our economy needs expansion, not constraint. Federal spending needs efficiency, not bloated profit-making. People need jobs, not barriers to entry to employment.

Madam Speaker, if we want investment, support my amendment and inject our infrastructure projects with a healthy dose of the 21st century.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

{time} 1230

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oregon is recognized for 15 minutes.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I am not quite certain what the gentlewoman is objecting to. Now, I realize her State has a $7.25 an hour minimum wage. Great, work 40 hours a week, live in abject poverty. Okay.

So the wages for Davis-Bacon projects in her State aren't much better. These aren't living wages. They aren't family wages. They aren't wages where you can go home to your family, not have to hold a second job, raise your kids, clothe them, send them to school, give them a good education, maybe help them pay for postsecondary education.

No, she is complaining about carpenters under Davis-Bacon in her State, they earn $25,000 a year under Davis-Bacon. Wow. Wow. 25,000 bucks a year. That is outrageous. If they worked for the State minimum wage, we could get that down to less than $20,000 a year. That is great. What kind of carpenter are you going to get for that wage? I don't think you are going to find any living in your State anymore.

Ironworkers, well, they get a bit more, kind of up there on the heights and all that. They get up to almost $28,000 a year. $28,000 a year for an ironworker? Amazing.

Oh, and then truck drivers. The heavy truck drivers who work on construction, they get $13.50 an hour. So she is alarmed at these outrageous wages that are being paid to these people and how it is impinging upon projects in her State. Why, they could get lots of people to do that for $7.25 an hour. Of course, they wouldn't have any skills, but what the heck.

So, you know, what we have found, first off, these aren't union negotiated, these are done by locale because, yes, these wages would be much higher in other areas. Apparently, in her State you can buy a house for 15 or $20,000 down there or rent a nice apartment for 400, 300 bucks a month, so you can live on those kinds of wages. But other places it is not so inexpensive.

And what we are trying to prevent is history. Low-bid contractors that often come in from out of State provide shoddy workmanship, but, yes, it was cheaper, it is cheaper. If you want a crappy job, hire somebody who is the low-bid contractor, who has unskilled people working for them.

We are setting a standard here. Studies show that the most in any region around the country, because these are done in very discrete regions--there are quite a number of regions in her State, I was using the averages here; some of them are even lower, a few are higher. But the average, under a dispassionate analysis by the EPI, would be it could raise wages by as much as 10 percent. Wages are one-quarter of the job cost. So 10 percent of one-quarter would mean you would add 2\1/2\ percent to the job so people could have a decent living wage, decent benefits and raise a family, maybe even own a home, car. Wow.

Of course, they couldn't take transit to work if the Republicans were successful in their version of this bill.

You know, we found higher productivity that comes from this. This is a fight we have had many times on this floor, and I am afraid that there will be a number of Republicans who oppose her amendment. I certainly will be asking for a recorded vote.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, you know, the gentleman, I think, maligns the State of North Carolina. I didn't think I would have to really stand here and defend what a wonderful State North Carolina is, but I think it is the fourth largest growing State in the country. People are coming there in droves. It is considered one of the best States in the country for workers. The minimum wage may be $7.25, but I think we know only about 2 percent of the people in this country are making the minimum wage, and they are entry level people. I think we are talking more about an average wage of about $20 an hour for people in North Carolina. So that is a straw dog that he is bringing up.

We have a wonderful State, and people are flocking there. The quality of life is great. And I will put up our quality of life in North Carolina against the quality of life in Oregon or anywhere else in the country as a great place to live.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I certainly did not mean to have her interpret I am disparaging her State. It is a beautiful State. I visited there. You have some fabulous breweries based there, one from Colorado and one from San Francisco because you have clean water.

Of course, if one of these other amendments earlier is adopted, you would not have clean water and the breweries might go away, but that is okay, that is just a Republican philosophical talking point.

The gentlewoman said the average wage is $20 an hour, so I don't know what she is concerned about. I have two pages of Davis-Bacon prevailing wages in North Carolina, and I only see one of about 50 entries that is

$20.92 an hour, so it doesn't seem there is much purpose to her amendment.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the Chair of the Democratic Caucus.

Mr. JEFFRIES. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for yielding and for his tremendous leadership as it relates to the Moving Forward Act.

House Democrats throughout the 116th Congress have been working on lowering healthcare costs and bigger paychecks leading with an emphasis on fixing our crumbling bridges, roads, tunnels, airports, mass transportation system, public schools, public housing, and all other aspects of infrastructure.

I oppose this amendment because Davis-Bacon protections are central to the effort to deliver a living wage to everyday Americans.

Here in this country, when you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to provide a comfortable living for yourself and for your family. But that basic contract has been broken. It is broken because of the globalization of our economy. It is broken because of the outsourcing of good-paying American jobs. It is broken because of poorly negotiated trade deals. It is broken because of the rise of automation. And it is broken because of the decline in unionization.

So the central question that we face in the aftermath of the Great Recession and now in the midst of another dramatic economic decline is, will we be able to preserve the great American middle class and all those who aspire to be part of it? That is what Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections are all about. And we on this side of the aisle stand with those everyday Americans, stand with those hardworking Americans, yes, stand with those unionized Americans who are pursuing the American Dream, and we should be facilitating that, not undermining it here in the United States Congress.

Vote ``no'' against this amendment.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Davis-Bacon stifles competition and discourages small and minority-

owned businesses. Small business owners often do not have the financial resources to bid on or win Davis-Bacon contracts. These restrictions mean less infrastructure and fewer jobs in America, but more jobs and higher pay only for union members, concentrating wealth in the hands of the few while many Americans are out of work. That is something our colleagues seem to be opposed to in every other situation.

Suspending this mandate would make each public construction dollar go at least 10 percent further. This would create more bridges and buildings at the same cost to taxpayers. It would also employ hundreds of thousands more construction workers.

Repealing these restrictions would allow the government to build more infrastructure and create 155,000 more construction-related jobs at the same cost to taxpayers.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I would like to inquire as to the time left on either side.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oregon has 8\1/4\ minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from North Carolina has 7\1/2\ minutes remaining.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.

I stand corrected. There are three categories out of 50 that get more than $20 an hour. Blaster. Do you want a blaster that earns $7.25 an hour? I don't think so. That might not be too good. A crane rough, all terrain up there, they earn $21.25 an hour in North Carolina. And a slipform machine, laying concrete. So there are three categories who could have their wages reduced or all of these people could have their wages reduced because many are at $14, $15, $16, $12 an hour even.

And under her amendment, those protections go away. We can have a rush to the bottom. And she somehow is implying that minority contractors want to pay people less or will pay people less or can't afford to pay people. We have very strong disadvantaged business enterprise provisions in this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Ms. Finkenauer).

Ms. FINKENAUER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I am proud to stand here today as a Congresswoman from Iowa's First Congressional District, but even more proud to stand here today as a daughter of a retired union pipe fitter/welder.

And you see I brought something with me today of my dad's. You can see right here it is a sweatshirt actually that he welded in. And you can see right here it has got these tiny little holes from the sparks of his welding torch.

And I kept this sweatshirt actually with me when I was in the State House in Iowa for 4 years to remind me every single day of who I was fighting for and also to give me hope when the Republicans in Iowa went after worker's compensation and collective bargaining in my State, making it harder for folks just like my dad.

Today, I see Congressional Republicans doing the same thing, pushing an amendment to gut Davis-Bacon prevailing wage protections that will make life harder for working families like the one that I grew up in.

And you see, I brought this with me today not because I need a reminder of who I am or where I come from, but clearly, my colleagues across the aisle in this body today need a reminder of the working men and women who have sacrificed day in and day out to provide good lives for their families who don't complain when they get burned from the sparks of a welding torch, who don't complain when they have to wring sweat out of their belt at the end of a hard day's work, which I have seen my father do more times than I would like to count.

You see, what they have done right now with this amendment and the proposals that they have shown us this year are going after, again, the families like the one that I grew up in. What they have done with amendments like this is to try to drive down wages and take away opportunities.

This amendment is outrageous. Without Davis-Bacon how many more workers busting their tails every day will see their paychecks go down and not up? How many more kids like me are going to go weeks without seeing their father or their mother? How many more families will be forced to leave their hometowns just to make ends meet?

Republicans are trying to cut off access to healthcare right now in the middle of a pandemic, and now they are trying to eliminate fair wage protections in the middle of an economic crisis.

This is outrageous, and quite frankly, it is disrespectful. Working families are already struggling to get by. Millions have lost their jobs, and millions more are worried about their job security. And now in the middle of this crisis we are going to take away wage protections? Again, this isn't just outrageous, it is disrespectful, and quite frankly, it is heartless.

Please join me in defeating this amendment, voting ``no'' and actually showing working men and women across the country who really has their back.

{time} 1245

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, under the nearly $500 billion surface transportation reauthorization piece of H.R. 2, the Highway Trust Fund, HTF, which pays for Federal highway and transit programs, it will require a $145 billion general fund bailout to cover the cost of the majority's irresponsible spending decisions.

Instead of trying to find a responsible way to pay for this huge increase in surface transportation funding and address the HTF's long-

term solvency issues, the bill simply piles more debt onto future generations.

Infrastructure is vital to our economy and the flow of commerce, but it is reckless to push such a massive bill that relies so heavily on more deficit spending, adds billions of dollars to programs without providing any reforms to reduce costs associated with the infrastructure project approval process, and ignores the Highway Trust Fund's solvency issue.

In addition, these partisan changes to our Federal transportation programs focus more on climate change and less on building infrastructure projects, creating more uncertainty for transportation workers and businesses.

Rather than kicking the can down the road and burdening future generations with the spending habits of today, we need to recognize and address inefficiencies that have lingered for far too long.

By repealing the Davis-Bacon Act for transportation projects, we can stretch taxpayer dollars further while updating, improving, and advancing the development of our Nation's critical infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining on either side.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oregon has 4\1/4\ minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from North Carolina has 6 minutes remaining.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross).

Mr. NORCROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership.

We just heard from a daughter of a fitter out of the UA. I spent 37 years in the construction industry as an electrician.

We heard just the other day that 40 percent of those who make $40,000 or less are out of work because of the pandemic, yet here we are, in the most deliberative body in the world, where a Member is saying: I want to represent my people by cutting their pay.

Unbelievable that we are hearing this.

They say we must modernize this system. Just because it is old doesn't make it no good. I think many of us can understand that.

They say they can save billions of dollars. Well, let's think about why they want to do it. It is so they can take that billion dollars saved from workers out in the field, who are making pennies an hour, and give it to billionaires like they did 2 years ago.

Let's understand this. They come before us to say: I want to hurt my constituents. I want to pay them less.

Unbelievable that somebody has the guts here on the House floor to say, ``I want to screw my constituents by paying them less, no health benefits,'' time after time. Unbelievable.

This was almost 100 years ago, Senator Davis and Congressman Bacon, signed by a Republican President. I guess that was back when Republicans had a conscience because what we are seeing now is an absolute farce.

``Let's save money so we can build more roads.''

My God, why don't you go back and give them two bucks an hour so they can't even live?

``We will use them as pavement.'' That is what I hear.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, you know, the attacks on this amendment are truly uncalled for. No Republican is calling for people to be paid $2 an hour or to be abused, nobody.

You know, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, they have a right to their opinion but not to making up things and not to putting words in our mouths. That is just uncalled for.

So, I am not going to really dignify those comments by trying to respond to them except to say that. We are getting sick and tired of people telling others what we think.

Let's just talk about what we do. And what this bill does is waste hardworking taxpayer dollars, and that is what we are trying to protect.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 10 seconds.

The gentlewoman says, save taxpayer dollars. What she wants to do is reduce the pay of skilled workers in America. That is not saving. They are taxpayers, by the way.

Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rose).

Mr. ROSE of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

And, quite frankly, I am dumbfounded. You are aware that this conversation is in public. So I won't put words in your mouth, but I will use your own words.

You say today you don't want to consolidate wealth amongst the few. What do you think your tax scam did?

This is about workers.

You say you are worried about deficit spending. Hallelujah. Suddenly you are worried about it. You weren't worried about deficit spending when it came to endless wars. You weren't worried about deficit spending when it came to a tax scam.

This conversation is in public. You don't get to go back to your districts now and say you are on the side of workers.

But whose side are you on? Because there is one thing this amendment will do. It will boost corporate profits, it will put money in the hands of billionaires, and it will rip off workers.

So today out in public, you reveal yourselves * * *. We are going to make sure that people remember this.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I ask for the gentleman's words to be taken down.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to direct their remarks to the Chair.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I ask for the gentleman's words to be taken down. I am not a hypocrite.

Mr. ROSE of New York. * * * .

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will suspend.

The Clerk will report the words.

Mr. ROSE of New York. I would like to say that my colleagues across the aisle----

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will suspend. Does the gentleman wish to withdraw his remarks?

Mr. ROSE of New York. No. * * *.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will suspend.

The gentleman from New York is recognized.

Mr. ROSE of New York. I did not mean any disrespect if I caused that. All right?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Does the gentleman ask unanimous consent to withdraw his words?

Mr. ROSE of New York. Yes, of course.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York?

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. May I hear the gentleman say what he said again, please? I am sorry, someone was distracting me, Madam Speaker. I am only asking.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman from New York please repeat his request?

Mr. ROSE of New York. I am sorry I offended anybody and I withdraw.

Thank you again.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. As I understand it, the gentleman is withdrawing his remarks and asking for unanimous consent that his remarks be withdrawn. Is that correct?

The SPEAKER pro tempore. That is correct.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. No objection.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the words are withdrawn.

There was no objection.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from North Carolina is recognized.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeFAZIO. The gentlewoman has the right to close, so I am going to yield the balance of my time to my esteemed colleague from Michigan

(Mr. Kildee).

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Oregon, for yielding, but especially for leading us to this moment where we have the opportunity to do something big and meaningful that will put millions of Americans back to work in a meaningful way and stimulate this economy and also position us to lead in the 21st century.

I will say this, however. We have been through this before. I have been here 8 years, and every year somebody from the other side comes down to this floor to offer the same amendment to take away an important protection that is actually quite simple.

It just simply says people who work for a living ought to be paid a fair wage, a wage that is consistent with the prevailing wages in the community so that people don't have to work full time and live in poverty, as tens of millions of Americans do right now.

It is pretty straightforward. Thankfully, even when the Democrats were not in the majority, there were enough thoughtful Republicans on the other side who would join with us to protect workers.

But I do find, and I know this is an issue that is very difficult for many of our Members to take, and it is an emotional subject because it is the same Republican leadership that pushed through a tax bill that granted huge economic benefits to a very small number of people at the very top who now want to pull the rug from under working families. This can't stand, and it won't.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.

Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the jobs bill and tax cut bill which Republicans alone passed in 2017 cut taxes for low-income Americans. Again, my colleagues are welcome to their opinions, but they are not welcome to make up facts, and that is what happened. The top 1 percent of the people in this country pay more in taxes as a result of that bill.

Madam Speaker, I grew up extremely poor in a house with no electricity and no running water. My father had to work away from home in the north. I grew up in North Carolina, and he was forced to be a member of a union and he hated it. He hated it because he had to pay union dues that supported policies he didn't support.

He was forced to take breaks. He was forced to slow down jobs. What he wanted to do was do his job and do it well and not come under the heavy hand of union bosses. I learned a long time ago about negative aspects of union membership from my father.

But we are not here today to talk about personal issues; we are here to talk about the future of this country.

I also am the lead Republican on the Education and Labor Committee, and I fought all of my life to help people gain the skills they need to get good jobs and better their lives. I am proud of what I have done over the years, and I will continue to do those things and focus on helping individuals become masters of their own lives and not be the subjects of anyone--not the unions, not the government, not anyone--but preserve their own freedom.

We are here today to consider a massive progressive wish list. The majority has made no attempts to pay for any of the program increases or offset any of the other $1.5 trillion added to this bill, which puts the American people in debt.

In the surface transportation provisions, $2 out of every $5 is tied up in Green New Deal goals. Let's be clear. Also, this bill has no chance of becoming law.

With so many Americans already out of work because of the pandemic, this costly shift in our transportation programs creates more uncertainty and does nothing to address longstanding inefficiencies.

Rather than pushing partisan wish lists that would heap enormous amounts of debt on future generations, we instead need to find commonsense solutions to modernize our infrastructure spending so we can get the most from every dollar invested. That is what Republicans want to do. We are not hypocrites.

{time} 1300

We believe, again, in freedom. We believe in what founded this country, the values that founded this country, and we are about to celebrate Independence Day. That is what we should be focused on: How do we do everything we can to celebrate independence and preserve that for the American people?

One of the ways we do that is by not incurring more debt on their behalf. I ask my colleagues to join me in taking a step toward fiscal restraint by overturning this antiquated law from a bygone era. At this critical junction in our Nation's history, we need to maximize our commitment to job creation, wise investment, equitable spending, and solutions to our unending deficit.

Support my amendment to get the real investment in our Nation's infrastructure that our citizens deserve.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).

The question is on the amendment.

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the noes appeared to have it.

Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Speaker, I demand the yeas and nays.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 965, the yeas and nays are ordered.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Courtney

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in part H of House Report 116-438.

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.

The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 499, after line 22, insert the following:

SEC. 1632. VEHICLE WEIGHT LIMITATIONS.

Section 127(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(14) With respect to the State of Connecticut, laws and regulations in effect on October 1, 2013, shall be applicable for the purposes of this subsection.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, in 2013, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law which was enacted that tried to modify and did modify, at least at the State level, the truck weight limits for agricultural producers, which, again, is sort of caught in a bit of a geographic box, given the fact that it is an 80,000 limit in Connecticut, 127,000 in Massachusetts for interstates, and 143,000 in the State of New York.

This is a very densely concentrated part of the country, and almost all of their feed, almost all of their silage, a lot of their fuel, and a lot of their equipment comes in from out of State. So when you have got trucks that can carry 120,000 going down the Mass Pike and then enter Connecticut, you are suddenly having a very disruptive, expensive proposition in terms of actually needing more trucks or having to have the products offloaded.

That is why the general assembly passed this statute. They thought they fixed it, but as, of course, we know here, in fact, Federal law has to be modified in order to make it effective. And that really was the purpose of this amendment.

I had the support of the Governor and all of the relevant agencies in Washington.

Truck weights are complicated. We know that, and I think we have really learned a lot in terms of this process.

Again, I will be making a motion which I think will bring this event to a conclusion, but before I do that, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Hayes), a great advocate for farms in the State of Connecticut, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, and someone who has been very involved in terms of trying to help on this issue.

Mrs. HAYES. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Courtney for yielding.

Connecticut farmers are in dire need of this amendment. Connecticut's agricultural industry encompasses everything from greenhouses to dairy farms. The greenhouse and nursery industry are the largest agricultural production sectors in the State, and they account for about $4.7 billion in Connecticut's economy. But these are family farms, not large corporate farms.

When they have to pay more to transport products due to unfair truck weight limits, there is a meaningful impact on their ability to stay afloat. For this reason, the Connecticut Legislature passed a law in 2013 to allow for the increase in truck weights within the State.

However, this change, as my colleague Mr. Courtney says, requires a Federal fix to truly take effect. Putting Federal policy in line with State policy would be a lifeline for my local farmers. We are not talking about a hypothetical benefit. We are talking about real, tangible benefits.

This amendment would achieve parity with neighboring States where weight limits are much higher. As you heard, in Connecticut, you can only carry up to 80,000 pounds, unlike our neighbors, Massachusetts, which is up to 127,000 pounds, and New York, which is up to 143,000 pounds. In order to do business with those States, it requires multiple, inefficient trips.

This amendment is not just about fairness. It is about doing what makes sense for most of Connecticut's agricultural sector. This would be a vital lifeline for the industry that is the backbone of my State's economy, and they are already struggling.

I urge my colleagues to at least recognize the importance of this amendment, and I thank my friend, Mr. Courtney, for his partnership in this effort.

Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, again, I think the gentlewoman described very well the situation that is there. We obviously, as I said, learned a lot in this process in terms of maybe trying to get more reassurance about the precision of the definition of what are agricultural products, as well as making sure that the regulations in Connecticut are beefed up so that the maximum level of truck safety would be incorporated into any such change. As I said, it needs more work.

I want to thank Mr. DeFazio for at least listening to us and Mr. McGovern for making this amendment in order and Mr. Graves, again, for the work that he does on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

As a friend of mine once said when he was redirected out of a seat in the Connecticut Legislature: Don't send me flowers, because I am coming back.

Don't send us flowers, because we want to really bring this issue, sometime in the future, to Congress to try and help really great people who work every day, get up early, and are doing wonderful things in terms of food production and agriculture products.

I ask unanimous consent to withdraw this amendment.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Connecticut?

There was no objection.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The amendment is withdrawn.

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Tlaib

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in part H of House Report 116-438.

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the amendment.

The text of the amendment is as follows:

Page 1464, after line 17, insert the following:

SEC. 33105. COMPREHENSIVE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT.

Section 1459B of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-19b) is amended--

(1) in subsection (d)--

(A) by striking ``$60,000,000'' and inserting

``$4,500,000,000''; and

(B) by striking ``2021'' and inserting ``2025''; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

``(f) Comprehensive Lead Reduction Projects.--

``(1) Grants.--The Administrator shall make grants available to eligible entities for comprehensive lead reduction projects that, notwithstanding any other provision in this section, pay to fully replace all lead service lines served by the eligible entity, irrespective of the ownership of the service line and without requiring a contribution to the cost of replacement of any portion of the service line by any individual homeowner.

``(2) Priority.--In making grants under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall give priority to eligible entities serving disadvantaged communities, consistent with subsection

(b)(3), and environmental justice communities (with significant representation of communities of color, low-income communities, or Tribal and indigenous communities, that experience, or are at risk of experiencing, higher or more adverse human health or environmental effects).

``(3) No cost-sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of a project carried out pursuant to this subsection shall be 100 percent.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1028, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, first, I want to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for their leadership in bringing this important bill to the floor.

I would also like to thank Chairman Pallone for working with me on this amendment and Chairpersons DeFazio, Waters, Scott, and others for their leadership; and my colleagues, Representatives Dan Kildee, Slotkin, Cicilline, and Moore for their cosponsorship of this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment because everyone deserves clean water, because water is a human right. I rise today because, in the richest country in the world, no family or child should live with poisoned water.

My amendment authorizes $4.5 billion annually, totaling $22.5 billion over the next 5 years, to replace dangerous lead water pipes throughout our Nation. This amendment also prioritizes lead pipe replacement projects serving disadvantaged communities, communities of color, low-

income communities, and environmental justice communities like mine in Michigan's 13th Congressional District.

Our residents in Michigan, surrounded by the largest bodies of freshwater in the world, should not be forced to live off bottled water sold by corporations like Nestle, who make billions while paying almost nothing to bottle our water and harm our ecosystem.

Contaminated water has been a fact of life for too many communities, especially Black and Brown communities like Detroit, Flint, Baltimore, Chicago, and more. My amendment will require that lead service lines must be fully replaced and removed. No partial lead service line replacements would be funded.

Our residents deserve so much more than half measures. We owe them their human right to drink clean water. This amendment, Madam Speaker, would change lives for over 9 million homes across the country currently at risk of facing the harms of lead exposure.

The time for environmental justice is now, and this amendment is a crucial step toward finally achieving that.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. I urge them to tell every single individual, family, child, and community in this country that they have a right to clean, safe water.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 minutes.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), my good colleague and fellow activist on the human right to water.

Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Tlaib, for her leadership and for bringing this amendment to the floor. I am proud to join her in it.

As many of you know, I represent my hometown of Flint, Michigan. Flint is the community that really brought national attention to this issue of lead in drinking water.

Fifteen thousand children were impacted in Flint, Michigan, because of lead leaching into their drinking water. Those lead service lines were the source of that contamination.

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water. Right now, we have a rule that allows for a certain level of lead. Many communities exceed it, but there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, and we need to do everything we can to eliminate it. This is a big step forward in dealing with it.

And let me just remind my friends, yes, of course, this sort of initiative comes with a price tag. But if you really want to know the price of this issue, come to Flint and you will see the price of failure, the price of lead exposure.

It is not just measured in the half a billion dollars that it has cost to remediate a problem that could have been solved if this program had been in place before, but the cost is measured in the effect that that lead exposure has had on developing small brains and the effect on the trajectory of the lives of those kids forever.

You are not going to get a CBO score that measures the quality of life and the trajectory of the life of a child whose brain has been affected by exposure to lead. We have a chance to do something about this. We have a chance to prevent the next Flint, Michigan.

My people at home are tough, and they have been through a lot. They don't want Flint to be an anomaly. It should be an example to the rest of the country.

This is an important amendment that will make even better this bill that I support that invests in the future of our country.

I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Tlaib, for her outstanding leadership on this.

{time} 1315

Mr. SHIMKUS. I reserve the balance of my time, Madam Speaker.

Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to really understand the human impact of not having clean water around our country. This would help 11,000 communities across our Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support this and vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I was here on the floor yesterday evening to debate the amendments under the Energy and Commerce Committee's jurisdiction that were airdropped into this Transportation and Infrastructure bill. This is another one. Although the intent is good, it is a terrible amendment because it didn't go through regular order. The committee of jurisdiction didn't get a chance to understand it and debate it, and I will explain why.

My constituents get tired of process arguments, and also a lot of Members get tired of that. We used to have some very powerful committees in this institution, and Members would develop subject-

matter expertise through the years of hearings and detail-focused markups. When we moved bills through regular order it would help avoid unintended consequences above bad public policy, and this amendment is another example of bad public policy.

So while I appreciate the well-meaning sentiments behind the sponsors, including the emphasis the amendment places on prioritizing communities who cannot afford lead pipe replacements, the way this amendment is drafted leaves me with many questions about how it operates and that it won't actually result in the claims of its sponsors.

First, the amendment authorizes a brand-new comprehensive lead program, which is not well-defined, on top of the existing lead reduction program which is defined. I am sure my colleagues don't even know we have a lead reduction program right now under current law.

We know the existing lead reduction program contains education and lead service line replacements. All we know about the comprehensive lead program is that it pays to remove lead service lines. This seems like less but calling it comprehensive certainly suggests more.

In addition, this amendment authorizes $4.5 billion per year for both programs. Does this mean $4.44 billion is supposed to go to the new, undefined comprehensive program and $60 million to the existing defined lead reduction program?

Are they supposed to be treated equally?

On the question of funding, the amount authorized to be spent in 1 year is 300 percent more than the entire amount of Federal funding for major drinking water aid programs. It is actually about one-half of the EPA's entire annual budget.

The regular lead reduction program which was authorized at $60 million per year and took 4 years to establish is now just starting to award funds. Since the comprehensive program is a separate program, we can expect this program to take longer to get going, but in reality, pushing this unprecedented level of funding out the door might be aspirational rather than realistic. That would be a shame for those communities who need it most.

Second, the amendment waives any requirements for matching funds from the water systems or communities that obtain them. On top of that, this amendment waives any requirement for any person to pay for replacement of their personally-owned portion of lead service lines, whereas the existing program waives this expense for low-income people. This means people who have the financial resources to afford their own replacements don't have to use them at all because the new comprehensive program will pick up the check for them. That is not very progressive. Compensating the wealthy for these replacements both now and in the future is an especially harsh consequence for U.S. taxpayers, but that is what this amendment does.

Flint was a failure at all levels, and it happened because of money in politics. The city of Flint wanted off Detroit water because they felt they were being gouged on their rates.

The city council set an artificial political deadline for transition that wasn't based on the engineering needs of the system's water chemistry.

The State cut the city slack because the city was in receivership and didn't pursue enforcement.

EPA was aware of the high-level readings but minimized their impact to avoid causing a panic and slowed-walked the legal response.

The biggest problem was that no one told the public.

Flint suffered because of that, and the people living in the most neglected areas of Flint suffered the most.

So while this amendment guarantees priority funding for cities and water utilities for low-income folks, this amendment does not mandate that these households get their lead service lines replaced first or that they target the worst contamination. Let me repeat that. Under this amendment, you can be the reason your city or utility gets moved to the front of the line, but that city does not have to replace the poorest and most dangerous lead service lines.

This is another example of why we shouldn't stick safe drinking water amendments on a transportation bill. It bastardizes the process and creates poor public policy like this amendment.

I ask for a ``no'' vote.

In fact, Chairman DeFazio in the Rules Committee once said: I have no idea what these amendments mean because I had no jurisdiction on this process.

So with that, Madam Speaker, vote ``no'' on this very poorly drafted amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of the Tlaib/Kildee/Slotkin/Cicilline/Moore amendment to help remove dangerous lead pipes in our communities.

Lead paint in housing and water infrastructure containing lead are the two primary, but not the sole, pathways for lead poisoning in our children.

HUD estimates that over 22 million homes (34 percent of the homes built before 1978) have significant lead-based paint hazards. Nationwide, estimates are that there are as many as 10 million lead service lines.

The pernicious impacts of lead poisoning are well known. These impacts are often lifelong and irreversible. Lead poisoning is a serious threat in the State of Wisconsin and particularly in the City of Milwaukee, which has the largest concentration of lead service lines in the state. And its not just my state. According to the Great Lakes Governor's and Premiers, the Great Lakes region contains the highest concentrations of lead service lines in the United States.

The good news is that lead poisoning is preventable, not inevitable, if we act. It is critical that we start taking steps to boost assistance, especially to localities with extremely high numbers of households served by lead lateral lines, who are least able to pay for the replacement of those lines.

That's what this amendment does.

This amendment would authorize $4.5 billion dollars per year for 5 years to help pay to fully replace lead service lines across the country with a priority given to low-income and other communities that suffer disproportionately from the harms posed by this threat.

A sustained substantial commitment to federal lead prevention and mitigation efforts is critical if our country is to make serious progress in protecting our nation's children. That's what this amendment does. It raises the federal investment and makes changes to ensure that more households can participate in comprehensive lead reduction projects that fully replace lead lines.

Unfortunately, the households most affected by this problem often have the fewest resources available to pay to replace lead pipes.

It reaffirms a federal commitment to helping get lead pipes out of the ground. Primary prevention--the removal of lead hazards from the environment before a child is exposed--is the most effective way to ensure that children do not experience the harmful effects of lead exposure. These funds will help to ensure that children can grow up healthy and safe while living in homes where they are protected from lead poisoning.

For this small investment, our communities reap great gains. The annual costs of lead poisoning have been estimated at over $50 billion. As noted in a report by the Pew Charitable Trusts, ``In the absence of lead, hundreds of thousands of children would be more likely to realize their full potential thanks to higher GPAs, a better chance of earning high school diplomas and graduating.

This amendment gets us closer to riding our communities of lead service lines and to providing a healthier tomorrow for millions of children and their families. I urge my colleagues to support it.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the previous question is ordered on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Michigan

(Ms. Tlaib).

The question is on the amendment.

The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that the ayes appeared to have it.

Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 965, the yeas and nays are ordered.

Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question are postponed.

Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, further consideration of H.R. 2 is postponed.

____________________

SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 121

“INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT” published by the Congressional Record on July 1, 2020

“INVESTING IN A NEW VISION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SURFACE TRANSPORTATION IN AMERICA ACT” published by the Congressional Record on July 1, 2020

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