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.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S1017-S1019 on March 7.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Booker, Mr.
Menendez, and Mr. Schumer):
S. 3767. A bill to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to reauthorize Delaware River Basin conservation programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce, along with the Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Casey, the Junior Senator from Delaware, Mr. Coons, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Booker, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, and the Senator from New York, Mr. Schumer, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022.
The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act became law as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016. This legislation, which I was proud to lead, responded to the need for Federal, State, and local governments and regional partners to come together to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration activities within the Delaware River Basin. The legislation also created a nonregulatory grant program for which appropriations have flowed through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has done an excellent job of working with the Fish and Wildlife Service to administer the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund under the authority of this act.
In just a few short years, this program has grown tremendously. To date, the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund has awarded more than
$25 million to projects that support recreation, water quality, water management, and habitat. Grantees have matched that investment by a ratio of nearly 2 to 1--an impressive total conservation impact of over
$70 million.
This program is a great example of how when the government--at all levels--works with diverse suites of nongovernment stakeholders, we can achieve meaningful results on the ground that improve the lives of people and wildlife alike.
For example, the program has funded several diverse projects in Delaware, including installing pollinator gardens at places of worship, removing a dam in White Clay Creek, improving fish passage in the Brandywine River, and restoring wetlands at our national wildlife refuges. These restoration efforts protect the species we love, clean up our drinking water, and provide a boost to local tourism.
The legislation I am introducing today would reauthorize the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act and make some minor improvements to allow even better results on the ground throughout the Delaware River Watershed. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our region.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill I am introducing today appear in the Record following my statement.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3767
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION.
(a) Cost Sharing.--Section 3504(c)(1) of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Federal share'' and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Federal share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program that serves a small, rural, or disadvantaged community shall be 90 percent of the total cost of the project, as determined by the Secretary.
``(ii) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal share under clause (i) to 100 percent of the total cost of the project if the Secretary determines that the grant recipient is unable to pay, or would experience significant financial hardship if required to pay, the non-Federal share.''.
(b) Repeal of Prohibition on Use of Funds for Federal Acquisition of Interests in Land.--Section 3506 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is repealed.
(c) Sunset.--Section 3507 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2030''.
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina):
S. 3768. A bill to require the Secretary of Labor to implement the industry-recognized apprenticeship program process, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3768
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Training America's Workforce Act''.
SEC. 2. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
The Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the
``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 63; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 4 as section 5; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 4. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Industry-recognized apprenticeship program.--The term
`industry-recognized apprenticeship program'--
``(A) means a high-quality, competency-based apprenticeship program that is--
``(i) recognized by a standards recognition entity;
``(ii) developed or delivered by an entity such as a trade or industry group, corporation, nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, labor organization, or labor-management organization (among other entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary); and
``(B) may include a program that meets the requirements of subparagraph (A) and trains apprentices to perform construction activities.
``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Labor.
``(3) Standards recognition entity.--The term `standards recognition entity' means a private sector or public sector entity that--
``(A) is recognized by the Secretary (acting through the Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor) for purposes of recognizing apprenticeship programs as industry-recognized apprenticeship programs;
``(B) has a demonstrated ability to ensure an industry- recognized apprenticeship program meets the standards described in subsection (d); and
``(C) has the capacity to perform the oversight necessary to ensure the ongoing compliance of an industry-recognized apprenticeship program with such standards.
``(b) Recognition of Industry-recognized Apprenticeship Programs.--
``(1) In general.--By not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Training America's Workforce Act, the Secretary, after consultation with private sector industry associations, institutions of higher education, State, local, and Tribal governmental agencies, and other stakeholders the Secretary determines appropriate, shall establish a process to recognize entities as standards recognition entities for purposes of recognizing industry-recognized apprenticeship programs under this Act.
``(2) Limited discretion.--The Secretary shall not deny recognition as a standards recognition entity to a private sector or public sector entity that meets the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(3) and satisfactorily completes the process established under paragraph (1).
``(3) Administrative flexibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that the recognition process for standards recognition entities established under paragraph (1) is a flexible process with low administrative and reporting burdens for the standards recognition entities and industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.
``(c) Requirements.--The recognition process of standards recognition entities and the activities and procedures carried out by the standards recognition entities shall, to the maximum extent practicable and except as otherwise explicitly provided in this section, be consistent with the requirements, activities, and procedures under subpart B of part 29 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as such subpart was in effect on May 11, 2020.
``(d) Standards.--Each standard recognition entity shall establish standards for the industry-recognized apprenticeship programs recognized by the entity that, at a minimum, ensure that each industry-recognized apprenticeship program--
``(1) includes--
``(A) paid work;
``(B) on-the-job learning;
``(C) a mentorship component;
``(D) education and classroom instruction;
``(E) a written training plan and apprenticeship agreement; and
``(F) safety and supervision components; and
``(2) provides, during participation in or upon completion of the apprenticeship, an industry-recognized credential.
``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting apprenticeship programs registered under this Act and recognized by the Secretary of Labor.''.
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By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, and Mrs.
Shaheen):
S. 3769. A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to improve the weatherization assistance program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, which will make critical updates to ensure this important program can effectively serve even more households across the country.
Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than 7 million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The Department of Energy estimates that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills annually. Those energy savings free up limited financial resources for essentials, like groceries and medicine.
In addition to traditional services like attic and wall insulation, the program also provides services that help with home health and safety measures, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
An independent study of the Weatherization Assistance Program by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that children in weatherized households miss less school, improving educational outcomes. Adults miss less work, increasing both their own incomes and their contributions to the economy. Families also reported experiencing fewer flu and cold symptoms and emergency room visits, decreasing costly medical expenses.
The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps boost our economy. The program supports over 8,500 jobs for energy experts and contractors, while increasing our national economic output by $1.2 billion.
The program is a win-win for all involved. That is why, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have led my colleagues in supporting strong funding for it every year. And that is why I am introducing this bill--to ensure it continues to work for years to come.
This bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Collins, Coons, and Shaheen, will help expand the program to many more low-income households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services because their homes are not structurally sound. The bill will authorize a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $65 million a year for 5 years to repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to serve.
At the same time, it will raise the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs, and it will raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over the past few decades.
I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense legislation.
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By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Hagerty, and Mr.
King):
S. 3771. A bill to prohibit United States persons from engaging in transactions with foreign persons that purchase or transact in gold from the Russian Federation; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Mr. CORNYN. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with foreign persons who purchase or transact in gold from the Russian Federation.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stop Russian Government and Oligarchs from Limiting Democracy Act of 2022'' or the ``Stop Russian GOLD Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH FOREIGN PERSONS THAT
PURCHASE OR TRANSACT IN RUSSIAN GOLD.
(a) In General.--Any transaction by a United States person with a foreign person described in subsection (b) is prohibited.
(b) Foreign Person Described.--A foreign person is described in this subsection if the foreign person--
(1) purchases, transacts in, or transports between countries gold received from the Government of the Russian Federation, including from reserves of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation held outside the Russian Federation; or
(2) engages in a transaction--
(A) involving gold; and
(B) that has a physical or electronic nexus to the Russian Federation.
(c) Guidance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall publish guidance for United States persons with respect to compliance with this section, including guidance--
(1) to ensure that United States persons are able to avoid unknowingly investing in or transacting with foreign persons described in subsection (b) through bundled or basked assets; and
(2) to facilitate divestment from investment in and transactions with such foreign persons.
(d) Implementation; Penalties.--
(1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry out this section.
(2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that section.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(2) United states person.--The term ``United States person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence to the United States; or
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
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