[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5500-H5523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    21ST CENTURY GREEN HIGH-PERFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 427 and rule 
XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of the Whole House 
on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill, H.R. 2187.

                              {time}  1205


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 2187) to direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to 
State educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair 
of public school facilities, and for other purposes, with Mr. Holden in 
the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. The gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. George 
Miller).
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack), who has been a driving force 
behind this legislation and one of the original cosponsors of this 
legislation.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Mr. Chairman, I am very happy to have had the 
opportunity to work on the 21st Century Green High-Performing School 
Facilities Act with Mr. Chandler, Chairman Miller and, especially, 
subcommittee Chairman Kildee.
  Last year, when we considered a similar version of this legislation, 
I had the great opportunity to include many of the provisions of my 
Public School Repair and Renovation Act and the GREEN School 
Improvement Act into the underlying bill, and I am glad that the bill 
that we introduced this year also contains those provisions.
  I am especially proud of this bill's focus on the importance of 
greening schools. Many schools in my district and across the State and, 
indeed, across the country have already begun to go green. For example, 
the Cardinal Community School District has a wind-powered classroom 
that I visited that saves energy and gives students hands-on experience 
in an emerging industry.
  The Cedar Rapids Community School District is also making large 
strides towards more energy-efficient facilities. Kennedy High School, 
Taft Middle School, Harding Middle School, Jefferson High School, and 
Washington High School are all looking at geothermal systems.
  The Elizabeth Tate High School in Iowa City has also taken several 
important strides towards greening their facilities and have 
specifically focused on the benefits of natural lighting for their 
students with disabilities. Other schools in my district that are going 
green include Evans Middle School, Willowwind School, and Van Allen 
Elementary School, and I visited almost all of those.
  These schools all know that even while they struggle to find funding 
for their projects, their school modernization efforts will lead to 
increased

[[Page H5501]]

health, learning ability, and productivity.
  I truly believe the Federal Government should help provide schools in 
Iowa and across the country with seed money, and that's what this is, 
seed money, to leverage local dollars, to modernize, repair, and 
renovate.
  I am proud that this legislation does just that, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
subcommittee ranking member, the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle).
  Mr. CASTLE. I thank you very much, Mr. McKeon, for the time.
  Mr. Chairman, let me just talk about the positives about this for a 
moment. We all believe in school construction. We all believe that our 
children should be able to attend the best school facilities we can 
possibly provide, and I happen to believe in the green energy aspect as 
well. I give Mr. Loebsack credit. I give Mr. Miller credit for that.
  But there is another factor here that I think we need to consider 
before we go forward with legislation such as this, and this is where 
we are financially in this country today. I had an amendment, which was 
not approved by the Rules Committee. There was another amendment, also 
not approved by the Rules Committee, and mine would have dealt with 
funding title I fully. That's to help the lower, the schools with 
lower-income students in it.
  We now fund that at $13.9 billion, I think, and the authorization is 
$25 billion. This has been underfunded forever under the previous 
Democratic Congress, under the Republican Congress, and now under the 
Democratic Congress again. So we simply have not lived up to our 
promise to these schools to bring in money to help with their 
education.
  The same thing is true of IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act. And, yes, we have increased that somewhat. As a 
percentage, we are supposed to be up to 40 percent. I don't think we 
have reached quite the halfway point yet with respect to that. And, 
again, that has crossed a lot of Congresses, a lot of Presidents, and 
we can point fingers at one another. There are Members on both sides 
who tried to help with that, many good Democrats and many good 
Republicans, but the bottom line is we have not funded those programs 
adequately.
  Obviously low-income schools and children with disabilities need all 
the help they can possibility get, and yet we are starting a new 
program today, and I believe the authorization is something like $40 
billion or something of that nature in this. We won't live up to that. 
We won't be able to live up to it. So this is good headlining, The 
Public Government to Help with Schools.
  School construction has been the responsibility of local school 
districts and, of course, the surrounding properties that may pay the 
taxes for that and the States. I know in my State the State has stepped 
up and is a big part of school construction. That's vitally important. 
We try to keep our schools up with local taxpayers' dollars.
  The Federal Government has assigned roles dealing with certain things 
that we already do that we are not really living up to as fully as we 
should, try as we might. My judgment is, if we start this program, you 
are going to see an increase in requests for school construction that 
is going to blow everything out of the water, probably a tripling and a 
quadrupling in a year, if I had to guess. All kinds of schools that 
believe they are okay now are going to find, gee, there's Federal 
dollars to be had. We will put together a green energy program, make an 
application for it, and you are going to see the demand triple and 
quadruple in a period of a year or so, in my belief.
  So I think we need to consider seriously what we are doing. Again, we 
are all for this. I can't imagine anyone who would be opposed to it 
conceptually. But can we afford to add another education program that's 
going to be underfunded?
  And that says nothing about the overall deficit of our country. We 
have seen reports in the last day or two that this deficit is the 
highest that we have ever had.
  This administration has indicated it's more than willing to spend 
money, but how are we going to get the revenues to offset that? And now 
we are going to add a new program that we simply, unfortunately, cannot 
afford at this time.
  So for all these reasons, I would hope that we would think carefully 
before we would advance this legislation, a good cause but unaffordable 
at this time for this country.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. At this time, I would like to yield 
3 minutes to the subcommittee Chair, Mr. Kildee, who is the original 
sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. KILDEE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the 21st Century Green 
High-Performing School Facilities Act.
  I was very pleased to join Congressman Chandler, the chief sponsor of 
this bill, my committee chairman, Chairman Miller, and Congressman 
Loebsack, an effective and creative member of the Education and Labor 
Committee, to cosponsor this bill.
  This legislation will bring critically needed resources to schools 
around the country, to provide students and teachers with safe, 
healthy, modern energy-efficient and environmentally friendly learning 
spaces. And it would help our local, State, and national economies by 
creating jobs for thousands of workers to build these improvements.
  Mr. Chairman, some years ago in Flint, Michigan, my hometown, a judge 
ordered a jail to be torn down because it was unfit for human 
occupation, yet many local educators at that time told me that that 
jail was in better shape than some of the schools in which they work 
hard every day.
  Last Congress, we passed this bill out of the House with strong 
bipartisan support. I am confident that we will do the same today, and 
I look forward to working with my colleague to see it become law.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2187 and yield 
myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, there is a trend here that troubles me. Over the past few 
months, the Federal Government has stepped in to take control of more 
and more industries in America. So far these have included the banking 
industry, the auto industry, and the credit industry. And there is talk 
of the Federal Government becoming even more involved in other areas, 
too. These include the health care industry and possibly the student 
loan industry.
  Today we are considering H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-
Performing School Facilities Act. This is a bill that would get the 
Federal Government involved in yet one more industry, school 
construction.

                              {time}  1215

  Little by little, the Federal Government is becoming more involved in 
people's lives than ever before--and that's just the start of this 
bill's concerns.
  First, there's the cost. Based on the Congressional Budget Office 
estimates, it's predicted that this bill will cost taxpayers $40 
billion--and that's just the start. And $40 billion may not seem like 
much in these days of multibillion-dollar bailouts and trillion-dollar 
Federal budgets, but all of this new spending pushes our country 
further and further into debt.
  This week, the Obama administration estimated that the United States 
has a deficit of $1.84 trillion this year alone. When I came to 
Congress, the whole budget 16 years ago was $1.4 trillion. This year, 
the deficit alone will exceed that.
  The national debt is now about $11 trillion--and growing. We could 
update it during the course of this debate because it's growing by the 
minute--and thanks to bills like this one.
  We need to get the Federal budget under control. If we don't, the 
children we're trying to help today will spend the rest of their lives 
paying off our debts and deficits--instead of paying for their own 
dreams and destinies.
  But this bill has other costs that go far beyond the balance sheet, 
if passed. This bill could divert important funding from the title I 
program for disadvantaged students and for those programs under the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA.
  This is a serious blow, especially after the Obama administration's 
budget failed to increase support for these programs. In fact, under 
the administration's budget, IDEA is flat-funded, keeping the Federal 
share of excess costs at just 17 percent.

[[Page H5502]]

  And, worse still, the title I basic grant is actually cut by $1.5 
billion. The administration is redirecting those funds elsewhere, 
leaving 1,038 school districts--those that receive funds only under the 
basic grant--with less money next year than they have this year.
  Republicans think we should meet our existing commitments to these 
two vital programs and maintain the Federal focus on programs that 
improve student achievement. States and local communities--not Federal 
bureaucrats--have the primary responsibility to set public policy over 
education. Federal law should reflect that.
  And here's another cost problem. Like other Federal construction 
projects, this new program carries the burden of Davis-Bacon wage 
mandates from the Depression era. Davis-Bacon has been shown to drive 
up the cost of school construction projects between 22 percent and 26 
percent when compared to similar projects completed under market 
conditions. That's money that could otherwise go toward putting 
additional teachers in the classrooms.
  The Labor Department's own Inspector General has found these wage 
requirements to be flawed. They shortchange either taxpayers, workers--
or both.
  That's not all. These wage mandates create regulatory hurdles that 
make it hard for smaller contractors, many owned by minorities and 
women, to win Federal contracts.
  Mr. Chair, I cannot support this bill. I know that my friend and 
colleagues across the aisle are sincere in their efforts to improve the 
schools, as I am. I know there's a need for school construction and 
renovation. I also know that this must continue to be dealt with at the 
State and local level, where more than $144 billion has been spent to 
build, repair, and renovate schools just over the last 7 years.
  This bill creates more problems than it solves. It costs too much, it 
borrows too much, and it controls too much. That troubles me and, I 
hope, other Members in this Chamber. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 3 minutes to the original 
author of this legislation, who has been pushing school construction 
legislation for a number of years, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. 
Chandler).
  Mr. CHANDLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am very proud to be here 
today to urge passage of the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public 
School Facilities Act, which authorizes $6.4 billion to help renovate 
and modernize our schools.
  This bill, in my view, is a home run. It will give much needed money 
to our schools' struggle with huge budget deficits and deteriorating 
facilities while encouraging energy efficiency and creating jobs for 
Americans that cannot be shipped overseas.
  I'd like to thank Chairman Miller, subcommittee Chairman Kildee, Mr. 
Loebsack, and all of our cosponsors and committee members for their 
work on this legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, we have the mightiest military in the world. We enjoy 
some of the most comprehensive freedoms and we have some of the world's 
best and brightest students who possess unlimited potential.
  But today, many of our children are learning in crowded classrooms 
with lead and asbestos, falling plaster, broken windows, outdated 
technology, and crumbling infrastructure.
  Where children learn has a large impact on what they learn. The U.S. 
Department of Education tells us that modern, functional school 
facilities are critical for effective student learning.
  In 1995, the GAO found that schools were in desperate need of repairs 
totaling $112 billion. Over a decade later, we can be sure that the 
need is much, much greater.
  Each day, we're competing on a global stage with countries like India 
and China that are pouring billions of dollars into educating their 
children. Investing in the education of our children at home is the key 
to staying in the game.
  If we want to brighten the future of the next generation, we have to 
invest in our children. If we want to ensure America's competitiveness 
on the world stage, we have to invest in our children. If we want to 
create jobs, if we want to save energy, and if we want to support our 
most crucial economic resource, we have to invest in our children.
  Today, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this 
legislation. Our children cannot wait any longer.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I'm happy at this time to yield 3 minutes 
to a member of the committee, the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I rise today in opposition to the legislation. 
School construction is being billed as something that can dramatically 
improve student performance and, while it will have an effect, I would 
guess it would impact the performance less than parental involvement, 
less than having a quality teacher, and less than having good textbooks 
and curricula.
  Since arriving in Washington, all I've heard is that programs are 
dramatically underfunded, so I question why we would add a new program 
to fund that could divert more resources from these other programs.
  I was personally educated in a two-room country school with no 
running water, no indoor plumbing. I think my parents placing a high 
value on education had far more to do with my success in the classroom 
than the condition of my school did.
  In our debate yesterday before the Rules Committee, we were 
discussing the merits of Federal involvement in school construction. 
The point was made that State and local officials are being forced to 
cut back on school construction because they're required to balance 
their budgets, so we at the Federal level should start funding this 
construction to make up for their shortfalls.
  At home, where I was a mayor, I had a very simple philosophy: Spend 
less than you take in. Here in Washington, we have a different 
philosophy: Borrow more than we take, then spend it.
  At a time of record deficits, I believe the Federal Government should 
act more like our State and local officials, many of whom are setting 
priorities and trying to fund programs to get the most bang to their 
buck.
  Some communities, like Johnson City, Tennessee, where I was mayor 
before coming to Washington, are investing their own resources in 
school construction. We were just able to fund $50 million worth of 
improvements because we acted in a fiscally responsible manner 
balancing budgets--and we now have a surplus. Other communities have 
chosen to put off these needs while they weather this economic crisis.
  I think it speaks volumes when communities collectively decide that 
other programs are more of a priority to student achievement than 
school construction, yet we at the Federal level are making just the 
opposite determination. It seems to me that if we want to do something 
that will really help students, we'd be better off with funding the 
IDEA and No Child Left Behind programs, which are proven to boost 
student achievement.
  I appreciate what both sides are doing--and everyone wants to improve 
the education level. I urge a ``no'' vote on this legislation.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 2 minutes to the 
subcommittee Chair of the Education and Labor Committee, the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).
  (Mr. ANDREWS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. ANDREWS. I'd like to thank my friend, the chairman, for yielding. 
I rise in support of the legislation.
  This is really more than just a bill about modernization and repair 
of schools. It's a bill that helps address a number of the chronic and 
substantial problems that face our country. One is unemployment.
  This bill will create jobs for workers who will go about the process 
of fixing these schools and repairing them. Second, the bill creates a 
model for the construction and renovation of facilities that will save 
energy, that will reduce our carbon footprint, reduce pollution, and 
make our country greener. Third, this bill will help local education 
agencies--schools--by freeing up dollars they would otherwise have to 
spend on repairs, making those dollars available for the programs that 
educate the young people who attend those schools.
  This is a bill that is not simply about the very desirable work of 
installing insulation or energy efficient windows

[[Page H5503]]

or green technology. It's really about addressing in an important way 
our unemployment problem, our energy problem, and our education 
indication problem, and we are giving students a better environment in 
which to learn.
  I'm hopeful that this legislation will provide a benchmark against 
which future efforts can be measured. It makes great sense. It's 
something that should achieve support on both sides of the aisle.
  I would urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I'm happy at this time to yield such time 
as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Culberson).
  Mr. CULBERSON. Thank you, Mr. McKeon. I would like to build a new 
extension on my house, Mr. Chair. I'd like to have a lot of things, but 
cannot afford it. All of us as individual Americans in our private life 
and business life live within our means.
  As the gentleman from Tennessee said so eloquently, our local and 
State governments must operate within balanced budget requirements. 
They must live within their means. They don't build facilities or 
operate programs that they cannot afford to pay for. And the Federal 
Government is at a pivotal moment in the history of this Nation.
  This new leadership in Congress, the new liberal leadership here in 
the Congress, our new President has, as Mr. McKeon said so well, taken 
over and nationalized huge segments of the banking industry, the 
automobile industry, the insurance industry, the mortgage industry. And 
here today, this leadership has presented to the Congress, to the 
Nation, for the first time, the Federal Government is going to get into 
the school construction business.
  At a time of record debt, at a time when the Nation must focus on its 
fundamental financial security, we are stepping into an area where the 
Federal Government has never really gone before.
  The bill, section 1, reading from the bill, Mr. Chair, page 5, 
``Grants under this title shall be for the purpose of modernizing, 
renovating, or repairing public school facilities, based on their 
need.'' Absolutely noble purpose. But we cannot afford it.
  Page 10, section 103, ``Allowable uses of funds. A local education 
agency receiving a grant under this title shall use the grant for 
modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities.'' And 
a long list--repairing, replacing, installing roofs, walls, plumbing 
systems, et cetera. This is a bottomless pit.
  Ross Perot's famous phrase, ``a giant sucking sound.'' We're going to 
hear a giant sucking sound out of the United States Treasury paying for 
utterly endless repairs and construction of local school buildings 
while we could use this $40 billion just in southeast Texas.
  In 8 years, Medicare is exhausted. Let that sink in. In 96 months, 
the trustees of the Social Security and Medicare system just reported 
yesterday that Medicare is exhausted, Mr. Chair--in 96 months.
  This is an urgent, critical emergency. The United States of America 
needs to follow Dave Ramsey's advice and live on a little beans and 
rice. Focus on the fundamentals. This stuff isn't complicated.

                              {time}  1230

  We are in this magnificent Chamber surrounded by the greatest minds 
in the history of the civilized world. I look here at a portrait of my 
hero, Thomas Jefferson, and of George Mason. My hero, Mr. Jefferson, 
liked to say that if you apply core constitutional principles, the knot 
will always untie itself.
  Here today Congress needs to focus on the fundamentals, keeping 
America on a path to financial security and solvency. It is not 
complicated. Let us follow Mr. Jefferson's wisdom, follow the 
Constitution and the separation of powers, and limit the Federal 
Government to those functions set out in the Constitution. At a time of 
critical financial emergency, when literally Medicare payments will 
stop in 96 months, let's focus on the fundamentals, America. Congress 
needs to quit spending money; no new taxes, no new debt, no new 
spending, and save our children from being buried in a mountain of debt 
that they cannot pay.
  This is a noble purpose, but we cannot afford it, anymore than I can 
afford to build an extension on my house. I cannot borrow money to pay 
off borrowed money. That is what this bill, what this Congress, what 
this liberal leadership has been doing since January when we all got 
sworn in, spent more money in less time than any Congress in history.
  I am not playing favorites. I voted against $2.3 trillion of new 
spending under George Bush. I have already voted against $1.6 trillion 
of new spending under this bunch. This cannot be sustained. We are 
living on borrowed money. These Treasury bonds are being bought by 
foreign investors and foreign national sovereign wealth funds that our 
kids are going to have to repay.
  This isn't complicated. Let's get back to the fundamentals. As Mr. 
Jefferson said, the knot will always untie itself, if we will only 
follow the Constitution. There is nowhere in the Constitution that it 
is authorized for the Federal Government to get into the business of 
school construction. This will literally become a bottomless pit, Mr. 
Speaker.
  I am, as every Member of Congress, as committed as anyone to making 
sure our local schools are well built and maintained and our kids have 
a safe environment that is a good place for them to get an education. 
But let that be done by the local and State governments who are best 
suited to do it, who know the needs better than anyone else, and will 
pay as they go. And let us in Congress follow Dave Ramsey's advice and 
live on a little beans and rice and don't spend money we don't have, 
Mr. Speaker; and let's just stick with the fundamentals that these 
great men and women left for us, this great Nation, this great 
treasure, this great trust we all have.
  Let's not destroy the financial solvency of this Nation by continuing 
to expand the power and scope of the Federal Government into areas it 
was never intended at a time of critical financial emergency, when a 
mere 96 months from now Medicare payments run out. We can do something 
about it, but it takes action today. It is something we can all do 
together as Americans to make sure our kids do not inherit a debt they 
cannot afford to repay.
  I am proud to join my colleague Mr. McKeon and the Republican--excuse 
me, conservative members of the minority. I am going to try to avoid 
saying party labels. I think it is too important at a time of national 
emergency. We need to focus on no new debt, no new taxes, no new 
spending. I am going to quit saying Republican or Democrat. It is being 
fiscally conservative and responsible. I am proud to join the fiscally 
conservative and responsible members of the minority who are ready to 
lead this Nation back into solvency in opposing this utterly 
irresponsible liberal piece of legislation.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), a great supporter of this legislation.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities 
Act.
  My friend from Texas, I think he is still my friend, my friend from 
Texas would have to admit that we already have a sucking sound and that 
is we have been sucked into waste after waste after waste, which is 
costing us a tremendous amount of money, and this is preventible in the 
21st century. I want to thank Congressman Chandler for sponsoring this 
critical legislation, and Chairman Miller, of course, for his 
leadership on the entire issue.
  Most of the students in this country attend a school that was built 
over half a century ago; in my district it is even worse than that, 
complete with leaky roofs and faulty electric. You can't just shove 
this off to the side saying it is trivial and unimportant. This is 
outdated technology which is costing us millions, in fact billions, of 
dollars.
  This legislation would provide the dollars and grants for fiscal year 
2010 to local school districts so that they can make the repairs, 
provide the modernization, and green their facilities so that our kids 
can learn in safe, modern, well-equipped and environmentally friendly 
school facilities. Many of these schools are not safe, and the States 
don't have the money, local communities don't have the money to make 
them safe. This is not acceptable to anybody, regardless of which side 
of the aisle you are on.

[[Page H5504]]

  The legislation builds on the principles of the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act. It will create 100,000 new jobs in making these 
places safer, in making them more cost efficient.
  Joe Zarra, the superintendent of the Nutley School System in my 
district, has launched an ambitious plan to green the town's elementary 
schools. He already started a couple of years ago, using cutting-edge 
technology to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and the school 
district's utility bills. That is critical.
  I agree with my friend from Texas that the health issue is a critical 
issue. The patient is in the emergency room, particularly with the 
numbers out today on Medicare and Medicaid. But this too is a very 
important issue.
  H.R. 2187 will help school districts across the country undertake 
similar projects and ensure that our children learn in modern 
environments where they can truly reach their potential.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time we have 
left.
  The CHAIR. The gentleman has 12 minutes remaining, and the gentleman 
from California (Mr. George Miller) has 20\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. McKEON. Maybe he could use up a little more of his time. I will 
reserve my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Wu), a member of the committee.
  Mr. WU. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2187 and the 
underlying legislation. I thank Representatives Chandler and Loebsack 
for introducing this bill. I especially appreciate Chairman Miller 
working with me to add seismic retrofitting, more efficient storm water 
runoff systems and additional clean energy sources to the allowable 
uses of funds in this bill.
  So many of our Nation's schools are in urgent need of upgrading. The 
funds in this bill will do more than help create safe schools. It will 
help our schools actually return money to our communities by saving 
energy and creating jobs.
  I have firsthand knowledge of how creating safe and green schools can 
improve learning environments and student outcomes while saving money 
for taxpayers. In McMinnville, Oregon, the newly built Sue Buel 
Elementary School, which I had the pleasure of visiting in February, a 
building built in 1929, was replaced by a new school which was the 
first school in the State of Oregon to earn a gold LEED certification. 
The school was built with low-chemical-emitting materials, an energy-
efficient heating and ventilating system, and 96 rooftop solar panels 
that return over 19,000 watts of power back to the local electricity 
grid.
  Perhaps the most exciting thing about visiting Buel Elementary was 
seeing how engaged the students, many of whom are on free and reduced 
lunch, how engaged those students are in their school and in learning 
about their environment. The school itself creates a sense of pride in 
the students and keeps them excited about learning.
  This bill will help ensure that our children have a safe and healthy 
learning environment, with the added benefit of creating jobs during 
these difficult economic times.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I now yield 2 minutes 
to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko), a member of the committee.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2187, which 
would provide school districts that serve low-income communities with 
much-needed money for green school modernization, renovation and repair 
projects. I particularly want to thank Chairman Miller, Subcommittee 
Chair Kildee, and our sponsors that have introduced the legislation, 
both Mr. Chandler and Mr. Loebsack, for their outstanding support here 
on behalf of our students across the country.
  These new funds will allow schools to make badly needed repairs to 
their buildings at a time when State governments are cutting back on 
education aid. This will help schools to not only become more energy 
efficient, but also, importantly, more healthy.
  Thirty-two million children in our country attend schools which are 
reportedly having environment problems with their facilities that 
affect students' health and their learning. These funds will allow our 
schools to make their buildings healthier by allowing them to reduce 
greenhouse gas pollution, to mitigate indoor air quality problems, 
address mold infestations, replace old furnaces and pollution-emitting 
equipment, and deal with water contamination problems, amongst a host 
of other things.
  Healthy and high-performance schools reduce indoor environmental 
hazards and are indeed energy efficient. I was proud to have worked 
with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to 
develop New York State's high-performance school guidelines, some of 
the best in the country; and I am pleased that this bill now will 
provide States with funds to develop similar measures.
  Every child deserves a safe, clean and healthy environment in which 
to learn, and this bill is a major step in achieving that goal.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Holt), a member of the committee.
  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of the committee for his 
leadership on this issue.
  As we all know, schools are hampered in carrying out the mission that 
they have because of constrained operating budgets and aging 
infrastructure and ever-increasing energy bills.
  In 2005, I introduced the School Building Enhancement Act after 
learning that energy bills were the second highest expenditure of 
schools after personnel costs, and I am pleased to say that that 
legislation has been incorporated in this bill before us today.
  The bill will provide $6.4 billion for school construction. For New 
Jersey that means an estimated $125 million to build and modernize 
local schools. Most importantly, of course, it will allow States to 
provide the technical assistance to local educational agencies, local 
schools, to develop energy-efficiency plans and look at their carbon 
footprint.
  So I want to thank Chairman Miller and Representative Loebsack for 
carrying this bill forward. There is no question that the economic 
downturn has put added pressure on our schools from a year ago when we 
considered similar legislation.
  I am also pleased that the chairman has included my language to allow 
veteran-owned businesses to have contracting preference, along with 
small, minority and women-owned businesses.
  This is a good bill. I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Indiana (Mr. Visclosky).
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. I appreciate the gentleman yielding.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2187, the 21st 
Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facility Act and commend 
Representative Chandler as well as the Chair of the full committee, Mr. 
Miller, and Subcommittee Chair Kildee, for their wonderful work on this 
measure in ensuring that our students have the most healthy and 
environmentally friendly schools possible.
  Particularly I am most pleased that language is included in this 
measure that requires the use of American-made iron, steel and 
manufactured goods. Last year, similar language was included in the 
legislation as well.
  Last year in April the Congressional Steel Caucus held hearings on 
imported steel and their substandard nature in many instances relative 
to safety. If we are going to be using steel-related products for 
schools, we ought to ensure that those schools are safe. This measure 
does that.
  In addition to ensuring American-quality steel is used to make sure 
that those students have a safe and healthy environment, it provides a 
second critical stimulus, and that is to help maintain and create jobs 
in the domestic steel industry that is losing them at an alarming rate. 
Last week, steel production across this country was at 42 percent, 
compared to 91 percent just a year ago.
  If school construction projects provided under this act are to be 
truly safe for our children, the steel used should be made in America. 
If it is to be beneficial to the American economy to create jobs, the 
steel we use in this bill should be made in America. Again, I 
particularly thank the Chair and Chair of the subcommittee for their 
endeavor

[[Page H5505]]

to make sure this provision was included.

                              {time}  1245

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the courtesy and 
leadership of Chairman Miller and the committee, following up on the 
good work you did earlier, to make sure that we do have schools of the 
future.
  The schools are the foundation, the building block of a livable 
community, and green schools are the schools of the future. It is where 
America and the world is going in terms of being sustainable, 
efficient, and healthier.
  But green schools are also the schools of today. This is an 
opportunity under this legislation, the 21st Century Green High-
Performing Public School Facilities Act, to be able to illustrate our 
environmental values, that young people who are in school will be able 
to see through the operation of this legislation that we are going to 
walk the talk, we are going to implement our values.
  The provisions of this legislation will save money almost immediately 
because there is lots of low-hanging fruit. Indeed, in schools across 
the country in terms of green sustainable practices, it is not low-
hanging fruit; it is picking the fruit up off the ground that will save 
energy, that will save water, that will be gentler on the land. It will 
put people to work. This is activity that is amazingly labor intensive. 
There are few investments that we can make greening our schools that 
will make more of a difference for people of all skill levels, whether 
they are casual laborers, they are skilled efforts, they are 
professional positions, to be able to make a difference.
  In the State of Oregon alone, it is 62 badly needed million dollars 
that is not only going to circulate through the economy, but it is 
going to do things that school districts need and it is going to save 
them money for years to come.
  I appreciate the fact that the bill includes how young people get to 
school as part of energy efficiency. A generation ago in virtually 
every school district in America, more than 50 percent of our children 
got to school on their own, walking or riding a bike. Today the 
national average is 15 percent. I work in some communities where it is 
far less than that.
  By investing in ways to make young people be able to get to school 
safely on a bike or walking, we are going to reduce the carbon 
footprint while we make their footprint a little lighter. We are 
dealing with an epidemic of childhood obesity, and these provisions 
cycle back to make young people healthier.
  This legislation will make the schools of today the schools of the 
future, and it will do it in the very near future. I am pleased to 
support it. I thank the committee for its work. The implementation of 
this legislation is going to make our community schools truly the 
building block of livable communities and make our families safer, 
healthier, and more economically secure.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. I yield 2 minutes to Mr. Al Green of 
Texas.
  Mr. Al GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Miller for his 
outstanding work in Congress and thank Mr. Chandler for sponsoring this 
piece of legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, the cost of energy is increasing. This bill will help 
us by saving energy. It will help us in the years to come by reducing 
the amount of energy that we will use. Unemployment is at 8.9 percent. 
This bill will put people to work in a crucial and critical area, the 
area of construction, because the bill is all about construction and 
reconstruction of some of our facilities, and more, of course.
  This bill is one that we all agree is needed. The need for it is 
undeniable. The question becomes, then, are we going to make our 
children a priority. That is really the question that I ask Members to 
consider. Will we make our children a priority?
  Yes, there are times when we cannot afford to do things, but there 
are also times when we cannot afford not to do things. This is one of 
those things that we cannot afford not to do. And there are times when 
you have done everything that you can, you have not done enough. When 
you have done all that you can do, you have not done enough. On 
occasions when you have done all that you can do and you haven't done 
enough, you have a duty to do all that you can. This bill does all that 
we can do at this time to help this generation compete in the global 
economy.
  I beg, I besiege, and I implore my colleagues to make our children a 
priority and support this bill.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I have been listening to all of the comments that have been made, and 
there are good, sound arguments on both sides of this issue. Nobody, I 
think, says that we shouldn't have the very, very best schools that we 
can send our children to. I think we talk about priorities and how we 
decide where the money comes from and how it should be done.
  I have been here in Congress a little over 16 years, and I remember 
back in my first term a bill was proposed that was also very good. It 
was to put more cops on the street. I remember the mayor of Los Angeles 
calling me at the time and he said, If you'll vote for this and support 
it, just get it started, we'll carry it from then on.
  I didn't vote for it. I didn't think that they would be able to carry 
it on, and that is what has happened. That bill was passed. It did good 
things, put more cops on the street, but the final where we are now is 
we have put more and more money into that each year. The Federal 
Government has become more and more involved in local law enforcement, 
and now we are to the point where we have even eliminated the local 
match. We have totally taken over the cops on the street, and the 
Federal Government now has increased year by year, and I can see this 
program doing the same thing.
  I served for 9 years on a local school board and we always were 
looking for ways to get more money to cover our needs. There were 
always more needs than money available. I know we had problems with our 
long-term maintenance and we had to make some sacrifices. We had to 
make some adjustments so we could spend money for some long-term 
investment to build up our roofs on the schools so we wouldn't have 
them collapsing or the rain wouldn't be coming through.
  And I know how people think. I know how human nature is, and I know, 
if I were still on that school board and this bill were passed and it 
became law, that I would be, you know, probably looking to the Federal 
Government to meet those needs and then using the local moneys for 
other things and turning more and more over to the Federal Government. 
That's just human nature. As I said, there were always more needs than 
money.
  And so I see this program starting out at $40 billion and, as it 
grows over the years, ultimately taking that total responsibility off 
of the local school boards and looking to the Federal Government for 
all school construction, all school improvements. And even though it is 
a good thing, I think, by virtue of the Constitution and tradition, 
that is a local problem, not a Federal responsibility.
  And the money all comes from the taxpayers. When it comes to the 
Federal Government, it seems like, at least in California, we send 
about 12 percent of the money here and 10 percent finds its way back. 
It would be better if we tried to keep our expenses down here, tried to 
cut spending, tried to get back within our means of how we live.
  Some things have been said about how we really should be building 
better schools. I agree with that, but I don't think it is totally 
necessary when we think of Mr. Roe, Dr. Roe, who said he went to a two-
room schoolhouse and seemed to get a good education. He is a physician. 
I think back to President Lincoln, who was taught by candlelight with a 
Bible how to read by his mother and had just a couple of years of 
formal education. I think we would all agree that Mr. Lincoln turned 
out all right.
  So I think when we say that there is no way to educate our children 
unless we pump $40 billion more from the Federal Government into this 
program, that is the way to make it happen.
  I have to say, as I said earlier, this bill costs too much, borrows 
too much, and controls too much. I urge my colleagues to oppose this 
bill.

[[Page H5506]]

  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, and Members of the House, the 21st Century Green High-
Performing Public School Facilities Act is exactly what the Federal 
Government should be doing.
  We have seen now over the last year, and in some cases a little 
longer, and for the foreseeable future, that the tax resources of local 
school districts, cities, and counties have plummeted because of the 
foreclosure crisis that confronts this Nation and because of the 
financial scandals and the financial collapse of our institutions 
across this Nation. We have seen that credit is not available. The 
school districts that have voted for bonds have had difficulty in 
getting those bonds to market so that they can engage in the 
construction. And we see, in fact, the backlog of repairs to schools, 
renovations, modernizations of schools and school facilities is 
starting to lag.
  We also know and we understand that for the foreseeable future, 
unemployment will continue to go up in this country, at a diminished 
rate, but we still know half a million people a month are losing their 
jobs. Auto sales are down because American families are trying to save 
more because of the recession, the depression we are in. They are 
trying to take care of their needs, so school districts are denied 
those resources as are States.
  So what the Federal Government is doing in this time of emergency is 
trying to say that we will join with you in a partnership based upon 
the priorities of locally elected school boards, of superintendents of 
schools, for the repair and restoration of schools that are so 
necessary in so many areas of this country. If a school board or if a 
school district doesn't need the money, they need not take it. We hope 
that they wouldn't because maybe it can go to another school district 
that might need it more. But the fact of the matter is, these repairs 
and restorations, and if we use green technology and use the guidelines 
of the green standards, not only can repair and restore these schools, 
they can make them much more efficient in the use of energy and the use 
of water and the use of natural daylight so students will have a better 
learning environment and better opportunities at learning.
  Yes, the data is pretty darn clear that in those kinds of facilities 
students do have a better opportunity in learning the material that is 
presented to them in that environment than they do in an old and run-
down facility that is crumbling and bathrooms that are not safe and 
can't be used and windows that are not replaced.
  Yes, that may not sound like the local school district that some of 
you represent, but it sounds like a lot of the local school districts 
that a lot of us represent, and those school districts are doing all 
that they can. People are voting for bond issues and paying higher 
taxes, but the fact of the matter is they don't have sufficient 
resources to do that. That does not mean that we should just sentence 
those kids to a second-class education, to deny them educational 
opportunities, because when we do that, we then spill over into the 
national interest of this country, and that is to make sure that every 
child receives a first-class education, that every child at the end of 
12 years has the opportunity to choose a career or schools or schools 
and a career in whatever combination, but they are prepared to do that.
  And we know from all of the surveys that it is far more difficult for 
young children to learn in dilapidated, ill-repaired, badly restored 
schools when they are trying to get down the basics of their education.
  So this is a Federal partnership. In some cases, local government 
joins with private sector money to repair and restore schools and 
provide new technologies. We want to join in part of that. You can say 
this is the Federal taking over the role. It is not taking over any 
role. This is insignificant compared to the efforts being made by local 
governments. We are simply saying we think this can be catalytic in 
terms of getting some of these projects done at this particular time 
and for the foreseeable future so that we can ensure our students have 
an opportunity to do that.

                              {time}  1300

  I want to thank the foresight of Mr. Kildee, not only the 
subcommittee Chair, but the author of this legislation, Mr. Chandler, 
Mr. Loebsack, who worked with local districts, who worked with local 
schools, who looked at examples of what had been done to make a more 
efficient use of those local dollars, of Federal dollars, of education 
dollars, to bring that together and try to build high-performing 
schools.
  We want to make the same decisions for these schools that so many in 
the private sector are making about their renovation, the renewal, the 
repair of commercial facilities, of facilities throughout our 
communities where the real estate industry is saving billions of 
dollars by greening those buildings, where we're saving energy, where 
we're saving water--in States like California, those two things are 
very important--and providing a safe environment for children. That's 
why we should pass this legislation.
  H.R. 2187 requires local educational agencies to ensure a full and 
open competition for qualified bidders. We expect that process to 
maximize the number of qualified bidders to include local, small, 
minority-owned, women- owned, and veteran-owned contractors, and to do 
so without diminishing or precluding the local educational agencies' 
ability to seek out responsible contractors by, for example, requiring 
contractors to participate in bona fide apprenticeship training 
programs and to demonstrate other legitimate responsibility and 
qualification standards. Such requirements can be used to ensure high-
quality work and successful project delivery as well as foster good 
training and employment opportunities in local communities.
  I would like to yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from Nevada, a member of the committee and a strong supporter of this 
legislation (Ms. Titus).
  Ms. TITUS. Thank you very much, Chairman Miller, for your hard work 
on this legislation. I certainly am supportive of it. I want to add 
some provisions to it that will be brought forward in an amendment 
later.
  As an educator myself, I believe that it is important that we have 
safe and healthy schools because only in those environments can 
children learn better, and certainly that is all our goal.
  I am pleased to be supportive of this.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 2187, the 21st 
Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, which will 
help modernize many of our nation's schools.
  I would like to thank my colleague from Kentucky--Ben Chandler--for 
his sponsorship of this legislation. I believe it will help to ensure 
that our children can learn in healthier, more cost effective, and more 
energy-efficient schools.
  An investment in education and educational facilities is critical. As 
the father of two young boys, I want to know that they will receive a 
quality education in a safe school building. Too many of our nation's 
schools are outdated, and some are even unsafe.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Miller for including my amendment 
to this bill in the manager's amendment. My amendment will allow 
schools to prioritize projects that eliminate asbestos, polychlorinated 
biphenyls, mold, mildew, lead-based hazards, or other known 
carcinogens.
  Extensive research has shown that children and teachers perform 
better in ``green'' schools. Our children already encounter many 
challenges, and we should do everything we can to provide a safe and 
healthy learning environment for them.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I spoke on the floor earlier today 
in support of H.R. 2187: The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public 
School Facilities Act and the amendment that I cosponsored with Mr. 
Bright (AL), Ms. Kosmas (FL) and Mr. Cuellar (TX).
  Because my time on the floor was limited, I was unable to explain my 
reasons for supporting this legislation in detail. Since this 
legislation will have a profound and positive impact on school 
districts and school children in my district, I would like to take this 
opportunity to cover the details regarding its merits.
  Our schools should be safe and healthy learning environments for our 
children. H.R. 2187 gives us a chance to upgrade our school buildings 
and boost student achievement while creating good local jobs in new, 
clean energy industries.
  In particular, this bill provides $6.4 billion in Federal funds for 
school modernization projects that will make schools safer, more 
energy-efficient, and up-to-date technologically. According to 
estimates from the House Education and Labor Committee, Texas schools

[[Page H5507]]

will receive approximately $605 million and school districts in my 
congressional district, TX-09, would receive approximately $66 million 
in total. Houston Independent School District (HISD) is estimated to 
receive $54,109,000; Alief ISD will receive $8,482,000; Fort Bend ISD 
will receive $3,262,000; and Stafford MSD will receive $155,000. Title 
II of this bill also authorizes separate funds--$600 million over 6 
years--for schools that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina 
and Rita in 2005. Schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama trying 
to recover from the devastation caused by these two hurricanes would be 
eligible to apply for funding under this section.
  In addition, since this funding does not extend to schools impacted 
by Hurricane Ike in 2008, I am cosponsoring an amendment along with 
Representatives Bobby Bright, Suzanne Kosmas and Henry Cuellar that 
will set aside 5 percent of the $6.4 billion (or about $320 million) 
for schools impacted by, natural disasters other than Katrina and Rita 
and for schools experiencing significant economic distress. This 
amendment will allow schools in my district that were devastated or 
destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008 to be eligible to receive funding 
for new construction, modernization and repairs. For example, Houston 
Independent School District (HISD) had damages that cost $30-$60 
million. In fact, while 14 of HISD's schools are designated as 
``shelters of last resort'' by the City of Houston, none of HISD's 
facilities are designed to sustain winds in a storm above Category 2. 
To ensure safety in future natural disasters, facility upgrades are 
needed to shore up roofs and replace windows that can withstand 
Category 3+ winds. Generators are needed, as well, in the event of 
power outages. Federal funding is especially needed in light of the 
fact that 80 percent of students in HISD schools are economically 
disadvantaged. Additional reports indicate that over 40 buildings 
within the Alief Independent School District (Alief ISD) experienced 
some level of damage from Hurricane Ike and eight facilities endured 
significant damage totaling $5.8 million in costs.
  All told, schools in my district and in districts across the Nation 
that have experienced natural disasters and significant economic 
distress will benefit from our amendment to this legislation. More 
importantly, it is the children and teachers in these adversely 
affected communities that will benefit the most once funding from this 
amendment is used to fix their schools.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge all my colleagues to support this much-needed 
legislation.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
printed in the bill shall be considered as an original bill for the 
purpose of amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be considered 
read.
  The text of the committee amendment is as follows:

                               H.R. 2187

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``21st 
     Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

  TITLE I--GRANTS FOR MODERNIZATION, RENOVATION, OR REPAIR OF PUBLIC 
                           SCHOOL FACILITIES

Sec. 101. Purpose.
Sec. 102. Allocation of funds.
Sec. 103. Allowable uses of funds.

 TITLE II--SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS FOR LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND ALABAMA

Sec. 201. Purpose.
Sec. 202. Allocation to local educational agencies.
Sec. 203. Allowable uses of funds.

                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Impermissible uses of funds.
Sec. 302. Supplement, not supplant.
Sec. 303. Prohibition regarding State aid.
Sec. 304. Maintenance of effort.
Sec. 305. Special rule on contracting.
Sec. 306. Use of American iron, steel, and manufactured goods.
Sec. 307. Labor standards.
Sec. 308. Charter schools.
Sec. 309. Green schools.
Sec. 310. Reporting.
Sec. 311. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 312. Special rules.
Sec. 313. YouthBuild programs.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) The term ``Bureau-funded school'' has the meaning given 
     to such term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 
     1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021).
       (2) The term ``charter school'' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 5210 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7221).
       (3) The term ``CHPS Criteria'' means the green building 
     rating program developed by the Collaborative for High 
     Performance Schools.
       (4) The term ``Energy Star'' means the Energy Star program 
     of the United States Department of Energy and the United 
     States Environmental Protection Agency.
       (5) The term ``Green Globes'' means the Green Building 
     Initiative environmental design and rating system referred to 
     as Green Globes.
       (6) The term ``LEED Green Building Rating System'' means 
     the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy 
     and Environmental Design green building rating standard 
     referred to as LEED Green Building Rating System.
       (7) The term ``local educational agency''--
       (A) has the meaning given to that term in section 9101 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7801), and shall also include the Recovery School District of 
     Louisiana and the New Orleans Public Schools; and
       (B) includes any public charter school that constitutes a 
     local educational agency under State law.
       (8) The term ``outlying area''--
       (A) means the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
     Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; 
     and
       (B) includes the freely associated states of the Republic 
     of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, 
     and the Republic of Palau.
       (9) The term ``public school facilities'' means an existing 
     public school facility, including a public charter school 
     facility, or another existing facility planned for adaptive 
     reuse as such a school facility.
       (10) The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, the 
     District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

  TITLE I--GRANTS FOR MODERNIZATION, RENOVATION, OR REPAIR OF PUBLIC 
                           SCHOOL FACILITIES

     SEC. 101. PURPOSE.

       Grants under this title shall be for the purpose of 
     modernizing, renovating, or repairing public school 
     facilities, based on their need for such improvements, to be 
     safe, healthy, high-performing, and up-to-date 
     technologically.

     SEC. 102. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.

       (a) Reservation.--
       (1) In general.--From the amount appropriated to carry out 
     this title for each fiscal year pursuant to section 311(a), 
     the Secretary shall reserve 1 percent of such amount, 
     consistent with the purpose described in section 101--
       (A) to provide assistance to the outlying areas; and
       (B) for payments to the Secretary of the Interior to 
     provide assistance to Bureau-funded schools.
       (2) Use of reserved funds.--In each fiscal year, the amount 
     reserved under paragraph (1) shall be divided between the 
     uses described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph 
     in the same proportion as the amount reserved under section 
     1121(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 6331(a)) is divided between the uses described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of such section 1121(a) in such fiscal 
     year.
       (b) Allocation to States.--
       (1) State-by-state allocation.--Of the amount appropriated 
     to carry out this title for each fiscal year pursuant to 
     section 311(a), and not reserved under subsection (a), each 
     State shall be allocated an amount in proportion to the 
     amount received by all local educational agencies in the 
     State under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the 
     previous fiscal year relative to the total amount received by 
     all local educational agencies in every State under such part 
     for such fiscal year.
       (2) State administration.--A State may reserve up to 1 
     percent of its allocation under paragraph (1) to carry out 
     its responsibilities under this title, which include--
       (A) providing technical assistance to local educational 
     agencies;
       (B) developing an online, publicly searchable database that 
     includes an inventory of public school facilities in the 
     State, including for each, its design, condition, 
     modernization, renovation and repair needs, usage, 
     utilization, energy use, and carbon footprint; and
       (C) creating voluntary guidelines for high-performing 
     school buildings, including guidelines concerning the 
     following:
       (i) Site location, storm water management, outdoor 
     surfaces, outdoor lighting, and transportation (location near 
     public transit and easy access for pedestrians and bicycles).
       (ii) Outdoor water systems, landscaping to minimize water 
     use, including elimination of irrigation systems for 
     landscaping, and indoor water use reduction.
       (iii) Energy efficiency (including minimum and superior 
     standards, such as for heating, ventilation, and air 
     conditioning systems), use of alternative energy sources, 
     commissioning, and training.
       (iv) Use of durable, sustainable materials and waste 
     reduction.
       (v) Indoor environmental quality, such as day lighting in 
     classrooms, lighting quality, indoor air quality, acoustics, 
     and thermal comfort.
       (vi) Operations and management, such as use of energy 
     efficient equipment, indoor environmental management plan, 
     maintenance plan, and pest management.
       (3) Grants to local educational agencies.--
       (A) In general.--From the amount allocated to a State under 
     paragraph (1), each eligible local educational agency in the 
     State shall receive an amount in proportion to the amount 
     received by such local educational agency under

[[Page H5508]]

     part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) for the previous fiscal 
     year relative to the total amount received by all local 
     educational agencies in the State under such part for such 
     fiscal year, except that no local educational agency that 
     received funds under title I of that Act for such fiscal year 
     shall receive a grant of less than $5,000 in any fiscal year 
     under this title.
       (B) Eligible local educational agency.--For purposes of 
     subparagraph (A), the term ``eligible local educational 
     agency'' means a local educational agency that--
       (i) meets the requirements of section 1112(a) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6311 et seq.); and
       (ii) conducts an independent audit by a third-party entity, 
     and is certified by the State, substantiating the overall 
     condition of the public school facilities and the need for 
     modernization, renovation, or repair.
       (4) Special rule.--Section 1122(c)(3) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6332(c)(3)) shall 
     not apply to paragraph (1) or (3).
       (c) Special Rules.--
       (1) Distributions by secretary.--The Secretary shall make 
     and distribute the reservations and allocations described in 
     subsections (a) and (b) not later than 30 days after an 
     appropriation of funds for this title is made.
       (2) Distributions by states.--A State shall make and 
     distribute the allocations described in subsection (b)(3) 
     within 30 days of receiving such funds from the Secretary.

     SEC. 103. ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS.

       A local educational agency receiving a grant under this 
     title shall use the grant for modernization, renovation, or 
     repair of public school facilities, including, where 
     applicable, early learning facilities--
       (1) repairing, replacing, or installing roofs, including 
     extensive, intensive or semi-intensive green roofs, 
     electrical wiring, plumbing systems, sewage systems, storm 
     water runoff systems, lighting systems, or components of such 
     systems, windows, ceilings, flooring, or doors, including 
     security doors;
       (2) repairing, replacing, or installing heating, 
     ventilation, air conditioning systems, or components of such 
     systems (including insulation), including indoor air quality 
     assessments;
       (3) bringing public schools into compliance with fire, 
     health, seismic, and safety codes, including professional 
     installation of fire/life safety alarms, including 
     modernizations, renovations, and repairs that ensure that 
     schools are prepared for emergencies, such as improving 
     building infrastructure to accommodate security measures;
       (4) modifications necessary to make public school 
     facilities accessible to comply with the Americans with 
     Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) and 
     section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 
     794);
       (5) abatement, removal, or interim controls of asbestos, 
     polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, mildew, or lead-based 
     hazards, including lead-based paint hazards;
       (6) measures designed to reduce or eliminate human exposure 
     to classroom noise and environmental noise pollution;
       (7) modernizations, renovations, or repairs necessary to 
     reduce the consumption of coal, electricity, land, natural 
     gas, oil, or water;
       (8) upgrading or installing educational technology 
     infrastructure to ensure that students have access to up-to-
     date educational technology;
       (9) modernization, renovation, or repair of science and 
     engineering laboratory facilities, libraries, and career and 
     technical education facilities, including those related to 
     energy efficiency and renewable energy, and improvements to 
     building infrastructure to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian 
     access;
       (10) renewable energy generation and heating systems, 
     including solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, or biomass, 
     including wood pellet, woody biomass, waste-to-energy, and 
     solar-thermal systems or components of such systems, and 
     energy audits;
       (11) other modernization, renovation, or repair of public 
     school facilities to--
       (A) improve teachers' ability to teach and students' 
     ability to learn;
       (B) ensure the health and safety of students and staff;
       (C) make them more energy efficient; or
       (D) reduce class size; and
       (12) required environmental remediation related to public 
     school modernization, renovation, or repair described in 
     paragraphs (1) through (11).

 TITLE II--SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS FOR LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, AND ALABAMA

     SEC. 201. PURPOSE.

       Grants under this title shall be for the purpose of 
     modernizing, renovating, repairing, or constructing public 
     school facilities, including, where applicable, early 
     learning facilities, based on their need for such 
     improvements, to be safe, healthy, high-performing, and up-
     to-date technologically.

     SEC. 202. ALLOCATION TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--Of the amount appropriated to carry out 
     this title for each fiscal year pursuant to section 311(b), 
     the Secretary shall allocate to local educational agencies in 
     Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama an amount equal to the 
     infrastructure damage inflicted on public school facilities 
     in each such district by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita 
     in 2005 relative to the total of such infrastructure damage 
     so inflicted in all such districts, combined.
       (b) Distribution by Secretary.--The Secretary shall 
     determine and distribute the allocations described in 
     subsection (a) not later than 60 days after an appropriation 
     of funds for this title is made.

     SEC. 203. ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS.

       A local educational agency receiving a grant under this 
     title shall use the grant for one or more of the activities 
     described in section 103, except that an agency receiving a 
     grant under this title also may use the grant for the 
     construction of new public school facilities.

                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

     SEC. 301. IMPERMISSIBLE USES OF FUNDS.

       No funds received under this Act may be used for--
       (1) payment of maintenance costs;
       (2) stadiums or other facilities primarily used for 
     athletic contests or exhibitions or other events for which 
     admission is charged to the general public;
       (3) improvement or construction of facilities the purpose 
     of which is not the education of children, including central 
     office administration or operations or logistical support 
     facilities; or
       (4) purchasing carbon offsets.

     SEC. 302. SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.

       A local educational agency receiving a grant under this Act 
     shall use such Federal funds only to supplement and not 
     supplant the amount of funds that would, in the absence of 
     such Federal funds, be available for modernization, 
     renovation, repair, and construction of public school 
     facilities.

     SEC. 303. PROHIBITION REGARDING STATE AID.

       A State shall not take into consideration payments under 
     this Act in determining the eligibility of any local 
     educational agency in that State for State aid, or the amount 
     of State aid, with respect to free public education of 
     children.

     SEC. 304. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.

       (a) In General.--A local educational agency may receive a 
     grant under this Act for any fiscal year only if either the 
     combined fiscal effort per student or the aggregate 
     expenditures of the agency and the State involved with 
     respect to the provision of free public education by the 
     agency for the preceding fiscal year was not less than 90 
     percent of the combined fiscal effort or aggregate 
     expenditures for the second preceding fiscal year.
       (b) Reduction in Case of Failure To Meet Maintenance of 
     Effort Requirement.--
       (1) In general.--The State educational agency shall reduce 
     the amount of a local educational agency's grant in any 
     fiscal year in the exact proportion by which a local 
     educational agency fails to meet the requirement of 
     subsection (a) by falling below 90 percent of both the 
     combined fiscal effort per student and aggregate expenditures 
     (using the measure most favorable to the local agency).
       (2) Special rule.--No such lesser amount shall be used for 
     computing the effort required under subsection (a) for 
     subsequent years.
       (c) Waiver.--The Secretary shall waive the requirements of 
     this section if the Secretary determines that a waiver would 
     be equitable due to--
       (1) exceptional or uncontrollable circumstances, such as a 
     natural disaster; or
       (2) a precipitous decline in the financial resources of the 
     local educational agency.

     SEC. 305. SPECIAL RULE ON CONTRACTING.

       Each local educational agency receiving a grant under this 
     Act shall ensure that, if the agency carries out 
     modernization, renovation, repair, or construction through a 
     contract, the process for any such contract ensures the 
     maximum number of qualified bidders, including local, small, 
     minority, and women- and veteran-owned businesses, through 
     full and open competition.

     SEC. 306. USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, AND MANUFACTURED 
                   GOODS.

       (a) In General.--None of the funds appropriated or 
     otherwise made available by this Act may be used for a 
     project for the modernization, renovation, repair or 
     construction of a public school facility unless all of the 
     iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are 
     produced in the United States.
       (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case 
     or category of cases in which the Secretary finds that--
       (1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the 
     public interest;
       (2) iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are 
     not produced in the United States in sufficient and 
     reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory 
     quality; or
       (3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods 
     produced in the United States will increase the cost of the 
     overall project by more than 25 percent.
       (c) Publication of Justification.--If the Secretary 
     determines that it is necessary to waive the application of 
     subsection (a) based on a finding under subsection (b), the 
     Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed 
     written justification of the determination.
       (d) Construction.--This section shall be applied in a 
     manner consistent with United States obligations under 
     international agreements.

     SEC. 307. LABOR STANDARDS.

       The grant programs under this Act are applicable programs 
     (as that term is defined in section 400 of the General 
     Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1221)) subject to section 
     439 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1232b).

     SEC. 308. CHARTER SCHOOLS.

       A local educational agency receiving an allocation under 
     this Act shall distribute an amount of that allocation to 
     charter schools within its jurisdiction. The total amount to 
     be distributed under the preceding sentence shall be 
     determined based on the percentage of students eligible under 
     part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) in the schools of the 
     agency who are enrolled in charter schools. Of such total, 
     individual charter schools shall receive a share

[[Page H5509]]

     based on the needs of the schools, as determined by the 
     agency in consultation with the charter school community. 
     Funds shall be used only for allowable activities in 
     accordance with this Act.

     SEC. 309. GREEN SCHOOLS.

       (a) In General.--In a given fiscal year, a local 
     educational agency shall use not less than the applicable 
     percentage (described in subsection (b)) of funds received 
     under this Act for public school modernization, renovation, 
     repairs, or construction that are certified, verified, or 
     consistent with any applicable provisions of--
       (1) the LEED Green Building Rating System;
       (2) Energy Star;
       (3) the CHPS Criteria;
       (4) Green Globes; or
       (5) an equivalent program adopted by the State or another 
     jurisdiction with authority over the local educational 
     agency, which shall include a verifiable method to 
     demonstrate compliance with such program.
       (b) Applicable Percentages.--The applicable percentage 
     described in subsection (a) is--
       (1) in fiscal year 2010, 50 percent;
       (2) in fiscal year 2011, 60 percent;
       (3) in fiscal year 2012, 70 percent;
       (4) in fiscal year 2013, 80 percent;
       (5) in fiscal year 2014, 90 percent; and
       (6) in fiscal year 2015, 100 percent.
       (c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, shall provide outreach and 
     technical assistance to States and local educational agencies 
     concerning the best practices in school modernization, 
     renovation, repair, and construction, including those related 
     to student academic achievement, student and staff health, 
     energy efficiency, and environmental protection.

     SEC. 310. REPORTING.

       (a) Reports by Local Educational Agencies.--Local 
     educational agencies receiving a grant under this Act shall 
     annually compile a report describing the projects for which 
     such funds were used, including--
       (1) the number of public schools in the agency, including 
     the number of charter schools, and for each, in the 
     aggregate, the number of students from low-income families;
       (2) the total amount of funds received by the local 
     educational agency under this Act and the amount of such 
     funds expended, including the amount expended for 
     modernization, renovation, repair, or construction of charter 
     schools;
       (3) the number of public schools in the agency with a 
     metro-centric locale code of 41, 42, or 43 as determined by 
     the National Center for Education Statistics and the 
     percentage of funds received by the agency under title I or 
     title II of this Act that were used for projects at such 
     schools;
       (4) the number of public schools in the agency that are 
     eligible for schoolwide programs under section 1114 of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6314) and the percentage of funds received by the agency 
     under title I or title II of this Act that were used for 
     projects at such schools;
       (5) for each project--
       (A) the cost;
       (B) the standard described in section 309(a) with which the 
     use of the funds complied or, if the use of funds did not 
     comply with a standard described in section 309(a), the 
     reason such funds were not able to be used in compliance with 
     such standards and the agency's efforts to use such funds in 
     an environmentally sound manner;
       (C) if flooring was installed, whether--
       (i) it was low- or no-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) 
     flooring;
       (ii) it was made from sustainable materials; and
       (iii) use of flooring described in clause (i) or (ii) was 
     cost-effective; and
       (D) any demonstrable or expected benefits as a result of 
     the project (such as energy savings, improved indoor 
     environmental quality, improved climate for teaching and 
     learning, etc.); and
       (6) the total number and amount of contracts awarded, and 
     the number and amount of contracts awarded to local, small, 
     minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.
       (b) Availability of Reports.--A local educational agency 
     shall--
       (1) submit the report described in subsection (a) to the 
     State educational agency, which shall compile such 
     information and report it annually to the Secretary; and
       (2) make the report described in subsection (a) publicly 
     available, including on the agency's website.
       (c) Reports by Secretary.--Not later than December 31 of 
     each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
     on Education and Labor of the House of Representatives and 
     the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
     the Senate, and make available on the Department of 
     Education's website, a report on grants made under this Act, 
     including the information described in subsection (b)(1), the 
     types of modernization, renovation, repair, and construction 
     funded, and the number of students impacted, including the 
     number of students counted under section 1113(a)(5) of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6313(a)(5)).

     SEC. 311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Title I.--To carry out title I, there are authorized to 
     be appropriated $6,400,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 
     through 2015.
       (b) Title II.--To carry out title II, there are authorized 
     to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 
     through 2015.

     SEC. 312. SPECIAL RULES.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, none of 
     the funds authorized by this Act may be--
       (1) used to employ workers in violation of section 274A of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a); or
       (2) distributed to a local educational agency that does not 
     have a policy that requires a criminal background check on 
     all employees of the agency.

     SEC. 313. YOUTHBUILD PROGRAMS.

       The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Labor, shall work with recipients of funds under 
     this Act to promote appropriate opportunities for 
     participants in a YouthBuild program (as defined in section 
     173A of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 
     2918a)) to gain employment experience on modernization, 
     renovation, repair, and construction projects funded under 
     this Act.

  The CHAIR. No amendment to the committee amendment is in order except 
those printed in House Report 111-106. Each amendment may be offered 
only in the order printed in the report, by a Member designated in the 
report, shall be considered read, shall be debatable for the time 
specified in the report, equally divided and controlled by the 
proponent and an opponent of the amendment, shall not be subject to 
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the 
question.


       Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. George Miller of California

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at 
the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 1 offered by Mr. George Miller of California:
       In the table of contents in section 1(b) of the bill, after 
     the item relating to section 103, insert the following:

    Sec. 104. Priority projects.

       In section 102(a)(1), strike ``1 percent'' and insert ``2 
     percent''.
       In section 103, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
     strike ``facilities--'' and insert ``facilities, including--
     ''.
       In section 103(1), insert ``water supply and'' after 
     ``wiring,''.
       In section 103(1), insert ``building envelope,'' after 
     ``such systems,''.
       After section 103, insert the following:

     SEC. 104. PRIORITY PROJECTS.

       In selecting a project under section 103, a local 
     educational agency may give priority to projects involving 
     the abatement, removal, or interim controls of asbestos, 
     polychlorinated biphenyls, mold, mildew, lead-based hazards, 
     including lead-based paint hazards, or a proven carcinogen.
       Strike section 308 and insert the following:

     SEC. 308. CHARTER SCHOOLS.

       (a) In General.--A local educational agency receiving an 
     allocation under this Act shall reserve an amount of that 
     allocation for charter schools within its jurisdiction for 
     modernization, renovation, repair, and construction of 
     charter school facilities.
       (b) Determination of Reserved Amount.--The amount to be 
     reserved by a local educational agency under subsection (a) 
     shall be determined based on the combined percentage of 
     students eligible under part A of title I of the Elementary 
     and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.) 
     in the schools of the agency who--
       (1) are enrolled in charter schools; and
       (2) the local educational agency, in consultation with the 
     authorized public chartering agency, expects to be enrolled, 
     during the year with respect to which the reservation is 
     made, in charter schools that are scheduled to commence 
     operation during such year.
       (c) School Share.--Individual charter schools shall receive 
     a share of the amount reserved under subsection (a) based on 
     the need of each school for modernization, renovation, 
     repair, or construction, as determined by the local 
     educational agency in consultation with charter school 
     administrators.
       (d) Excess Funds.--After the consultation described in 
     subsection (c), if the local educational agency determines 
     that the amount of funds reserved under subsection (a) 
     exceeds the modernization, renovation, repair, and 
     construction needs of charter schools within the local 
     educational agency's jurisdiction, the agency may use the 
     excess funds for other public school facility modernization, 
     renovation, repair, or construction consistent with this Act 
     and is not required to carry over such funds to the following 
     fiscal year for use for charter schools.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. George Miller) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, Members of the House, 
as has been stated earlier in this debate, this is a very important 
piece of legislation that is geared to improve the condition of school 
buildings all across the country, and it does so while promoting energy 
efficiency through green buildings and creating jobs to help stimulate 
our economy.

[[Page H5510]]

  I have a manager's amendment which I believe further improves the 
bill by providing equitable treatment of charter schools while ensuring 
that the school district can put all of its funds to good use; by 
allowing schools to give priority to projects designed to remove 
hazardous material like asbestos and carcinogens; by setting aside more 
funds for tribal and outlying areas; and finally, allowing funds to be 
used for water supply and building envelopes. I think these are 
valuable changes. I want to thank Representatives Polis, Matheson, 
Kirkpatrick and Pingree for their insights and leadership on these 
changes.
  Mr. Chairman, critics of this legislation have argued that it 
intrudes on the traditional role and responsibility of the States. But 
this is not about Federal versus State and local control of school 
construction and repair. It is about meeting the urgent needs that will 
help revamp this Nation's schools, improve student learning and global 
competitiveness, lower the costs for schools and taxpayers, and help us 
create jobs. I urge support of the manager's amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this 
amendment, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I object to this amendment for several 
reasons. It adds additional uses of funds, project priorities, and 
funding allocations.
  While none of these on its own is particularly objectionable, on the 
whole we are making the bill more complex and deviating even further 
from what the Federal Government ought to be doing in education, and 
that's focusing on academics. But the most troubling element of this 
amendment is its unfair treatment of charter schools.
  During our committee's markup of this bill, we endorsed, on a fully 
bipartisan basis, an amendment from the gentleman from Colorado, 
Representative Polis. His amendment ensured fair treatment for charter 
schools under this program. After all, if we are providing facilities 
funding for public schools, we ought to be providing it equitably for 
all public schools, and that includes charter schools.
  Charter schools are public schools created by teachers, parents, and 
other members of the community to educate students and stimulate reform 
in the public school system. As public schools, they must serve 
students from all backgrounds and educational abilities. Unfortunately, 
the amendment we are debating weakens the equal protections for charter 
schools that were inserted on a bipartisan basis during our committee's 
vote.
  The amendment empowers local school districts--some of them 
notoriously hostile towards charter schools--to determine what their 
charter schools' facilities needs are. If the district determines that 
a charter has no facilities needs, the money specifically set aside for 
charter schools reverts back to the local district.
  We know that charter schools are desperately in need of facilities 
funding. On average, public charter school funding falls short of 
traditional public school funding by 22 percent. A primary cause of 
this inequity is that charter schools lack access to local and capital 
funding primarily due to the fact that charter schools cannot issue 
bonds to pay for school construction.
  Charter schools drive innovation and reform. They have been 
championed by President Obama and Education Secretary Duncan. They were 
protected in this legislation by an amendment offered by a Member of 
the majority. This amendment undermines the bipartisan support for 
charter schools by putting their fair access to funds under this 
program in jeopardy.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, the manager's 
amendment I would hope would pass. The discussion about what was the 
Polis amendment in the committee to make sure that charter schools got 
a fair share of this money in fact remains intact. The problem with 
that amendment in the committee was that new charter schools would have 
in fact been precluded from having access to that money since they 
weren't in existence and the amendment originally spoke to those 
charter schools in existence.
  As with the original amendment, this will be done in consultation 
with the school board. If there isn't a demonstrated need among the 
charter schools, the money goes back into the pot for the use of the 
schools. That's, in fact, how it was done in the original amendment. 
Mr. Polis, as the author of that amendment, has agreed to this change 
to make sure that we include all charter schools at that time. I urge 
passage of the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  This amendment will make it more difficult for charter schools, 
which, remember, are public schools held to higher standards for 
student academic achievement, to receive facilities funding under this 
bill. If taxpayers are being asked to renovate and repair public 
schools, at a minimum, we need to ensure fair treatment for all public 
schools.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the 
balance of my time and I ask for an ``aye'' vote.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from California (Mr. George Miller).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. McKeon

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment made in order under the 
rule.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 2 offered by Mr. McKeon:
       Amend section 102(b)(3)(B)(i) to read as follows:
       (i) meets the requirements for--

       (I) a local educational agency plan under section 1112(a) 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 6312(a));
       (II) public school choice under section 1116(b)(1)(E) of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6316(b)(1)(E));
       (III) transportation funding for public school choice under 
     section 1116(b)(9) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)(9));
       (IV) supplemental educational services funding under 
     section 1116(b)(10) of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(b)(10));
       (V) supplemental educational services under section 1116(e) 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 6316(e));
       (VI) private school participation under section 9501 of the 
     Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7881); and
       (VII) armed forces recruiter access under section 9528 of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     7908); and

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  There is a lot of talk about accountability in education, but what 
does that word really mean? At the Federal level, I think it means 
accountability to taxpayers to get what they're paying for.
  We give tens of billions of dollars to States and school districts 
each year; with this bill, we are going to give them $40 billion more. 
But what are we getting in return? Federal elementary and secondary 
education policy places a few simple, but critical, requirements on 
schools in exchange for billions in taxpayer dollars. Schools have to 
assess student achievement and report to parents on how they're 
performing. In schools where children are being left behind, we require 
that they be given access to free tutoring or the right to transfer to 
a better performing public school.
  We require equitable participation for private schools, recognizing 
that programs like title I, IDEA, and others were meant to benefit all 
students and teachers, not just those in the public school system.

[[Page H5511]]

  In high school, we require schools to give military recruiters the 
same access given to colleges and career recruiters. And we call on 
schools to provide our Armed Forces with basic contact information for 
students, with the option for parents to opt out, so that students have 
a chance to learn about all options available for their future.
  In exchange for billions in taxpayer dollars, I don't think it's too 
much to ask for schools to comply with these requirements. A bipartisan 
majority of Congress agreed when we reauthorized the elementary and 
secondary education programs in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind Act.
  My amendment simply repeats the requirements already in place under 
the law if schools wish to tap into the additional $40 billion to 
renovate or build new facilities. It's about accountability to 
taxpayers.
  I hope the majority will accept this amendment; and they may by 
arguing that every State and every school is already complying with the 
law. I wish that were true, but it's not. For example, according to 
data from the U.S. Department of Education, within the last year we 
have seen violations in the State of Illinois--from Chicago to Cicero 
to Aurora East--where districts are not offering the public school 
choice or free tutoring required under the law. We have seen similar 
violations in Mississippi, Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado.
  We also know there are school districts that openly flaunt their 
refusal to provide basic information and equal access to America's 
military, even though it is a requirement under the law. Representative 
Duncan Hunter recognized this problem, and he has introduced 
legislation to tighten the requirements under NCLB to ensure fair 
treatment of our military and fair access to information by students. 
But in the meantime, Congress needs to send a signal to schools that 
we're serious about accountability, we're serious about ensuring they 
comply with these basic requests--free tutoring, public school 
transfers, fair treatment of private schools, and access for military 
recruiters--in exchange for the billions we funnel their way each year.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this amendment. It 
protects taxpayers, and even more importantly, it protects students.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, 
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to support this amendment.
  We accept this amendment. It is really saying that if you take money 
under this program, you have to follow the standards that Congress has 
already adopted for ESEA. It is a logical amendment. We have debated 
these things before. We decided that these things were valid under ESEA 
and, therefore, to accept money under this program, you would have to 
abide by those same standards under ESEA. Therefore, I would urge my 
colleagues to accept this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I want to thank the gentleman, Mr. Kildee, for his support of the 
amendment. I think it makes the bill better. And I also ask all of our 
colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. KILDEE. I will yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. 
Polis).
  Mr. POLIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of both this 
amendment as well as Chairman Miller's amendment to the 21st Century 
Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.
  I would like to thank Chairman Miller and Congressman Kildee and 
their staff for crafting Mr. Miller's amendment that will ensure that 
all public schools, regardless of their governance structure, including 
public charter schools, get their fair share of the funding available 
under this act to modernize and green our schools.
  Unfortunately sometimes districts have complex and difficult 
relationships with some of the different public charter schools or 
other jurisdictional entities under their mandate.
  I've experienced such problems firsthand and know how necessary it is 
to address this challenge.
  This amendment requires school districts to reserve funding for the 
public charter schools under their jurisdiction. It's equal to those 
schools' aggregate share of the district's student population for low-
income families.
  This commonsense amendment clarifies the rules for the fair treatment 
of public charter schools and will go a long way towards avoiding 
litigation and in-fighting and promoting cooperation between all public 
schools to serve all children.
  Mr. KILDEE. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from California (Mr. McKeon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Titus

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 3 offered by Ms. Titus:
       After section 313, insert the following:

     SEC. 314. ADVISORY COUNCIL ON GREEN, HIGH-PERFORMING SCHOOLS.

       (a) Establishment of Advisory Council.-- The Secretary 
     shall establish an advisory council to be known as the 
     ``Advisory Council on Green, High-Performing Schools'' (in 
     this section referred to as the ``Advisory Council'') which 
     shall be composed of--
       (1) appropriate officials from the Department of Education;
       (2) representatives of the academic, architectural, 
     business, education, engineering, environmental, labor and 
     scientific communities; and
       (3) such other representatives as the Secretary deems 
     appropriate.
       (b) Duties of Advisory Council.--
       (1) Advisory duties.--The Advisory Council shall advise the 
     Secretary on the impact of green, high-performing schools, 
     on--
       (A) teaching and learning;
       (B) health;
       (C) energy costs;
       (D) environmental impact; and
       (E) other areas that the Secretary and the Advisory Council 
     deem appropriate.
       (2) Other duties.--The Advisory Council shall assist the 
     Secretary in--
       (A) making recommendations on Federal policies to increase 
     the number of green, high-performing schools;
       (B) identifying Federal policies that are barriers to 
     helping States and local educational agencies make schools 
     green and high-performing;
       (C) providing technical assistance and outreach to States 
     and local educational agencies under section 309(c) ; and
       (D) providing the Secretary such other assistance as the 
     Secretary deems appropriate.
       (c) Consultation.--In carrying out its duties under 
     subsection (b), the Advisory Council shall consult with the 
     Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality and the heads 
     of appropriate Federal agencies, including the Secretary of 
     Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Administrator 
     of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Administrator 
     of the General Services Administration (through the Office of 
     Federal High-Performance Green Buildings).
       In the table of contents in section 1(b), after the item 
     relating to section 313, insert the following:

  Sec. 314. Advisory Council on Green, High-Performing Schools.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentlewoman from 
Nevada (Ms. Titus) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  This amendment, which I am offering with my friend and colleague from 
Colorado (Ms. Markey), will establish an advisory council to the 
Secretary of Education on green high-performing schools. The council 
will advise the Secretary on the impact of green high-performing 
schools on several outcomes, including teaching and learning, health 
effects, energy costs, and environmental impacts. The council will also 
work with the Secretary to identify Federal policies that are barriers 
to helping States to make schools green and high performing, and it 
will recommend Federal policies to increase the number of such schools. 
Additionally, the council will provide technical

[[Page H5512]]

assistance to States and school districts.
  The 21st Century High-Performing Public School Facilities Act is an 
important bill that will provide our students with a healthy, safe 
learning environment, will create jobs, and will provide environmental 
responsibility. At the same time, it is moving us closer to the clean 
energy economy of the future.
  Our amendment will provide the Secretary with the tools he needs to 
ensure the opportunities outlined in this important bill are available 
to as many schools as possible. It will also ensure that the upgrades 
made to school facilities meet the highest standards of quality and 
that the Secretary is always getting feedback about how to improve the 
program.
  I'd like to thank Chairman Miller and Messrs. Chandler, Kildee and 
Loebsack for their hard work on this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I rise to claim time in opposition to this 
amendment.
  The CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. McKEON. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chair, creating an advisory council to the Secretary of Education 
on green high-performing schools makes the government even bigger than 
it already is. Such a council would expand the Federal Government's 
role in school construction to unprecedented levels.
  The Federal Government is big enough, thank you very much. Creating a 
new council dedicated to this purpose will only serve to expand and 
cement Federal interference in how school facilities are maintained.
  The council also would help determine a key concept in successful 
education policy. The States and the local districts take the lead. The 
Federal Government offers limited but helpful support.
  For these reasons, I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to 
vote ``no.''
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I would yield 2 minutes to the gentlelady 
from Colorado (Ms. Markey).
  Ms. MARKEY of Colorado. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support 
of H.R. 2187 and to speak on behalf of my amendment with my colleague 
Ms. Titus of Nevada.
  The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act 
is important and necessary legislation that will improve the learning 
environment for our children, reduce energy costs and create new jobs 
across the country.
  Green schools not only save school districts money but also teach the 
importance of sustainable living to children at a young age.
  I know that schools in my own district of Colorado have been forced 
to make tough decisions in today's economy.
  The Poudre school district in my hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado, 
has seen firsthand the benefits of green schools. In 2007 the district 
received 19 ENERGY STAR awards from EPA and Department of Energy. I am 
proud to say that Kinard Junior High is the most energy-efficient 
school in Colorado.
  Over the past 15 years, the school district has saved nearly $2 
million through its energy conservation efforts and has seen improved 
performance and attendance for students who attend these healthier 
schools.
  This amendment would create an advisory council for the Secretary of 
Education to evaluate the benefits of these greener schools and 
identify the roadblocks schools face in achieving these benefits.
  On the eastern plains of Colorado, we also have several schools that 
have incorporated wind power into their energy systems and educational 
curriculum. These schools have installed wind turbines to minimize 
their energy costs and to teach students about renewable energy 
firsthand.
  One of the biggest hurdles the district faces is the lack of 
technical assistance in becoming more energy efficient.
  I am pleased that the bill and this amendment specifically provide 
technical assistance to school districts, and I look forward to 
modernizing Colorado schools with the help of this legislation.
  I thank Chairman Miller and Congressman Chandler for their leadership 
on this bill and Congresswoman Titus for her efforts on this amendment.
  I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the bill and the amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of the time.
  You know, as I listen to some of this debate, it's like by the 
Federal Government providing money for the local government, it's free 
to the local people.
  The Federal Government only gets the money from two places, taxing 
and borrowing, and it all comes eventually from the same people across 
the country.
  I think that the Federal Government has been steadily consuming more 
taxpayer dollars and slowly taking control--actually not slowly, it's 
been quite rapidly in the last few months--over what used to be State 
or local decisions. Adding an advisory council for green schools does 
not help. In fact, it makes the problems worse.
  Once again, I urge a no vote to help keep Federal growth under 
control.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I would urge just urge my colleagues to vote 
in favor of this because we see this council as a facilitator that will 
help with coordination, efficiency, best practices and accountability.
  I again thank Chairman Miller, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Chandler and Mr. 
Loebsack.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).
  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. TITUS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada will be postponed.


            Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Roe of Tennessee

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 4 offered by Mr. Roe of Tennessee:
       After section 313, insert the following:

     SEC. 314. EVALUATION.

       (a) Evaluation.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into an 
     agreement with the Institute of Educational Sciences of the 
     Department of Education to evaluate the impact of projects 
     funded under this Act on student academic achievement, 
     including a comparison of students attending public schools 
     receiving funding under this Act with students attending 
     public schools that are not receiving such funding.
       (2) Research design; dissemination.--The Secretary, through 
     a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, shall--
       (A) ensure that the evaluation described in paragraph (1) 
     is conducted using the strongest possible research design for 
     determining the effectiveness of the projects funded under 
     this Act; and
       (B) disseminate information on the impact of the projects 
     in increasing the academic achievement of students.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the final year for 
     which a grant is made under this Act, the Secretary shall 
     submit to the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee 
     on Education and Labor, of the House of Representatives, and 
     the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Health, 
     Education, Labor, and Pensions, of the Senate, a report on 
     the results of the evaluation described in subsection (a).
       (c) Public Availability.--Following the submission of the 
     report under subsection (b), all reports and underlying data 
     gathered pursuant to this section shall be made available, in 
     a timely manner, to the public upon request.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to permit the disclosure of any personally 
     identifiable information regarding a student, except to the 
     parents of the student.
       (e) Limit on Amount Expended.--The amount expended by the 
     Secretary to carry out this section for a fiscal year shall 
     not exceed 0.5 percent of the total amount appropriated to 
     carry out this Act for such fiscal year.
       In the table of contents in section 1(b), after the item 
     relating to section 313, insert the following:


[[Page H5513]]


    Sec. 314. Evaluation.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Roe) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, the amendment is simple, straightforward and hopefully 
noncontroversial. It adds a bit of accountability to this legislation 
by requiring the Institute of Education Sciences within the Department 
of Education to study the impact the Federal school construction 
dollars have on the institutions that are receiving the funds.
  I know proponents of this legislation will say that school 
construction does impact performance, and they may be correct. I am 
skeptical of the claim. So I am asking for the opportunity to study the 
effects of school construction on student performance.
  This amendment would require the institute to issue a report a year 
after the schools have issued construction funding and report the 
impact the funding has. I am hopeful that such a report could provide 
valuable insights into the best use of taxpayer dollars.
  I know Mr. Cuellar wanted to be here today to speak in favor. It's 
nice to have bipartisan support for accountability.
  I urge adoption of the amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I am 
not opposed to the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, this amendment calls for the Department of 
Education's Institute of Education Sciences to study the impact of 
projects funded by this bill on student achievement.
  Student achievement is one of the benefits of this bill. It will also 
bring health, economic, energy and environmental benefits. I believe it 
is clear that students learn better when they are in better facilities, 
but I certainly have no objection to a regular study of the issue.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of my amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).
  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee will be 
postponed.


                Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Ellsworth

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 5 offered by Mr. Ellsworth:
       In section 309, redesignate subsection (c) as subsection 
     (d).
       In section 309, insert after subsection (b) the following:
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed to prohibit a local educational agency from using 
     sustainable, domestic hardwood lumber as ascertained through 
     the forest inventory and analysis program of the Forest 
     Service of the Department of Agriculture under the Forest and 
     Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
     1641 et seq.) for public school modernization, renovation, 
     repairs, or construction.
       In section 310(a)(5)(C)(ii), insert ``and renewable'' after 
     ``sustainable''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I would like to thank the bill's sponsors, Congressman Chandler, 
Chairman Miller and the members of the Education and Labor Committee 
for their hard work to help provide students with modern facilities 
that will help them succeed.
  My amendment seeks to clarify that nothing in the underlying bill 
shall be construed to prohibit a local educational agency from using 
sustainable, domestic hardwood lumber for public school modernization, 
renovation, repairs or construction.
  Our Nation's hardwood lumber producers are careful stewards of a 
valuable resource, and their efforts make domestic hardwood lumber 
abundant and sustainable.
  These producers are small family landowners and business, and their 
small size has made it difficult to be certified by green building 
programs.
  Because of this, domestic hardwood lumber is not currently listed as 
a preferred material by programs such as LEED or Green Globes, although 
hardwood producers are working to correct the situation.
  H.R. 2187 wisely offers educational agencies with some flexibility in 
choosing a green building certification program. And as these programs 
adopt new provisions and account for new advances in environmentally 
friendly building, my amendment clarifies for local education officials 
that domestic hardwood lumber is not prohibited for use in this 
construction.
  It is my hope that green building certification programs will soon 
recognize the environmental value of sustainable use of domestic 
hardwood lumber.
  In the meantime, I urge my colleagues to make sure this resource 
remains available to our school facilities.
  Again, I'd like to thank Congressman Chandler, Chairman Miller and of 
all my colleagues for their hard work on this bill.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition, although I do 
not oppose the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, this amendment would allow school districts to use 
sustainable domestic hardwood for projects approved under this program 
and would require districts to report when they have used renewable 
resources.
  Schools should be able to use the products that work best for their 
projects, and domestic hardwood should be no exception.
  While I am supporting the amendment, I do not believe an additional 
reporting requirement is necessary. The underlying bill already has 
several reporting requirements, and we're debating an amendment for an 
additional GAO report later today as well.
  Each report adds costs to the district and the government, which 
means that is less money for the actual project.
  I support knowing what our Federal dollars are being used for, but I 
do not think we need a mandate to report for every step in the process.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Indiana (Mr. Ellsworth).
  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana will be postponed.

                              {time}  1330


                 Amendment No. 6 Offered by Mr. McKeon

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 6 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. McKEON. As the designee of Mr. Flake, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 6 offered by Mr. McKeon:
       In section 311, add at the end the following:
       (c) Prohibition on Earmarks.--None of the funds 
     appropriated under this section may be used for a 
     Congressional earmark as defined in clause 9(d) of rule XXI 
     of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.

[[Page H5514]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will prevent any funds 
appropriated under this act from being targeted to congressional 
earmarks.
  This is a commonsense amendment that surely we can all agree on. 
Members should not see this program as a new pot of money for earmark 
projects in their district.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim the time in opposition, 
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. We have no objection to this amendment on this bill, Mr. 
Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense amendment that 
ensures our Federal dollars are not authorizing pet projects for our 
colleagues. I appreciate the gentleman from Arizona's offering it, and 
I urge its support.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from California (Mr. McKeon).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 7 Offered by Ms. Giffords

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 7 offered by Ms. Giffords:
       In the table of contents in section 1(b) of the bill, add 
     at the end the following:

Sec. 314. Education regarding projects.

       At the end of the bill, add the following:

     SEC. 314. EDUCATION REGARDING PROJECTS.

       A local educational agency receiving funds under this Act 
     may encourage schools at which projects are undertaken with 
     such funds to educate students about the project, including, 
     as appropriate, the functioning of the project and its 
     environmental, energy, sustainability, and other benefits.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Ms. Giffords) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Arizona.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 2\1/2\ minutes.
  First I would like to thank Chairman Miller for his work to bring 
this important legislation back to the floor of this Congress. I 
appreciate his willingness to work with me and my cosponsor, 
Representative Cleaver, on this amendment.
  Second, I would like to extend a special thank you to my colleague 
Steve Israel from New York. Representative Israel has done a lot of 
excellent work on green schools and green education, and he has 
contributed substantially to the quality of this amendment. I am 
indebted and grateful to him for his work.
  Greening our society represents both a tremendous opportunity and an 
urgent imperative. For the sake of our economy, our national security, 
the environment, our public health, we must make the transition to 
greener technologies without delay.
  The bill before us recognizes the importance of making this 
transition in our Nation's schools. This legislation will facilitate 
the adoption of green technologies in the buildings where our children 
spend their days learning. This will reduce the environmental footprint 
and improve the learning environment of schools across the Nation.
  But more than that, green projects represent a significant 
opportunity to enhance our students' education. The purpose of this 
amendment is to capitalize on this opportunity. The amendment would 
encourage schools receiving funds to educate their students about the 
projects that they have undertaken. This includes both how the projects 
function as well as the environmental, energy, and sustainability 
benefits. Adding an educational component to these projects will serve 
two important goals:
  First, it will provide an opportunity to teach students about how to 
use our natural resources in terms of the way it affects the world 
around us economically, environmentally, and even geopolitically. 
Second, it will expose students to new technologies and show them how 
they can solve problems through creativity and innovation. We live in 
an increasingly technological world; we must take every opportunity to 
inspire our kids and equip them with the skills that they're going to 
need for 21st-century problems.
  I know firsthand from the experience of schools in my own district 
the value of green technologies and school building and curriculum. 
Schools like Civano Elementary and Empire High are reaping the benefits 
of exposing their students to solar power and other green technologies. 
This amendment would encourage others to follow their lead.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time 
in opposition to the amendment, though I am not opposed to the 
amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, while there's debate on whether funding 
school construction is a proper role of the Federal Government, it's 
difficult to argue that any such program should not contain an 
educational component. I commend the gentlewoman for her amendment, and 
I would support that amendment and ask my colleagues to support that 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, we are moving along a little quicker than we thought, 
and that's why Mr. Flake wasn't able to get here for his amendment, but 
he has arrived, and at this time I yield him such time as he may 
consume.
  Mr. FLAKE. I appreciate the gentleman for yielding. I appreciate that 
he offered the amendment on my behalf and that it was accepted.
  The prior amendment is simply to ensure that the programs done here 
are not earmarked later. Now, we've had that problem in prior bills. 
People say, well, this isn't set up for earmarks. This is going to be 
distributed, this money, in a merit-based way. But then a few years 
later, that account from which the money is drawn is completely 
earmarked, and those schools, in this case, or other groups who apply 
for the money can no longer get access to it because it's completely 
earmarked. So I think that this is an important amendment, and I 
appreciate the ranking minority member offering it on my behalf and the 
majority for accepting it.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I urge support of the gentlewoman's 
amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to my colleague from 
Missouri (Mr. Cleaver).
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Chairman, there is perhaps no need for me to use the 
2 minutes since there's no opposition. I would like to commend my 
colleague from Arizona for the vision of submitting this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, the truth of the matter is that 20 percent, 20 percent, 
of Americans go to school each day, not unlike the pages who are here 
in Washington, who go to school every single day. And when you consider 
that 20 percent of the population is in school, if we take advantage of 
the fact that they are in school to teach them why and how we are 
greening America by beginning to green their schools, it cannot help 
but build an America, our Nation, in a manner that will utilize to the 
best of the ability of its people the resources we have.
  So I commend the gentlewoman from Arizona. I also appreciate the 
support for this amendment from the other side.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act 
addresses critical infrastructure needs in our Nation's schools. Let us 
ensure that it addresses critical educational needs as well.
  I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment and once again thank 
Chairman Miller for his leadership on this legislation.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords).

[[Page H5515]]

  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Arizona will be 
postponed.


                Amendment No. 8 Offered by Mr. Reichert

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 8 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 8 offered by Mr. Reichert:
       In section 103(3), before the semicolon at the end, insert 
     the following: ``and installing or upgrading technology to 
     ensure that schools are able to respond to emergencies such 
     as acts of terrorism, campus violence, and natural 
     disasters''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Reichert) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Washington.
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, today we are considering legislation to 
improve the condition of our elementary and secondary schools. I can 
think of nothing more fundamental to creating an optimal learning 
environment for our children than ensuring that our schools are safe, 
secure places for them to learn and grow. Safety is an integral part to 
fostering a positive learning environment. Students can learn best and 
teachers can teach best when they don't feel endangered or threatened. 
Parents also deserve the peace of mind knowing that their children will 
be safe when they drop them off at school in the mornings.
  The rise in school violence in recent years highlights the need for 
improvements in school safety measures. While the bill provides funds 
for bringing schools into compliance with fire and health safety codes, 
the bill does not currently provide funding to help ensure that schools 
are prepared for other emergencies like, unfortunately, school 
shootings.
  My amendment is simple. It permits funds to be used for upgrading or 
installing technology to ensure schools are prepared and able to 
respond to emergencies like campus violence, acts of terrorism, and 
natural disasters. It is essential that we equip our schools with the 
tools needed to protect our teachers, our students, and school 
administrators during times of crisis and violence.
  You know, it's sad that we come to understand the need for these 
funds to be spent on these heartbreaking tragedies like those at 
Virginia Tech and Columbine, where so many innocent lives were lost and 
families were torn apart by the loss of a son or daughter, husband or 
wife. And as a former cop of 33 years, I can stand here today and tell 
you that communication during emergencies is so critical. They're 
needed to bring everybody together to communicate to make sure that 
everyone involved in a tragedy, in an emergency, is safe.
  For example, during the Columbine tragedy, first responders knew that 
students were trapped in the library with the shooters. However, they 
didn't know where the library was located; so they didn't know where to 
go. Twelve students and one teacher lost their lives that day while 21 
more students were injured.
  Incident planning and mapping systems, ``school mapping,'' as it's 
more commonly known, and notification and alert systems are essential. 
Cameras and other Web-based emergency preparedness and crisis 
management systems exist today to improve school security and prevent 
future tragedies from occurring by enabling schools to prepare for the 
unthinkable. My amendment would provide the funds so that schools are 
able to provide the highest level of protection to their students and 
their teachers.
  In my home State of Washington, a tragedy was successfully avoided at 
Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, using these types 
of safety measures. In September of 2003, a school shooting at Lewis 
and Clark High School was successfully resolved without loss of life. A 
student fired a gun in a classroom, and thanks to the system that they 
put in place at that school, they were able to respond quickly, know 
where the rooms were, know where the shooter was, know where the 
incident was taking place, and evacuate students, 2,000 students, by 
the way, and resolve this crisis with no injuries and no deaths.
  Emergencies come in many forms. We have a responsibility to ensure 
that our schools are equipped with all the tools necessary to prevent 
and effectively respond to all emergencies. In addition to building 
modern schools with minimal environmental impact, we should build 
schools for the 21st century with technology and modern equipment that 
create safe environments for teaching and encouraging learning.
  Mr. Chairman, this amendment is simple, it's straightforward, and it 
will ultimately improve school safety and protect our children. It's 
been endorsed by the National Sheriffs Association, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this commonsense amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise to claim time in opposition to the 
amendment, although I will not oppose it.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Michigan is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Reichert and I have done this similarly before.
  I think a few months ago, I accepted one of your amendments.
  I believe this is a good amendment that will contribute to our 
children's and their teachers' safety, and I urge support of the 
amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank the chairman for his 
support of this amendment and also the previous amendment I presented 
last Congress, which goes to reduce class size. So I appreciate the 
support on both amendments.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Washington (Mr. Reichert).
  The amendment was agreed to.

                              {time}  1345


                 Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Maffei

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. MAFFEI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 9 offered by Mr. Maffei:
       In the table of contents in section 1(b) of the bill, add 
     at the end the following:
Sec. 314. Job Corps.
Sec. 315. Junior and community college students.
       At the end of the bill, add the following:

     SEC. 314. JOB CORPS.

       The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Labor, shall work with recipients of funds under 
     this Act to promote appropriate opportunities for individuals 
     enrolled in the Job Corps program carried out under subtitle 
     C of title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 
     U.S.C. 2881 et seq.) to gain employment experience on 
     modernization, renovation, repair, and construction projects 
     funded under this Act.

     SEC. 315. JUNIOR AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS.

       The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Labor, shall work with recipients of funds under 
     this Act to promote appropriate opportunities for individuals 
     enrolled in a junior or community college (as defined in 
     section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1088(f))) certificate or degree program relating to projects 
     described in section 309(a) to gain employment experience 
     working on such projects funded under this Act.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Maffei) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. MAFFEI. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I would 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, this is a very simple amendment that would require the 
Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to 
work with funding recipients to promote opportunities for individuals 
enrolled in Job Corps to gain employment experience on modernization, 
repair, and construction projects funded under this act.

[[Page H5516]]

  The amendment would also require the Secretary of Education, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, to work with recipients of 
funds to promote appropriate opportunities for individuals enrolled in 
a junior or community college. This is, I think, a pretty 
noncontroversial amendment that just allows additional help in getting 
people to work, young people to work, and giving them needed skills.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I 
do not oppose the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I ask that our colleagues support this amendment. While I 
do not support the underlying bill, I think this amendment makes the 
bill stronger. I appreciate the gentleman offering it, and I urge all 
our colleagues to support it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MAFFEI. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my 
amendment.
  I rise to offer an amendment that enables job opportunities provided 
under the 21st Century Green High-Performing Schools Act to be 
accessible to students enrolled in Job Corps and community colleges.
  The Maffei/Schwartz amendment adds to the existing requirements of 
the bill which requires the Secretary of Education, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Labor, to work with grant recipients under this 
Act to promote opportunities for participants in Youthbuild programs to 
gain experience on projects funded by the bill.
  In the state of New York and through a nationwide campus network, Job 
Corps provides a complete range of career development services to at-
risk young women and men, ages 16 to 24, to prepare them for successful 
careers. Job Corps differs from Youthbuild in that it targets at-risk 
youth and operates programs at residential facilities.
  Job Corps is a critical program that reaches young adults who need 
opportunities by providing them with academic training and vocational 
opportunity.
  My district is in Upstate New York and includes Syracuse, where each 
year we place approximately 400 at-risk youth into the Job Corps 
program. There are real success stories from this program, and by 
allowing funds from the Green Schools Act to be utilized for the Job 
Corps program, we will bring opportunity and hope to more vulnerable 
youth in my area and across the country.
  Community Colleges are an important generator of trained, skilled 
students who can enter the workforce in critical fields. In my 
district, Onondaga Community College has created the Sustainability 
Institute. The institute will train students in installation of 
geothermal and wind systems, which are both expanding fields but 
severely lack adequately trained workers in Central New York. The 
Sustainability Institute has been endorsed by the New York US Green 
Buildings Council because a green workforce is our future, but we are 
woefully under-trained and -prepared to embrace this new economic 
engine.
  Renovating, modernizing, and constructing green schools offers hands-
on learning opportunities for students, ensuring that they are provided 
opportunities to learn new techniques, new trades, in a new green 
economy. This amendment will help to further ensure that our nation's 
young people are prepared for the jobs of the future.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Maffei).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Bright

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 10 offered by Mr. Bright:
       In section 102(a), add at the end the following:
       (3) Distressed areas and natural disasters.--From the 
     amount appropriated to carry out this title for each fiscal 
     year pursuant to section 311(a), the Secretary shall reserve 
     5 percent of such amount for grants to--
       (A) local educational agencies serving geographic areas 
     with significant economic distress, to be used consistent 
     with the purpose described in section 101 and the allowable 
     uses of funds described in section 103; and
       (B) local educational agencies serving geographic areas 
     recovering from a natural disaster, to be used consistent 
     with the purpose described in section 201 and the allowable 
     uses of funds described in section 203.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Bright) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama.
  Mr. BRIGHT. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 2187, 
the 21st Century Green High-Performing School Facilities Act. This 
amendment allows the Secretary of Education to reserve 5 percent of 
section 102 grant funds for local educational agencies serving 
geographic areas with significant economic distress or recovering from 
a natural disaster.
  In its current form, the bill sets aside money for schools damaged in 
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Indeed, those two storms caused 
unprecedented damage to the gulf coast, including my home State of 
Alabama.
  However, Congress would be shortsighted if we don't recognize that 
natural disasters happen across the country. Whether it's wildfires in 
the West, floods in the Midwest, ice storms in the North, hurricanes in 
the South and the gulf, or tornados across the country, our schools are 
damaged when Mother Nature strikes.
  The specific need for this amendment came to my attention because of 
the ongoing struggles that a community in my district has experienced. 
In March of 2007, a tornado destroyed Enterprise High School in 
Enterprise, Alabama, killing eight school-aged children. Two years 
later, Enterprise High School is still in the process of rebuilding and 
has exhausted all avenues for the additional needed funds to complete 
the school.
  I cite the example in Enterprise because other school districts 
across the country will have similar issues as they recover from 
natural disasters. Over the past 2 months, my district alone has seen 
flooding, storms, and tornados that have led to at least one Federal 
disaster declaration, and another is being considered. Small towns 
across America are simply not equipped to rebuild a mainstay in their 
community, such as a school, when they are severely damaged or 
destroyed.
  This is a way for the Federal Government to lend a helping hand when 
local school districts need their help. Moreover, I am a believer in 
the old adage that if you are going to do something, do it right. 
Rebuilding and repairing these schools to 21st century and 
environmentally efficient standards will help create a positive and 
healthy learning experience for our children. The families and students 
who utilize these schools will be able to take pride in them for years 
to come.
  This is a simple but important amendment. I urge its passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, although I don't oppose the amendment.
  The CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from California is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. Although I oppose the underlying bill because it spends 
too much, borrows too much, and takes too much control for the Federal 
Government, in fairness, if it's going to be done, this is a good 
amendment.
  From brush fires in California to flooding in Iowa to tornados in 
Kansas, natural disasters like this take place all over the country, 
and this would be a good thing to help those local districts if, in 
fact, the money is going to be spent. For that purpose, I support the 
amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).
  Mr. ANDREWS. On behalf of the committee, we want to commend the 
gentleman for offering this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, there are some misconceptions about Hurricanes Katrina 
and Rita. One of the misconceptions is that the devastation people felt 
in New Orleans was pretty much the sole extent of that.
  The gentleman, I think, has done the institution a great service by 
pointing out that the disaster was very widespread. There is still an 
urgent need in

[[Page H5517]]

his area and other areas throughout the region, and as we invest funds 
in renovation and improvement of schools, I would think that a very 
high priority should go to the types of communities that are covered by 
this amendment.
  So the committee believes that this amendment is very well 
considered, it will do a great service, it's an accurate reflection of 
priorities, and we wish to commend the gentleman for offering the 
amendment. As a new Member, I think he has come up with a creative 
solution. We enthusiastically support the amendment.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).
  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this important 
amendment to help school districts hit by the economic downturn or by 
natural disasters so they can recover faster.
  To paraphrase the gentleman from California, Chairman Miller, school 
construction is the economic stimulus for struggling communities. It 
achieves two key objectives: creating jobs and laying out the 
educational foundation for future prosperity.
  As the chairman of the Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and 
Response Subcommittee of Homeland Security, I have seen firsthand how 
challenging it is to rebuild a school after a disaster, a problem that 
is only magnified in those difficult economic times. As communities 
pick up the pieces after a disaster, many students are left with 
damaged schools or no place to learn, leading them to fall farther and 
farther behind.
  We cannot erase the pain and suffering, but one of the things we can 
do with this particular amendment that we are all cosponsoring is that 
we provide American students a decent place to learn.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I am happy to yield 30 seconds of my time 
to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green).
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. I thank the chairman for yielding. This is a 
great piece of legislation that you have allowed me to cosponsor with 
you.
  This is going to help the schools in my district. Many of them have 
suffered enormous damage.
  This Member has done us a service. I salute him for what he has done. 
I also thank the ranking member, Mr. McKeon, for agreeing to the 
amendment.
  The CHAIR. The gentleman's time has expired.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the time be 
extended by 1 minute on each side.
  The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from 
Alabama?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I yield my remaining time to the gentlelady 
from Florida (Ms. Kosmas).
  Ms. KOSMAS. Thank you, Congressman Bright.
  I rise today in support of the Bright-Kosmas-Cuellar-Green amendment. 
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important amendment that will set 
aside funds for the schools that need it most.
  The bill we are considering will provide critical funds to modernize 
our schools and to turn them into green buildings, which will help our 
environment, reduce energy consumption and costs for school districts, 
and create jobs in the process. However, we must take into account that 
many school districts across the country are suffering greatly from the 
economic downturn or have been affected by recent natural disasters.
  Central Florida, where I reside, has been hit very hard by two 
devastating forces, both the recession and natural disasters. As a 
result, our education system is experiencing a budget crisis that has 
only been temporarily relieved through the American Recovery and 
Reinvestment Act.
  Many of our schools still do not have the money in their budgets to 
complete basic repairs, let alone repairs needed following hurricanes 
in recent years.
  This funding will ensure that schools will not only be able to make 
those repairs, but also to make them green, bring them up to safety 
codes, and create overall healthier learning environments.
  This is not only a problem in central Florida. Numerous regions 
throughout the country are experiencing similar problems.
  Mr. McKEON. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman 
from Alabama (Mr. Bright).
  The question was taken; and the Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on 
the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama will be postponed.


                Amendment No. 11 Offered by Mr. Griffith

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 printed in 
House Report 111-106.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 11 offered by Mr. Griffith:
       In section 102(b)(2)(C)(v) of the bill, strike ``air 
     quality,'' and insert ``air quality (including with reference 
     to reducing the incidence and effects of asthma and other 
     respiratory illnesses),''.
       In section 103(12), strike ``through (11)'' and insert 
     ``through (12)''.
       In section 103, redesignate paragraphs (11) and (12) as 
     paragraphs (12) and (13), respectively.
       In section 103, insert after paragraph (10) the following:
       (11) measures designed to reduce or eliminate human 
     exposure to airborne particles such as dust, sand, and 
     pollens;
       In section 310(a)(5)(D) of the bill, after ``quality,'' 
     insert ``student and staff health (including with reference 
     to reducing the incidence and effects of asthma and other 
     respiratory illnesses),''.

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman from 
Alabama (Mr. Griffith) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, this amendment would instruct State educational 
agencies on how improvements in indoor environmental quality can help 
reduce asthma and other respiratory illnesses in the classroom and in 
our children.
  Asthma has reached an epidemic proportion in our country, affecting 
20 million of all ages, but children in particular.
  I have two good friends who lost children due to asthma-related 
attacks at school. We must do everything we can to help improve air 
quality for our students so no one else ever has to suffer this tragic 
loss.

                              {time}  1400

  Almost 1 in 13 children the age of 18 has asthma, and the percentage 
of children with this illness is rising more rapidly with our 
preschoolers than in any other age group.
  Asthma is the leading cause of missed school days due to chronic 
illnesses, causing our kids to miss more than 14 million days of 
school. When our children are absent, they are no longer able to keep 
up; falling behind. And American can no longer afford this. Our 
children also get left behind when their teachers and school staff are 
sick.
  We cannot sit on the sidelines and handicap our schools by failing to 
address the detrimental effect of poor indoor air quality on our 
students' concentration, attendance, and performance in school.
  This is an easily fixable situation. The adoption of this amendment 
would help improve indoor air quality and better the lives of 56 
million Americans who spend their days in elementary and secondary 
schools.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim time in opposition to the 
amendment, although I do not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Pastor of Arizona). Without objection, the 
gentleman from California is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. I support this amendment, I encourage our colleagues to 
support the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleague. I am happy to yield 
2 minutes to the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Teague).

[[Page H5518]]

  Mr. TEAGUE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the Griffith-Teague 
amendment to H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public 
School Facilities Act. I'd like to thank Chairman Miller and Chairwoman 
Slaughter for their help in this bill and on this amendment.
  This amendment is about protecting the health of our children. In my 
district, schools are oftentimes surrounded by sand and dust. When the 
wind comes, which is almost every day in New Mexico, this sand and dust 
is picked up and becomes a part of the air our children breathe. These 
particles can cause asthma attacks and can give them other health 
problems.
  Under our amendment, schools would be able to work on facilities to 
mitigate the amount of dust and particles in the air.
  Our schools must be places where the health of our children is 
protected. Our kids should not be subjected to dust and other particles 
constantly being blown in their faces. The air they breathe should be 
clean and free of contaminants.
  I think it is important that this bill provides schools with the 
resources they need to help lessen this problem and protect the health 
of children. That is exactly what this amendment does. I urge my 
colleagues to support this amendment to H.R. 2187, and the underlying 
bill.
  Mr. McKEON. I continue to urge our colleagues to support this 
amendment. I appreciate the gentleman offering it, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I thank my colleagues from California, 
and would yield 1 minute of my time to the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Andrews).
  Mr. ANDREWS. I thank the author of the amendment for yielding. Mr. 
Chairman, on behalf of the committee, we would urge support of the 
amendment. Not only does this amendment do a lot of good for children 
and teachers, it does a lot of good for the health care system.
  Seventy-five percent of health care expenditures in this country, as 
I'm sure the gentleman knows, are attributable to chronic illness. Four 
chronic illnesses are accountable for 80 percent of that 75 percent. 
Among them is asthma.
  So by this very well-crafted amendment, not only is the gentleman 
improving conditions within schools, but he is making a good first 
start toward dealing with the problem of the health care cost explosion 
here in our country. We commend a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. I thank my colleague from New Jersey. Mr. Chairman, I 
ask that my colleagues support this amendment and the underlying bill.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Griffith).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Alabama will 
be postponed.


                Amendment No. 12 Offered by Mr. Heinrich

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12 
printed in House Report 111-106.
  Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 12 offered by Mr. Heinrich:
       In section 103(12), strike ``through (11)'' and insert 
     ``through (12)''.
       In section 103, redesignate paragraphs (11) and (12) as 
     paragraphs (12) and (13), respectively.
       In section 103, insert after paragraph (10) the following:
       (11) upgrading or installing recreational structures, 
     including physical education facilities for students, made 
     from post consumer recovered materials in accordance with the 
     comprehensive procurement guidelines prepared by the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under 
     section 6002(e) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 
     6962(e));

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman 
from New Mexico (Mr. Heinrich) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Mexico.
  Mr. HEINRICH. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. Thank you to Chairman Miller and Representative Chandler for 
championing this legislation.
  Mr. Chair, this amendment that I offer today provides a downpayment 
on our children's health and education. The bill itself is a forward-
thinking investment in our children that will create clean energy jobs 
and turn our schools into high-performing, energy-efficient learning 
environments.
  My amendment would strengthen this long-term investment by including 
the installation of environmentally friendly physical education 
facilities, recreational structures, and equipment for our children. 
Modernized schools using the most state-of-the-art, environmentally 
friendly building methods and materials will put our children in the 
best position to compete in a 21st century economy.
  Research shows that recreational structures are critical to our 
children's educational environment. Many studies show that a child's 
ability to spend time in physical activity contributes significantly to 
their development, creativity and, most importantly, their ability to 
focus on academics when back in the classroom.
  By exerting energy outside the classroom, students have better 
attention spans inside the classroom. Physical activity is an 
increasingly important issue in my home State of New Mexico, where 22 
percent of New Mexico children between the ages of 2 and 5 and 23 
percent of high school students are overweight.
  Parent and teacher organizations across the country recognize the 
link between recreational opportunities, education, and their students' 
health. But often, due to budget constraints, parents find themselves 
having to fundraise for this kind of permanent physical education and 
recreation equipment and facilities on their own.
  How many of my colleagues here today have had to bake rice crispy 
treats for a bake sale or even pass the hat at a PTA meeting to raise 
the money for fitness activities for their own kids?
  Why do we do this? Because we want our kids to play soccer and 
basketball; we want them to play on swings and run on the track; and we 
want our kids to learn how to play fair and how to win and lose with 
grace and dignity. We do this because we want our kids to be healthy 
and happy and successful. With my amendment today, this will be easier 
to achieve for our children.
  We also know the impact that recreational opportunities have on 
reducing classroom discipline problems, increasing teacher job 
satisfaction, and increasing students' engagement in learning.
  Permanent physical educational and recreational structures not only 
add to children's education, but also contribute greatly to their 
surrounding communities. For many neighborhoods, school playgrounds are 
the only nearby recreational areas where children are able to engage in 
physical activity.
  My amendment would allow this grant money to fund the installation of 
permanent recreational structures for schools and physical educational 
programs that are made from post-consumer waste materials. This funding 
would be utilized to upgrade and install recreational equipment, such 
as surfaces used for track, basketball, tennis, soccer, and general 
physical educational activities.
  Many American companies have achieved the creation of permanent 
recreational equipment using recycled plastics and rubber rather than 
wood and metal. In New Mexico, companies install structures today that 
transform tens of thousands of recycled milk containers into highly 
durable plastic lumber. This is just one example of the kind of clean 
energy jobs that would result from this amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I strongly believe that this amendment is good for our 
schools and good for our economy and, most importantly, good for our 
children. I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to this 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 5 minutes.

[[Page H5519]]

  Mr. McKEON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Chairman, again, Federal dollars are not free. They don't appear 
out of nowhere. They come from either taxing or borrowing. While, in 
all due respect, I understand what the gentleman is saying, but it 
probably is cheaper for his constituents to pass the hat or to have 
bake sales to raise the money than to pay for it out of their Federal 
tax dollars that get siphoned through Washington to get back to New 
Mexico.
  Mr. Chair, we do not need to spend Federal dollars on upgrading 
swimming pools when this Nation is drowning in debt. Our deficit is 
soaring higher every day. Proposals like this send it even higher.
  Recreational structures and physical education facilities are worthy 
tools that can promote good health among our children, but are they 
worthy of taxpayer dollars intended to improve academic achievement?
  I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HEINRICH. I would yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New 
Jersey.
  Mr. ANDREWS. I thank the author of the amendment for yielding. On 
behalf of the committee, I rise in support of the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, my friend from California suggested that these funds 
should go to academic improvement. I think he implied that these do 
not. The research is rather ample. The children who are fit and 
healthy, do better in the classroom than those who do not. There's a 
connection between academic performance and fitness.
  The second point that I would make mirrors the one we made with 
reference to the previous amendment. Of the four chronic illnesses that 
drive the explosion of health care costs in this country, in addition 
to asthma, another is diabetes and the obesity that often comes with 
it, childhood obesity in particular.
  So in addition to the academic dividends that I think the gentleman's 
amendment produces, it also produces the dividend of yet another down 
payment on control of the health care cost explosion.
  We believe that the amendment is entirely suitable. It will be used 
in an innovative way that will provide national models for school 
districts around the country. We'd urge a ``yes'' vote in favor of the 
amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. I yield myself the balance of my time. I ask my 
colleagues to vote ``no'' on this amendment. Federal interference in 
school facility maintenance is troubling enough, but at least there is 
some semblance of an academic focus in the underlying bill. But I 
cannot justify expanding that spending to recreation and physical 
education. I urge a ``no'' vote.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HEINRICH. I would close by saying that in New Mexico and across 
this country we have an enormous problem with obesity. I urge an 
``aye'' vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired. The question 
is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. 
Heinrich).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 13 Offered by Ms. Schwartz

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 13 
printed in House Report 111-106.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. As the designee of Mr. Lujan of New Mexico, I have an 
amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 13 offered by Ms. Schwartz:
       In section 103(12), strike ``through (11)'' and insert 
     ``through (12)''.
       In section 103, redesignate paragraphs (11) and (12) as 
     paragraphs (12) and (13), respectively.
       In section 103, insert after paragraph (10) the following:
       (11) creating greenhouses, gardens (including trees), and 
     other facilities for environmental, scientific, or other 
     educational purposes, or to produce energy savings;

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentlewoman 
from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Good schools 
take learning beyond classroom walls, and good planners go beyond 
buildings to look for energy savings opportunities. This is the point 
of my amendment with Congressman Lujan. I'm very pleased to be able to 
be offering it.
  The amendment is simple. It adds, ``greenhouses, gardens (including 
trees), and other facilities for environmental, scientific, and other 
educational purposes or to produce energy cost savings'' to the list of 
allowable uses of these funds.
  To improve our school buildings, this amendment helps fund additional 
savings from the natural environment. If we're going to build ``green'' 
schools, then there's nothing better than planting trees, gardens, and 
greenhouses on school property.
  These uses would enable our schools to save energy and it would 
improve school appearance and it would create more learning 
opportunities for our students.
  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, carefully positioned 
trees save up to 25 percent of a household's energy consumption for 
heating and cooling. It can certainly do the same--or at least much of 
it--for our school buildings as well. We also know that planting and 
gardening does create contact with nature and creates a good supportive 
learning environment for our children.
  This is a good amendment. It enhances the bill. It does not add extra 
funding.
  I would like to yield 1 minute to my colleague who wrote this 
amendment with me, and also to speak in support of this bill, the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan).
  Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to the 
21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act. The 
legislation will renew the foundation of our Nation's public school 
system by rebuilding our critical educational infrastructure. By 
providing assistance to our school districts for the construction of 
modern school facilities, we're creating a healthier, safer, and more 
energy-efficient learning environment for the next generation of 
Americans.
  I strongly commend Chairman Miller for his work in bringing this 
important measure to the floor. This amendment, which I have developed 
in cooperation with Congresswoman Schwartz, would allow these funds to 
be used for the construction of greenhouses and gardens as well as 
planting trees and greenery. Our schools will benefit from an improved 
environment, additional energy efficiency, and valuable educational 
experiences for children.
  By expanding the classroom for our children and putting them into a 
greenhouse and garden, we will impart upon them the value of water, 
biodiversity, and respect for the environment. We will be creating 
better futures for our children and all of us.
  Mr. Chairman, this commonsense amendment would allow for energy 
efficiency and environmental improvements on our Nation's school and 
campuses. This amendment will add no additional cost to the bill, but 
will greatly benefit the education of our Nation's students.
  I strongly urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, let me remind the Chamber of a few numbers. 
A million seconds is 12 days. A billion seconds is 36 years. And a 
trillion seconds is over 36,000 years.
  While we have been talking on this bill, our national debt has gone 
up $300 million.
  A few other numbers. Forty billion dollars; $1.84 trillion; $11 
trillion. That's the cost of this bill--the $40 billion; this year's 
deficit currently--$1.84 trillion; and our national debt--$11 trillion.
  Every time we debate a new use of funds, we should think about these 
numbers.
  Now I'm sure that many schools would enjoy a greenhouse or a nice 
garden or some new landscaping on their grounds. But when it comes to 
education, the job of the Federal Government is to help educate.

[[Page H5520]]

  If there's an educational purpose for a greenhouse on school grounds, 
this bill already allows one to be built. But if these greenhouses and 
gardens are not academically needed, I do not believe the Federal 
Government ought to be building them--especially not with deficit 
spending.
  I'm not asking my grandchildren to finance a greenhouse with no 
academic purpose, and I hope none of you will either.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1415

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Just to speak to this amendment, let's be really clear 
here. The purpose of our amendment, of course, is to actually enhance 
this bill by creating more opportunities for energy savings. Every time 
we save dollars for a school, we save dollars for our school district, 
we save dollars for our taxpayers.
  This bill is smart. It is to make energy efficiency investments that 
will save taxpayers dollars. In addition, it will help to educate our 
young people in the positive aspects of greening. It is extremely 
important to understand the purpose of planting a tree is not only 
because it looks good, but it in fact can save on energy costs. 
Planting vegetables is done not only because it is a fun thing to do, 
but it actually can put food on the table that is healthy and 
nutritious.
  All of this is part of what we are trying to do in this bill, create 
energy savings for our children, for our school districts and for our 
taxpayers. I encourage support of this amendment and the underlying 
bill.
  I yield 15 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).
  Mr. ANDREWS. The committee supports this bill. The bill requires the 
money be spent for academic purposes. I don't know really how you teach 
biology effectively without giving children the chance to interact with 
plant life. I think it just makes an awful lot of sense to have that 
kind of lab.
  We support the bill and urge a ``yes'' vote.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  If there is a serious academic purpose for gardens and greenhouses, 
they can already be built under the far-reaching legislation in the 
underlying bill. Let's not dilute the Federal investment in education 
further by getting into the landscaping business. I urge a ``no'' vote 
on this amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to my colleague, the 
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan).
  Mr. LUJAN. Mr. Chairman, I would encourage and hope that my colleague 
would support an opportunity to be able to teach our kids about the 
importance of food, of growing it, and even the business aspect of 
this, Mr. Chairman.
  It is not just about growing food, fruits and vegetables. This is 
about teaching them how to be responsible and how to make sure we can 
get these into the schools to keep our kids healthy and nourished, as 
well as business opportunities, Mr. Chairman. This is a learning 
opportunity that we could take advantage of across the country. I 
strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this amendment.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Schrader

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 14 
printed in House Report 111-106.
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Amendment No. 14 offered by Mr. Schrader:
       In the table of contents of the bill, add at the end the 
     following:

Sec. 314. GAO study.

       At the end of the bill, add the following:

     SEC. 314. GAO STUDY.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     conduct a study to determine, and report to the Congress on, 
     the extent and types of projects in keeping with the uses of 
     funds authorized under this Act being undertaken in schools 
     around the United States, the geographic distribution of 
     green, high-performing schools in the United States, 
     including by urban, suburban, and rural areas, and the 
     relative access to such schools of the demographic groups 
     described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 USC 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)).

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 427, the gentleman 
from Oregon (Mr. Schrader) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Miller, Subcommittee 
Chairman Kildee and Representative Chandler for their hard work on this 
important legislation. The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public 
School Facilities Act provides the country a wonderful opportunity to 
not only modernize our schools by creating a healthier, more 
environmentally friendly learning environment for our children, but it 
also creates good jobs at a time when they are needed the most by this 
country.
  While there is no disputing the merits the underlying bill and the 
proven benefits of green schools on students and teachers, I believe it 
is crucial that Congress has a clear picture on how and where these 
funds are going to be spent, the long-term economic savings and the 
types of projects funded to be sure we are keeping with the intent of 
the legislation. That is why I am offering a straightforward good 
government amendment that requires the GAO to report to Congress on how 
these funds are being utilized.
  Under my amendment, the GAO will be required to report to Congress no 
later than 1 year after the enactment on the extent and types of 
projects being undertaken in the schools around the country, the 
geographic distribution around the country and the urban, suburban and 
rural mix. As we continue to improve and modernize our schools, this 
information is going to be critical for the future decisionmaking of 
this Congress.
  I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the underlying 
legislation.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, although I will not oppose the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. This amendment will require the GAO to keep a list of 
projects that were funded through the bill and look at who has access 
to these projects. The underlying bill already contains lengthy 
reporting requirements that include much of this information, making 
this amendment largely unnecessary.
  I do agree it will create jobs. There will be people hired that will 
have to fill out these reports and there will be people hired that will 
have to read these reports. However, if the gentleman is interested in 
getting additional information on the sort of projects funded under 
this act, we have no objection to having the GAO provide it, other than 
the fact it is going to cause government to grow even more.
  I urge support of the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
New Jersey (Mr. Andrews).
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the author for yielding and would 
urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment.
  With all due respect, the amendment does not require simply a keeping 
of lists of where the money is spent. It requires an analysis of the 
effectiveness of the expenditure of the money, it requires an analysis 
of whether all children are getting proportionately equal access to the 
funds that are expended, and it gives the Congress the basis, the 
factual basis, to make further decisions about whether to expand, 
eliminate or modify such programs in the future.
  The minority protest is concerned about the ever-growing size of 
government. The minority knows a lot about growing the size of 
government. That is what they did for 8 years when they

[[Page H5521]]

doubled the national debt. That is what they did for 8 years when they 
inherited the largest surplus in American history and turned it into 
the largest deficit in American history.
  One of the ways to turn about deficit financing is economic growth. 
We believe this bill will do that.
  We urge a ``yes'' vote on the amendment.
  Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Chairman, I just would reiterate that this is a 
good government bill actually looking at saving the taxpayers money. I 
am surprised my colleague from California is not interested in the 
energy savings and the benefit of this amendment to make sure that 
there is actually accountability in the legislation.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Chairman, would the gentleman yield?
  Mr. SCHRADER. I yield to the gentleman.
  Mr. McKEON. I am interested in saving energy. I just think that this 
bill costs too much, borrows too much, and controls too much.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. SCHRADER. I thank the gentleman.
  I will get back to the bill itself. I just would appreciate support 
of my colleagues to show fiscal accountability by adopting this 
amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Schrader).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, proceedings 
will now resume on three amendments printed in House Report 111-106 on 
which further proceedings were postponed, in the following order:
  Amendment No. 3 by Ms. Titus of Nevada.
  Amendment No. 4 by Mr. Roe of Tennessee.
  Amendment No. 5 by Mr. Ellsworth of Indiana.
  The Chair will reduce to 5 minutes the time for any electronic vote 
after the first vote in this series.


                  Amendment No. 3 Offered by Ms. Titus

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from Nevada 
(Ms. Titus) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which 
the ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 270, 
noes 160, not voting 9, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 249]

                               AYES--270

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Altmire
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Baca
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrow
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Bilbray
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Blumenauer
     Boccieri
     Bordallo
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Braley (IA)
     Bright
     Brown, Corrine
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Butterfield
     Cao
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Castle
     Castor (FL)
     Chandler
     Childers
     Christensen
     Clarke
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Connolly (VA)
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Cummings
     Dahlkemper
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (TN)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly (IN)
     Doyle
     Driehaus
     Edwards (MD)
     Edwards (TX)
     Ehlers
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Faleomavaega
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Frank (MA)
     Fudge
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gonzalez
     Gordon (TN)
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Griffith
     Grijalva
     Gutierrez
     Hall (NY)
     Halvorson
     Hare
     Harman
     Hastings (FL)
     Heinrich
     Herseth Sandlin
     Higgins
     Hill
     Hinchey
     Hinojosa
     Hirono
     Hodes
     Holden
     Holt
     Honda
     Hoyer
     Inslee
     Israel
     Jackson (IL)
     Jackson-Lee (TX)
     Johnson (IL)
     Johnson, E. B.
     Kagen
     Kanjorski
     Kennedy
     Kildee
     Kilpatrick (MI)
     Kilroy
     Kind
     Kirk
     Kirkpatrick (AZ)
     Kissell
     Klein (FL)
     Kosmas
     Kratovil
     Kucinich
     Lance
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Lee (CA)
     Levin
     Lewis (GA)
     Lipinski
     LoBiondo
     Loebsack
     Lofgren, Zoe
     Lowey
     Lujan
     Lynch
     Maffei
     Maloney
     Markey (CO)
     Markey (MA)
     Marshall
     Massa
     Matheson
     Matsui
     McCarthy (NY)
     McCaul
     McCollum
     McDermott
     McGovern
     McHugh
     McIntyre
     McMahon
     McNerney
     Meek (FL)
     Meeks (NY)
     Melancon
     Michaud
     Miller (NC)
     Miller, George
     Minnick
     Mitchell
     Mollohan
     Moore (KS)
     Moore (WI)
     Moran (VA)
     Murphy (CT)
     Murphy (NY)
     Murphy, Patrick
     Murtha
     Nadler (NY)
     Napolitano
     Neal (MA)
     Norton
     Nye
     Oberstar
     Obey
     Olver
     Ortiz
     Pallone
     Pascrell
     Pastor (AZ)
     Payne
     Perlmutter
     Perriello
     Peters
     Peterson
     Pierluisi
     Pingree (ME)
     Platts
     Polis (CO)
     Pomeroy
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Rahall
     Rangel
     Reichert
     Reyes
     Richardson
     Rodriguez
     Ros-Lehtinen
     Ross
     Rothman (NJ)
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Ryan (OH)
     Sablan
     Salazar
     Sanchez, Loretta
     Sarbanes
     Schakowsky
     Schauer
     Schiff
     Schrader
     Schwartz
     Scott (GA)
     Scott (VA)
     Serrano
     Sestak
     Shea-Porter
     Sherman
     Shuler
     Sires
     Skelton
     Slaughter
     Smith (NJ)
     Snyder
     Space
     Speier
     Spratt
     Stupak
     Sutton
     Tauscher
     Taylor
     Teague
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Tierney
     Titus
     Tonko
     Tsongas
     Upton
     Van Hollen
     Velazquez
     Visclosky
     Walz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson
     Watt
     Waxman
     Weiner
     Welch
     Wexler
     Wilson (OH)
     Wu
     Yarmuth

                               NOES--160

     Aderholt
     Adler (NJ)
     Akin
     Alexander
     Austria
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Barrett (SC)
     Bartlett
     Barton (TX)
     Biggert
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blunt
     Boehner
     Bonner
     Bono Mack
     Boozman
     Boustany
     Brady (TX)
     Broun (GA)
     Brown (SC)
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Burton (IN)
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp
     Campbell
     Cantor
     Capito
     Carter
     Cassidy
     Chaffetz
     Coble
     Coffman (CO)
     Cole
     Conaway
     Crenshaw
     Culberson
     Davis (KY)
     Deal (GA)
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Dreier
     Duncan
     Emerson
     Fallin
     Flake
     Fleming
     Forbes
     Foxx
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Gallegly
     Gingrey (GA)
     Gohmert
     Goodlatte
     Granger
     Graves
     Guthrie
     Hall (TX)
     Harper
     Hastings (WA)
     Heller
     Hensarling
     Herger
     Hoekstra
     Hunter
     Inglis
     Issa
     Jenkins
     Johnson, Sam
     Jones
     Jordan (OH)
     King (IA)
     King (NY)
     Kingston
     Kline (MN)
     Lamborn
     Latham
     LaTourette
     Latta
     Lee (NY)
     Lewis (CA)
     Linder
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Lummis
     Lungren, Daniel E.
     Mack
     Manzullo
     Marchant
     McCarthy (CA)
     McClintock
     McCotter
     McHenry
     McKeon
     McMorris Rodgers
     Mica
     Miller (FL)
     Miller (MI)
     Miller, Gary
     Moran (KS)
     Murphy, Tim
     Myrick
     Neugebauer
     Nunes
     Olson
     Paul
     Paulsen
     Pence
     Petri
     Pitts
     Poe (TX)
     Posey
     Price (GA)
     Putnam
     Radanovich
     Rehberg
     Roe (TN)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Rogers (MI)
     Rohrabacher
     Rooney
     Roskam
     Royce
     Ryan (WI)
     Scalise
     Schmidt
     Schock
     Sensenbrenner
     Sessions
     Shadegg
     Shimkus
     Shuster
     Simpson
     Smith (NE)
     Smith (TX)
     Smith (WA)
     Souder
     Stearns
     Sullivan
     Terry
     Thompson (PA)
     Thornberry
     Tiahrt
     Tiberi
     Turner
     Walden
     Wamp
     Westmoreland
     Whitfield
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Wolf
     Young (AK)
     Young (FL)

                             NOT VOTING--9

     Garrett (NJ)
     Himes
     Johnson (GA)
     Kaptur
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Stark
     Tanner
     Towns
     Woolsey

                              {time}  1454

  Messrs. SESSIONS, MANZULLO, SCHOCK and ADLER of New Jersey changed 
their vote from ``aye'' to ``no.''
  Messrs. SPRATT, BILBRAY and RUSH changed their vote from ``no'' to 
``aye.''
  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.


            Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Roe of Tennessee

  The Acting CHAIR. The unfinished business is the demand for a 
recorded vote on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Tennessee 
(Mr. Roe) on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the 
ayes prevailed by voice vote.
  The Clerk will redesignate the amendment.
  The Clerk redesignated the amendment.


                             Recorded Vote

  The Acting CHAIR. A recorded vote has been demanded.
  A recorded vote was ordered.
  The Acting CHAIR. This will be a 5-minute vote.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--ayes 432, 
noes 2, not voting 5, as follows:

[[Page H5522]]

                             [Roll No. 250]

                               AYES--432

     Abercrombie
     Ackerman
     Aderholt
     Adler (NJ)
     Akin
     Alexander
     Altmire
     Andrews
     Arcuri
     Austria
     Baca
     Bachmann
     Bachus
     Baird
     Baldwin
     Barrett (SC)
     Barrow
     Bartlett
     Barton (TX)
     Bean
     Becerra
     Berkley
     Berman
     Berry
     Biggert
     Bilbray
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Bishop (NY)
     Bishop (UT)
     Blackburn
     Blumenauer
     Blunt
     Boccieri
     Boehner
     Bonner
     Bono Mack
     Boozman
     Bordallo
     Boren
     Boswell
     Boucher
     Boustany
     Boyd
     Brady (PA)
     Brady (TX)
     Braley (IA)
     Bright
     Broun (GA)
     Brown (SC)
     Brown, Corrine
     Brown-Waite, Ginny
     Buchanan
     Burgess
     Burton (IN)
     Butterfield
     Buyer
     Calvert
     Camp
     Campbell
     Cantor
     Cao
     Capito
     Capps
     Capuano
     Cardoza
     Carnahan
     Carney
     Carson (IN)
     Carter
     Cassidy
     Castle
     Castor (FL)
     Chaffetz
     Chandler
     Childers
     Christensen
     Clarke
     Clay
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Coble
     Coffman (CO)
     Cohen
     Cole
     Conaway
     Conyers
     Cooper
     Costa
     Costello
     Courtney
     Crenshaw
     Crowley
     Cuellar
     Culberson
     Cummings
     Dahlkemper
     Davis (AL)
     Davis (CA)
     Davis (IL)
     Davis (KY)
     Davis (TN)
     Deal (GA)
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     Delahunt
     DeLauro
     Dent
     Diaz-Balart, L.
     Diaz-Balart, M.
     Dicks
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Donnelly (IN)
     Doyle
     Dreier
     Driehaus
     Duncan
     Edwards (MD)
     Edwards (TX)
     Ehlers
     Ellison
     Ellsworth
     Emerson
     Engel
     Eshoo
     Etheridge
     Faleomavaega
     Fallin
     Farr
     Fattah
     Filner
     Flake
     Fleming
     Forbes
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Foxx
     Frank (MA)
     Franks (AZ)
     Frelinghuysen
     Fudge
     Gallegly
     Garrett (NJ)
     Gerlach
     Giffords
     Gingrey (GA)
     Gohmert
     Gonzalez
     Goodlatte
     Gordon (TN)
     Granger
     Graves
     Grayson
     Green, Al
     Green, Gene
     Griffith
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                                NOES--2

     Honda
     Walden
       

                             NOT VOTING--5

     Connolly (VA)
     Himes
     Sanchez, Linda T.
     Stark
     Tanner


                    Announcement by the Acting Chair

  The Acting CHAIR (during the vote). There are 2 minutes remaining in 
the vote.

                              {time}  1504

  So the amendment was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  (By unanimous consent, Mr. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida was allowed 
to speak out of order.)


           Honorable Bill Young Casts 20,000th Recorded Vote

  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have the honor of 
co-chairing the Florida delegation along with my friend, Congressman 
Alcee Hastings.
  I rise to inform my colleagues that our good friend, the gentleman 
from Florida, Congressman Bill Young, the longest-serving Republican in 
the House and the dean of the Florida Delegation, has just cast his 
recorded vote number 20,000 in the House of Representatives.
  It is, indeed, a small and select group, Mr. Speaker, of 
distinguished Members in the history of the House of Representatives 
who have reached that important milestone.
  Bill Young was first elected in 1970 to the Congress. He cast his 
first recorded vote in January 1971. His vote total would be even 
higher today had the House not waited until 1973 to institute 
electronic voting.
  He cast his vote number 10,000 on November 18, 1991, to give approval 
to the conference report on the fiscal year 1992 defense authorization 
bill, which I believe is fitting, considering that he has devoted his 
career on the Appropriations Committee to the well-being of the men and 
women who serve our Nation in the Armed Forces.
  It has been my deep honor to serve with him. And I ask all of you, as 
I now yield to my dear friend, colleague and cochairman, Mr. Hastings, 
for all of us to congratulate Bill on this extraordinary achievement.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. I thank my colleague for yielding.
  As the cochair of the Florida delegation, I echo the sentiments that 
he has expressed and say to Bill Young, who I refer to all the time as 
Dean because he is the dean of the Florida delegation, to say to him my 
congratulations, and I am sure from all of us, recognizing the 
extraordinariness of having had that opportunity here in this body to 
cast that many votes.
  It reminds me, Bill, of Mr. Natcher who instructed me when I first 
came here, as he may have others. Mr. Natcher, as you know, had the 
longest running streak of consecutive votes.
  And I talked with Dale Kildee, who has been here with you, Bill. He 
has 26,000 at this time. But Mr. Natcher said to me, ``Miss a vote and 
get that albatross off from around your neck.'' I'm glad you have kept 
that albatross around your neck, and it's a proud day for all of us 
that you have cast your 20,000 votes.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield to the distinguished 
Republican leader, the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. BOEHNER. I think all of us can realize that 20,000 votes over the 
course of your career are quite a number of votes. But I think all of 
us can also realize that when you cast that many votes, there are going 
to be a lot of very important votes that will be cast over the period 
of 20,000.
  But beyond all of that, I think the real measure of what we have 
today is the measure of Bill Young's career in the House. Thirty-eight 
years of service to this institution, 38 years of friendship with 
Members on both sides of the aisle, and 38 years of distinguished 
service to us all.
  Bill, congratulations.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield to the distinguished 
majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding.
  Twenty thousand votes is a quantifiable criteria. What, for those of 
you who are new, is not as quantifiable is the real measure of the man.
  Twenty thousand votes, a conscientious Member. But the real measure 
of

[[Page H5523]]

Bill Young, which Americans would have observed had they been with him 
during each of those votes, is the decency of Bill Young, is the 
collegiality of Bill Young, of his inclination to reach across the 
aisle, reach across ideology, reach across and say, How can we do this 
together?
  Bill Young is an example for us all of how to treat one another and 
how to engage in this process, though we may have differences, in a way 
that built a better institution, not tore it down.
  That is why those 20,000 votes are deserving of so much respect, 
because the character with which they were cast and the character that 
characterize and continues to characterize the gentleman from Florida's 
service.
  Bill Young, we are in your debt. You have served your country well, 
and we look forward to years of service with you, my friend. Thank you.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield to the gentlewoman from 
California, the distinguished Speaker of the House.
  Speaker PELOSI. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank him for 
giving us this opportunity, he and Mr. Hastings, to express our 
appreciation to a great leader for our country.
  Here he is, modestly sitting in the furthest corner of the House--
well, it is his regular spot--but a person we all seek out, wherever he 
sits or wherever he is standing for his advice and his guidance.
  Speaking from the standpoint of a member of the Appropriations 
Committee, when Mr. Young was our distinguished chairman, I know 
everyone who served at that time on the committee agrees that he was a 
great chairman and that he listened to his members very carefully, that 
he moderated the debate, that the dignity he brought to that 
chairmanship was something that made us all proud on both sides of the 
aisle. And whatever the outcome, we knew that he would give everyone a 
chance to make his or her case.
  I wish to associate myself with all the other remarks that were made 
about Mr. Young. Oh, my goodness. Thousands and thousands of votes.
  But I also want to point out that all of us who care about our 
troops, our men and women in uniform, and particularly those who are 
harmed in the service of our country, not only of Mr. Young but his 
wife Beverly, who has been an angel in meeting the needs of our troops. 
Mr. Young officially on duty here, Beverly on a day-to-day basis, 
bringing comfort and refreshment to our troops.
  They are living examples of what we say in the military, that on the 
battlefield, we will leave no soldier behind, and when they come home, 
we will leave no veteran behind.

                              {time}  1515

  My thanks to Mr. Young for what you do to protect America, what you 
have done to advance the debate, and for your ongoing service to our 
country. I know I speak for everyone here when I say we are proud, each 
and every one of us, to call you ``colleague.''
  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Thank you, Madam Speaker. And 
thank you, our dear friend, Bill Young.

                          ____________________