[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1794-S1797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. UDALL (for himself, Mr. Gardner, Ms. Cortez Masto, and Mr.
Whitehouse):
S. 738. A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to
make the provision of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for E-rate
support; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, the Federal Communications Commission
Schools and Libraries program, commonly known as E-Rate, has helped
connect our schools and libraries to high-speed broadband. Recent
changes allowed for schools to pay for Wi-Fi on campuses, recognizing
that students are using laptops and other devices for learning. This
bill, cosponsored by my friends Senators Gardner, Cortez Masto, and
Whitehouse, would allow schools to receive reimbursement for Wi-Fi on
school buses--an idea inspired by a New Mexico high school student. A
few years ago, a football player from Hatch Valley High School in
Hatch, New Mexico told me how, after being on a bus for hours after a
game, he would sit in the dark parking lot of his school doing his
homework--because he didn't have high-speed broadband at home. Making
Wi-Fi available on school buses is one piece to solving the homework
gap--especially in rural areas. Adequate internet is an absolute
necessity in this day and age. And I will continue to work with my
colleagues to make sure every home in the country has adequate internet
access.
Mr. UDALL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 738
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. E-RATE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL BUS WI-FI.
(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``school bus''
means a passenger motor vehicle that is--
(1) designed to carry a driver and not less than 5
passengers; and
(2) used significantly to transport early child education,
elementary school, or secondary school students to or from
school or an event related to school.
(b) Rulemaking.--Notwithstanding the limitations under
paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(A) of section 254(h) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254(h)) regarding the
authorized recipients and uses of discounted
telecommunications services, not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications
Commission shall commence a rulemaking to make the provision
of Wi-Fi access on school buses eligible for support under
the E-rate program of the Commission set forth under subpart
F of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.
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By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Barrasso, Mr.
Whitehouse, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Capito, Mrs.
Gillibrand, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Van Hollen):
S. 747. A bill to reauthorize the diesel emissions reduction program,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works.
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise to talk about the Diesel Emissions
Reduction Act of 2019, or DERA, which I am introducing today with
Senators Inhofe, Barrasso, Whitehouse, Sullivan, Booker, Capito,
Gillibrand, Cramer and Van Hollen.
In today's hearing, we will be focusing on legislation that
reauthorizes a program that is near and dear to my heart--the Diesel
Emissions Reduction Act, or DERA. I would like to say thank you to my
DERA co-pilot, Senator Inhofe. Senator Inhofe has been a staunch
supporter of DERA since day one. I greatly appreciate his continued
support and the hard work of his staff on this legislation. I also
thank our cosponsors from last Congress who have joined us again this
year, Chairman Barrasso and Senator Whitehouse. Chairman Barrasso and
his staff teamed up with us last Congress to make DERA work even
better, and I appreciate his strong support. I also would like to say
thank you to our new cosponsors this year, Senators Sullivan, Booker,
Capito, Gillibrand, Cramer and Van Hollen.
In all my years of public service, it's not every day that I've seen
programs that generate this much bipartisan support--but, then again,
not many programs are as effective and commonsense as DERA.
Our Nation still relies heavily on diesel power to transport
commuters and kids, harvest our crops and build our infrastructure.
Today diesel engines are found everywhere, from our schools to our
ports, and from our highways to our agricultural fields.
Many of my colleagues have heard me say that the great thing about
diesel engines is that they last a long time. And the bad thing about
diesel engines is that they last a long time. Diesel engines are
reliable and efficient, but older diesel engines are big polluters.
Dirty diesel engine emissions are some of the biggest contributors to
our Nation's smog, soot and black carbon air pollution. These dirty
diesel emissions harm our health and our climate.
Because of smart emission standards, new and retrofitted diesel
engines using American technology are now much cleaner than older
diesel engines--over 90% cleaner. Unfortunately, diesel engines run
forever and there is little incentive for a diesel engine owner to
replace an engine before it breaks down. That's why today, more than a
decade after diesel emission standards were implemented by the EPA,
millions of older diesel engines that lack the latest pollution control
technology are still in use and will remain in use for decades to come.
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Back in 2005, my very good friend, the late-Senator from Ohio, George
Voinovich, came to me with an idea to help solve this problem--he came
to me with the idea for DERA. Senator Voinovich said to me, let's
provide financial incentives for people to replace or retrofit their
older diesel engines with American-made clean vehicle technology. He
told me that we can dramatically reduce diesel emissions, protect our
health and create jobs here at home. I said ``Sign me up!'' And I've
been DERA's strongest supporter ever since. In 2005, Congress passed
DERA faster than I think we've passed any EPA program ever before. This
simple idea has turned into one of EPA's most effective clean air
program on the books today.
For every dollar spent in the DERA program, our Nation sees $13 in
economic and health benefits. The emission reductions have helped
States meet clean air standards and resulted in more than $12.6 billion
in health benefits alone since the program's inception.
From requests for electric school buses, to replacement ferry
engines, to simple diesel retrofits, EPA tells us that the requests
keep coming in--but, unfortunately, funding for DERA far exceeds the
program's available funds. With millions of dirty diesel engines on our
roads, DERA is as important today as it was when it first started. Now,
we must work together to ensure that every State, Tribe and territory
can still benefit from this unique program.
At a time when our Nation is looking for ways to create jobs, have
healthier air and a better climate, cleaning up dirty diesel engines
through DERA stands out as a prime example of what works.
Today, I'm proud to continue the bipartisan tradition that started
more than 15 years ago with my good friend, Senator Voinovich. I look
forward to working with my colleagues to pass reauthorization of DERA
this Congress.
Thank you Mr. President.
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By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Ms. Collins):
S. 752. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide
for teacher and school leader quality enhancement and to enhance
institutional aid; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions.
Mr. KAINE. Mr. President. As career opportunities and the requisite
skills for success adapt to the demands of the 21st century, so too
must the instruction and preparation students receive. Educators are
tasked with designing educational experiences that rise to the rigorous
State academic standards and reflect the needs and interests of our
Nation's diverse student population. We have become accustomed to
welcoming the start of the school year with news headlines describing
overfilled classrooms and districts struggling to fill teacher
vacancies. Though the challenge of teacher and principal shortages is
felt broadly across the country, with a particularly acute impact on
our rural communities, it is an issue we can remedy.
The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is an opportunity to
strengthen the preparation and leaders and to further support State
efforts to successfully implement the Every Student Succeeds Act. It is
also an opportunity to address the fact that schools in high-need
communities are often staffed by a revolving door of underprepared and
inexperienced teachers who are unable to meet students' needs. This in
part due to State teacher shortages.
This is why I am pleased to introduce today with my colleague Senator
Collins, the Preparing and Retaining Education Professionals Act, or
PREP Act. As schools across our Nation continue to face growing class
sizes, many are struggling with a shortage of qualified teachers. Rural
communities in particular are experiencing a dearth of teachers
equipped to meet their growing needs. The PREP Act aims to create high-
quality teacher residency programs to develop a diverse workforce that
is well-prepared to provide the educational opportunities students need
to be successful in the 21st century.
More specifically, this legislation would expand the definition of
``high need'' districts under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to
include those experiencing teacher shortages in rural communities and
in areas such as special education, English language, science,
technology, engineering, math, and CTE, to allow for access to
additional support and improvement. It would also encourage school
districts to establish partnerships with local community colleges and
universities to ensure their education programs are developing future
teachers in content areas where there is currently a shortage of
educators. It would increase access to teacher and school leader
residency programs and preparation training while requiring States to
identify areas of teacher or leader shortages by subject across public
schools and use that data to target their efforts. Additionally, the
PREP Act bolsters support for teacher preparation programs at Minority
Serving Institutions (MSIs) or Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs) to invest in a diverse and well-prepared educator
workforce.
Improving our Nation's educational system is contingent on our
ability to prepare, support, and retain quality educators. Research
shows that better prepared teachers stay longer in the profession and
are more likely to remain in their roles and positively impact young
people and their communities. As we look to reauthorize the Higher
Education Act, I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle see
the PREP Act as a commonsense opportunity to help ensure that students
in every zip code across the country have the well-prepared teachers
and school leaders they deserve.
______
By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 763. A bill to establish the Climate Change Advisory Commission to
develop recommendations, frameworks, and guidelines for projects to
respond to the impacts of climate change, to issue Federal obligations,
the proceeds of which shall be used to fund projects that aid in
adaptation to climate change, and for other purposes; to the Committee
on Finance.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 763
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 ``Climate
Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2019''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COMMISSION
Sec. 101. Establishment of Climate Change Advisory Commission.
Sec. 102. Duties.
Sec. 103. Commission personnel matters.
Sec. 104. Funding.
Sec. 105. Termination.
TITLE II--CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY FUND
Sec. 201. Climate Change Resiliency Fund.
Sec. 202. Compliance with Davis-Bacon Act.
Sec. 203. Funding.
TITLE III--REVENUE
Sec. 301. Climate Change Obligations.
Sec. 302. Promotion.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
Except as otherwise provided, in this Act:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Climate
Change Advisory Commission established by section 101(a).
(2) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Climate Change
Resiliency Fund established by section 201(a)(1).
(3) Qualified climate change adaptation purpose.--
(A) In general.--The term ``qualified climate change
adaptation purpose'' means an objective with a demonstrated
intent to reduce the economic, social, and environmental
impact of the adverse effects of climate change.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``qualified climate change
adaptation purpose'' includes--
(i) infrastructure resiliency and mitigation;
(ii) improved disaster response; and
(iii) ecosystem protection.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
TITLE I--CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COMMISSION
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY
COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--There is established a commission to be
known as the ``Climate Change Advisory Commission''.
(b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of 11
members--
(1) who shall be selected from the public and private
sectors and institutions of higher education; and
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(2) of whom--
(A) 3 shall be appointed by the President, in consultation
with the Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force;
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives;
(C) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
House of Representatives;
(D) 2 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the
Senate; and
(E) 2 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
Senate.
(c) Terms.--Each member of the Commission shall be
appointed for the life of the Commission.
(d) Initial Appointments.--Each member of the Commission
shall be appointed not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(e) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(2) shall be filled in the manner in which the original
appointment was made.
(f) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed,
the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the
Commission.
(g) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson.
(h) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
(i) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Commission shall
select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the
members of the Commission.
SEC. 102. DUTIES.
The Commission shall--
(1) establish recommendations, frameworks, and guidelines
for a Federal investment program funded by revenue from
climate change obligations issued under section 301 for
States, municipalities, and other public entities, including
utility districts, transit authorities, and multistate
regulatory bodies that--
(A) improves and adapts energy, transportation, water, and
general infrastructure impacted or expected to be impacted
due to climate variability; and
(B) integrates best available science, data, standards,
models, and trends that improve the resiliency of
infrastructure systems described in subparagraph (A); and
(2) identify categories of the most cost-effective
investments and projects that emphasize multiple benefits to
commerce, human health, and ecosystems.
SEC. 103. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--
(1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the Commission who
is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall
be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during
which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties
of the Commission.
(2) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission who is
an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve
without compensation in addition to the compensation received
for the services of the member as an officer or employee of
the Federal Government.
(b) Travel Expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from the home or regular place of business
of the member in the performance of the duties of the
Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may,
without regard to the civil service laws (including
regulations), appoint and terminate such personnel as are
necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties of
the Commission.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of
personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code,
relating to classification of positions and General Schedule
pay rates.
(B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for personnel
shall not exceed the rate payable for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 104. FUNDING.
The Commission shall use amounts in the Fund to pay for all
administrative expenses of the Commission.
SEC. 105. TERMINATION.
The Commission shall terminate on such date as the
Commission determines after the Commission carries out the
duties of the Commission under section 102.
TITLE II--CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY FUND
SEC. 201. CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCY FUND.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established within the Department
of Commerce the ``Climate Change Resiliency Fund''.
(2) Responsibility of secretary.--The Secretary shall take
such action as the Secretary determines to be necessary to
assist in implementing the establishment of the Fund in
accordance with this Act.
(b) Climate Change Adaptation Projects.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Commission, shall carry out a program
to provide funds to eligible applicants to carry out projects
for a qualified climate change adaptation purpose.
(c) Eligible Entities.--An entity eligible to participate
in the program under subsection (b) shall include--
(1) a Federal agency;
(2) a State or a group of States;
(3) a unit of local government or a group of local
governments;
(4) a utility district;
(5) a tribal government or a consortium of tribal
governments;
(6) a State or regional transit agency or a group of State
or regional transit agencies;
(7) a nonprofit organization;
(8) a special purpose district or public authority,
including a port authority; and
(9) any other entity, as determined by the Secretary.
(d) Application.--An eligible entity shall submit to the
Secretary an application for a project for a qualified
climate change adaptation purpose at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require, including data relating to any benefits, such as
economic impact or improvements to public health, that the
project is expected to provide.
(e) Selection.--The Secretary shall select projects from
eligible entities to receive funds under this section based
on criteria and guidelines determined and published by the
Commission.
(f) Non-Federal Funding Requirement.--In order to receive
funds under this section, an eligible entity shall provide
funds for the project in an amount that is equal to not less
than 25 percent of the amount of funds provided under this
section.
(g) Maintenance of Effort.--All amounts deposited in the
Fund in accordance with section 301(a) shall be used only to
fund new projects in accordance with this Act.
(h) Applicability of Federal Law.--Nothing in this Act
waives the requirements of any Federal law (including
regulations) that would otherwise apply to a qualified
climate change project that receives funds under this
section.
SEC. 202. COMPLIANCE WITH DAVIS-BACON ACT.
(a) In General.--All laborers and mechanics employed by
contractors and subcontractors on projects funded directly by
or assisted in whole or in part by and through the Fund
pursuant to this title shall be paid wages at rates not less
than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in
the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in
accordance with subchapter IV of chapter 31 of part A of
title 40, United States Code.
(b) Labor Standards.--With respect to the labor standards
specified in this section, the Secretary of Labor shall have
the authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan
Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 U.S.C. App.) and
section 3145 of title 40, United States Code.
SEC. 203. FUNDING.
The Secretary shall use funds made available to the
Secretary and not otherwise obligated to carry out the
program under section 201(b).
TITLE III--REVENUE
SEC. 301. CLIMATE CHANGE OBLIGATIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury or
the Secretary's delegate (referred to in this title as the
``Secretary'') shall issue obligations under chapter 31 of
title 31, United States Code (referred to in this title as
``climate change obligations''), the proceeds from which
shall be deposited in the Fund.
(b) Full Faith and Credit.--Payment of interest and
principal with respect to any climate change obligation
issued under this section shall be made from the general fund
of the Treasury of the United States and shall be backed by
the full faith and credit of the United States.
(c) Exemption From Local Taxation.--All climate change
obligations issued by the Secretary, and the interest on or
credits with respect to such obligations, shall not be
subject to taxation by any State, county, municipality, or
local taxing authority.
(d) Amount of Climate Change Obligations.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
aggregate face amount of the climate change obligations
issued annually under this section shall be $200,000,000.
(2) Additional obligations.--For any calendar year in which
all of the obligations issued pursuant to paragraph (1) have
been purchased, the Secretary may issue additional climate
change obligations during such calendar year, provided that
the aggregate face amount of such additional obligations does
not exceed $800,000,000.
(e) Funding.--The Secretary shall use funds made available
to the Secretary and not otherwise obligated to carry out the
purposes of this section.
SEC. 302. PROMOTION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall promote the purchase
of climate change obligations through such means as are
determined appropriate by the Secretary, with the amount
expended for such promotion not to exceed $10,000,000 for any
fiscal year during the period of fiscal years 2020 through
2024.
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(b) Donated Advertising.--In addition to any advertising
paid for with funds made available under subsection (c), the
Secretary shall solicit and may accept the donation of
advertising relating to the sale of climate change
obligations.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each fiscal year
during the period of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, there is
authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out the
purposes of this section.
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