[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.

                                 ______
                                 
      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.

[[Page S1795]]

  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.
                                 ______
                                 
      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

[[Page S1796]]

       (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.

[[Page S1797]]

       (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.

     

                          ____________________