[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H788-H796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PROMOTING UNITED GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SAVE OUR SOUND ACT

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 2247) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 
to provide assistance for programs and activities to protect the water 
quality of Puget Sound, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2247

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting United Government 
     Efforts to Save Our Sound Act'' or the ``PUGET SOS Act''.

     SEC. 2. PUGET SOUND COORDINATED RECOVERY.

       Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
     U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 124. PUGET SOUND.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following 
     definitions apply:
       ``(1) Coastal nonpoint pollution control program.--The term 
     `Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program' means the State 
     of Washington's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program 
     approved by the Secretary of Commerce as required under 
     section 6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization 
     Amendments of 1990.
       ``(2) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
     the Program Office.
       ``(3) Federal action plan.--The term `Federal Action Plan' 
     means the plan developed under subsection (d)(2)(B).
       ``(4) International joint commission.--The term 
     `International Joint Commission' means the International 
     Joint Commission established by the United States and Canada 
     under the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 (36 
     Stat. 2448).
       ``(5) Pacific salmon commission.--The term `Pacific Salmon 
     Commission' means the Pacific Salmon Commission established 
     by the United States and Canada under the Treaty between the 
     Government of the United States of America and the Government 
     of Canada Concerning Pacific Salmon, signed at Ottawa, 
     January 28, 1985 (commonly known as the `Pacific Salmon 
     Treaty').
       ``(6) Program office.--The term `Program Office' means the 
     Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office established by 
     subsection (c).
       ``(7) Puget sound action agenda; action agenda.--The term 
     `Puget Sound Action Agenda' or `Action Agenda' means the most 
     recent plan developed by the Puget Sound National Estuary 
     Program Management Conference, in consultation with the Puget 
     Sound Tribal Management Conference, and approved by the 
     Administrator as the comprehensive conservation and 
     management plan for Puget Sound under section 320.
       ``(8) Puget sound federal leadership task force.--The term 
     `Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force' means the Puget 
     Sound Federal Leadership Task Force established under 
     subsection (d).
       ``(9) Puget sound federal task force.--The term `Puget 
     Sound Federal Task Force'

[[Page H789]]

     means the Puget Sound Federal Task Force established in 2016 
     under a memorandum of understanding among 9 Federal agencies.
       ``(10) Puget sound national estuary program management 
     conference; management conference.--The term `Puget Sound 
     National Estuary Program Management Conference' or 
     `Management Conference' means the management conference for 
     Puget Sound convened pursuant to section 320.
       ``(11) Puget sound partnership.--The term `Puget Sound 
     Partnership' means the State agency that is established under 
     the laws of the State of Washington (section 90.71.210 of the 
     Revised Code of Washington), or its successor agency, that 
     has been designated by the Administrator as the lead entity 
     to support the Puget Sound National Estuary Program 
     Management Conference.
       ``(12) Puget sound region.--
       ``(A) In general.--The term `Puget Sound region' means the 
     land and waters in the northwest corner of the State of 
     Washington from the Canadian border to the north to the 
     Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood Canal and the 
     Strait of Juan de Fuca.
       ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `Puget Sound region' includes 
     all of the water that falls on the Olympic and Cascade 
     Mountains and flows to meet Puget Sound's marine waters.
       ``(13) Puget sound tribal management conference.--The term 
     `Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference' means the 20 
     treaty Indian tribes of western Washington and the Northwest 
     Indian Fisheries Commission.
       ``(14) Salish sea.--The term `Salish Sea' means the network 
     of coastal waterways on the west coast of North America that 
     includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the 
     Strait of Juan de Fuca.
       ``(15) Salmon recovery plans.--The term `Salmon Recovery 
     Plans' means the recovery plans for salmon and steelhead 
     species approved by the Secretary of the Interior under 
     section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
       ``(16) State advisory committee.--The term `State Advisory 
     Committee' means the advisory committee established by 
     subsection (e).
       ``(17) Treaty rights at risk initiative.--The term `Treaty 
     Rights at Risk Initiative' means the report from the treaty 
     Indian tribes of western Washington entitled `Treaty Rights 
     at Risk: Ongoing Habitat Loss, the Decline of the Salmon 
     Resource, and Recommendations for Change' and dated July 14, 
     2011, or its successor report, which outlines issues and 
     offers solutions for the protection of Tribal treaty rights, 
     recovery of salmon habitat, and management of sustainable 
     treaty and nontreaty salmon fisheries, including through 
     tribal salmon hatchery programs.
       ``(b) Consistency.--All Federal agencies represented on the 
     Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall act 
     consistently with the protection of Tribal, treaty-reserved 
     rights and, to the greatest extent practicable given such 
     agencies' existing obligations under Federal law, act 
     consistently with the objectives and priorities of the Action 
     Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk 
     Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
     Program, when--
       ``(1) conducting Federal agency activities within or 
     outside Puget Sound that affect any land or water use or 
     natural resources of Puget Sound and its tributary waters, 
     including activities performed by a contractor for the 
     benefit of a Federal agency;
       ``(2) interpreting and enforcing regulations that impact 
     the restoration and protection of Puget Sound;
       ``(3) issuing Federal licenses or permits that impact the 
     restoration and protection of Puget Sound; and
       ``(4) granting Federal assistance to State, local, and 
     Tribal governments for activities related to the restoration 
     and protection of Puget Sound.
       ``(c) Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery 
     National Program Office to be located in the State of 
     Washington.
       ``(2) Director.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Director of the Program Office shall 
     be a career reserved position, as such term is defined in 
     section 3132(a)(8) of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(B) Qualifications.--The Director of the Program Office 
     shall have leadership and project management experience and 
     shall be highly qualified to--
       ``(i) direct the integration of multiple project planning 
     efforts and programs from different agencies and 
     jurisdictions; and
       ``(ii) align numerous, and often conflicting, needs toward 
     implementing a shared Action Agenda with visible and 
     measurable outcomes.
       ``(3) Delegation of authority; staffing.--Using amounts 
     made available pursuant to subsection (i), the Administrator 
     shall delegate to the Director such authority and provide 
     such staff as may be necessary to carry out this section.
       ``(4) Duties.--The Director shall--
       ``(A) coordinate and manage the timely execution of the 
     requirements of this section, including the formation and 
     meetings of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force;
       ``(B) coordinate activities related to the restoration and 
     protection of Puget Sound across the Environmental Protection 
     Agency;
       ``(C) coordinate and align the activities of the 
     Administrator with the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
     the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
     Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
       ``(D) promote the efficient use of Environmental Protection 
     Agency resources in pursuit of Puget Sound restoration and 
     protection;
       ``(E) serve on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force and collaborate with, help coordinate, and implement 
     activities with other Federal agencies that have 
     responsibilities involving Puget Sound restoration and 
     protection;
       ``(F) provide or procure such other advice, technical 
     assistance, research, assessments, monitoring, or other 
     support as is determined by the Director to be necessary or 
     prudent to most efficiently and effectively fulfill the 
     objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon 
     Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
     Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program consistent with 
     the best available science and to ensure the health of the 
     Puget Sound ecosystem;
       ``(G) track the progress of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency towards meeting the Agency's specified objectives and 
     priorities within the Action Agenda and the Federal Action 
     Plan;
       ``(H) implement the recommendations of the Comptroller 
     General, set forth in the report entitled `Puget Sound 
     Restoration: Additional Actions Could Improve Assessments of 
     Progress' and dated July 19, 2018;
       ``(I) serve as liaison and coordinate activities for the 
     restoration and protection of the Salish Sea, with Canadian 
     authorities, the Pacific Salmon Commission, and the 
     International Joint Commission; and
       ``(J) carry out such additional duties as the Administrator 
     determines necessary and appropriate.
       ``(d) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force.
       ``(2) Duties.--
       ``(A) General duties.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
     Task Force shall--
       ``(i) uphold Federal trust responsibilities to restore and 
     protect resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights, including 
     by carrying out government-to-government consultation with 
     Indian tribes when requested by such tribes;
       ``(ii) provide a venue for dialogue and coordination across 
     all Federal agencies on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
     Task Force to align Federal resources for the purposes of 
     carrying out the requirements of this section and all other 
     Federal laws that contribute to the restoration and 
     protection of Puget Sound, including by--

       ``(I) enabling and encouraging the Federal agencies 
     represented on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
     to act consistently with the objectives and priorities of the 
     Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
     Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
     Program;
       ``(II) facilitating the coordination of Federal activities 
     that impact the restoration and protection of Puget Sound;
       ``(III) facilitating the delivery of feedback given by 
     Federal agencies to the Puget Sound Partnership during the 
     development of the Action Agenda;
       ``(IV) facilitating the resolution of interagency conflicts 
     associated with the restoration and protection of Puget Sound 
     among the agencies represented on the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force;
       ``(V) providing a forum for exchanging information among 
     agencies regarding activities being conducted, including 
     obstacles or efficiencies found, during Puget Sound 
     restoration and protection activities; and
       ``(VI) promoting the efficient use of government resources 
     in pursuit of Puget Sound restoration and protection through 
     coordination and collaboration, including by ensuring that 
     the Federal efforts relating to the science necessary for 
     restoration and protection of Puget Sound are consistent, and 
     not duplicative, across the Federal Government;

       ``(iii) catalyze public leaders at all levels to work 
     together toward shared goals by demonstrating interagency 
     best practices coming from the members of the Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force;
       ``(iv) provide advice and support on scientific and 
     technical issues and act as a forum for the exchange of 
     scientific information about Puget Sound;
       ``(v) identify and inventory Federal environmental research 
     and monitoring programs related to Puget Sound, and provide 
     such inventory to the Puget Sound National Estuary Program 
     Management Conference;
       ``(vi) ensure that Puget Sound restoration and protection 
     activities are as consistent as practicable with ongoing 
     restoration and protection and related efforts in the Salish 
     Sea that are being conducted by Canadian authorities, the 
     Pacific Salmon Commission, and the International Joint 
     Commission;
       ``(vii) establish any necessary working groups or advisory 
     committees necessary to assist the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force in its duties, including public policy 
     and scientific issues;
       ``(viii) raise national awareness of the significance of 
     Puget Sound;
       ``(ix) work with the Office of Management and Budget to 
     give input on the crosscut budget under subsection (h); and

[[Page H790]]

       ``(x) submit a biennial report under subsection (g) on the 
     progress made toward carrying out the Federal Action Plan.
       ``(B) Puget sound federal action plan.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
     Task Force shall develop and approve a Federal Action Plan 
     that leverages Federal programs across agencies and serves to 
     coordinate diverse programs on a specific suite of priorities 
     on Puget Sound recovery.
       ``(ii) Revision of puget sound federal action plan.--Not 
     less often than once every 5 years after the date of 
     completion of the Federal Action Plan described in clause 
     (i), the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall 
     review, and revise as appropriate, the Federal Action Plan.
       ``(C) Feedback by federal agencies.--In facilitating 
     feedback under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), the Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force shall request Federal agencies 
     to consider, at a minimum, possible Federal actions designed 
     to--
       ``(i) further the goals, targets, and actions of the Action 
     Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk 
     Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
     Program;
       ``(ii) implement and enforce this Act, the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973, and all other Federal laws that 
     contribute to the restoration and protection of Puget Sound, 
     including those that protect Tribal treaty rights;
       ``(iii) prevent the introduction and spread of invasive 
     species;
       ``(iv) prevent the destruction of marine and wildlife 
     habitats;
       ``(v) protect, restore, and conserve forests, wetlands, 
     riparian zones, and nearshore waters that provide marine and 
     wildlife habitat;
       ``(vi) promote resilience to climate change and ocean 
     acidification effects;
       ``(vii) conserve and recover endangered species under the 
     Endangered Species Act of 1973;
       ``(viii) restore fisheries so that they are sustainable and 
     productive;
       ``(ix) preserve biodiversity;
       ``(x) restore and protect ecosystem services that provide 
     clean water, filter toxic chemicals, and increase ecosystem 
     resilience; and
       ``(xi) improve water quality and restore wildlife habitat, 
     including by preventing and managing stormwater runoff, 
     incorporating erosion control techniques and trash capture 
     devices, using sustainable stormwater practices, and 
     mitigating and minimizing nonpoint source pollution, 
     including marine litter.
       ``(3) Participation of state advisory committee and puget 
     sound tribal management conference.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force shall carry out its duties with input from, and in 
     collaboration with, the State Advisory Committee and Puget 
     Sound Tribal Management Conference.
       ``(B) Specific advice and recommendations.--The Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force shall seek the advice and 
     recommendations of the State Advisory Committee and Puget 
     Sound Tribal Management Conference on the actions, progress, 
     and issues pertaining to restoration and protection of Puget 
     Sound.
       ``(4) Membership.--
       ``(A) Qualifications.--Members appointed under this 
     paragraph shall have experience and expertise in matters of 
     restoration and protection of large watersheds and bodies of 
     water or related experience that will benefit the restoration 
     and protection effort of Puget Sound.
       ``(B) Composition.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force shall be composed of the following members:
       ``(i) Secretary of agriculture.--The following individuals 
     appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture:

       ``(I) A representative of the National Forest Service.
       ``(II) A representative of the Natural Resources 
     Conservation Service.

       ``(ii) Secretary of commerce.--A representative of the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration appointed by 
     the Secretary of Commerce.
       ``(iii) Secretary of defense.--The following individuals 
     appointed by the Secretary of Defense:

       ``(I) A representative of the Corps of Engineers.
       ``(II) A representative of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
       ``(III) A representative of the Navy Region Northwest.

       ``(iv) Director.--The Director of the Program Office.
       ``(v) Secretary of homeland security.--The following 
     individuals appointed by the Secretary of Homeland Security:

       ``(I) A representative of the Coast Guard.
       ``(II) A representative of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency.

       ``(vi) Secretary of the interior.--The following 
     individuals appointed by the Secretary of the Interior:

       ``(I) A representative of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
       ``(II) A representative of the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service.
       ``(III) A representative of the United States Geological 
     Survey.
       ``(IV) A representative of the National Park Service.

       ``(vii) Secretary of transportation.--The following 
     individuals appointed by the Secretary of Transportation:

       ``(I) A representative of the Federal Highway 
     Administration.
       ``(II) A representative of the Federal Transit 
     Administration.

       ``(viii) Additional members.--Representatives of such other 
     agencies, programs, and initiatives as the Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force determines necessary.
       ``(5) Leadership.--The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Puget 
     Sound Federal Leadership Task Force completes its duties 
     through robust discussion of all relevant issues. The Co-
     Chairs shall share leadership responsibilities equally.
       ``(6) Co-chairs.--The following members of the Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force appointed under paragraph (5) 
     shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force:
       ``(A) The representative of the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration.
       ``(B) The representative of the Puget Sound Recovery 
     National Program Office.
       ``(C) The representative of the Corps of Engineers.
       ``(7) Meetings.--
       ``(A) Initial meeting.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
     Task Force shall meet not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this section--
       ``(i) to determine if all Federal agencies are properly 
     represented;
       ``(ii) to establish the bylaws of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force;
       ``(iii) to establish necessary working groups or 
     committees; and
       ``(iv) to determine subsequent meeting times, dates, and 
     logistics.
       ``(B) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial meeting, the 
     Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall meet, at a 
     minimum, twice per year to carry out the duties of the Puget 
     Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
       ``(C) Working group meetings.--Meetings of any established 
     working groups or committees of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force shall not be considered a biannual 
     meeting for purposes of subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Joint meetings.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
     Task Force shall offer to meet jointly with the Puget Sound 
     National Estuary Program Management Conference and the Puget 
     Sound Tribal Management Conference, at a minimum, once per 
     year. A joint meeting under this subparagraph may be 
     considered a biannual meeting of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force for purposes of subparagraph (B), if 
     agreed upon.
       ``(E) Quorum.--A majority number of the members of the 
     Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall constitute a 
     quorum.
       ``(F) Voting.--For the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force to pass a measure, a two-thirds percentage of the 
     quorum must vote in the affirmative.
       ``(8) Puget sound federal leadership task force procedures 
     and advice.--
       ``(A) Advisors.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force, and any working group of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force, may seek advice and input from any 
     interested, knowledgeable, or affected party as the Puget 
     Sound Federal Leadership Task Force or working group, 
     respectively, determines necessary to perform its duties.
       ``(B) Compensation.--A member of the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force shall receive no additional 
     compensation for service as a member on the Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force.
       ``(C) Travel expenses.--Travel expenses incurred by a 
     member of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force in 
     the performance of service on the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force may be paid by the agency or department 
     that the member represents.
       ``(9) Puget sound federal task force.--
       ``(A) In general.--On the date of enactment of this 
     section, the 2016 memorandum of understanding establishing 
     the Puget Sound Federal Task Force shall cease to be 
     effective.
       ``(B) Use of previous work.--The Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force shall, to the extent practicable, use 
     the work product produced, relied upon, and analyzed by the 
     Puget Sound Federal Task Force in order to avoid duplicating 
     the efforts of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
       ``(e) State Advisory Committee.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a State Advisory 
     Committee.
       ``(2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 7 
     members designated by the governing body of the Puget Sound 
     Partnership, in consultation with the Governor of Washington, 
     who will represent Washington State agencies that have 
     significant roles and responsibilities related to Puget Sound 
     recovery.
       ``(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Puget Sound 
     Federal Leadership Task Force, State Advisory Committee, and 
     any working group of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
     Force, shall not be considered an advisory committee under 
     the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
       ``(g) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force Biennial 
     Report on Puget Sound Recovery Activities.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the 
     Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, in collaboration 
     with the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference and the 
     State Advisory Committee, shall submit to the President, 
     Congress, the Governor of Washington, and

[[Page H791]]

     the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership a report 
     that summarizes the progress, challenges, and milestones of 
     the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force on the 
     restoration and protection of Puget Sound.
       ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include a description of the following:
       ``(A) The roles and progress of each State, local 
     government entity, and Federal agency that has jurisdiction 
     in the Puget Sound region toward meeting the identified 
     objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon 
     Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
     Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
       ``(B) If available, the roles and progress of Tribal 
     governments that have jurisdiction in the Puget Sound region 
     toward meeting the identified objectives and priorities of 
     the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights 
     at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
     Control Program.
       ``(C) A summary of specific recommendations concerning 
     implementation of the Action Agenda and Federal Action Plan, 
     including challenges, barriers, and anticipated milestones, 
     targets, and timelines.
       ``(D) A summary of progress made by Federal agencies toward 
     the priorities identified in the Federal Action Plan.
       ``(h) Crosscut Budget Report.--
       ``(1) Financial report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years 
     thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and 
     Budget, in consultation with the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force, shall, in conjunction with the annual 
     budget submission of the President to Congress for the year 
     under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, submit 
     to Congress and make available to the public, including on 
     the internet, a financial report that is certified by the 
     head of each agency represented by the Puget Sound Federal 
     Leadership Task Force.
       ``(2) Contents.--The report shall contain an interagency 
     crosscut budget relating to Puget Sound restoration and 
     protection activities that displays--
       ``(A) the proposed funding for any Federal restoration and 
     protection activity to be carried out in the succeeding 
     fiscal year, including any planned interagency or intra-
     agency transfer, for each of the Federal agencies that carry 
     out restoration and protection activities;
       ``(B) the estimated expenditures for Federal restoration 
     and protection activities from the preceding 2 fiscal years, 
     the current fiscal year, and the succeeding fiscal year; and
       ``(C) the estimated expenditures for Federal environmental 
     research and monitoring programs from the preceding 2 fiscal 
     years, the current fiscal year, and the succeeding fiscal 
     year.
       ``(3) Included recovery activities.--With respect to 
     activities described in the report, the report shall only 
     describe activities that have funding amounts more than 
     $100,000.
       ``(4) Submission to congress.--The Director of the Office 
     of Management and Budget shall submit the report to--
       ``(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
     Natural Resources, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
     House of Representatives; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
       ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any 
     other funds authorized to be appropriated for activities 
     related to Puget Sound, there is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
       ``(j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing 
     Federal Status.--
       ``(1) Tribal treaty rights.--Nothing in this section 
     affects, or is intended to affect, any right reserved by 
     treaty between the United States and 1 or more Indian tribes.
       ``(2) Other federal law.--Nothing in this section affects 
     the requirements and procedures of other Federal law.
       ``(k) Consistency.--Actions authorized or implemented under 
     this section shall be consistent with--
       ``(1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Salmon 
     Recovery Plans of the State of Washington;
       ``(2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and the 
     Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
       ``(3) the water quality standards of the State of 
     Washington approved by the Administrator under section 303; 
     and
       ``(4) other applicable Federal requirements.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Higgins of New York). Pursuant to the 
rule, the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) and the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mast) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2247, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2247 would establish a new program office within 
EPA to enhance rehabilitation efforts for Puget Sound in Washington 
State. Introduced by the gentlemen from Washington, Mr. Heck and Mr. 
Kilmer, H.R. 2247 builds off an existing program for the Sound under 
EPA's National Estuary Program.
  The bill authorizes $50 million annually over 5 years to establish a 
Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force that will be responsible for 
coordinating the wide-ranging priorities for recovery of the region.
  We heard in our subcommittee hearing in June that human development 
has degraded the water quality and habitat of the Sound. We need to do 
more to protect our iconic waters, like Puget Sound, on which 4.5 
million people rely for food, clean water, and other ecosystem 
services.
  We also know that the health of these waterways impacts critical 
species, such as salmon and the orca whales and a variety of other 
wildlife across the State. The Sound has been a member of the National 
Estuary Program since 1988, engaging in a wide range of habitat 
protection, water quality improvement and monitoring, but a recent GAO 
study found that the threat the Sound faces outpace efforts to combat 
them. In short, we must support a more directed approach to helping the 
entire Puget Sound recover.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2247, and I include 
in the Record letters of support from Northwest Indian Fisheries 
Commission, Puget Sound Partnership, and the National Audubon Society.
                                                  Northwest Indian


                                         Fisheries Commission,

                             Olympia, Washington, August 22, 2019.
     Re NWIFC Support for H.R. 2247--Promoting United Government 
         Efforts to Save Our Sound Act.

     Hon. Peter DeFazio,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves, and Honorable 
     Members of the Committee: The Northwest Indian Fisheries 
     Commission wishes to express our support for H.R. 2247 and 
     respectfully requests passage of this important bill referred 
     to your committee. The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission 
     is comprised of the 20 treaty Indian tribes in western 
     Washington, who have constitutionally protected, federally 
     adjudicated, treaty-reserved rights to harvest, manage, and 
     consume salmon and shellfish in their usual and accustomed 
     areas. These treaty-reserved resources are inextricably 
     linked to the health of Puget Sound. If we cannot recover 
     Puget Sound, we will not recover salmon, we will not maintain 
     our culturally and economically significant shellfish 
     fishery, and we will not protect our treaty-reserved rights.
       We support H.R. 2247 because it recognizes the role of 
     tribes as sovereign governments working collaboratively to 
     restore our shared waters. The bill also provides a logical 
     approach to Puget Sound recovery, by encouraging a more 
     efficient use of government through improved federal agency 
     coordination on Puget Sound actions. It is only logical that 
     government agencies would align their related activities to 
     compliment the significant contribution of federal funding 
     directed toward restoration and not undermine those 
     investments or our treaty-reserved rights.
       We also support H.R. 2247 because it authorizes much needed 
     increases to Puget Sound funding. We greatly appreciate the 
     Geographic Program-Puget Sound appropriations Congress 
     continues to provide. However, funding for Puget Sound 
     recovery needs to be significantly increased to address the 
     numerous threats that the Sound and our reserved-rights face.
       For these reasons, we respectfully request you support 
     passage of H.R. 2247 and thank you for taking the time to 
     consider the bill and the important issues it addresses. We 
     also extend our gratitude to Representative Heck for his 
     leadership in introducing H.R. 2247, recognizing the 
     important role of tribes and treaty rights in Puget Sound 
     recovery, and taking the initiative to advance Puget Sound 
     recovery as a national priority.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lorraine Loomis,
                                                      Chairperson.

[[Page H792]]

     
                                  ____
                                                  August 13, 2019.
     Hon. Peter DeFazio,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves: We, the 
     undersigned, are writing to urge your support to pass H.R. 
     2247, the ``Promoting United Government Efforts To Save Our 
     Sound'' (PUGET SOS) Act, introduced earlier this year by 
     Congressman Denny Heck and Congressman Derek Kilmer to 
     strengthen federal support for actions that are essential to 
     Puget Sound recovery.
       Puget Sound is a complex ecosystem encompassing mountains, 
     farmlands, cities, rivers, forests, and wetlands. Sixteen 
     major rivers flow to Puget Sound and 20 treaty tribes call 
     the region home.
       Currently, 4.5 million people live in the Puget Sound area, 
     with another 1.3 million expected to live here by 2040. In 
     May, the Seattle Times reported that Seattle was the second 
     fastest growing city in the nation in 2018, and the fastest 
     in 2017. We are a region of innovators and entrepreneurs: 11 
     Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Puget Sound 
     area, many of which have shaped 21st century life. Our 
     economy is roaring, and the region's natural beauty and 
     recreational opportunities help businesses and companies 
     attract top talent.
       On the surface, Puget Sound looks healthy and inviting, 
     but, in fact, Puget Sound is in grave trouble. Southern 
     Resident orcas, Chinook salmon, and steelhead are all listed 
     under the Endangered Species Act. Toxic chemicals and 
     pharmaceuticals continue to pollute our waterways, and 
     shellfish beds are routinely closed to commercial and 
     recreational harvest due to fecal contamination. Despite a 
     significant investment of energy and resources from federal, 
     tribal, state, and local governments, habitat degradation 
     continues to outpace restoration.
       While this situation at times seems impossibly gloomy, the 
     hundreds of passionate people who are devoted to seeing the 
     return of a healthy and resilient Puget Sound give us hope.
       Scientists say that we can still recover Puget Sound, but 
     only if we act boldly now. We know what we need to do. The 
     primary barriers between us and more food for orcas, clean 
     and sufficient water for people and fish, sustainable working 
     lands, and harvestable shellfish are funding and political 
     fortitude.
       The single greatest step we could take to ensure a durable, 
     systematic, and science-based effort for Puget Sound recovery 
     is to fully fund the implementation of habitat protection and 
     restoration, water quality protection, and salmon recovery 
     programs.
       The PUGET SOS Act (H.R. 2247) would authorize up to $50 
     million in funding for Puget Sound recovery, a significant 
     and very welcome jump from the $28 million per year that 
     Congress has appropriated for the last several fiscal years.
       The PUGET SOS Act also aligns federal agency expertise and 
     resources. These are tremendous assets. Ensuring that federal 
     agencies are coordinated, setting goals, and holding each 
     other accountable will help increase their effectiveness and 
     provide yet another boost to Puget Sound recovery. 
     Establishing the Puget Sound Program Office at the EPA and 
     codifying a Federal Task Force promises that these goals will 
     be met.
       Passage of the PUGET SOS Act would demonstrate to the 
     nation that Puget Sound is vital to the economic, cultural, 
     and environmental security of the United States. By investing 
     significantly in the health and wellbeing of Puget Sound, 
     federal decision-makers demonstrate to the nation that Puget 
     Sound is worth saving.
       Thank you for your past support of Puget Sound recovery. We 
     urge you to support H.R. 2247, the PUGET SOS Act, to ensure 
     that the federal government is a viable, willing partner in 
     this race against time.
           Sincerely,

                                           Laura L. Blackmore,

                                               Executive Director,
                                          Puget Sound Partnership.
       Eoin Doherty, Independent Contractor; Nicholas Georgiadis, 
     PhD, Sr. Research Scientist, Puget Sound Institute, 
     University of Washington; Tansy Schroeder, Island County 
     Planning & Community Development; Steve Dubiel, Executive 
     Director, EarthCorps; Jeanette Dorner, Chair, Pierce 
     Conservation District; Jesse Salomon, Senator, 32nd 
     Legislative District; Dave Somers, Snohomish County 
     Executive; Diane Buckshnis, Edmonds City Council Position #4, 
     WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council; Stephanie Wright, Snohomish 
     County Councilmember.
       Katherine Walton, Livable Communities Coordinator, 
     Futurewise; Helen Price Johnson, Board of Island County 
     Commissioner; Dennis McLerran, Cascadia Law Group; Terry 
     Williams, Co-chair, Snohomish Basin Salmon, Recovery Forum; 
     James W. Miller; Co-chair, Snohomish Basin Salmon, Recovery 
     Forum; Norm Dicks, Former United States Representative, House 
     Appropriations Committee, Defense Sub; Mark Phillips, City of 
     Lake Forest Park Councilmember, Vice Chair of WRIA 8 Salmon 
     Recovery Council; Stephanie Solien, Co-chair, Southern 
     Resident Orca Task Force; Will Hall, Mayor for City of 
     Shoreline.
       John Hoekstra on behalf of Mountains to Sound Greenway 
     Trust; Denis Law, Mayor, City of Renton; Teresa Mosqueda, 
     Seattle City Councilmember; Stephanie Buffum, Executive 
     Director, Friends of the San Juans; Teresa Mosqueda, Seattle 
     City Councilmember; John Stokes, City of Bellevue 
     Councilmember, Chair of WRIA 8 Salmon Recovery Council; 
     Jacques White, Executive Director, Long Live the Kings; 
     Commissioner Janet St. Clair, Board of Island County 
     Commissioners, District 3; John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, 
     Secretary, Department of Health.
       Stephanie Wright, Executive Director, RE Sources for 
     Sustainable Communities; Shari Tarantino, Board President, 
     Orca Conservancy; Robert Davidson, President & CEO, Seattle 
     Aquarium; David Baker, Mayor, City of Kenmore; Director 
     Alison Studley on behalf of Skagit Fisheries Enhancement 
     Group; Allan Elkberg, Mayor, City of Tukwila; Mindy Roberts, 
     Program Director, WA Environmental Council; Kathy Lambert, 
     King County Councilmember.
       Nancy Backus, Mayor, City of Auburn; Howard Garrett, Orca 
     Network President; Dow Constantine, King County Executive; 
     David O. Earling, Mayor, City of Edmonds; Lunell Haught, 
     President, League of Women Voters of Washington; Wendy D. 
     McDermott, Director, Rivers of Puget Sound-Columbia Basin; 
     Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands; Charlotte 
     Garrido, Kitsap County Commissioner; Stephanie Bowman, 
     Commission President, Port of Seattle.
       Clare Petrich, Commission President, Port of Tacoma, Co-
     Chair, The Northwest Seaport Alliance; Maia D. Belion, 
     Director, WA State Department of Ecology; Gail Gatton on 
     behalf of Audubon Washington, Executive Director and Vice 
     President; Senator Derek Stanford, Washington State Senate, 
     1st Leg District; Jamie Stephens, San Juan County Council 
     Chair; Jay Manning, Chair, Leadership Council, Puget Sound 
     Partnership; Mayor Jim Ferrell on behalf of City of Federal 
     Way; Councilmember Keith Scully, City of Shoreline; Chairman 
     Jeromy Sullivan on behalf of Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe; 
     John Marchione, Mayor, City of Raymond.
       Matt Pina, Mayor, City of Des Moines; Joshua Morris, Urban 
     Conservation Manager, Seattle Audubon Society; Kelly 
     Susewind, Director, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife; 
     Colleen Weiler, Jessica Rekos Fellowship, Whale and Dolphin 
     Conservation; Sam Merrill, Chair, Conservation Committee, 
     Black Hills Audubon Society; Jimmy Matta, Major, City of 
     Burien; Representative Cindy Ryu, Washington House of 
     Representatives, 32nd Leg District; Victoria R. Woodards, 
     Mayor, City of Tacoma; Jeff Wagner, Mayor, City of Covington.
       Penny Sweet, Mayor, Kirkland City Council; Michael Dawson, 
     Water Quality Manager, Jefferson County Public Health; Matt 
     Deniston, Managing Partner, Sitka Tech Group; President 
     Arthur Campbell, N. Central Washington Audubon Society; 
     Director Rachel Vasak on behalf of Nooksack Salmon 
     Enhancement Assoc.; Karen Larkin, Chair, Tacoma Public 
     Utility Board; Austin Bell, Deputy Mayor, City of 
     Burien; Secretary Kurt Fremont, Puyallup River Watershed 
     Council on behalf of President Carrie Hernandez and the 
     Board of Directors for the Puyallup River Watershed 
     Council; Nancy Tosta, Councilmember, City of Burien, 
     Chair, Burien Airport Committee; Bob Edgar, Councilmember, 
     City of Burien.
       Lucy Krakowiak, Councilmember, City of Burien; Nate 
     Nehring, Councilmember, Snohomish County; Representative 
     Steve Tharinger, Washington State House of Representatives, 
     24th District, Co-Chair of the Strait Ecosystem Recovery 
     Local Integrating Organization; Krystal Marx, Councilmember, 
     City of Burien; Pedro Qlguin, Councilmember, City of Burien; 
     Deborah Jensen, Principal, D Jensen & Associates; Jessie 
     Israel, Director, Puget Sound Conservation, The Nature 
     Conservancy in Washington; Karen Affeld, Executive Director, 
     N. Olympic Peninsula Resource Conservation & Dev. Council; 
     Commissioner Kate Dean, Jefferson County, Co-Chair of Strait 
     Ecosystem Recovery Network Local Integrating Organization.
       Other Individuals and Organizations:
       Richard Brocksmith, Executive Director, Skagit Watershed 
     Council; Zero Waste Washington; Liz Christeleit, Sitka 
     Technology Group; Peggen Frank, Executive Director, Salmon 
     Defense; Michael Messina, Director, Market Development & 
     Business Affairs, Whooshh Innovations; Jennifer Grathwol 
     Thomas, MES Principal Ecologist Water & Land Natural Resource 
     Consulting; Heidi M. Kirk, Processing Manager, Evergreen Home 
     Loans; Jim Wilcox, Wilcox Farms; Rebecca Benjamin, Executive 
     Director, North Olympic Salmon Coalition; Aaron Peterson, 
     Managing Director, Regional Fisheries Coalition; Auburn City 
     Council.
       Diana Gale, Puget Sound Partnership, Board of Directors, 
     2007-2016; Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society; Dana C. Ward, 
     Co-Chair Conservation Committee on behalf of Lower Columbia 
     Basin Audubon Society; Bill Blake, Co-chair, Stillaguamish 
     Watershed; Bill Dewey, Taylor Shellfish Farms; Cindy Spiry, 
     Snoqualmie Tribe, on behalf of Snoqualmie Watershed Forum; 
     Neala Kendall, PhD, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife; 
     Tessa Francis, University of Washington; Larry Franks, 
     Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery; Don Hunger, 
     Executive Director, Northwest Straits Foundation; David 
     Bestock, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association; 
     Laurie Gogic, Whale Scout.
       Chris Garcia, City Council--City of North Bend; Jim Ribail, 
     Carnation City Council, Position 2; Terry Ryan, Snohomish 
     County Council Chair; Puget Soundkeeper Alliance; Toby 
     Murray, Leadership Council Member,

[[Page H793]]

     Puget Sound Partnership; Robert Kaye, Conservation Committee 
     Chair, North Cascades Audubon; John Burk, Division Manager, 
     City of Tacoma; Nan McKay, Member, Northwest Straits 
     Commission, Member, Northwest Straits Foundation Board of 
     Directors, Past Chair, Puget Sound Action Team, Past 
     Executive Director, Puget Sound Water Quality Authority; 
     Rodney Pond, Executive Director, Sound Salmon Solutions; 
     Mendy Harlow, Executive Director, Hood Canal Salmon 
     Enhancement Group; Lance Winecka, Executive Director, South 
     Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group; Jan Newton, Co-
     Director, Washington Ocean Acidification Center; Terrie 
     Klinger, Co-Director, Washington Ocean Acidification Center; 
     Alan Clark, Chair, Northwest Straits Commission; Snohomish 
     Conservation District; Jeff Osmundson, President, Skagit 
     Audubon Society; Deborah Stinson, Mayor, City of Port 
     Townsend.
       Private Citizens:
       Elizabeth Chapple, Donna J. Nickerson, Kimi Izzi, Natasha 
     Lozano, Holly Powers, Jennifer Stock, Phil Arminger, Linda 
     Studley, Lynn Stansbury, Raven Skyriver, Fred Rowley, Angela 
     Liljegren, Tamara Stepas, Leah Zuckerman, James Nichols, 
     Kathy Jacobs, Joan Alworth, JP Kemmick, Jessica Baird, Sheida 
     Sahandy, Gina Abernathy, Dany Border, Betsy Adams, Joni K. 
     Dennison, Richard Noll, Scott Patrick, Annika Fain, Cat 
     Martinez, Rebecca Canright, Mary Simkin-Maass, Joan Miller, 
     Katie Devlin, Desi Nagyfy, Barbara Rosenkotter, Pam Barber, 
     Kate Pflaumer, Matt Nunn, Sharon Truax, Emily Norland, 
     Marjorie Millner.
       Stacey McKinley, Brenda Michaels, Chris Tompkins, Curtis 
     Cawley, Jane Jaehning, Randy Collins, Amy Mower, Anne 
     Hawkins, Chris Marrs, Matt McKenna, John Smith, David Taft, 
     Bea Kelleigh, Peg Peterson, Julia Buck, Donna Mason, Pamela 
     Harris, John Koblinsky, Tamara Wood, Marian Wineman, Sue 
     Froeschner, Ashley Song, Rich Bergner, Walt Tabler, MaryJane 
     Gasdick, Benjamin Premack, Richard Kimball, Brie Gyncild, 
     John Pottle, Lynn Barker, Charles Barker, Roseann Seeley, Ara 
     Biji Kobara, Dorrie Jordan, Jeanette Kors, Brandon Herman, 
     Lyle Anderson, Mike Snow, Shannon Markley, John Lundquist, 
     Doris Wilson.
       Vicky Gannon, Corinne Salcedo, Pam Borscope, Tom Putnam, 
     Rebecca Putnam, Joanne Mayhew, Maradel Gale, Donielle 
     Stevens, Aaron Hussmann, Barbara Stevenson, Linda Story, 
     Shane Kostka, Mary Jo Wilkins, Phyllis Farell, Fay Payton, 
     Anne Ryland, Philip Ratcliff, Joe Ginsburg, Carey Falter, 
     Jeffrey Pancier, Hilary Thomas, Matthew Hilliard, Jennifer 
     Nelson, Mark D. Blitzer, Katherine Balles, Delorse Lovelady, 
     Cornelia B Teed, Natalie Chapin, Kristin Felix, Nikki 
     Nichols, Robert Hannigan, Tess Morgan, Katie Stansell, 
     Michael Hoffman, Laurie Kadet, Miranda Marti, Serena Winham, 
     Len Elliot, Matt Anderson, Norman Baker, Patrick Conn, Margot 
     Rosenberg.
       Elizabeth Shoemaker, Ronnie Bush, Francis Lenski, Paul 
     Roberts, Aaron Flaster, Marco Constans, Ginny Davis, Marilyn 
     Smith, Richard Horner, Vanessa Jamison, Ann Lazaroff, Donna 
     Alexander, Phyllis Oshikawa, Emily Rahlmann, Robert Triggs, 
     Don Thomsen, Sandra Boren, Alex Logan, Chris Burdett, Cathy 
     O'Shea, Julie Lakey, Mary Cunningham, Kathleen Schaeffer, 
     Richard Weiss, Janice Sears, Linda Massey, Paul Shelton, Jim 
     McRoberts, Maria DeLeo, Rebecca Sisson, Terence McDonald, 
     George Keefe, Connie Nelson, Janet Wynne, Yolanda Sayles, 
     James Hipp, Michael Garten, Liz Campbell, Pike Oliver, Jonny 
     Layesky, Laurette Culbert.
       Danielle Zitomer, Valerie Chu, Jim Pierson, Jennifer Lutz, 
     Suzanne Steel, Thomas Keefer, Lyn Gardner, Kenneth Davis, 
     Charlie Butt, Barbara Vigars, Neeyati Johnson, David Law, 
     Carol Fillman, Jenna Judge, Dan Calvert, Hayley Mathews, 
     Janet Williams, Derek Buchner, Kanit Cottrell, Mona McNeil, 
     Lina Gleason, Cherie Warner, Susann Daley, Karina Morgan, 
     Toni Howard, Brendan DeMelle, Patrick Hickey, Alexandra 
     Stote, Michael Tucker, Warren Wilkins, Priscilla Martinez, 
     Tracey Ouellette, Glen Anderson, Walter Gerber, Mary Gerber, 
     Bonnie Rochman, Peggy Printz, Ashley Couch, Ivan Storck, 
     Elizabeth F. Nedeff, Sherrell Cuneo.
       Bob Zeigler, Eleanor Dowson, Carole Henry, Chris Knoll, 
     Deborah Gandolfo, Jonathan Frodge, Deborah Engelmeyer, Stuart 
     Mork, Susan MacGregor, Thom Peters, Sherry McCabe, Amanda Sue 
     Rudisill, Margot Rosenberg, Linda Ellingboe, Asphodel 
     Denning, Katrina Sukola, Glen Anderson, Sylvie Karlsda, Mona 
     McNeil, Bill McFerren, Todd W Currie, Sylvie C Currie, 
     Sharron Coontz, Tonya Stiffler, Matt Anderson, Gordon Wood, 
     Robert Jensen, Jeni Woock, Sarah McCoy, Roger Martin, Sheliah 
     Roth, Jacqueline Jacoby, Peter Marshall, Bill Lavely, Janet 
     Walworth, Robert Richards, James Grimes, Pam Borso, Kathryn 
     Jean Seymour, Sandra Gehri Bergman, Natalie Van Leekwijck, 
     Sabine Doenninghaus.
       Ann Seiter, Laura Ferguson, Marta Green, Steve Tholl, Brent 
     Barnes, Denise Ross, Jon Bridgman, Jeff Parsons, Carrie 
     Byron, Leah Kintner, Michael Johnson, Don Gourlie, Stephanie 
     Suter, Heather Saunders, Kristin Hayman, Todd Hass, Kari 
     Stiles, Nathalie Hamel, Kaitlin Harris, Leska Fore.
                                  ____

                                             Audubon, National and


                                       International Programs,

                               Washington, DC, September 18, 2019.
     Hon. Peter DeFazio,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Grace Napolitano,
     Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Bruce Westerman,
     Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
         Environment, Washington, DC.
       On behalf of the National Audubon Society's more than 1 
     million members, our mission is to protect birds and the 
     places they need for today and tomorrow. We write to offer 
     our support for the following bills related to important 
     coastal and water conservation issues that will be the 
     subject of the September 19, 2019 Markup before the Committee 
     on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.


        HR 4031--Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019

       The Great Lakes are home to 30 million people and 350 
     species of birds, but increasing challenges are on the 
     horizon for the world's largest body of freshwater. 
     Fluctuating water levels exacerbated by climate change, 
     invasive exotic species and excess nutrients are putting even 
     more stress on this ecosystem that is so important for birds 
     and people. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has helped 
     clean up toxic pollutants, protect wildlife by restoring 
     critical habitat, and help combat devastating invasive 
     species.
       HR 4031 would increase funding for conservation projects to 
     $475 million over five years, by increasing the Great Lakes 
     Restoration Initiative's authorization incrementally from 
     $300 million per year to $475 million per year.


               HR 1132--San Francisco Bay Restoration Act

       The San Francisco Bay Area, home to the Pacific Coast's 
     largest estuary, is also home to a rapidly growing population 
     of 8 million people, and provides for a host of social and 
     economic values through ports and industry, agriculture, 
     fisheries, archaeological and cultural sites, recreation, and 
     research. However, San Francisco Bay has lost 90% of its 
     tidal wetlands and more than 50% of its eelgrass and mudflat 
     habitat. Climate change exacerbates these conditions through 
     drought that alters the salinity balance, ocean acidification 
     that reduces species abundance and diversity, increasing 
     water temperatures, and rising seas causing flooding that 
     eliminates living shorelines and puts communities at risk. 
     Many species of waterbirds forage in the San Francisco Bay, 
     including Brant Geese and Surf Scoters, underscoring the 
     value of this ecosystem.
       HR 1132 would authorize a San Francisco Bay Restoration 
     Grant Program in EPA and funding of up to $25m per year to 
     support the restoration of this estuary.


          HR 1620--Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act

       Salt marshes are special places to birds and other 
     wildlife, but sea level rise has elevated the waters in the 
     Chesapeake Bay by one foot during the 20th century and is 
     accelerating due to climate change. Salt marshes provide 
     valuable ``ecosystem services'', including nurseries for the 
     Chesapeake Bay's commercially important fish, a buffer 
     protecting coastal communities against storm surge, a filter 
     that stops nutrient and sediment pollution from entering the 
     Bay, and a recreational resource attracting visitors who 
     contribute millions of dollars to local economies. Chesapeake 
     Bay's salt marshes host globally significant populations of 
     both Saltmarsh Sparrow and Black Rail.
       HR 1620 would increase the authorization of appropriations 
     for the Chesapeake Bay Program to more than $90m per year.


   HR 2247--Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act

       Despite significant investments in Puget Sound ecosystem 
     health by state, federal, tribal and local governments, 
     concerned members of the public, and conservation 
     organizations, progress towards ecosystem recovery targets 
     remains slow. The number of marine birds wintering in Puget 
     Sound has declined significantly in the last 30 years and 
     migratory, fish-eating birds appear to be at the greatest 
     risk.
       HR 2247 would authorize up to $50 million in funding for 
     Puget Sound recovery. The PUGET SOS Act also aligns federal 
     agency expertise and resources, ensuring that federal 
     agencies are coordinated, setting goals, and holding each 
     other accountable will help increase their effectiveness and 
     provide a boost to Puget Sound recovery.


          HR 3779--Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2019

       Pre-disaster planning can help communities adapt to the 
     changing flood patterns that threaten people and birds 
     species dependent on shoreline and riverine areas. These 
     changes have led to more frequent instances of ``nuisance 
     flooding,'' as well as catastrophic events. NOAA has found 
     that ``nuisance'' or ``sunny day'' flooding is up 300% to 
     900% than it was 50 years ago. In addition, catastrophic 
     flooding events have increased in both frequency and 
     intensity. These trends have been particularly pronounced in 
     the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains, where the 
     amount of precipitation in large rainfall events has 
     increased more than 30 percent above the average observed 
     from 1901-1960. As sea level rise accelerates, it only 
     exacerbates these impacts, which further compounds 
     vulnerability in flood-prone communities.

[[Page H794]]

       HR 3779 would amend the 1988 Stafford Act to offer low-
     interest loans to states for ``disaster mitigation 
     projects'', including investments in natural infrastructure 
     projects, which would help communities prepare and recover 
     from natural disasters.
       We urge you to support and advance the bills listed above. 
     Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
           Sincerely,

                                           Julie Hill-Gabriel,

                               Vice President, Water Conservation,
                                         National Audubon Society.

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2247.
  H.R. 2247 represents good governance by codifying the Environmental 
Protection Agency's restoration activities in the Puget Sound. The 
Puget Sound is the Nation's second largest estuary, supporting more 
than 4.5 million people, more than $365 million in gross domestic 
product, and a wide variety of species.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Heck).
  Mr. HECK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California.
  Mr. Speaker, I do indeed rise in strong support of H.R. 2247, the 
Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound, or the PUGET SOS 
Act.
  As indicated, Puget Sound is, in fact, located in western Washington, 
but it is a national treasure. Indeed, to modify just slightly what my 
friend from Florida suggested, by water volume it is actually the 
largest estuary in the United States of America.
  Puget Sound and its tributaries are one of the most ecologically 
diverse in all of North America, and it is, as has been indicated, the 
economic engine for the western part of our State, supporting maritime 
industry, commercial and recreational fishing, shellfish growers, 
tourism, and recreation.
  But it is more than that. It is also absolutely critical to the 
Tribes that reside in Washington State who have stewarded it for 
literally millennia. And need I remind you; they have treaty-reserved 
rights to its natural resources.
  Above and beyond that, it is central to the identity of anyone from 
western Washington. I ask you this: For those of you who have been to 
Seattle and have made the comment or a post from an August visit, it is 
beautiful. What is the image that comes to your mind? It is of Mount 
Rainier, above the shimmering waters of the Puget Sound. Or--and more 
about this later--it is of that magnificent black and white fish, the 
orca, breaching the surface of the water.
  But here is the deal, Puget Sound is dying. Slowly but surely, it is 
under serious threat. Water and air pollution, sediment contamination, 
and water flow disruption continue to devastate the fish, marine, 
mammal, bird, and shellfish populations of Puget Sound.
  Indeed, that orca, the Southern Resident orca, population is down to 
72, arguably not sustainable because we need to save the Sound. And if 
these trends continue, we will lose much of what makes Puget Sound a 
national treasure so special. And that should concern us all.
  Fortunately, there have been many people across the Puget Sound 
region that have been treating these deteriorating conditions as a call 
to action. Tribes, State governments, local groups and private sector 
people are investing in recovery efforts.
  Back in 2013, I teamed up with my good friend, roommate and 
colleague, Congressman Kilmer, to establish the Puget Sound Recovery 
Caucus to promote Puget Sound preservation at the Federal level.
  And in 2016, the Obama administration created the Puget Sound Federal 
Task Force, by executive action, to coordinate recovery efforts more 
efficiently among the Federal agencies. Still, we must bring more 
attention to bear on Puget Sound recovery, and that is why we 
introduced the PUGET SOS Act.
  The bill will simply codify the Federal task force to ensure that 
coordination among Federal agencies continue--and we all want that--
into the future and it also creates the Puget Sound Recovery National 
Program office at the EPA, elevating Puget Sound recovery efforts and 
putting them on a par with those deservedly of the Great Lakes and 
Chesapeake Bay.
  And for the first time, the bill authorizes funding for Federal Puget 
Sound recovery actions. This is a product of years of collaboration 
between Tribal, State, and local stakeholders, including private sector 
investors.
  Specifically, I thank the members of the committee. I especially 
thank my friend, Congressman Kilmer. And I most especially thank my 
friends across the aisle, who joined in cosponsorship in support of 
this.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and 
the Puget Sound Partnership for their effort. The threats facing the 
Puget Sound are numerous and they are existential, but I believe that 
with a strong Federal partnership role and smart investments, we can 
act before it is too late. We can help recover the Puget Sound and 
preserve its ecological, economic, and cultural significance for 
generations to come.
  The PUGET SOS Act is a strong first step towards recovery, and I 
encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
  And again, I extend my gratitude to all of those who have put your 
shoulders to the wheel and gotten it this far in the process.
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Newhouse).
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
  We are all saddened, and deeply frustrated, to see the iconic Puget 
Sound continue to devolve into a dumping ground of human waste and 
sewage. It is no wonder, the species in our Nation's largest estuary 
are facing increasing odds of extinction. We must do more to address 
this environmental crisis.
  An aquatic toxicologist working with the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration has found that growth rates for salmon 
species in Puget Sound are stunned, metabolisms are distorted to the 
point of starvation, and physiological functions are disrupted when 
exposed to high levels of Prozac, caffeine, cholesterol medication, 
ibuprofen, bug spray, cocaine, birth control pills, and dozens of other 
drugs and personal care products present in Puget Sound.
  Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to see my friends from the west side of 
the State, Mr. Heck, who has spent a great deal of his illustrious 
career working on this issue, as well as Mr. Kilmer, who has also spent 
an inordinate amount of time working on this very, very important 
issue, working to address the debilitating impact the environmental 
degradation in Puget Sound is having on shellfish, on the endangered 
salmon, and on steelhead. And, as was mentioned, on our iconic Southern 
Resident killer whales, which are truly on the verge of extinction.

                              {time}  1330

  As my colleague Cathy McMorris Rodgers and I have been saying for 
years, we must focus on solutions that the science tells us will 
directly aid fish species now and not waste our precious resources and 
time on political motivations like the efforts to tear down our dams. 
This is a deadly distraction from the actual science-based solutions to 
support salmon recovery.
  I want to continue to work with my colleagues to address problems 
facing endangered fish species throughout our region in a comprehensive 
manner. The challenges are many:
  We must continue to tackle the pinniped issue, the avian predation 
issue, but we also must ensure that a robust hatchery program is in 
place;
  We must continue to prioritize the world-class fish passage in our 
hydroelectric infrastructure;
  We must continue to take a serious and thoughtful look at fishing and 
other human-caused impacts; and
  We must build upon the habitat improvements and greater ecological 
conservation measures.
  Mr. Speaker, we must focus on the science, not the politics. We must 
focus on the facts, not ideology or emotions. While I support the 
passage of this legislation--and I do--that we are voting on today, I 
believe it can and should only move forward as part of a much more 
comprehensive discussion and effort in the Pacific Northwest to address 
the needs of our iconic species;

[[Page H795]]

the protection of our environment; the reliability of our clean, 
renewable energy infrastructure; and, certainly, the future of our 
region's economy and livelihood.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to gentleman from 
Washington (Mr. Kilmer).
  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of the PUGET SOS Act, and I want to thank my 
good friend and colleague from the State of Washington, Representative 
Heck, for his tireless leadership on this important legislation, and 
his partnership in working to recover this iconic body of water.
  Those of us who are lucky enough to call Washington State home know 
that the Puget Sound is a truly special body of water. Generations of 
our friends and neighbors have built their lives and made livelihoods 
on Puget Sound. Tribes, since time immemorial, have called the Sound 
their home.
  We know that Puget Sound is critical to the environment and to our 
economic future in our region as well. Our economy is stronger because 
of the Sound. Our maritime industry is stronger, our fisheries, tourism 
because--listen--people want to come there. They want to boat or kayak 
on it. They want to go fishing or crabbing on it. They want to dig for 
clams and hike along the Sound's beaches. In fact, those experiences 
are vital to people from near and far, including my own family. It is 
one of our natural treasures.
  Some of our region's most culturally important species, including 
salmon and orca and Dungeness crab, rely on a healthy Sound. And 
despite years and years of effort to protect and restore Puget Sound, 
we still have a lot of work to do to address the significant 
challenges, including stormwater runoff and habitat loss and harmful 
algal blooms that continue to threaten the crown jewel of our region's 
identity and economy. That is why I am proud to see the House advance 
this critical bill, which will bring to bear the coordinated Federal 
resources necessary to save Puget Sound.
  If we are going to recover our salmon and orca populations, if we are 
going to ensure future generations can dig for clams, if we are going 
to respect and uphold Tribal treaty rights, we need the Federal 
Government to step up and support the work already being done by the 
State and Tribes and local communities and businesses that all depend 
on a healthy Sound. We need all oars in the water rowing in the same 
direction. I am proud that, by passing this bill, we will make 
meaningful progress toward those goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I am not just here speaking on this bill as a 
Representative, I am here today as a dad. If future generations, 
including my two little girls, are going to have the opportunities to 
enjoy these treasures and to build their livelihoods in our region, we 
have got to act now and protect and restore the Sound.
  So, again, I thank my colleague and friend, Denny Heck, for his 
leadership on this issue.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers).
  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this 
legislation. I rise in support of the PUGET SOS Act, Save Our Sound 
Act, important legislation to clean up the Puget Sound.
  I join as someone who represents a district in eastern Washington. My 
district actually borders Idaho, but I believe that we need to be 
locking arms. We need to be working together to clean up Puget Sound.
  For decades, we have invested billions of dollars, billions of 
dollars in research and technology, to recover salmon in the Pacific 
Northwest and save our orcas, and we need to continue that work to look 
for the best science to recover salmon and to save our orcas.
  I am proud of the work that we have done. We see salmon returns 
improving. When you look at where we started to where we are today, we 
are at record levels.
  Now, in Washington State, some are suggesting that we need to tear 
out our dams in order to save salmon and to save our orcas. It is a 
solution that is not backed by science.
  The reason that I am in such support of helping save the Sound and 
cleaning up Puget Sound is because it is the number one watershed, 
right now, for salmon and for saving our orcas.
  And if we really want to focus on getting results, we need to come 
together and figure out how we clean up Puget Sound, how we get the 
salmon returns improved, and, ultimately, how we all save the salmon.
  So, for those of us in eastern Washington, we often feel like some in 
the State are looking to us. We want to lock arms and figure out how we 
actually make a difference, and one of those is going to be cleaning up 
the Puget Sound.

  So, in eastern Washington, we have been on the forefront of policy to 
ensure strong salmon runs and clean up our rivers and lakes. I 
represent the city of Spokane, the second largest city in Washington 
State.
  The people of the city of Spokane have committed to over $300 million 
to clean up Spokane River so that we will no longer be dumping raw 
sewage. The mayor, David Condon, brought people together for an 
innovative water storage system, and President Barack Obama brought him 
to the White House to celebrate and honor this innovative approach.
  Inland Empire Paper Company has spent nearly a billion dollars on 
technology to clean up and ensure that the water that goes into the 
Spokane River is clean.
  We are spending millions and millions of dollars to clean up Lake 
Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam. We are on track to have Lake 
Roosevelt meet clean drinking water standards so that we can enjoy Lake 
Roosevelt, we can fish, and we can enjoy the beaches.
  It breaks my heart, though, when I hear what is going on in Puget 
Sound and the impact that Puget Sound is having on recovering salmon 
and orcas: In 2009, 10 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into Puget 
Sound; in 2017, 250 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into Puget 
Sound; in 2019, 4.5 million gallons. We have been warned that 
stormwater is killing coho salmon before they even spawn.
  As the Seattle Times said during the 2017 failure that spilled 250 
million gallons of sewage into the Sound: ``Not a single person from an 
environmental group or the public turned out to testify or demand 
action on the crippled West Point Treatment Plant, or even take notice 
of one of the largest local public infrastructure failures in 
decades.''
  Mr. Speaker, we are failing. We are failing to meet our obligation 
and the high standards that we expect for every body of water; yet, 
nearly every week, we have to defend our dams from the same 
environmental groups that have refused to look at the facts.
  So I am stepping forward today, as a Representative from eastern 
Washington, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to say let's 
focus on what is actually going to get the results, what is going to 
recover salmon, and what is going to save our orcas.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from Washington (Ms. Schrier).
  Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to be standing on the floor 
today speaking in support of the PUGET SOS Act. The passage of the bill 
in this House is something that our State has been collectively working 
toward for years.
  I thank Representative Heck and Representative Kilmer and the other 
Members of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus for their leadership.
  The challenges facing our Sound are great and are compounded by our 
State's growth and climate change. Chinook populations remain far below 
recovery goals, despite having been listed as threatened since 1999 
under the Endangered Species Act.
  As the only member from Washington State on the House Agricultural 
Committee, I plan to use my position to highlight the importance of 
responsible farming practices, ecosystem recovery, and riparian 
habitats.
  Mr. Speaker, the narrative that we can have farms or fish is false--
we can have both. State- and county-level agencies are also doing their 
part to help both fish and farmers.
  The Washington State conservation Commission is doing some amazing

[[Page H796]]

work in the agricultural world. Our conservation districts work 
statewide to implement natural resource improvement projects and build 
landowner engagement and commitment.
  Just one example is the work that the Pierce County conservation 
District did when they partnered with local farmers to address 
management practices and were able to have a substantial impact on the 
health of 278 acres for shellfish harvesting.
  The Puget Sound needs protecting. Other bodies of water like the 
Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes have formal program status under the 
Clean Water Act, which helps ensure their consistent Federal funding. 
The Puget Sound and all of the wildlife in it deserve the same status 
under the Clean Water Act.
  It is shortsighted and irresponsible to not fight for the Sound and 
its future. We owe it to the species whose futures are imperiled 
because of human activity. We owe it to our children and generations we 
will never know. We absolutely must protect Puget Sound.
  Mr. MAST. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close. I urge support of this 
important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, with all of the support from the 
Washington delegation, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HECK. Mr. Speaker, several important considerations underlie the 
purpose and intent of the Puget SOS Act. Puget Sound and its tributary 
waters are one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in North 
America with natural resources that have ecological, economic, and 
cultural importance to the United States and the many Tribal nations 
that have stewarded it for millennia. The health and productivity of 
Puget Sound is not only the cornerstone of the region's quality of life 
and vibrant economy, but its worldclass salmon fishery, commercial 
aquaculture, agriculture, and port activities ripple throughout the 
Nation.
  Threats to Puget Sound, such as water pollution, sediment 
contamination, environmental degradation, and habitat loss, jeopardize 
the economic productivity and natural resources that support the 
increasing population of the region. For nearly a decade, State, local, 
and Tribal governments, cooperative partnerships, and concerned 
citizens have worked together in a deliberate and coordinated way to 
direct and manage public resource allocation toward habitat 
restoration, improving water quality and shellfish farms, and 
developing a body of scientific knowledge, all of which have advanced 
the Puget Sound recovery efforts.
  Tribal governments with treaty-reserved rights in the natural 
resources of Puget Sound have long served as co-managers of fishery 
resources, have engaged in Puget Sound Partnership processes and public 
forums to encourage a holistic and scientific approach to recovery 
efforts, and have continued in their role as stewards of Puget Sound, 
including by engaging with multi-faceted restoration and protection 
actions, and are thus an indispensable, equal partner in all Puget 
Sound recovery actions.
  Despite significant and nationally recognized accomplishments, the 
rate of damage to Puget Sound still exceeds the rate of recovery. To 
outpace mounting pollutants and other cascading negative impacts, the 
next step in fortifying the recovery system is to align Federal 
recovery and protection efforts seamlessly with State, local, and 
Tribal investments, as the Puget SOS Act would do.
  Water and air pollution, sediment contamination, habitat loss and 
decline, and water flow disruption continue to devastate the fish, 
marine mammal, bird, and shellfish populations of Puget Sound, 
threatening local economies, and Tribal treaty rights, and contributing 
to:
  Significant declines in the populations of wild Chinook Salmon, Coho 
Salmon, Summer Chum Salmon, Steelhead, and Pacific Herring, which are 
essential food sources for humans, fish, seabirds, mammals, and other 
wildlife;
  Risks to the sustainability of fish arid- shellfish populations, and 
their food chains, reproductive cycles, and habitats, which also 
threaten Federal obligations to protect Tribal resources, culture, 
traditions, and economies;
  Marine species being listed as at-risk or vulnerable to extinction, 
according to State, Federal, and provincial lists that identify the 
species of Puget Sound and surrounding areas, including the iconic 
population of southern resident Orca whales;
  Sediment contaminated with toxic substances--such as polychlorinated 
biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals (mercury), and oil (grease)--polluting 
Puget Sound, threatening public health, and posing; significant dangers 
to humans, fish, and wildlife;
  Rivers and beaches failing to meet water quality standards and 
becoming unsafe for salmon, as well as business and recreational 
activities, such as fishing and swimming;
  The closing of shellfish beds from contaminated pollution caused by 
sources such as stormwater and agricultural runoff; and
  Mortalities and morbidity in shellfish due to the acidification of 
Puget Sound.
  Puget Sound is a national treasure and its recovery and protection 
will significantly contribute to the environmental, cultural, and 
economic well-being of the United States and the many Tribal nations 
that have stewarded it for millennia.
  The PUGET SOS Act underscores the recognition that Federal Government 
should align its efforts and resources to fully implement and enforce 
the goals of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including State 
implementation of non-point source water quality standards for salmon, 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other Federal laws that 
contribute to the recovery and protection of Puget Sound. The Act also 
recognizes that the Federal Government should uphold Federal trust 
responsibilities to restore and protect resources crucial to Tribal 
treaty rights--including by carrying out government-to-government 
consultation--as well as support regional, local, and Tribal efforts to 
address environmental challenges.
  The PUGET SOS Act is intended, among other things, to ensure that the 
recovery and protection programs, projects, and initiatives that the 
Federal Government undertakes in, or that otherwise impact, Puget Sound 
shall be actively coordinated and aligned with the protection of Tribal 
treaty rights and resources, the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
Salmon Recovery Plans, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, 
and the Puget Sound Action Agenda.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to all stakeholders who have come together 
to advocate for the recovery and protection of Puget Sound. The PUGET 
SOS Act is an important step towards those goals, and I urge my 
colleagues to support its passage.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Keating). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2247, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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