[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 44 (Thursday, March 5, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1604-S1610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 1514. Mr. PORTMAN (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) proposed an 
amendment to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 
2657, to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and 
development, and for other purposes; as follows:

        At the end of chapter 1 of subpart A of part I of subtitle 
     A of title I, add the following:

     SEC. 10__. GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDING CODES.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 303 of the Energy Conservation 
     and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6832) (as amended by section 
     1034(a)) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (17) (as redesignated by that 
     section) and inserting the following:
       ``(17) Model building energy code.--The term `model 
     building energy code' means a voluntary building energy code 
     or standard developed and updated by interested persons, such 
     as the code or standard developed by--
       ``(A) the Council of American Building Officials, or its 
     legal successor, International Code Council, Inc.;
       ``(B) the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and 
     Air-Conditioning Engineers; or
       ``(C) other appropriate organizations.'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (17) (as 
     amended by that section) as paragraphs (13) through (19), 
     respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (10) (as redesignated by 
     that section) the following:
       ``(11) IECC.--The term `IECC' means the International 
     Energy Conservation Code.
       ``(12) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American 
     Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
     U.S.C. 4103).''.
       (b) State Building Energy Efficiency Codes.--Section 304 of 
     the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6833) 
     is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 304. UPDATING STATE BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY CODES.

       ``(a) Action by Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) encourage and support the adoption of building energy 
     codes by States, Indian tribes, and, as appropriate, by local 
     governments that meet or exceed the model building energy 
     codes, or achieve equivalent or greater energy savings; and
       ``(2) support full compliance with the State and local 
     codes.
       ``(b) State and Indian Tribe Certification of Building 
     Energy Code Updates.--
       ``(1) Review and updating of codes by each state and indian 
     tribe.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     publication of a revision to a model building energy code, 
     each State or Indian tribe shall certify whether the State or 
     Indian tribe, respectively, has reviewed and updated the 
     energy provisions of the building code of the State or Indian 
     tribe, respectively.
       ``(B) Demonstration.--The certification shall include a 
     demonstration of whether the energy savings for the code 
     provisions that are in effect throughout the territory of the 
     State or Indian tribe meet or exceed the energy savings of 
     the updated model building energy code.
       ``(C) No model building energy code update.--If a model 
     building energy code is not updated by a target date 
     established under section 307(b)(2)(E), each State or Indian 
     tribe shall, not later than 2 years after the specified date, 
     certify whether the State or Indian tribe, respectively, has 
     reviewed and updated the energy provisions of the building 
     code of the State or Indian tribe, respectively, to meet or 
     exceed the target in section 307(b)(2).
       ``(2) Validation by secretary.--Not later than 90 days 
     after a State or Indian tribe certification under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) determine whether the code provisions of the State or 
     Indian tribe, respectively, meet the criteria specified in 
     paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) if the determination is positive, validate the 
     certification.
       ``(c) Improvements in Compliance With Building Energy 
     Codes.--
       ``(1) Requirement.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     a certification under subsection (b), each State and Indian 
     tribe shall certify whether the State and Indian tribe, 
     respectively, has--
       ``(i) achieved full compliance under paragraph (3) with the 
     applicable certified State and Indian tribe building energy 
     code or with the associated model building energy code; or
       ``(ii) made significant progress under paragraph (4) toward 
     achieving compliance with the applicable certified State and 
     Indian tribe building energy code or with the associated 
     model building energy code.
       ``(B) Repeat certifications.--If the State or Indian tribe 
     certifies progress toward achieving compliance, the State or 
     Indian tribe shall repeat the certification until the State 
     or Indian tribe certifies that the State or Indian tribe has 
     achieved full compliance, respectively.
       ``(2) Measurement of compliance.--A certification under 
     paragraph (1) shall include documentation of the rate of 
     compliance based on--
       ``(A) independent inspections of a random sample of the 
     buildings covered by the code in the preceding year; or
       ``(B) an alternative method that yields an accurate measure 
     of compliance.
       ``(3) Achievement of compliance.--A State or Indian tribe 
     shall be considered to achieve full compliance under 
     paragraph (1) if--
       ``(A) at least 90 percent of building space covered by the 
     code in the preceding year substantially meets all the 
     requirements of the applicable code specified in paragraph 
     (1), or achieves equivalent or greater energy savings level; 
     or
       ``(B) the estimated excess energy use of buildings that did 
     not meet the applicable code specified in paragraph (1) in 
     the preceding year, compared to a baseline of comparable 
     buildings that meet this code, is not more than 5 percent of 
     the estimated energy use of all buildings covered by this 
     code during the preceding year.
       ``(4) Significant progress toward achievement of 
     compliance.--A State or Indian tribe shall be considered to 
     have made significant progress toward achieving compliance 
     for purposes of paragraph (1) if the State or Indian tribe--
       ``(A) has developed and is implementing a plan for 
     achieving compliance during the 8-year-period beginning on 
     the date of enactment of the American Energy Innovation Act 
     of 2020, including annual targets for compliance and active 
     training and enforcement programs; and
       ``(B) has met the most recent target under subparagraph 
     (A).
       ``(5) Validation by secretary.--Not later than 90 days 
     after a State or Indian tribe certification under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) determine whether the State or Indian tribe has 
     demonstrated meeting the criteria of this subsection, 
     including accurate measurement of compliance; and
       ``(B) if the determination is positive, validate the 
     certification.
       ``(d) States or Indian Tribes That Do Not Achieve 
     Compliance.--
       ``(1) Reporting.--A State or Indian tribe that has not made 
     a certification required under subsection (b) or (c) by the 
     applicable deadline shall submit to the Secretary a report 
     describing--
       ``(A) the status of the State or Indian tribe with respect 
     to meeting the requirements and submitting the certification; 
     and
       ``(B) a plan for meeting the requirements and submitting 
     the certification.
       ``(2) Federal support.--For any State or Indian tribe for 
     which the Secretary has not validated a certification by a 
     deadline under subsection (b) or (c), the lack of the 
     certification may be a consideration for Federal support 
     authorized under this section for code adoption and 
     compliance activities.
       ``(3) Local government.--In any State or Indian tribe for 
     which the Secretary has not validated a certification under 
     subsection (b) or (c), a local government may be eligible for 
     Federal support under subsections (e) and (f) by meeting the 
     certification requirements of subsections (b) and (c).
       ``(4) Reports by secretary.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2021, and 
     not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the 
     Secretary shall

[[Page S1605]]

     submit to Congress and publish a report describing--
       ``(i) the status of model building energy codes;
       ``(ii) the status of code adoption and compliance in the 
     States and Indian tribes;
       ``(iii) implementation of this section; and
       ``(iv) improvements in energy savings over time as result 
     of the targets established under section 307(b)(2).
       ``(B) Impacts.--The report shall include estimates of 
     impacts of past action under this section, and potential 
     impacts of further action, on--
       ``(i) upfront financial and construction costs, cost 
     benefits and returns (using investment analysis), and 
     lifetime energy use for buildings;
       ``(ii) resulting energy costs to individuals and 
     businesses; and
       ``(iii) resulting overall annual building ownership and 
     operating costs.
       ``(e) Technical Assistance to States and Indian Tribes.--
     The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to States 
     and Indian tribes to implement the goals and requirements of 
     this section, including procedures and technical analysis for 
     States and Indian tribes--
       ``(1) to improve and implement State residential and 
     commercial building energy codes;
       ``(2) to demonstrate that the code provisions of the States 
     and Indian tribes achieve equivalent or greater energy 
     savings than the model building energy codes and targets;
       ``(3) to document the rate of compliance with a building 
     energy code; and
       ``(4) to otherwise promote the design and construction of 
     energy- and water-efficient buildings.
       ``(f) Availability of Incentive Funding.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide incentive 
     funding to States and Indian tribes--
       ``(A) to implement the requirements of this section;
       ``(B) to improve and implement residential and commercial 
     building energy codes, including increasing and verifying 
     compliance with the codes and training of State, tribal, and 
     local building code officials to implement and enforce the 
     codes; and
       ``(C) to promote building energy and water efficiency 
     through the use of the codes and standards.
       ``(2) Additional funding.--Additional funding shall be 
     provided under this subsection for implementation of a plan 
     to achieve and document full compliance with residential and 
     commercial building energy codes under subsection (c)--
       ``(A) to a State or Indian tribe for which the Secretary 
     has validated a certification under subsection (b) or (c); 
     and
       ``(B) in a State or Indian tribe that is not eligible under 
     subparagraph (A), to a local government that is eligible 
     under this section.
       ``(3) Training.--Of the amounts made available under this 
     subsection, the State or Indian tribe may use amounts 
     required, but not to exceed $750,000 for a State, to train 
     State and local building code officials to implement and 
     enforce codes described in paragraph (2).
       ``(4) Local governments.--States may share grants under 
     this subsection with local governments that implement and 
     enforce the codes.
       ``(g) Stretch Codes and Advanced Standards.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide technical 
     and financial support for the development of stretch codes 
     and advanced standards for residential and commercial 
     buildings for use as--
       ``(A) an option for adoption as a building energy code by 
     local, tribal, or State governments; and
       ``(B) guidelines for energy-efficient building design.
       ``(2) Targets.--The stretch codes and advanced standards 
     shall be designed--
       ``(A) to achieve substantial energy savings compared to the 
     model building energy codes; and
       ``(B) to meet targets under section 307(b), if available, 
     at least 3 to 6 years in advance of the target years.
       ``(h) Studies.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     building science experts from the National Laboratories and 
     institutions of higher education, designers and builders of 
     energy-efficient residential and commercial buildings, code 
     officials, code and standards developers, and other 
     stakeholders, shall undertake a study of the feasibility, 
     impact, economics, and merit of--
       ``(1) code and standards improvements that would require 
     that buildings be designed, sited, and constructed in a 
     manner that makes the buildings more adaptable in the future 
     to become zero-net-energy after initial construction, as 
     advances are achieved in energy-saving technologies;
       ``(2) code procedures to incorporate measured lifetimes, 
     not just first-year energy use, in trade-offs and performance 
     calculations;
       ``(3) legislative options for increasing energy savings 
     from building energy codes and standards, including 
     additional incentives for effective State and local action, 
     and verification of compliance with and enforcement of a code 
     or standard other than by a State or local government; and
       ``(4) code and standards improvements that consider energy 
     efficiency and water efficiency and, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, consider energy efficiency and water efficiency 
     in an integrated manner.
       ``(i) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section or 
     section 307 supersedes or modifies the application of 
     sections 321 through 346 of the Energy Policy and 
     Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291 et seq.).
       ``(j) Voluntary Provisions.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be binding on a State, local government, or Indian tribe as a 
     matter of Federal law.
       ``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section and section 307 
     $200,000,000, to remain available until expended.''.
       (c) Federal Building Energy Efficiency Standards.--Section 
     305 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 
     6834) is amended by striking ``voluntary building energy 
     code'' each place it appears in subsections (a)(2)(B) and (b) 
     and inserting ``model building energy code''.
       (d) Model Building Energy Codes.--Section 307 of the Energy 
     Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6836) is amended 
     to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 307. SUPPORT FOR MODEL BUILDING ENERGY CODES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall support the updating 
     of model building energy codes.
       ``(b) Targets.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall support the updating 
     of the model building energy codes to enable the achievement 
     of aggregate energy savings targets established under 
     paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Targets.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall work with State, 
     Indian tribes, local governments, code and standards 
     developers (such as the entities described in section 
     303(14)), and other interested parties to support the 
     updating of model building energy codes by establishing one 
     or more national aggregate energy savings targets to achieve 
     the purposes of this section.
       ``(B) Separate targets.--The Secretary shall establish 
     separate targets for commercial and residential buildings.
       ``(C) Baselines.--The baseline for updating model building 
     energy codes shall be the 2009 IECC for residential buildings 
     and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 for commercial buildings.
       ``(D) Code cycles.--The targets established under 
     subparagraph (A) shall align with the respective code 
     development cycles determined by the model building energy 
     code-setting and standards development organizations 
     described in section 303(14).
       ``(E) Specific years.--
       ``(i) In general.--Targets for specific years shall be 
     established and revised by the Secretary through rulemaking 
     and coordinated with code and standards developers (such as 
     the entities described in section 303(14)) at a level that--

       ``(I) is at the maximum level of energy efficiency that is 
     technologically feasible and lifecycle cost effective, while 
     accounting for the economic considerations under paragraph 
     (4);
       ``(II) is higher than the preceding target;
       ``(III) promotes the achievement of commercial and 
     residential high-performance buildings (as defined in section 
     401 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 
     U.S.C. 17061)) through high performance energy efficiency; 
     and
       ``(IV) takes into consideration the variations in climate 
     zones used in model building energy codes.

       ``(ii) Initial targets.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this clause, the Secretary shall 
     establish initial targets under this subparagraph.
       ``(iii) Different target years.--Subject to clause (i), 
     prior to the applicable year, the Secretary may set a later 
     target year for any of the model building energy codes 
     described in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines 
     that a target cannot be met.
       ``(iv) Small business.--When establishing targets under 
     this paragraph through rulemaking, the Secretary shall ensure 
     compliance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
     Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 601 note; Public Law 104-121).
       ``(3) Appliance standards and other factors affecting 
     building energy use.--In establishing building code targets 
     under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall develop and adjust 
     the targets in recognition of potential savings and costs 
     relating to--
       ``(A) efficiency gains made in appliances, lighting, 
     windows, insulation, and building envelope sealing;
       ``(B) advancement of distributed generation and on-site 
     renewable power generation technologies;
       ``(C) equipment improvements for heating, cooling, and 
     ventilation systems;
       ``(D) building management systems and smart technologies to 
     reduce energy use; and
       ``(E) other technologies, practices, and building systems 
     that the Secretary considers appropriate regarding building 
     plug load and other energy uses.
       ``(4) Economic considerations.--In establishing and 
     revising building code targets under paragraph (2), the 
     Secretary shall consider the economic feasibility of 
     achieving the proposed targets established under this section 
     and the potential costs and savings for consumers and 
     building owners, including a return on investment analysis.
       ``(c) Technical Assistance to Model Building Energy Code-
     Setting and Standards Development Organizations.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, on a timely basis, 
     provide technical assistance to model building energy code-
     setting and

[[Page S1606]]

     standards development organizations consistent with the goals 
     of this section.
       ``(2) Assistance.--The assistance shall include, as 
     requested by the organizations, technical assistance in--
       ``(A) evaluating code or standards proposals or revisions;
       ``(B) building energy and water analysis and design tools;
       ``(C) building demonstrations;
       ``(D) developing definitions of energy use intensity and 
     building types for use in model building energy codes to 
     evaluate the efficiency impacts of the model building energy 
     codes;
       ``(E) performance-based standards;
       ``(F) evaluating economic considerations under subsection 
     (b)(4); and
       ``(G) developing model building energy codes by Indian 
     tribes in accordance with tribal law.
       ``(3) Amendment proposals.--The Secretary may submit timely 
     model building energy code amendment proposals to the model 
     building energy code-setting and standards development 
     organizations, with supporting evidence, sufficient to enable 
     the model building energy codes to meet the targets 
     established under subsection (b)(2).
       ``(4) Analysis methodology.--The Secretary shall make 
     publicly available the entire calculation methodology 
     (including input assumptions and data) used by the Secretary 
     to estimate the energy savings of code or standard proposals 
     and revisions.
       ``(d) Determination.--
       ``(1) Revision of model building energy codes.--If the 
     provisions of the IECC or ASHRAE Standard 90.1 regarding 
     building energy use are proposed to be revised, the Secretary 
     shall make a preliminary determination, by not later than 90 
     days after the date of receipt of the proposed revision, and 
     a final determination by not later than 15 months after the 
     date of publication of the revision, regarding whether the 
     revision will--
       ``(A) improve energy efficiency in buildings, as compared 
     to the existing model building energy code; and
       ``(B) meet the applicable targets under subsection (b)(2).
       ``(2) Codes or standards not meeting targets.--
       ``(A) Preliminary determination by secretary.--If the 
     Secretary makes a preliminary determination under paragraph 
     (1)(B) that a code or standard does not meet an applicable 
     target under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall 
     contemporaneously provide to the developer of the model 
     building energy code or standard not fewer than 2 proposed 
     changes that would result in a model building energy code 
     that meets the applicable target, together with supporting 
     evidence, taking into consideration--
       ``(i) whether the modified code is technically feasible and 
     lifecycle cost effective;
       ``(ii) available appliances, technologies, materials, and 
     construction practices; and
       ``(iii) the economic considerations under subsection 
     (b)(4).
       ``(B) Determination or election by developer.--Not later 
     than 270 days after the date of receipt of proposed changes 
     of the Secretary under subparagraph (A), a developer shall--
       ``(i) determine whether--

       ``(I) to publish a new revised code accepting the proposed 
     changes; or
       ``(II) to reject the proposed changes; or

       ``(ii) if the developer elects not to make a determination 
     under clause (i), publish a notice of that election, together 
     with the proposed changes.
       ``(C) Final determination by secretary.--
       ``(i) In general.--A final determination by the Secretary 
     shall be made on the model building energy code or standard, 
     as modified by the changes proposed by the Secretary under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(ii) Additional determinations.--If a model building 
     energy code or standards developer makes an election pursuant 
     to subparagraph (B)(ii), the Secretary shall make the 
     following final determinations for purposes of this 
     subsection:

       ``(I) A final determination regarding whether the code or 
     standard of the developer, absent any changes proposed by the 
     Secretary under subparagraph (A), will--

       ``(aa) improve energy efficiency in buildings, as compared 
     to the existing model building energy code; and
       ``(bb) meet the applicable targets under subsection (b)(2).

       ``(II) A final determination regarding whether the code or 
     standard of the developer, as modified by the changes 
     proposed by the Secretary under subparagraph (A), would--

       ``(aa) improve energy efficiency in buildings, as compared 
     to the existing model building energy code; and
       ``(bb) meet the applicable targets under subsection (b)(2).
       ``(e) Administration.--In carrying out this section, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) publish notice of targets and supporting analysis and 
     determinations under this section in the Federal Register to 
     provide an explanation of and the basis for such actions, 
     including any supporting modeling, data, assumptions, 
     protocols, and cost-benefit analysis, including return on 
     investment; and
       ``(2) provide an opportunity for public comment on targets 
     and supporting analysis and determinations under this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 10__. COST-EFFECTIVE CODES IMPLEMENTATION FOR EFFICIENCY 
                   AND RESILIENCE.

       (a) In General.--Title III of the Energy Conservation and 
     Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6831 et seq.) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 309. COST-EFFECTIVE CODES IMPLEMENTATION FOR 
                   EFFICIENCY AND RESILIENCE.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) a relevant State agency, as determined by the 
     Secretary, such as a State building code agency or State 
     energy office; and
       ``(B) a partnership.
       ``(2) Partnership.--The term `partnership' means a 
     partnership between an eligible entity described in paragraph 
     (1)(A) and one or more of the following entities:
       ``(A) Local building code agencies.
       ``(B) Codes and standards developers.
       ``(C) Associations of builders and design and construction 
     professionals.
       ``(D) Local and utility energy efficiency programs.
       ``(E) Consumer, energy efficiency, and environmental 
     advocates.
       ``(F) Other entities, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       ``(b) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
     Building Technologies Office of the Department of Energy a 
     program under which the Secretary shall award grants on a 
     competitive basis to eligible entities to enable sustained 
     cost-effective implementation of updated building energy 
     codes.
       ``(2) Updated building energy code.--An update to a 
     building energy code under this section shall include any 
     update made available after the existing building energy 
     code, even if it is not the most recent updated code 
     available.
       ``(c) Criteria; Priority.--In awarding grants under 
     subsection (b), the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) consider--
       ``(A) prospective energy savings and plans to measure the 
     savings;
       ``(B) the long-term sustainability of those measures and 
     savings;
       ``(C) prospective benefits, and plans to assess the 
     benefits, including benefits relating to--
       ``(i) resilience and peak load reduction;
       ``(ii) occupant safety and health; and
       ``(iii) environmental performance;
       ``(D) the demonstrated capacity of the eligible entity to 
     carry out the proposed project; and
       ``(E) the need of the eligible entity for assistance; and
       ``(2) give priority to applications from partnerships.
       ``(d) Eligible Activities.--
       ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity awarded a grant under 
     this section may use the grant funds--
       ``(A) to create or enable State or regional partnerships to 
     provide training and materials to--
       ``(i) builders, contractors and subcontractors, architects, 
     and other design and construction professionals, relating to 
     meeting updated building energy codes in a cost-effective 
     manner; and
       ``(ii) building code officials, relating to improving 
     implementation of and compliance with building energy codes;
       ``(B) to collect and disseminate quantitative data on 
     construction and codes implementation, including code 
     pathways, performance metrics, and technologies used;
       ``(C) to develop and implement a plan for highly effective 
     codes implementation, including measuring compliance;
       ``(D) to address various implementation needs in rural, 
     suburban, and urban areas; and
       ``(E) to implement updates in energy codes for--
       ``(i) new residential and commercial buildings (including 
     multifamily buildings); and
       ``(ii) additions and alterations to existing residential 
     and commercial buildings (including multifamily buildings).
       ``(2) Related topics.--Training and materials provided 
     using a grant under this section may include information on 
     the relationship between energy codes and--
       ``(A) cost-effective, high-performance, and zero-net-energy 
     buildings;
       ``(B) improving resilience, health, and safety;
       ``(C) water savings and other environmental impacts; and
       ``(D) the economic impacts of energy codes.
       ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     this section--
       ``(1) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 
     2030; and
       ``(2) for fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal year thereafter, 
     such sums as are necessary.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 303 of the Energy 
     Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6832) is amended, 
     in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``As used 
     in'' and inserting ``Except as otherwise provided, in''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1515. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


[[Page S1607]]


  

        On page 432, between lines 6 and 7, insert the following:
       (8) Prohibition of critical mineral mining in certain 
     protected areas.--
       (A) Definition of protected area.--In this paragraph, the 
     term ``protected area'' means a national monument established 
     under chapter 3203 of title 54, United States Code (commonly 
     known as the ``Antiquities Act of 1906''), as of January 20, 
     2017.
       (B) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretaries may not issue a critical mineral 
     exploration or mine permit with respect to a protected area.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1516. Mr. BROWN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the end, add the following:

       TITLE IV--AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

     SEC. 4001. INCLUDING FUEL CELLS USING ELECTROMECHANICAL 
                   PROCESSES FOR PURPOSES OF THE ENERGY TAX 
                   CREDIT.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 48(c) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ``or 
     electromechanical'' after ``electrochemical'', and
       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) by inserting ``, or linear generator assembly,'' after 
     ``a fuel cell stack assembly'', and
       (B) by striking ``electrochemical means'' and inserting 
     ``electrochemical or electromechanical means without the use 
     of rotating parts''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply to property placed in service after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1517. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        On page 521, lines 13 and 14, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
       On page 521, line 21, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
       On page 522, line 11, strike ``Labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``Community partnership''.
       On page 522, line 12, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1518. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 37, between lines 15 and 16, insert the following:
       (d) Apprenticeships.--If the on-the-job training under a 
     career skills training program funded by a grant under this 
     section includes an apprenticeship, the apprenticeship shall 
     be an apprenticeship program (as defined in section 2301).
       On page 37, line 16, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(e)''.
       On page 46, line 25, insert ``(as defined in section 2301 
     of the American Energy Innovation Act of 2020)'' after 
     ``programs''.
       On page 527, between lines 3 and 4, insert the following:
       (6) Apprenticeships.--If on-the-job training funded by a 
     grant under the pilot program includes an apprenticeship, the 
     apprenticeship shall be an apprenticeship program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1519. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        On page 17, line 11, insert ``public'' before ``schools''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1520. Mrs. MURRAY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 2657, to 
support innovation in advanced geothermal research and development, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        On page 37, between lines 15 and 16, insert the following:
       (d) Apprenticeships.--If the on-the-job training under a 
     career skills training program funded by a grant under this 
     section includes an apprenticeship, the apprenticeship shall 
     be an apprenticeship program (as defined in section 2301).
       On page 37, line 16, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(e)''.
       On page 46, line 25, insert ``(as defined in section 2301 
     of the American Energy Innovation Act of 2020)'' after 
     ``programs''.
        On page 521, lines 13 and 14, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
       On page 521, line 21, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
       On page 522, line 11, strike ``Labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``Community partnership''.
       On page 522, line 12, strike ``labor management 
     organization'' and insert ``community partnership''.
       On page 527, between lines 3 and 4, insert the following:
       (6) Apprenticeships.--If on-the-job training funded by a 
     grant under the pilot program includes an apprenticeship, the 
     apprenticeship shall be an apprenticeship program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1521. Mrs. HYDE-SMITH submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill S. 
2657, to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and 
development, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. NUCLEAR FILTRATION TESTING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XLIV of the Atomic 
     Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2581 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 4410. NUCLEAR FILTRATION TESTING AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall--
       ``(1) designate, as a federally funded research and 
     development center, a research center at an institution of 
     higher education not designated as a federally funded 
     research and development center or a university-affiliated 
     research center as of the date of the enactment of this 
     section; and
       ``(2) enter into a formal arrangement with that research 
     center to carry out a partnership program to research, 
     develop, and demonstrate new advancements with respect to 
     nuclear containment ventilation systems.
       ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
     this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
     Atomic Energy Defense Act is amended by inserting after the 
     item relating to section 4409 the following new item:

``Sec. 4410. Nuclear filtration testing and research program.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1522. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Alexander) proposed an amendment to 
the bill S. 2683, to establish a task force to assist States in 
implementing hiring requirements for child care staff members to 
improve child safety; as follows:

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Child Care Protection 
     Improvement Act of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. TASK FORCE TO ASSIST IN IMPROVING CHILD SAFETY.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a task force, to 
     be known as the Interagency Task Force for Child Safety 
     (referred to in this section as the ``Task Force'') to 
     identify, evaluate, and recommend best practices and 
     technical assistance to assist Federal and State agencies in 
     fully implementing the requirements of section 658H(b) of the 
     Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858f(b)) for child care staff members.
       (b) Composition.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the President shall appoint the 
     members of the Task Force, which shall--
       (1) consist of only Federal officers and employees; and
       (2) include--
       (A) the Director of the Office of Child Care of the 
     Department of Health and Human Services (or the Director's 
     designee), the Associate Commissioner of the Children's 
     Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services (or the 
     Associate Commissioner's designee), and the Director of the 
     Federal Bureau of Investigation (or the Director's designee); 
     and
       (B) such other Federal officers and employees (or their 
     designees) as may be appointed by the President.
       (c) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the Task Force shall 
     be the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children 
     and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services.
       (d) Consultation.--The Task Force shall consult with 
     representatives from State child care agencies, State child 
     protective services, State criminal justice agencies, 
     providers of child care services, including providers in the 
     private sector, and other relevant stakeholders on 
     identifying problems in implementing, and proposing solutions 
     to implement, the requirements of section 658H(b) of the 
     Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, as 
     described in that section. Such consultation shall include 
     consultation with State agencies that are at different stages 
     of such implementation.

[[Page S1608]]

       (e) Task Force Duties.--The Task Force shall--
       (1) develop recommendations for improving implementation of 
     the requirements of section 658H(b) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990, including 
     recommendations about how the Task Force and member agencies 
     will collaborate and coordinate efforts to implement such 
     requirements, as described in that section; and
       (2) develop recommendations in which the Task Force 
     identifies best practices and evaluates technical assistance 
     to assist relevant Federal and State agencies in implementing 
     section 658H(b) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
     Act of 1990, which identification and evaluation shall 
     include--
       (A) an analysis of available research and information at 
     the Federal and State levels regarding the status of the 
     interstate requirements of that section for child care staff 
     members who have resided in one or more States during the 
     previous 5 years and who seek employment in a child care 
     program in a different State;
       (B) a list of State agencies that are not responding to 
     interstate requests covered by that section for relevant 
     information on child care staff members;
       (C) identification of the challenges State agencies are 
     experiencing in responding to such interstate requests;
       (D) an analysis of the length of time it takes the State 
     agencies in a State to receive such results from State 
     agencies in another State in response to such an interstate 
     request, in accordance with that section;
       (E) an analysis of the average processing time for the 
     interstate requests, in accordance with that section;
       (F) identification of any fees (and entities responsible 
     for paying any such fees) associated with the interstate 
     requests in each State to meet requirements, in accordance 
     with section 658H of the Child Care and Development Block 
     Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858f), including identification 
     of--
       (i) the extent to which such fees are consistent with 
     subsection (f) of that section; and
       (ii) information regarding factors that impact such fees;
       (G) a list of States that are participating in the National 
     Fingerprint File program, as administered by the Federal 
     Bureau of Investigation, and an analysis of reasons States 
     have or have not chosen to participate in the program, 
     including barriers to participation such as barriers related 
     to State regulatory requirements and statutes; and
       (H) a list of States that have closed record laws or 
     systems that prevent the States from sharing complete 
     criminal records data or information with State agencies in 
     another State.
       (f) Meetings.--Not later than 3 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall hold its first 
     meeting.
       (g) Final Report.--Not later than 1 year after the first 
     meeting of the Task Force, the Task Force shall submit to the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Committee on 
     Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the 
     Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
     Representatives a final report containing all of the 
     recommendations required by paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
     subsection (e). The report shall also include a list of the 
     members of the Task Force, the agencies such members 
     represent, and the individuals and entities with whom the 
     Task Force consulted under subsection (d).
       (h) No Compensation for Members.--A member of the Task 
     Force shall serve without compensation in addition to any 
     compensation received for the service of the member as an 
     officer or employee of the United States.
       (i) Exemption From FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee 
     Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force.
       (j) Sunset.--The Task Force shall terminate 1 year after 
     submitting its final report under subsection (g), but not 
     later than the end of fiscal year 2021.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1523. Mr. McCONNELL (for Mr. Blunt) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 2321, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin 
in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Negro 
Leagues baseball; as follows:

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Negro Leagues Baseball 
     Centennial Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 
     establishment of the Negro National League, a professional 
     baseball league formed in response to African-American 
     players being banned from the major leagues.
       (2) On February 13, 1920, Andrew ``Rube'' Foster convened a 
     meeting of 8 independent African-American baseball team 
     owners at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri, to form a 
     ``league of their own,'' establishing the Negro National 
     League, the first successful, organized professional African-
     American baseball league in the United States.
       (3) Soon, additional leagues formed in eastern and southern 
     States.
       (4) The Negro Leagues would operate for 40 years until 
     1960.
       (5) The story of the Negro Leagues is a story of strong-
     willed athletes who forged a glorious history in the midst of 
     an inglorious era of segregation in the United States.
       (6) The passion of the Negro Leagues players for the 
     ``National Pastime'' would not only change the game, but also 
     the United States.
       (7) The creation of the Negro Leagues provided a playing 
     field for more than 2,600 African-American and Hispanic 
     baseball players to showcase their world-class baseball 
     abilities.
       (8) The Negro Leagues introduced an exciting brand of 
     baseball that was in stark contrast to Major League Baseball.
       (9) A fast, aggressive style of play attracted black and 
     white fans who sat together to watch those games at a time 
     when it was virtually unheard of to interact socially in such 
     a way.
       (10) Negro Leagues baseball would become a catalyst for 
     economic development across the United States in major urban 
     centers such as Kansas City, St. Louis, New York, Memphis, 
     Baltimore, Washington, DC, Chicago, and Atlanta.
       (11) The Negro Leagues pioneered ``Night Baseball'' in 
     1930, 5 years before Major League Baseball, and would 
     introduce game-changing innovations such as shin guards and 
     the batting helmet.
       (12) The Negro Leagues helped make the National Pastime a 
     global game as players from the Negro Leagues--
       (A) were the first people from the United States to play in 
     many Spanish-speaking countries; and
       (B) introduced professional baseball to the Japanese in 
     1927.
       (13) Jackie Robinson, a military veteran and former member 
     of the Negro Leagues' Kansas City Monarchs, would break Major 
     League Baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, with the 
     Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for other African-American 
     and Hispanic baseball players.
       (14) The Negro Leagues were born out of segregation yet 
     would become a driving force for social change in the United 
     States.
       (15) The Negro Leagues produced future Major League 
     Baseball stars, including Leroy ``Satchel'' Paige, Larry 
     Doby, Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Roy 
     Campanella.
       (16) The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was established in 
     Kansas City, Missouri, in 1990--
       (A) to save from extinction a precious piece of Americana 
     and baseball history; and
       (B) to use the many life lessons of the powerful story of 
     triumph over adversity of Negro Leagues players to promote 
     tolerance, diversity, and inclusion.
       (17) In 2006, Congress granted National Designation to the 
     Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, recognizing it as ``America's 
     Home'' for Negro Leagues baseball history.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (C) contain not less than 90 percent gold.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain not less than 90 percent silver.
       (3) Half-dollar clad coins.--Not more than 400,000 half-
     dollar coins which shall--
       (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. DESIGNS OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The designs of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum 
     and its mission to promote tolerance, diversity, and 
     inclusion.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2022''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The designs for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Commission of Fine 
     Arts; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facilities.--Only 1 facility of the United States 
     Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the 
     coins minted under this Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only

[[Page S1609]]

     during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2022.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge of--
       (1) $35 per coin for the $5 coin;
       (2) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
       (3) $5 per coin for the half-dollar coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1) of title 
     31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the 
     Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Negro Leagues 
     Baseball Museum for educational and outreach programs and 
     exhibits.
       (c) Audits.--The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum shall be 
     subject to the audit requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of 
     title 31, United States Code, with regard to the amounts 
     received under subsection (b).
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue 
     guidance to carry out this subsection.

     SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.

       The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary 
     to ensure that--
       (1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not 
     result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
       (2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, are 
     disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the 
     total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins 
     authorized by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use 
     of machinery, overhead expenses, marketing, and shipping) is 
     recovered by the United States Treasury, consistent with 
     sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code.

     SEC. 9. MARKETING AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN.

       The Secretary shall develop and execute a marketing, 
     advertising, promotional, and educational program to promote 
     the collecting of the coins authorized under this subsection.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1524. Mr. McCONNELL (for Ms. Ernst) proposed an amendment to the 
bill S. 1757, to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the 
United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of 
their extraordinary service during World War II; as follows:

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``United States Army Rangers 
     Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Treasury; and
       (2) the term ``United States Army Rangers Veteran of World 
     War II'' means any individual who--
       (A) served in the Armed Forces--
       (i) honorably;
       (ii) in an active duty status; and
       (iii) at any time during the period beginning on June 19, 
     1942, and ending on September 2, 1945; and
       (B) was assigned to a Ranger Battalion of the Army at any 
     time during the period described in subparagraph (A)(iii).

     SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) In World War II, the Army formed 6 Ranger Battalions 
     and 1 provisional battalion. All members of the Ranger 
     Battalions were volunteers. The initial concept of Ranger 
     units drew from the British method of using highly trained 
     ``commando'' units and the military tradition of the United 
     States of utilizing light infantry for scouting and raiding 
     operations.
       (2) The Ranger Battalions of World War II consisted of--
       (A) the 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was activated 
     on June 19, 1942, in Northern Ireland;
       (B) the 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was activated 
     on April 1, 1943, at Camp Forrest, Tennessee;
       (C) the 3d Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was--
       (i) activated as provisional on May 21, 1943, in North 
     Africa; and
       (ii) constituted on July 21, 1943, and concurrently 
     consolidated with the provisional unit described in clause 
     (i);
       (D) the 4th Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was--
       (i) activated as provisional on May 29, 1943, in North 
     Africa; and
       (ii) constituted on July 21, 1943, and concurrently 
     consolidated with the provisional unit described in clause 
     (i);
       (E) the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was activated 
     on September 1, 1943, at Camp Forrest, Tennessee;
       (F) the 6th Ranger Infantry Battalion, which was--
       (i) originally activated on January 20, 1941, at Fort 
     Lewis, Washington, as the 98th Field Artillery Battalion; and
       (ii) converted and redesignated on September 26, 1944, as 
     the 6th Ranger Infantry Battalion; and
       (G) the 29th Ranger Infantry Battalion, a provisional Army 
     National Guard unit that was--
       (i) activated on December 20, 1942, at Tidworth Barracks, 
     England; and
       (ii) disbanded on October 18, 1943.
       (3) The first combat operations of Army Rangers occurred on 
     August 19, 1942, when 50 Rangers took part in the British-
     Canadian raid on the French coastal town of Dieppe.
       (4) The 1st Ranger Battalion, under the leadership of Major 
     William O. Darby, was used in full strength during the 
     landings at Arsew, Algeria, during the North African 
     campaign. Due to the success of the Rangers in several 
     difficult battles, particularly at El Guettar in March and 
     April of 1943, 2 additional Ranger Battalions were organized 
     in North Africa.
       (5) During the North African campaign, the 1st Ranger 
     Battalion was awarded battle honors for its actions in 
     Tunisia. On March 20, 1943, the Battalion penetrated enemy 
     lines and captured the position Djebel el Ank in a nighttime 
     attack, taking more than 200 prisoners. Three days later, the 
     battalion was attacked by the 10th Panzer division of the 
     German Afrika Korps and, despite heavy losses, defended its 
     position and inflicted considerable losses on the enemy. This 
     engagement constituted what General Omar Bradley labeled 
     ``the first solid, indisputable defeat we inflicted on the 
     German army in the war''. These actions demonstrated the 
     ability of the Rangers to fight in difficult terrain and the 
     courage to endure despite being outnumbered and exposed to 
     heavy enemy fire.
       (6) The 29th provisional Ranger Battalion was formed from 
     volunteers drawn from the 29th Infantry Division stationed in 
     England in the fall of 1942. The Battalion was activated on 
     December 20, 1942, and accompanied British commandos on 3 
     small-scale raids in Norway. Nineteen members of the 29th 
     Ranger Battalion conducted a raid on a German radar site in 
     France on the night of September 3, 1943. After that raid, 
     the 29th Ranger Battalion was disbanded because new Ranger 
     units, the 2d and 5th Battalions, were being formed.
       (7) During the summer and fall of 1943, the 1st, 3d, and 
     4th Ranger Battalions were heavily involved in the campaign 
     in Sicily and the landings in Italy. The 1st and 4th Ranger 
     Battalions conducted a night amphibious landing in Sicily and 
     secured the landing beaches for the main force. The 3d 
     Battalion landed separately at Licata, Sicily, and was able 
     to silence gun positions on an 82-foot cliff overlooking the 
     invasion beaches.
       (8) During the invasion of Italy, the 1st, 3d, and 4th 
     Ranger Battalions landed at Maiori with the mission of 
     seizing the high ground and protecting the flank of the 
     remainder of the main landing by the United States. Despite 
     suffering from low ammunition and inadequate provisions and 
     water, the Rangers fended off numerous enemy counterattacks 
     against the mountain passes and via radio directed naval 
     gunfire on the enemy forces approaching the beaches below.
       (9) After the invasion of Italy, Rangers continued to be 
     used, often in night attacks, to seize key terrain ahead of 
     the advancing Allied forces. At the Anzio beachhead, the 
     majority of the 1st, 3d, and 4th Ranger Battalions sustained 
     heavy casualties after being cut off behind German lines. The 
     Rangers had planned to infiltrate German positions under the 
     cover of darkness and make a dawn attack on a critical road 
     junction but were pinned down by enemy tanks and an elite 
     German paratrooper unit. After 12 hours of desperate fighting 
     and a failed relief attempt, the majority of the Ranger force 
     was killed, wounded, or captured. Only 6 Rangers from the 1st 
     and 3d Battalions, out of more than 767 men, returned to 
     friendly lines. The 4th Battalion, which had been in reserve, 
     also suffered 60 killed and 120 wounded out of 550 men. These 
     3 battalions were inactivated and the survivors were 
     transferred to other units.
       (10) In the United States, and later in Scotland, the 2d 
     and 5th Ranger Battalions were formed to undertake operations 
     in Western Europe. Those Battalions were engaged on D-Day, 
     assaulting German positions at the Pointe du Hoc coastal 
     battery, and remained in combat through September of 1944. 
     Specifically, Rangers in the 2d Battalion, under the command 
     of Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder--

[[Page S1610]]

       (A) overcame mines, machine gun fire, and enemy artillery 
     while scaling the 100-foot high cliffs at Pointe du Hoc;
       (B) held against intense German efforts to retake the 
     position; and
       (C) after reaching the top of the cliffs, moved inland 
     roughly 1 mile and sustained heavy casualties while searching 
     for, and ultimately destroying, a German heavy artillery 
     battery.
       (11) During June, July, and August of 1944, the 2d and 5th 
     Ranger Battalions were engaged in the campaign in Brest, 
     which included close-range fighting in hedgerows and numerous 
     villages. Later, in operations in Western Germany, the 
     Battalions were frequently used to attack in darkness and 
     gain vital positions to pave the way for the main Army 
     attacks.
       (12) During the final drive into Germany in late February 
     and early March 1945, the 5th Ranger Battalion was cited for 
     battle honors for outstanding performance. Under the cover of 
     darkness the unit drove into German lines and secured the 
     objective area blocking the main German supply route. The 
     Germans attacked the position of the Rangers from both sides, 
     resulting in heavy Ranger casualties during 5 days of 
     fighting. As a result of the actions of the Rangers, the main 
     Army attack was able to overcome German defenses more easily, 
     occupy the vital city of Trier, and reach the Rhine River.
       (13) The 6th Ranger Battalion operated in the Pacific. In 
     the most notable exploit of the 6th Ranger Battalion, in 
     January and February of 1945, the Battalion formed the 
     nucleus of a rescue force that liberated more than 500 Allied 
     prisoners, including prisoners from the United States, from 
     the Cabanatuan prisoner of war camp in the Philippines. With 
     the help of local Filipino guerillas, the Rangers, led by 
     Lieutenant Colonel Henry A. Mucci, demonstrated extraordinary 
     heroism by infiltrating Japanese-held territory to reach the 
     prisoners of war and prevent them from being killed by the 
     Japanese. After a 25-mile march at night through the jungle, 
     the unit killed all Japanese sentries with no loss of life of 
     the prisoners of war. The unit successfully returned to 
     American lines having lost only 2 soldiers killed and having 
     another 2 wounded.
       (14) The 1st Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) Algeria-French Morocco (with arrowhead);
       (ii) Tunisia;
       (iii) Sicily (with arrowhead);
       (iv) Naples-Foggia (with arrowhead);
       (v) Anzio (with arrowhead); and
       (vi) Rome-Arno; and
       (B) for its contributions, received--
       (i) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``EL GUETTAR''; and
       (ii) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``SALERNO''.
       (15) The 2d Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) Normandy (with arrowhead);
       (ii) Northern France;
       (iii) Rhineland;
       (iv) Ardennes-Alsace; and
       (v) Central Europe; and
       (B) for its contributions, received--
       (i) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``POINTE DU HOE''; and
       (ii) the French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star, 
     World War II, and streamer embroidered with ``POINTE DU 
     HOE''.
       (16) The 3d Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) Sicily (with arrowhead);
       (ii) Naples-Foggia (with arrowhead);
       (iii) Anzio (with arrowhead); and
       (iv) Rome-Arno; and
       (B) for its contributions, received the Presidential Unit 
     Citation (Army) and streamer embroidered with ``SALERNO''.
       (17) The 4th Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) Sicily (with arrowhead);
       (ii) Naples-Foggia (with arrowhead);
       (iii) Anzio (with arrowhead); and
       (iv) Rome-Arno; and
       (B) for its contributions, received the Presidential Unit 
     Citation (Army) and streamer embroidered with ``SALERNO''.
       (18) The 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) Normandy (with arrowhead);
       (ii) Northern France;
       (iii) Rhineland;
       (iv) Ardennes-Alsace; and
       (v) Central Europe; and
       (B) for its contributions, received--
       (i) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``NORMANDY BEACHHEAD'';
       (ii) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``SAAR RIVER AREA''; and
       (iii) the French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star, 
     World War II, and streamer embroidered with ``NORMANDY''.
       (19) The 6th Ranger Infantry Battalion--
       (A) participated in the campaigns of--
       (i) New Guinea;
       (ii) Leyte (with arrowhead); and
       (iii) Luzon; and
       (B) for its contributions, received--
       (i) the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) and streamer 
     embroidered with ``CABU, LUZON''; and
       (ii) the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and streamer 
     embroidered with ``17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945''.
       (20) The United States will be forever indebted to the 
     United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II, whose 
     bravery and sacrifice in combat contributed greatly to the 
     military success of the United States and the allies of the 
     United States.

     SEC. 4. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Award Authorized.--The President pro tempore of the 
     Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall 
     make appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of 
     Congress, of a single gold medal of appropriate design to the 
     United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II, in 
     recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award 
     described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall strike the 
     gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, 
     to be determined by the Secretary.
       (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
       (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in 
     honor of the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War 
     II, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian 
     Institution, where the medal shall be--
       (A) available for display, as appropriate; and
       (B) made available for research.
       (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal 
     received under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere, 
     particularly at other locations associated with--
       (A) the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War 
     II; or
       (B) World War II.
       (d) Duplicate Medals.--Under regulations that the Secretary 
     may prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates 
     in bronze of the gold medal struck under this section, at a 
     price sufficient to cover the cost of the medals, including 
     the cost of labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
     overhead expenses.

     SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDAL.

       (a) National Medal.--The gold medal struck under section 4 
     shall be a national medal for the purposes of chapter 51 of 
     title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For the purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under section 
     4 shall be considered to be numismatic items.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 1525. Mrs. SHAHEEN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 1514 proposed by Mr. Portman (for himself and Mrs. 
Shaheen) to the amendment SA 1407 proposed by Ms. Murkowski to the bill 
S. 2657, to support innovation in advanced geothermal research and 
development, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

        On page 28, line 19, strike ``2021'' and insert ``2020''.

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