[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S319-S320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Schatz):
S. 189. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for
annual cost-of-living adjustments to be made automatically by law each
year in the rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-
connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity
compensation for survivors of certain service-connected disabled
veterans, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans'
Affairs.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 189
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 ``Veterans' Disability
Compensation Automatic COLA Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. AUTOMATIC ANNUAL INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY
COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY
COMPENSATION.
(a) Indexing to Social Security Increases.--Section 5312 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d);
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new
subsection:
``(c)(1) Whenever there is an increase in benefit amounts
payable under title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
401 et seq.) as a result of a determination made under
section 215(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)), the Secretary
shall, effective on the date of such increase in benefit
amounts, increase the dollar amounts in effect for the
payment of disability compensation and dependency and
indemnity compensation by the Secretary, as specified in
paragraph (2), as such amounts were in effect immediately
before the date of such increase in benefit amounts payable
under title II of the Social Security Act, by the same
percentage as the percentage by which such benefit amounts
are increased.
``(2) The dollar amounts to be increased pursuant to
paragraph (1) are the following:
``(A) Disability compensation.--Each of the dollar amounts
in effect under section 1114 of this title.
``(B) Additional compensation for dependents.--Each of the
dollar amounts in effect under section 1115(1) of this title.
``(C) Clothing allowance.--The dollar amount in effect
under section 1162 of this title.
``(D) New dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
under paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 1311(a) of this
title.
``(E) Old dic rates.--Each of the dollar amounts in effect
under section 1311(a)(3) of this title.
``(F) Additional dic for surviving spouses with minor
children.--The dollar amount in effect under section 1311(b)
of this title.
``(G) Additional dic for disability.--Each of the dollar
amounts in effect under subsections (c) and (d) of section
1311 of this title.
``(H) DIC for dependent children.--Each of the dollar
amounts in effect under sections 1313(a) and 1314 of this
title.''; and
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (d), as redesignated
by paragraph (1), the following new paragraph:
``(3) Whenever there is an increase under subsection (c)(1)
in amounts in effect for the payment of disability
compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation, the
Secretary shall publish such amounts, as increased pursuant
to such subsection, in the Federal Register at the same time
as the material required by section 215(i)(2)(D) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(2)(D)) is published by
reason of a determination under section 215(i) of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(i)).''.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) of section 5312 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of
this section, shall take effect on the first day of the first
calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
______
By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
S. 192. A bill to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate
certain river segments in the State of Oregon as components of the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am introducing the River Democracy
Act of 2021, to add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the
national Wild and Scenic Rivers system to protect the recreational
opportunities, clean drinking water, fish, and wildlife
[[Page S320]]
habitat that they provide from harmful activities.
Oregon's 110,994 miles of rivers and streams are an invaluable part
of Oregon's livability and an irreplaceable resource that must remain
intact for future generations. Currently, Oregon has only protected 2%
(2,173 miles) of rivers and streams under the national Wild and Scenic
Rivers system--including gems like the Rogue and Deschutes Rivers and
many other iconic salmon and steelhead streams.
Our rivers and streams are Oregon's lifeblood--they provide clean
drinking water to millions of Oregonians, sustain our thriving outdoor
recreation economy, nurture the salmon and steelhead that fuel our
important commercial and recreational fishing industries, and help
maintain the quality of life that brings new investments, businesses,
and jobs to our state. Oregon's outdoor recreation industry is an
economic engine in Oregon. According to the Outdoor Recreation
Industry, it supports 224,000 jobs and generates $15.6 billion in
economic activity. Healthy rivers are the foundation for Oregon's
outdoor recreation economy.
With the climate crisis worsening, access to clean and safe drinking
water has perhaps never been more important. America's Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act aims to protect and preserve the character of our nation's
most important rivers while balancing recreation, multiple use,
habitat, and conservation. It encourages public participation in
developing goals for river protection, and helps safeguard important
waterways as a legacy for future generations.
While I am proud that Oregon has 2,173 miles of protected Wild and
Scenic Rivers, it is still a small fraction of Oregon's total river
mileage.
On October 2, 2019, I began a public process to solicit
recommendations from Oregonians on rivers and streams that deserve
protection under the national Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. I held
several open-to-all public meetings specifically to hear from
Oregonians and gather feedback. The topic has also come up at most
townhalls I've since held. Since then, nearly 2,500 Oregonians
submitted over 15,000 nominations.
I called on Oregonians to help me develop new legislation to protect
Oregon's rivers and they, clearly and loudly, responded. Whether they
were a whitewater rafter, a brewer, an elementary school science
student, an angler or simply an Oregonian who believes strongly in
protecting rivers or streams that provide safe drinking water to their
community, they had the chance to speak up for their favorite rivers
and highlight the outstanding values that make each river worthy of
protection.
Today, I am continuing the effort to protect rivers and streams,
drinking water, recreation opportunities, and fish and wildlife
habitat. The River Democracy Act represents the best of the Oregon
Way--when every Oregonian had the chance to nominate their favorite
river or stream worthy of protection under America's Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act. Ultimately, this is the starting point for future
conversations about river conservation in Oregon.
Based on the suggestions of Oregonians, the River Democracy Act would
add 4,702 miles of rivers and streams in Oregon to the national Wild
and Scenic Rivers system with the goals of creating a flexible land
management tool that expands recreation access, protects drinking
water, reduces wildfire threats, maintains cultural and historic land
management practices, and sustains endangered fish and wildlife
species.
The bill requires federal land managers to assess wildfire risks in
Wild and Scenic River corridors, implement a plan to reduce wildfire
risks to homes and businesses near Wild and Scenic Rivers, assist local
governments to mitigate wildfire risks, and restore water quality
should a fire strike near a Wild and Scenic River.
The River Democracy Act encourages Federal land managers to develop
river management plans in collaboration with Native American tribes,
and ensures Tribes have a say in how rivers are managed.
The bill ensures that only Federal lands are affected by Wild and
Scenic designations, while protecting private property rights, water
rights, and existing permits and rights of way on Federal lands.
It is important to note that each river segment in this bill was
selected for specific outstanding remarkable values. A chart that shows
the specific outstanding remarkable values for each one can be found at
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/ORVs%20chart%202-2-2l.pdf.
Oregonians know their rivers provide more than just electricity. They
are the spawning grounds for some of the nation's richest runs of
salmon and steelhead. They provide extraordinary trout fishing and
unparalleled recreation. They are the source of safe, clean and
delicious drinking water. Oregon's rivers are, most of all, an
important part of our very special quality of life that needs to be
preserved for future generations of Oregonians.
______
By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Ernst,
Mr. Grassley, Mr. Rounds, and Ms. Baldwin):
S. 193. A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency to update the modeling used for lifecycle greenhouse
gas assessments for corn-based ethanol and biodiesel, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 193
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 ``Adopt the Greenhouse Gases,
Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation Model
Act'' or the ``Adopt GREET Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR.
In this Act, the term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
SEC. 3. LIFECYCLE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM CORN-BASED
ETHANOL AND BIODIESEL.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5
years thereafter, the Administrator shall update the
methodology used by the Environmental Protection Agency in
lifecycle analyses with respect to greenhouse gas emissions
that result from corn-based ethanol and biodiesel.
(b) Requirements.--
(1) First update.--In carrying out the first update
required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall adopt
the most recent Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and
Energy use in Transportation model (commonly referred to as
the ``GREET model'') developed by Argonne National
Laboratory.
(2) Subsequent updates.--In carrying out the second and
each subsequent update required under subsection (a), the
Administrator shall--
(A) as necessary, adopt, review, or update a methodology
determined to be appropriate by the Administrator; or
(B) adopt the methodology described in paragraph (1).
(c) Report.--If the Administrator fails to carry out
subsection (b)(2) before the applicable deadline described in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall submit to the
Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Energy
and Natural Resources, and Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committees on Agriculture, Energy and
Commerce, and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report describing the reasons for the
failure to carry out subsection (b)(2), which may include a
determination by the Administrator that the methodology
adopted or updated in a previous update under subsection (a)
remains the most current methodology based on available data,
research, and technology.
____________________