[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.

                          ____________________