[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1017-S1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Coons, Mr. Booker, Mr.
Menendez, and Mr. Schumer):
S. 3767. A bill to amend the Water Infrastructure Improvements for
the Nation Act to reauthorize Delaware River Basin conservation
programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works.
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce, along
with the Senator from Pennsylvania, Mr. Casey, the Junior Senator from
Delaware, Mr. Coons, the Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Booker, the
Senator from New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, and the Senator from New York,
Mr. Schumer, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act
of 2022.
The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act became law as part of the
Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act of 2016. This
legislation, which I was proud to lead, responded to the need for
Federal, State, and local governments and regional partners to come
together to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration activities
within the Delaware River Basin. The legislation also created a
nonregulatory grant program for which appropriations have flowed
through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation has done an excellent job of working with the Fish
and Wildlife Service to administer the Delaware Watershed Conservation
Fund under the authority of this act.
In just a few short years, this program has grown tremendously. To
date, the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund has awarded more than
$25 million to projects that support recreation, water quality, water
management, and habitat. Grantees have matched that investment by a
ratio of nearly 2 to 1--an impressive total conservation impact of over
$70 million.
This program is a great example of how when the government--at all
levels--works with diverse suites of nongovernment stakeholders, we can
achieve meaningful results on the ground that improve the lives of
people and wildlife alike.
For example, the program has funded several diverse projects in
Delaware, including installing pollinator gardens at places of worship,
removing a dam in White Clay Creek, improving fish passage in the
Brandywine River, and restoring wetlands at our national wildlife
refuges. These restoration efforts protect the species we love, clean
up our drinking water, and provide a boost to local tourism.
The legislation I am introducing today would reauthorize the Delaware
River Basin Conservation Act and make some minor improvements to allow
even better results on the ground throughout the Delaware River
Watershed. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment
and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our region.
I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important
legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the
bill I am introducing today appear in the Record following my
statement.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3767
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 ``Delaware River Basin
Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. DELAWARE RIVER BASIN CONSERVATION REAUTHORIZATION.
(a) Cost Sharing.--Section 3504(c)(1) of the Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law
114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Federal share'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the Federal share''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Small, rural, and disadvantaged communities.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), the Federal
share of the cost of a project funded under the grant program
that serves a small, rural, or disadvantaged community shall
be 90 percent of the total cost of the project, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(ii) Waiver.--The Secretary may increase the Federal
share under clause (i) to 100 percent of the total cost of
the project if the Secretary determines that the grant
recipient is unable to pay, or would experience significant
financial hardship if required to pay, the non-Federal
share.''.
(b) Repeal of Prohibition on Use of Funds for Federal
Acquisition of Interests in Land.--Section 3506 of the Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law
114-322; 130 Stat. 1775) is repealed.
(c) Sunset.--Section 3507 of the Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation Act (Public Law 114-322; 130
Stat. 1775) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2030''.
______
By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Scott of South Carolina):
S. 3768. A bill to require the Secretary of Labor to implement the
industry-recognized apprenticeship program process, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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. 3768
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 ``Training America's Workforce
Act''.
SEC. 2. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
The Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the
``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 63; 29
U.S.C. 50 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 4 as section 5; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 4. INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Industry-recognized apprenticeship program.--The term
`industry-recognized apprenticeship program'--
[[Page S1018]]
``(A) means a high-quality, competency-based apprenticeship
program that is--
``(i) recognized by a standards recognition entity;
``(ii) developed or delivered by an entity such as a trade
or industry group, corporation, nonprofit organization,
institution of higher education, labor organization, or
labor-management organization (among other entities, as
determined appropriate by the Secretary); and
``(B) may include a program that meets the requirements of
subparagraph (A) and trains apprentices to perform
construction activities.
``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Labor.
``(3) Standards recognition entity.--The term `standards
recognition entity' means a private sector or public sector
entity that--
``(A) is recognized by the Secretary (acting through the
Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship of the
Department of Labor) for purposes of recognizing
apprenticeship programs as industry-recognized apprenticeship
programs;
``(B) has a demonstrated ability to ensure an industry-
recognized apprenticeship program meets the standards
described in subsection (d); and
``(C) has the capacity to perform the oversight necessary
to ensure the ongoing compliance of an industry-recognized
apprenticeship program with such standards.
``(b) Recognition of Industry-recognized Apprenticeship
Programs.--
``(1) In general.--By not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of the Training America's Workforce Act, the
Secretary, after consultation with private sector industry
associations, institutions of higher education, State, local,
and Tribal governmental agencies, and other stakeholders the
Secretary determines appropriate, shall establish a process
to recognize entities as standards recognition entities for
purposes of recognizing industry-recognized apprenticeship
programs under this Act.
``(2) Limited discretion.--The Secretary shall not deny
recognition as a standards recognition entity to a private
sector or public sector entity that meets the requirements of
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(3) and
satisfactorily completes the process established under
paragraph (1).
``(3) Administrative flexibility.--The Secretary shall
ensure that the recognition process for standards recognition
entities established under paragraph (1) is a flexible
process with low administrative and reporting burdens for the
standards recognition entities and industry-recognized
apprenticeship programs.
``(c) Requirements.--The recognition process of standards
recognition entities and the activities and procedures
carried out by the standards recognition entities shall, to
the maximum extent practicable and except as otherwise
explicitly provided in this section, be consistent with the
requirements, activities, and procedures under subpart B of
part 29 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, as such
subpart was in effect on May 11, 2020.
``(d) Standards.--Each standard recognition entity shall
establish standards for the industry-recognized
apprenticeship programs recognized by the entity that, at a
minimum, ensure that each industry-recognized apprenticeship
program--
``(1) includes--
``(A) paid work;
``(B) on-the-job learning;
``(C) a mentorship component;
``(D) education and classroom instruction;
``(E) a written training plan and apprenticeship agreement;
and
``(F) safety and supervision components; and
``(2) provides, during participation in or upon completion
of the apprenticeship, an industry-recognized credential.
``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed as affecting apprenticeship programs registered
under this Act and recognized by the Secretary of Labor.''.
______
By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Coons, and Mrs.
Shaheen):
S. 3769. A bill to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act
to improve the weatherization assistance program, and for other
purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Weatherization
Assistance Program Improvements Act, which will make critical updates
to ensure this important program can effectively serve even more
households across the country.
Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more
than 7 million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making
their homes more energy efficient. The Department of Energy estimates
that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills
annually. Those energy savings free up limited financial resources for
essentials, like groceries and medicine.
In addition to traditional services like attic and wall insulation,
the program also provides services that help with home health and
safety measures, such as installing smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors. Energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon
footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate
change.
An independent study of the Weatherization Assistance Program by Oak
Ridge National Laboratory found that children in weatherized households
miss less school, improving educational outcomes. Adults miss less
work, increasing both their own incomes and their contributions to the
economy. Families also reported experiencing fewer flu and cold
symptoms and emergency room visits, decreasing costly medical expenses.
The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps boost our economy.
The program supports over 8,500 jobs for energy experts and
contractors, while increasing our national economic output by $1.2
billion.
The program is a win-win for all involved. That is why, as a member
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have led my colleagues in
supporting strong funding for it every year. And that is why I am
introducing this bill--to ensure it continues to work for years to
come.
This bill, which is cosponsored by Senators Collins, Coons, and
Shaheen, will help expand the program to many more low-income
households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services
because their homes are not structurally sound. The bill will authorize
a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $65 million a year for 5
years to repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization
assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to
serve.
At the same time, it will raise the amount of funding allowed to be
spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs,
and it will raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent
on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are
essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over
the past few decades.
I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense
legislation.
______
By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Hagerty, and Mr.
King):
S. 3771. A bill to prohibit United States persons from engaging in
transactions with foreign persons that purchase or transact in gold
from the Russian Federation; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs.
Mr. CORNYN. President, I ask unanimous consent to print my bill for
introduction in the Congressional Record. The bill prohibits U.S.
persons from engaging in transactions with foreign persons who purchase
or transact in gold from the Russian Federation.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
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 ``Stop Russian Government and
Oligarchs from Limiting Democracy Act of 2022'' or the ``Stop
Russian GOLD Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH FOREIGN PERSONS THAT
PURCHASE OR TRANSACT IN RUSSIAN GOLD.
(a) In General.--Any transaction by a United States person
with a foreign person described in subsection (b) is
prohibited.
(b) Foreign Person Described.--A foreign person is
described in this subsection if the foreign person--
(1) purchases, transacts in, or transports between
countries gold received from the Government of the Russian
Federation, including from reserves of the Central Bank of
the Russian Federation held outside the Russian Federation;
or
(2) engages in a transaction--
(A) involving gold; and
(B) that has a physical or electronic nexus to the Russian
Federation.
(c) Guidance.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
publish guidance for United States persons with respect to
compliance with this section, including guidance--
(1) to ensure that United States persons are able to avoid
unknowingly investing in or transacting with foreign persons
described in subsection (b) through bundled or basked assets;
and
(2) to facilitate divestment from investment in and
transactions with such foreign persons.
(d) Implementation; Penalties.--
[[Page S1019]]
(1) Implementation.--The President may exercise all
authorities provided under sections 203 and 205 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702
and 1704) to carry out this section.
(2) Penalties.--A person that violates, attempts to
violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of this
section or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry
out this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth
in subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705)
to the same extent as a person that commits an unlawful act
described in subsection (a) of that section.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means an
individual or entity that is not a United States person.
(2) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted
for permanent residence to the United States; or
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States
or any jurisdiction within the United States, including a
foreign branch of such an entity.
____________________