[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7131-H7134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PUBLIC AND FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING FIRE SAFETY ACT OF 2022

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7981) to require qualifying smoke alarms in certain 
federally assisted housing, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7981

       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 ``Public and Federally 
     Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022''.

     SEC. 2. SMOKE ALARMS IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING.

       (a) Public Housing, Tenant-Based Assistance, and Project-
     Based Assistance.--The United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 3(a) (42 U.S.C. 1437a(a)), by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(9) Qualifying smoke alarms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each public housing agency shall ensure 
     that a qualifying smoke alarm is installed in accordance with 
     applicable codes and standards published by the International 
     Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and 
     the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in 
     or near each sleeping area in any dwelling unit in public 
     housing owned or operated by the public housing agency, 
     including in basements but excepting crawl spaces and 
     unfinished attics, and in each common area in a project 
     containing such a dwelling unit.
       ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(i) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).

[[Page H7132]]

       ``(ii) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term 
     `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--

       ``(I) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(aa) hardwired; or
       ``(bb) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--
       ``(AA) is sealed;
       ``(BB) is tamper resistant;
       ``(CC) contains silencing means; and
       ``(DD) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or

       ``(II) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''; and

       (2) in section 8 (42 U.S.C. 1437f)--
       (A) by inserting after subsection (k) the following:
       ``(l) Qualifying Smoke Alarms.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each owner of a dwelling unit receiving 
     project-based assistance under this section shall ensure that 
     qualifying smoke alarms are installed in accordance with 
     applicable codes and standards published by the International 
     Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and 
     the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in 
     or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including 
     in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished 
     attics, and in each common area in a project containing such 
     a dwelling unit.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(A) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(B) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term `qualifying 
     smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--
       ``(i) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(I) hardwired; or
       ``(II) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--

       ``(aa) is sealed;
       ``(bb) is tamper resistant;
       ``(cc) contains silencing means; and
       ``(dd) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''; and
       (B) in subsection (o), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(22) Qualifying smoke alarms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each dwelling unit receiving tenant-
     based assistance or project-based assistance under this 
     subsection shall have a qualifying smoke alarm installed in 
     accordance with applicable codes and standards published by 
     the International Code Council or the National Fire 
     Protection Association and the requirements of the National 
     Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor 
     standard, in each level and in or near each sleeping area in 
     such dwelling unit, including in basements but excepting 
     crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area 
     in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
       ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(i) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(ii) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term 
     `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--

       ``(I) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(aa) hardwired; or
       ``(bb) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--
       ``(AA) is sealed;
       ``(BB) is tamper resistant;
       ``(CC) contains silencing means; and
       ``(DD) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or

       ``(II) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''.

       (b) Supportive Housing for the Elderly.--Section 202(j) of 
     the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(j)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(10) Qualifying smoke alarms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each owner of a dwelling unit assisted 
     under this section shall ensure that qualifying smoke alarms 
     are installed in accordance with the requirements of 
     applicable codes and standards and the National Fire 
     Protection Association Standard 72, or any successor 
     standard, in each level and in or near each sleeping area in 
     such dwelling unit, including in basements but excepting 
     crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each common area 
     in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
       ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(i) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(ii) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term 
     `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--

       ``(I) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(aa) hardwired; or
       ``(bb) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--
       ``(AA) is sealed;
       ``(BB) is tamper resistant;
       ``(CC) contains silencing means; and
       ``(DD) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or

       ``(II) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''.

       (c) Supportive Housing for Persons With Disabilities.--
     Section 811(j) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013(j)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(8) Qualifying smoke alarms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each dwelling unit assisted under this 
     section shall contain qualifying smoke alarms that are 
     installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards 
     published by the International Code Council or the National 
     Fire Protection Association and the requirements of the 
     National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any 
     successor standard, in each level and in or near each 
     sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements 
     but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each 
     common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
       ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(i) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(ii) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term 
     `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--

       ``(I) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(aa) hardwired; or
       ``(bb) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--
       ``(AA) is sealed;
       ``(BB) is tamper resistant;
       ``(CC) contains silencing means; and
       ``(DD) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or

       ``(II) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''.

       (d) Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS.--Section 
     856 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 12905) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(j) Qualifying Smoke Alarms.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each dwelling unit assisted under this 
     subtitle shall contain qualifying smoke alarms that are 
     installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards 
     published by the International Code Council or the National 
     Fire Protection Association and the requirements of the 
     National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or any 
     successor standard, in each level and in or near each 
     sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements 
     but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each 
     common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(A) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(B) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term `qualifying 
     smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--
       ``(i) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this subsection and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this subsection 
     is--

       ``(I) hardwired; or
       ``(II) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--

       ``(aa) is sealed;
       ``(bb) is tamper resistant;
       ``(cc) contains silencing means; and
       ``(dd) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this subsection, is hardwired.''.
       (e) Rural Housing.--Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
     U.S.C. 1471 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484), by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(k) Qualifying Smoke Alarms.--
       ``(1) In general.--Housing and related facilities 
     constructed with loans under this section shall contain 
     qualifying smoke alarms that are installed in accordance with 
     applicable codes and standards published by the International 
     Code Council or the National Fire Protection Association and 
     the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in 
     or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including 
     in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished 
     attics, and in each common area in a project containing such 
     a dwelling unit.
       ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(A) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term

[[Page H7133]]

     `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(B) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term `qualifying 
     smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--
       ``(i) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this subsection and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date enactment of this subsection 
     is--

       ``(I) hardwired; or
       ``(II) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--

       ``(aa) is sealed;
       ``(bb) is tamper resistant;
       ``(cc) contains silencing means; and
       ``(dd) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
       ``(ii) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this subsection, is hardwired.''; and
       (2) in section 515(m) (42 U.S.C. 1485(m)) by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(3) Qualifying Smoke Alarms.--
       ``(A) In general.--Housing and related facilities 
     rehabilitated or repaired with amounts received under a loan 
     made or insured under this section shall contain qualifying 
     smoke alarms that are installed in accordance with applicable 
     codes and standards published by the International Code 
     Council or the National Fire Protection Association and the 
     requirements of the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard, in each level and in 
     or near each sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including 
     in basements but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished 
     attics, and in each common area in a project containing such 
     a dwelling unit.
       ``(B) Definitions.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       ``(i) Smoke alarm defined.--The term `smoke alarm' has the 
     meaning given the term `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of 
     the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 
     U.S.C. 2225(d)).
       ``(ii) Qualifying smoke alarm defined.--The term 
     `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm that--
       ``(I) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--

       ``(aa) hardwired; or
       ``(bb) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--

       ``(AA) is sealed;
       ``(BB) is tamper resistant;
       ``(CC) contains silencing means; and
       ``(DD) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or
       ``(II) in the case of a dwelling unit built or 
     substantially rehabilitated after the date of enactment of 
     this paragraph, is hardwired.''.
       (f) Farm Labor Housing Direct Loans & Grants.--Section 516 
     of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1486) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) that such housing shall contain qualifying smoke 
     alarms that are installed in accordance with applicable codes 
     and standards published by the International Code Council or 
     the National Fire Protection Association and the requirements 
     of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 72, or 
     any successor standard, in each level and in or near each 
     sleeping area in such dwelling unit, including in basements 
     but excepting crawl spaces and unfinished attics, and in each 
     common area in a project containing such a dwelling unit.''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (g)--
       (A) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) the term `smoke alarm' has the meaning given the term 
     `smoke detector' in section 29(d) of the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2225(d)); and
       ``(6) the term `qualifying smoke alarm' means a smoke alarm 
     that--
       ``(A) in the case of a dwelling unit built before the date 
     of enactment of this paragraph and not substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     is--
       ``(i) hardwired; or
       ``(ii) uses 10-year non rechargeable, nonreplaceable 
     primary batteries and--

       ``(I) is sealed;
       ``(II) is tamper resistant;
       ``(III) contains silencing means; and
       ``(IV) provides notification for persons with hearing loss 
     as required by the National Fire Protection Association 
     Standard 72, or any successor standard; or

       ``(B) in the case of a dwelling unit built or substantially 
     rehabilitated after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
     is hardwired.''.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out the amendments made by this 
     section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 
     2023 through 2027.
       (h) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) 
     through (f) shall take effect on the date that is 2 years 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (i) No Preemption.--Nothing in the amendments made by this 
     section shall be construed to preempt or limit the 
     applicability of any State or local law relating to the 
     installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in housing that 
     requires standards that are more stringent than the standards 
     described in the amendments made by this section.

     SEC. 3. FIRE SAFETY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development shall, not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, complete a national educational 
     campaign that educates the general public about health and 
     safety requirements in housing and how to properly use safety 
     features in housing, including self-closing doors, smoke 
     alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development to carry out this section, $2,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 2024.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Waters) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I thank Representative Dean for introducing H.R. 7981, the Public and 
Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022, in response to the 
devastating apartment fire that occurred in a Philadelphia public 
housing unit, where 12 people died, including 9 children.
  The subsequent investigation into this tragedy, found that the 
majority of the smoke alarms in the home were inoperable, as they had 
either been removed from the walls or had no batteries inside.
  With proper fire safety tools in place, these deaths could have been 
prevented. A 2021 study from the National Fire Protection Agency found 
that nearly three out of five home fire deaths are caused by fires in 
properties with no smoke alarms present, or smoke alarms that failed to 
operate. Functional smoke alarms can reduce the number of home fire 
deaths.
  To help prevent similar tragedies like the one in Philadelphia from 
occurring, H.R. 7981 would require the installation of either tamper-
resistant or hardwired smoke alarms in federally assisted housing, 
better ensuring families have adequate warning when a fire occurs.
  Additionally, this bill will help ensure families across America 
better understand and properly use fire safety features in their homes 
through a national education campaign led by HUD.
  I commend Representative Dean for her work on this very important 
issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On January 5, a fire broke out in an apartment building in 
Philadelphia, a terrible tragedy that took the lives of 12 people, 
including 9 children.
  Even though the building was operated by the Philadelphia Housing 
Authority, not one of the battery-powered smoke detectors was 
operational that morning, so residents had no warning as the fire grew 
out of control.
  While HUD already has regulations in place to ensure that federally 
assisted units install functioning smoke detectors, after a 
heartbreaking event like this, Congress has a responsibility to ensure 
that the rules are updated to prevent future tragedies.
  H.R. 7981 would require Public Housing Authorities and property 
owners within HUD's programs to install smoke alarms that are tamper-
resistant and hardwired, or use long-term, 10-year batteries.
  Making sure that we have modern, up-to-date safety code devices like 
smoke alarms in all our federally assisted housing units is fundamental 
when it comes to trying to protect the lives of our residents.
  H.R. 7981 will create safer homes for HUD's residents.
  I congratulate Ms. Dean for her tremendous work on this, and I urge 
my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H7134]]

  

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
  Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Waters and Representative 
Wagner for their support for this important legislation.
  I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 7981, the Public and Federally 
Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act.
  This bipartisan legislation, which passed by a unanimous voice vote 
out of the Financial Services Committee last month, would help protect 
the more than 10 million Americans who live in public or federally 
assisted housing, to protect them from the risk of fire, by requiring 
the installation of hardwired or tamper-resistant smoke alarms in 
federally assisted housing.
  My colleagues from Southeastern Pennsylvania, Representatives Dwight 
Evans, Brendan Boyle, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Mary Gay Scanlon, have 
joined me in introducing this important legislation, as our community 
was devastated earlier this year by the horrific blaze that occurred in 
a public housing unit.
  As has been detailed, in the early morning hours of January 5 of this 
year, a fire broke out in a Philadelphia row house owned by the 
Philadelphia Housing Authority and converted into apartments, killing 
three sisters and nine of their children.
  My heart breaks for this beautiful family. They were loving mothers, 
aspiring students, babies, some only 2 and 3 years old. I want to take 
a moment to remember them by simply saying their names.
  The eldest sister, Rosalee ``Rose'' McDonald, 33, was a loving mother 
to six children, all of whom perished in the fire. Her children: 
Quintien Tate-McDonald, 16; Destiny McDonald, 15; Dekwan ``Day-Day'' 
Robinson, 8; J'Kwan ``Jay-Jay'' Robinson, 5; Taniesha Robinson, 3; and 
Tiffany Robinson, 2.
  The middle sister, Virginia ``Jenny'' Thomas, 30, was a loving mother 
to four children, three of whom perished in the fire. Her children: 
Natasha Wayne, 7; Shaniece Wayne, 10; and Janiyah Roberts, 3.
  And finally, Quinsha White, 18 years old, the younger sister to 
Rosalee and Virginia. She was still just a senior in high school when 
she died.
  Heartbreakingly, as the facts around this fire emerged, it became 
clear that these tragic deaths might have been possibly prevented with 
proper safeguards.

  Of the seven smoke alarms in the converted row home, all of which 
were the kind that requires frequent battery replacement, four were in 
drawers, one was on the floor without batteries, one was in the ceiling 
without batteries, and a final alarm, working, was located in the 
basement.
  This situation, sadly, is not unique. According to 2015 HUD data on 
the top 25 deficiencies in public housing, missing or inoperable smoke 
detectors was the 15th prevalent deficiency, with 7,700 deficiencies 
cited.
  In 2020, an ABC News investigation found that ``more than 1 million 
people in the U.S. are living in federally funded housing complexes 
that inspectors found had fallen short on working smoke detectors.''
  It is clear to me that the status quo is not keeping families safe. 
My legislation is desperately needed to raise the bar, to ensure that 
the 10 million Americans who live in public and federally assisted 
housing have the basic, lifesaving benefit of working, reliable smoke 
alarms.
  This bill would also authorize $2 million for HUD to run a national 
education campaign on health and safety requirements in public housing, 
including how to properly use fire safety features like smoke alarms, 
carbon monoxide detectors, and self-closing doors.
  I am pleased to have the support of key stakeholders, including the 
International Code Council, who provided guidance in drafting this 
bill, the National Fire Protection Association, National Association of 
State Fire Marshals, the International Association of Fire Fighters.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania.
  Ms. DEAN. Also, I thank my colleagues from Pennsylvania, including 
Senator Casey, who has introduced the identical legislation in the 
Senate.
  Finally, I thank Chairwoman Waters, and her staff, for their guidance 
and support in crafting this legislation.
  I thank the whole Financial Services Committee for supporting this 
bill in our markup. I implore my colleagues to join me in supporting 
this important bill.
  Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7981 is a commonsense bill that will save countless 
lives by improving the quality and reliability of smoke alarms in 
public and federally assisted housing. It is no wonder why the bill was 
passed out of our committee with bipartisan support and is being 
supported by the fire safety community, as well as affordable housing 
advocates.
  I thank Representative Dean for this bill, and I, again, urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 7981.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Waters) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7981, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________