[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9811-H9815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING RESEARCH AND ESTIMATES OF CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION ACT
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1518, I call
up the bill (H.R. 1437) to amend the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to provide comprehensive and regularly updated Federal
precipitation information, and for other purposes, with the Senate
amendment thereto, and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the Senate
amendment.
Senate amendment:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Research and
Estimates of Changes In Precipitation Act'' or the ``PRECIP
Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017 RELATING TO IMPROVING
FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``SEC. 601. STUDY ON PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the PRECIP Act, the Administrator, in
consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate,
shall seek to enter an agreement with the National
Academies--
``(1) to conduct a study on the state of practice and
research needs for precipitation estimation, including
probable maximum precipitation estimation; and
``(2) to submit, not later than 24 months after the date on
which such agreement is finalized, to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on
a website, a report on the results of the study under
paragraph (1).
``(b) Study.--The report under subsection (a) shall include
the following:
``(1) An examination of the current state of practice for
precipitation estimation at scales appropriate for
decisionmaker needs, and rationale for further evolution of
this field.
``(2) An evaluation of best practices for precipitation
estimation that are based on the best-available science,
include considerations of non-stationarity, and can be
utilized by the user community.
``(3) A framework for--
``(A) the development of a National Guidance Document for
estimating extreme precipitation in future conditions; and
``(B) evaluation of the strengths and challenges of the
full spectrum of approaches, including for probable maximum
precipitation studies.
``(4) A description of existing research needs in the field
of precipitation estimation in order to modernize current
methodologies and consider non-stationarity.
``(5) A description of in-situ, airborne, and space-based
observation requirements, that could enhance precipitation
estimation and development of models, including an
examination of the use of geographic information systems and
geospatial technology for integration, analysis, and
visualization of precipitation data.
``(6) A recommended plan for a Federal research and
development program, including specifications for costs,
timeframes, and responsible agencies for addressing
identified research needs.
``(7) An analysis of the respective roles in precipitation
estimation of various Federal agencies, academia, State,
tribal, territorial, and local governments, and other public
and private stakeholders.
``(8) Recommendations for data management to promote long-
term needs such as enabling retrospective analyses and data
discoverability, interoperability, and reuse.
``(9) Recommendations for how data and services from the
entire enterprise can be best leveraged by the Federal
Government.
``(10) A description of non-Federal precipitation data, its
accessibility by the Federal Government, and ways for
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve or
expand such datasets.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
$1,500,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out this study.
``SEC. 602. IMPROVING PROBABLE MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION
ESTIMATES.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator, in consideration of the
report recommendations, shall consult with relevant partners,
including users of the data, on the development of a plan
to--
``(1) not later than 6 years after the completion of such
report and not less than every 10 years thereafter, update
probable maximum precipitation estimates for the United
States, such that each update considers non-stationarity;
``(2) coordinate with partners to conduct research in the
field of extreme precipitation estimation, in accordance with
the research needs identified in such report;
``(3) make publicly available, in a searchable,
interoperable format, all probable maximum precipitation
studies developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration that the Administrator has the legal right to
redistribute and deemed to be at an appropriate state of
development on an internet website of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration; and
``(4) ensure all probable maximum precipitation estimate
data, products, and supporting documentation and metadata
developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration are preserved, curated, and served by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as
appropriate.
``(b) National Guidance Document for the Development of
Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates.--The Administrator,
in collaboration with Federal agencies, State, territorial,
Tribal and local governments, academia, and other partners
the Administrator deems appropriate, shall develop a National
Guidance Document that--
``(1) provides best practices that can be followed by
Federal and State regulatory agencies, private meteorological
consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum
precipitation studies;
``(2) considers the recommendations provided in the
National Academies study under section 601;
``(3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation
studies by regulatory agencies; and
``(4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific
probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``(c) Publication.--Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator shall make publicly available
the National Guidance Document under subsection (b) on an
internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update the National
Guidance Document not less than once every 10 years after the
publication of the National Guidance Document under
subsection (c) and publish such updates in accordance with
such subsection.
``(e) Funding.--Amounts available to carry out this section
may only come from within amounts authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator.
``SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS.
`` In this title:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(2) National academies.--The term `National Academies'
means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine.
``(3) United states.--The term `United States' means,
collectively, each State of the United States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa,
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory
or possession of the United States.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8501 note) is amended in the table of contents by adding at
the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``Sec. 601. Study on precipitation estimation.
``Sec. 602. Improving probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``Sec. 603. Definitions.''.
Motion to Concur
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will designate the motion.
The text of the motion is as follows:
Ms. DeLauro of Connecticut moves that the House concur in
the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437 with an amendment
consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-72.
The text of the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the text
is as follows:
House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the
Senate, insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Further Continuing
Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short Title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. References.
Sec. 4. Payment to Widows and Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress.
DIVISION A--FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
DIVISION B--OTHER MATTERS
Title I--Extensions
Title II--Budgetary Effects
DIVISION C--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Title I--Medicare and Medicaid
Title II--Human Services
Title III--Extension of FDA Authorizations
Title IV--Indian Health
[[Page H9812]]
DIVISION D--PRECIP ACT
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to
``this Act'' contained in any division of this Act shall be
treated as referring only to the provisions of that division.
SEC. 4. PAYMENT TO WIDOWS AND HEIRS OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS.
There is hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2023, out of
any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for
payment to Colette Wallace McEachin, beneficiary of Aston
Donald McEachin, late a Representative from the Commonwealth
of Virginia, $174,000.
DIVISION A--FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023
Sec. 101. The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023
(division A of Public Law 117-180) is amended--
(1) by striking the date specified in section 106(3) and
inserting ``December 23, 2022'';
(2) by adding after section 157 the following new section:
``Sec. 158. During the period covered by this Act, section
227(a) of the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015
(6 U.S.C. 1525) shall not apply.''.
This division may be cited as the ``Further Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2023''.
DIVISION B--OTHER MATTERS
TITLE I--EXTENSIONS
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF FCC AUCTION AUTHORITY.
Section 309(j)(11) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 309(j)(11)) is amended by striking ``December 16,
2022'' and inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
FOR DOMESTIC TRAFFICKING VICTIMS' FUND.
Section 3014(a) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``December 16, 2022'' and inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 103. UNITED STATES PAROLE COMMISSION EXTENSION.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``United
States Parole Commission Further Extension Act of 2022''.
(b) Amendment of Sentencing Reform Act of 1984.--For
purposes of section 235(b) of the Sentencing Reform Act of
1984 (18 U.S.C. 3551 note; Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 2032),
as such section relates to chapter 311 of title 18, United
States Code, and the United States Parole Commission, each
reference in such section to ``35 years'' or ``35-year
period'' shall be deemed a reference to ``35 years and 53
days'' or ``35-year and 53-day period'', respectively.
SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
CUSTOMER PROTECTION FUND EXPENSES ACCOUNT.
Section 1(b) of Public Law 117-25 (135 Stat. 297), as
amended by section 104 of division C of the Continuing
Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act,
2023 is amended by striking ``December 16, 2022'' each place
it appears and inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
TITLE II--BUDGETARY EFFECTS
SEC. 201. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
(a) Statutory PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of
this division and each succeeding division shall not be
entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to
section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
(b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards.--The budgetary effects of this
division and each succeeding division shall not be entered on
any PAYGO scorecard maintained for purposes of section 4106
of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress).
(c) Classification of Budgetary Effects.--Notwithstanding
Rule 3 of the Budget Scorekeeping Guidelines set forth in the
joint explanatory statement of the committee of conference
accompanying Conference Report 105-217 and section 250(c)(8)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985, the budgetary effects of this division and each
succeeding division shall not be estimated--
(1) for purposes of section 251 of such Act;
(2) for purposes of an allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations pursuant to section 302(a) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974; and
(3) for purposes of paragraph (4)(C) of section 3 of the
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 as being included in an
appropriation Act.
DIVISION C--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
TITLE I--MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF INCREASED INPATIENT HOSPITAL PAYMENT
ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN LOW-VOLUME HOSPITALS.
(a) In General.--Section 1886(d)(12) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(12)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``December 17, 2022'' and inserting
``December 24, 2022'';
(2) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
(A) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking
``December 16, 2022'' and inserting ``December 23, 2022'';
(B) in subclause (III), by striking ``December 16, 2022' ''
and inserting ``December 23, 2022''; and
(C) in subclause (IV), by striking ``December 17, 2022''
and inserting ``December 24, 2022''; and
(3) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``December 16, 2022' '' and inserting ``December 23, 2022'';
and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``December 16, 2022' '' and
inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
(b) Implementation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may implement
the provisions of, including the amendments made by, this
section by program instruction or otherwise.
SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF THE MEDICARE-DEPENDENT HOSPITAL
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1886(d)(5)(G) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(G)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``December 17, 2022'' and
inserting ``December 24, 2022''; and
(2) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ``December 17, 2022''
and inserting ``December 24, 2022''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Extension of target amounts.--Section 1886(b)(3)(D) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(b)(3)(D)) is
amended--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``December 17, 2022'' and inserting ``December 24, 2022'';
and
(B) in clause (iv), by striking ``December 16, 2022,'' and
inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
(2) Permitting hospitals to decline reclassification.--
Section 13501(e)(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 1395ww note) is amended by striking
``December 16, 2022'' and inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF INCREASED FMAPS UNDER MEDICAID FOR THE
TERRITORIES.
Section 1905(ff) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1396d(ff)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``December 16, 2022'' and
inserting ``December 23, 2022''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``December 16, 2022'' and
inserting ``December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 104. MEDICARE IMPROVEMENT FUND.
Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395iii(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``$7,308,000,000'' and
inserting ``$7,278,000,000''.
TITLE II--HUMAN SERVICES
SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF MATERNAL, INFANT, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD
HOME VISITING PROGRAMS.
Activities authorized by section 511 of the Social Security
Act shall continue through December 23, 2022, and out of any
money in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise
appropriated, there is hereby appropriated for such purpose
an amount equal to the pro rata portion of the amount
appropriated for such activities for fiscal year 2022.
SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS.
Activities authorized by part B of title IV of the Social
Security Act shall continue through December 23, 2022, in the
manner authorized for fiscal year 2022, and out of any money
in the Treasury of the United States not otherwise
appropriated, there are hereby appropriated such sums as may
be necessary for such purpose.
TITLE III--EXTENSION OF FDA AUTHORIZATIONS
SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE CRITICAL PATH PUBLIC-PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIP.
Section 566(f) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 360bbb-5(f)) is amended by striking ``$1,265,753
for the period beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on
December 16, 2022'' and inserting ``$1,380,822 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on December 23,
2022''.
SEC. 302. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE BEST PHARMACEUTICALS FOR
CHILDREN PROGRAM.
Section 409I(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 284m(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``$5,273,973 for
the period beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on
December 16, 2022'' and inserting ``$5,753,425 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on December 23,
2022''.
SEC. 303. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE HUMANITARIAN DEVICE
EXEMPTION INCENTIVE.
Section 520(m)(6)(A)(iv) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360j(m)(6)(A)(iv)) is amended by
striking ``December 17, 2022'' and inserting ``December 24,
2022''.
SEC. 304. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE PEDIATRIC DEVICE CONSORTIA
PROGRAM.
Section 305(e) of the Pediatric Medical Device Safety and
Improvement Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-85; 42 U.S.C. 282
note) is amended by striking ``$1,107,534 for the period
beginning on October 1, 2022, and ending on December 16,
2022'' and inserting ``$1,610,959 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2022 and ending on December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 305. REAUTHORIZATION OF PROVISION PERTAINING TO DRUGS
CONTAINING SINGLE ENANTIOMERS.
Section 505(u)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 355(u)(4)) is amended by striking ``December
17, 2022'' and inserting ``December 24, 2022''.
SEC. 306. REAUTHORIZATION OF CERTAIN DEVICE INSPECTIONS.
Section 704(g)(11) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 374(g)(11)) is amended by striking ``December
17, 2022'' and inserting ``December 24, 2022''.
SEC. 307. REAUTHORIZATION OF ORPHAN DRUG GRANTS.
Section 5(c) of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee(c)) is
amended by striking ``$6,328,767 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2022, and ending on December 16, 2022''
[[Page H9813]]
and inserting ``$6,904,110 for the period beginning on
October 1, 2022 and ending on December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 308. REAUTHORIZATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS RELATED
TO PENDING GENERIC DRUG APPLICATIONS AND
PRIORITY REVIEW APPLICATIONS.
Section 807 of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017 (Public
Law 115-52) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``December 16, 2022'' and inserting
``December 23, 2022''.
SEC. 309. REAUTHORIZATION OF THIRD-PARTY REVIEW PROGRAM.
Section 523(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
(21 U.S.C. 360m(c)) is amended by striking ``December 17,
2022'' and inserting ``December 24, 2022''.
TITLE IV--INDIAN HEALTH
SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM.
Section 424(a) of title IV of division G of Public Law 113-
76 is amended by striking ``December 16, 2022'' and inserting
``December 24, 2022''.
DIVISION D--PRECIP ACT
SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Research and
Estimates of Changes In Precipitation Act'' or the ``PRECIP
Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017 RELATING TO IMPROVING
FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``SEC. 601. STUDY ON PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the PRECIP Act, the Administrator, in
consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate,
shall seek to enter an agreement with the National
Academies--
``(1) to conduct a study on the state of practice and
research needs for precipitation estimation, including
probable maximum precipitation estimation; and
``(2) to submit, not later than 24 months after the date on
which such agreement is finalized, to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on
a website, a report on the results of the study under
paragraph (1).
``(b) Study.--The report under subsection (a) shall include
the following:
``(1) An examination of the current state of practice for
precipitation estimation at scales appropriate for
decisionmaker needs, and rationale for further evolution of
this field.
``(2) An evaluation of best practices for precipitation
estimation that are based on the best-available science,
include considerations of non-stationarity, and can be
utilized by the user community.
``(3) A framework for--
``(A) the development of a National Guidance Document for
estimating extreme precipitation in future conditions; and
``(B) evaluation of the strengths and challenges of the
full spectrum of approaches, including for probable maximum
precipitation studies.
``(4) A description of existing research needs in the field
of precipitation estimation in order to modernize current
methodologies and consider non-stationarity.
``(5) A description of in-situ, airborne, and space-based
observation requirements, that could enhance precipitation
estimation and development of models, including an
examination of the use of geographic information systems and
geospatial technology for integration, analysis, and
visualization of precipitation data.
``(6) A recommended plan for a Federal research and
development program, including specifications for costs,
timeframes, and responsible agencies for addressing
identified research needs.
``(7) An analysis of the respective roles in precipitation
estimation of various Federal agencies, academia, State,
tribal, territorial, and local governments, and other public
and private stakeholders.
``(8) Recommendations for data management to promote long-
term needs such as enabling retrospective analyses and data
discoverability, interoperability, and reuse.
``(9) Recommendations for how data and services from the
entire enterprise can be best leveraged by the Federal
Government.
``(10) A description of non-Federal precipitation data, its
accessibility by the Federal Government, and ways for
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve or
expand such datasets.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
$1,500,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out this study.
``SEC. 602. IMPROVING PROBABLE MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION
ESTIMATES.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator, in consideration of the
report recommendations, shall consult with relevant partners,
including users of the data, on the development of a plan
to--
``(1) not later than 6 years after the completion of such
report and not less than every 10 years thereafter, update
probable maximum precipitation estimates for the United
States, such that each update considers non-stationarity;
``(2) coordinate with partners to conduct research in the
field of extreme precipitation estimation, in accordance with
the research needs identified in such report;
``(3) make publicly available, in a searchable,
interoperable format, all probable maximum precipitation
studies developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration that the Administrator has the legal right to
redistribute and deemed to be at an appropriate state of
development on an internet website of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration; and
``(4) ensure all probable maximum precipitation estimate
data, products, and supporting documentation and metadata
developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration are preserved, curated, and served by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as
appropriate.
``(b) National Guidance Document for the Development of
Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates.--The Administrator,
in collaboration with Federal agencies, State, territorial,
Tribal and local governments, academia, and other partners
the Administrator deems appropriate, shall develop a National
Guidance Document that--
``(1) provides best practices that can be followed by
Federal and State regulatory agencies, private meteorological
consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum
precipitation studies;
``(2) considers the recommendations provided in the
National Academies study under section 601;
``(3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation
studies by regulatory agencies; and
``(4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific
probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``(c) Publication.--Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator shall make publicly available
the National Guidance Document under subsection (b) on an
internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update the National
Guidance Document not less than once every 10 years after the
publication of the National Guidance Document under
subsection (c) and publish such updates in accordance with
such subsection.
``SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS.
`` In this title:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(2) National academies.--The term `National Academies'
means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine.
``(3) United states.--The term `United States' means,
collectively, each State of the United States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa,
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory
or possession of the United States.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8501 note) is amended in the table of contents by adding at
the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``Sec. 601. Study on precipitation estimation.
``Sec. 602. Improving probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``Sec. 603. Definitions.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to House Resolution 1518, the
motion shall be debatable for 1 hour equally divided and controlled by
the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Appropriations or their respective designees.
The gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) and the gentlewoman
from Texas (Ms. Granger) each will control 30 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
{time} 1445
General Leave
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the Senate amendment to H.R. 1437.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Further Continuing
Appropriations and Extensions Act, which extends funding for critical
Federal programs and services through December 23.
[[Page H9814]]
While I would have preferred to come before the House today to pass a
final 2023 government funding package, I am encouraged that we have
come to an agreement on a framework that provides a path forward to
enact an omnibus next week.
The legislation before us today is a simple date change that keeps
the government up and running as we negotiate the details of final
spending bills and complete the work of funding the government programs
that meet the needs of hardworking Americans.
All of us in this room know well that final funding bills are the
best way to guarantee the necessary resources for the government
programs and policies that make the biggest impact on our constituents.
We will soon bring to the floor an omnibus that continues to make
important investments, because we know the impact of a government that
looks out for the middle class, working families, and for small
businesses.
The final funding bills we will bring to a vote will include
investments that will help hardworking Americans, rebuild our
infrastructure, keep our Nation competitive, strengthen our supply
chain, and help small businesses access the capital they need, the keys
to our economic future.
The final omnibus agreement will help keep our Nation and our
communities safe with the certainty that we all deserve. I can say with
certainty this package will include community project funding that
responds directly to some of the most pressing needs in communities all
over America and that so many of my colleagues have worked tirelessly
to deliver to their constituents.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this short-term continuing
resolution through December 23. I am very disappointed that we are,
once again, discussing a CR because full-year appropriations bills have
not been signed into law.
I want to explain why we find ourselves in this place. Republican
Members opposed the trillions of dollars in nondefense spending that
Members on the other side of the aisle pushed through this Congress.
That new spending was provided outside the normal process, and it is
roughly twice the amount of funding we provide in a year through the
annual appropriations bills.
After these unprecedented levels of spending, nondefense programs
should not require another large increase in fiscal year 2023. We need
to focus on reducing government waste, fighting inflation, and focusing
our limited resources on true priorities like border security and our
Nation's military.
Democrats have had all year to put bills on the floor that address
these concerns and can be signed into law. Time is up. We should be
passing a continuing resolution into next year instead of buying more
time to rush through a massive spending package.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cline), a member of the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, enough is enough. Here in the waning days of
one-party control, Democrats are grasping at straws to push more of
their radical policy agenda on the American people. They are hoping the
lameduck House will help jam through a monstrous $1.7 trillion omnibus
down our throats before Christmas so incoming House Republicans can't
use the budget next year to impose fiscal responsibility and check
Biden's disastrous agenda.
Even though voters demanded change in November, House Republicans
have had no seat at the negotiating table. This one-week CR will
continue funding for President Biden's policies that have created
crisis after crisis.
Under his watch, the Nation is experiencing a historically bad crisis
at the southern border, a botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that cost
American lives and created tens of thousands of refugees, his quest to
provide abortion on demand, his illegal and regressive cancellation of
student loan debt, his anti-energy agenda, and an inflation crisis that
makes Americans poorer.
The American people cannot afford another Democrat-led spending
measure that would exacerbate inflation and continue to fund the very
agencies waging war on their freedoms.
Every Republican must reject this lameduck spending spree and let the
incoming Members of the new Republican majority, who will be
accountable to the voters, work to reach a more balanced agreement than
this liberal spending spree.
We must use every opportunity at our disposal, especially through the
constitutional power of the purse, to fight for the American people and
change the broken status quo in Washington. Republicans must stand
strong and oppose this last-ditch power play by Democrats.
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
closing.
Mr. Speaker, I would like for just a moment to set the record
straight. There was an offer made to my Republican colleagues on where
we should go with an omnibus in June; another was in October. We were
told at the time that they couldn't move to do anything until after the
elections. We were then told that they had to then wait for their
leadership elections to occur before they could actually engage. Then
we were told we had to wait until after a Georgia election in order to
engage.
Speaking of enough is enough. I would also just say they were invited
to the table many, many times to join the negotiations; they decided
not to do that. So we find ourselves here today when we have to meet
the deadline in order to keep the government open.
What we do need, Mr. Speaker, is this bill to continue negotiating
final 2023 funding bills.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1437, the
``Providing Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation,'' or
``PRECIP Act.''
I am the proud author of the PRECIP Act, a bipartisan measure to
address flooding--the most common and widely experienced natural hazard
both in the nation and in my northern New Jersey district. My
commitment to this bill is grounded in the painful experiences of my
New Jersey constituents devastated by flooding who, sadly, know the
life-and-death impact of lacking precise and accurate forecasts ahead
of flooding caused by extreme rainfall. Flooding is pernicious
throughout this country, not just in coastal areas, and for that
reason, the practical tools enabled by this bill benefit all Americans,
and the bill has enjoyed bipartisan support.
Flooding can occur from major multi-state events--like Tropical Storm
Ida, which swept away a woman in Woodland Park in my district and took
the lives of 27 New Jerseyans--or smaller localized rainfall that
causes flash flooding, like five inches of sudden rainfall that swept
through Parsippany, New Jersey, in just hours last October.
The PRECIP Act improves local forecasting of these events by
requiring NOAA to update outdated rainfall data that has hampered the
accuracy of forecasting. It also ensures this data is updated more
frequently going forward, accounts for future impacts due to climate
change, and requires development of best practices to estimate maximum
precipitation amounts.
I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle of the
Science Committee, Chairwoman Johnson, and Senators Booker and Wicker
for their support of the PRECIP Act. I urge my colleagues on both sides
of the aisle to support the passage of this bill.
Mr. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill
before us today, which will provide one additional week of continuing
appropriations to allow work on the Omnibus appropriations act to be
completed. In addition, the bill includes the ``Providing Research and
Estimates of Changes in Precipitation'', or ``PRECIP Act.''
I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Representative Sherrill's
bipartisan PRECIP Act. Representative Sherrill has been a tireless
advocate for improving our understanding of extreme precipitation. As
the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Environment of the Science,
Space, and Technology Committee, Representative Sherrill has been a
steadfast
[[Page H9815]]
leader in promoting understanding of how science can help better
prepare our communities for extreme precipitation events, and the
PRECIP Act is a direct outcome of those efforts. This bill will address
gaps in accurate probable maximum precipitation, or PMP, estimates and
it directs NOAA to enter into an agreement with the National Academies
of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the best
practices for estimating precipitation.
The PRECIP Act will ensure precipitation estimates are updated at
least every decade across the U.S. Further, this legislation will
direct the NOAA to include forecasted changes in precipitation due to
climate change in precipitation studies.
We have been feeling the changes in precipitation across the country,
and these changes will only get more extreme with climate change.
Having access to the best available information is critical to protect
lives, taxpayer dollars, and infrastructure. The PRECIP Act will assist
stakeholders such as floodplain managers, emergency managers, local
governments, and many more. I urge my colleagues to support this
legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time for debate has expired.
Pursuant to House Resolution 1518, the previous question is ordered.
The question is on the motion by the gentlewoman from Connecticut
(Ms. DeLauro).
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Ms. GRANGER. 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 question will be postponed.
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