[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REINTRODUCTION OF THE BRIDGE CORROSION PREVENTION AND REPAIR ACT OF 
                                  2023

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 13, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I reintroduce the ``Bridge 
Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act'' with Congressman Brian 
Fitzpatrick (R-PA). I thank U.S. Senators Robert P. Casey, Jr. (D-PA) 
and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) for sponsoring the companion legislation.
  Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation would require all federally 
funded bridge projects to use certified contractors for any corrosion 
control work and employ industry-recognized standards for corrosion 
mitigation and prevention. Specifically, our legislation would prompt 
State, county, and municipal transportation departments to employ 
qualified, trained corrosion control professionals who have completed 
federally registered apprenticeship programs.
  In July 2021, the House passed my ``Bridge Corrosion Prevention and 
Repair Act'' as Section 1116 of former Chairman Peter A. DeFazio's (D-
OR) ``Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface 
Transportation (INVEST) in America Act,'' of which I was a cosponsor. 
While it was ultimately not included in the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), I continue working to build upon 
Chairman DeFazio's work on corrosion prevention policy and promoting 
apprenticeships.
  In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 
(Public Law 117-81), I secured Section 813 (Office of Corrosion Policy 
and Oversight employee training requirements) directing the U.S. 
Department of Defense to make use of federally registered 
apprenticeship programs for training military personnel, civilian 
employees, and military construction contractors on anti-corrosion 
activities. Under my amendment to the FY2022 NDAA, the DOD's Office of 
Corrosion Policy and Oversight Employee Training Requirements is 
charged with coordinating this work.
  Under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress and the Biden 
Administration are making the largest federal investment to modernize 
our nation's infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was 
established in 1956. America's corrosion professionals and union 
painters are ready, willing, and able to do the job.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of the House to cosponsor the Bridge 
Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act.

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