[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 21, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3812-S3814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-111. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging the United States Congress to 
     expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the 
     Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
     and Children to cover the purchase of menstrual products; to 
     the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 5

       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the members of the 82nd Session of the Nevada 
     Legislature hereby urge Congress to expand the eligible uses 
     of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
     Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 
     Women, Infants and Children to include the purchase of 
     menstrual products to improve the access of persons with low 
     incomes to such necessary products; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the Vice President of 
     the United States as the presiding officer of the Senate, the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives and each member of 
     the Nevada Congressional Delegation; and be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-112. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Nevada urging the federal government to address 
     the issue of spouses of members of the military losing 
     retirement benefits due to frequent relocations by creating a 
     retirement plan that is funded by the Department of Defense 
     Appropriations Act; to the Committee on Armed Services.

                     Senate Joint Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, Historically, the State of Nevada has honored the 
     sacrifices that members of the military and their families 
     have made to protect our freedoms by providing veterans and 
     members of the military certain benefits and rehabilitative 
     services; and
       Whereas, Nevada state law currently requires the Director 
     of the Department of Veterans Services to assist veterans and 
     those persons presently serving in the Armed Forces of the 
     United States who are residents of the State of Nevada and 
     their spouses, domestic partners, widows, widowers, children, 
     dependents, administrators, executors and personal 
     representatives; and
       Whereas, According to the RAND National Defense Research 
     Institute, research has found that spouses of members of the 
     military have lower earnings and employment than comparable 
     persons who are married to civilians and that relocating 
     because of military service is associated with lower spousal 
     earnings; and
       Whereas, Permanently relocating because of a change of duty 
     station has been shown by the RAND National Defense Research 
     Institute to reduce earnings of spouses of members of the 
     military and may threaten the ability of such persons to 
     support themselves financially in retirement; and
       Whereas, A study by the RAND National Defense Research 
     Institute suggests that programs designed to mitigate the 
     adverse impacts on careers of spouses of members of the 
     military associated with permanent relocation because of a 
     change of duty station may have meaningful impacts on the 
     financial well-being of families of members of the military 
     by improving current earnings and the ability of members of 
     the military and their spouses to support themselves 
     financially in retirement; and
       Whereas, The United States Department of Defense, through 
     the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, administers the 
     military retirement system, which is a government-funded 
     benefit system that includes monthly compensation for 
     qualified retirees from the active duty and reserve forces of 
     the military, disability benefits for those deemed medically 
     unfit to serve and a survivor annuity program for the 
     eligible survivors of deceased retirees; and
       Whereas, The United States Department of Defense currently 
     offers several programs to assist military spouses advance 
     their careers and educational goals, such as the Military 
     Spouse Employment Partnership and My Career Advancement 
     Accounts, mainly through the Office of Military Community and 
     Family Policy of the Department; and
       Whereas, The Department of Defense Appropriations Act 
     appropriates funding to the United States Department of 
     Defense for military activities; and
       Whereas, The United States Department of Defense does not 
     currently have a plan or program that provides retirement 
     benefits to spouses of members of the military; now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada, 
     jointly, That the members of the 81st Session of the Nevada 
     Legislature express support for the creation of a retirement 
     plan to resolve the issue of the loss of retirement benefits 
     for spouses of members of the military due to frequent 
     relocations; and be it further
       Resolved, That the members of the 81st Session of the 
     Nevada Legislature urge the Federal Government to create and 
     implement a retirement plan that addresses the loss of 
     retirement benefits for spouses of members of the military 
     due to frequent relocations that is funded by the Department 
     of Defense Appropriations Act; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and 
     transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the 
     United States, Vice President of the United States as 
     presiding officer of the United States Senate, the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives, each member of the Nevada 
     Congressional Delegation, the United States Secretary of the 
     Department of Defense and the Governor of the State of 
     Nevada; and be it further
       Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon 
     passage.
                                  ____

       POM-113. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the United States Congress to 
     enact legislation establishing a Space National Guard; to the 
     Committee on Armed Services.

                  Senate Concurrent Memorial No. 1004

       Whereas, the space domain has been a critical part of 
     defense and combat operations necessary for the continued 
     security of the United States symbolized by strategic 
     importance and the multifaceted value of space operations to 
     both national security and technological advancement;

[[Page S3813]]

       Whereas, Arizona is home to significant aerospace and 
     defense industry contributions, with its citizens and economy 
     benefiting greatly from the technological innovations and 
     jobs these sectors provide; and
       Whereas, establishing a Space National Guard would enhance 
     the capabilities of the United States in space by offering a 
     cost-effective, ready and innovative force that leverages the 
     talent and resources of states like Arizona; and
       Whereas, the collaboration between the United States 
     Department of Defense, the United States Space Force and 
     state National Guards would strengthen national security, 
     foster international partnerships and ensure that the United 
     States remains at the forefront of space domain operations; 
     and
       Whereas, the integration of National Guard space operations 
     into a formal Space National Guard would optimize resources, 
     ensuring every dollar invested yields significant returns in 
     combat capability and technological advancement; and
       Whereas, the Air National Guard's Space Operations have 
     demonstrated unparalleled expertise, readiness and economic 
     efficiency and have proved the vital role they play in the 
     nation's defense and space exploration efforts; and
       Whereas, the establishment of the Space National Guard 
     would recognize and leverage the existing Infrastructure, 
     talent and innovation present in states like Arizona and 
     would foster a collaborative environment between federal and 
     state entities to advance the nation's space objectives.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of 
     Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
       1. That the United States Congress enact legislation to 
     immediately establish a Space National Guard to harness and 
     expand the capabilities, readiness and economic efficiency of 
     the Air National Guard's Space Operations, thereby ensuring 
     that the United States maintains its competitive edge in 
     space domain security and exploration.
       2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and 
     each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-114. A concurrent memorial adopted by the Legislature 
     of the State of Arizona urging the President of the United 
     States and the United States Congress to reevaluate proposed 
     restrictions on the chemical industry; to the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works.

                   House Concurrent Memorial No. 2001

       Whereas, the State of Arizona recognizes the vital role 
     played by the chemical industry in the economic development, 
     national security and technological innovation of the United 
     States; and
       Whereas, the chemical industry is a cornerstone of our 
     nation's economy, contributing over $600 billion in economic 
     impact, supporting more than half a million jobs and 
     constituting 25% of the gross domestic product; and
       Whereas, the chemical industry is instrumental in providing 
     essential products and innovations that drive progress in 
     areas such as housing, infrastructure, health care, 
     telecommunications and clean energy solutions; and
       Whereas, the success of the chemical industry is crucial to 
     maintaining America's global competitiveness and achieving 
     national priorities; and
       Whereas, recent regulatory actions and proposed 
     restrictions by the Biden Administration and its agencies 
     have raised concerns about the impact on the chemical 
     industry's ability to innovate, create products and 
     contribute to the nation's economic growth; and
       Whereas, these new restrictions have the potential to limit 
     access to and increase the cost of essential products, 
     negatively impacting the United States economy, jeopardizing 
     American competitiveness and delaying progress in industries 
     with urgent and growing needs; and
       Whereas, there are currently 13 proposed new restrictions 
     with the potential to directly impact the chemical industry, 
     ranging from outright bans on certain chemistries to 
     regulations that may render manufacturing unviable or 
     impossible; and
       Whereas, these restrictions may have detrimental effects on 
     the supply chains for vital technologies, including 
     semiconductors, electric vehicles and modern health care 
     applications; and
       Whereas, the proposed restrictions contradict policy 
     priorities set forth by laws such as the Inflation Reduction 
     Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS 
     and Science Act; and
       Whereas, responsible regulation that prioritizes science, 
     promotes innovation and supports supply chain resiliency is 
     essential to achieving national goals.
       Wherefore your memorialist, the House of Representatives of 
     the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring, prays:
       1. That the Members of the Legislature urge the President 
     of the United States, federal agencies and the United States 
     Congress to reevaluate proposed restrictions on the chemical 
     industry and to ensure that regulations are based on sound 
     science, promote innovation and support supply chain 
     resiliency.
       2. That the Members of the Legislature urge the President 
     of the United States, federal agencies and the United States 
     Congress to support frameworks that celebrate innovation and 
     accelerate progress in the chemical industry.
       3. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona 
     transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the 
     United States, the President of the United States Senate, the 
     Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the 
     directors of relevant federal agencies and each Member of 
     Congress from the State of Arizona.
                                  ____

       POM-115. A concurrent resolution adopted by the General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio urging the United States 
     Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and the 
     Government Pension Offset; to the Committee on Finance.

              Substitute House Concurrent Resolution No. 6

       Whereas, The Windfall Elimination Provision was enacted in 
     1983 to equalize the earned Social Security benefits of 
     workers who spend part of their careers in exempt public 
     service and workers who spend their entire careers 
     participating in Social Security; and
       Whereas, The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces the 
     Social Security benefits of public servants who receive a 
     pension for public service that was not subject to Social 
     Security taxes; and
       Whereas, The Windfall Elimination Provision's flawed 
     practical application diminishes nearly 150,000 Ohioans' 
     retirement security and fails to recognize their rightfully 
     earned Social Security and public pension benefits; and
       Whereas, The Government Pension Offset reduces the Social 
     Security spousal or survivor benefit paid to an individual's 
     spouse who receives a government pension based on the 
     spouse's own public employment not covered by Social 
     Security; and
       Whereas, The Government Pension Offset reduces an 
     individual's Social Security spousal or survivor benefit by 
     two-thirds of the individual's own government pension, 
     leaving many without adequate retirement income; and
       Whereas, It is estimated that the Government Pension Offset 
     affects and undermines the financial security of more than 
     100,000 Ohioans; and
       Whereas, There are 1.7 million participants in Ohio's 
     public retirement systems and over 450,000 beneficiaries and 
     recipients; and
       Whereas, Members of the 118th United States Congress have 
     introduced legislation to repeal the Windfall Elimination 
     Provision and the Government Pension Offset; now therefore be 
     it
       Resolved, That we, the members of the 135th General 
     Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, 
     urge the Congress of the United States to repeal the Windfall 
     Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset; and 
     be it further
       Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
     transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the 
     President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States 
     Senate, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of 
     Representatives, the members of the Ohio Congressional 
     delegation, and the news media of Ohio.
                                  ____

       POM-116. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of California urging the federal Office of 
     Management and Budget to update its Uniform Guidance in order 
     to improve job creation, quality, and equity; to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

                      Senate Joint Resolution No.5

       Whereas, Since 1988, the federal Office of Management and 
     Budget (OMB) established federal grant rules, now known as 
     the Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. Part 200), that have severely 
     limited state and local governments from implementing 
     substantive procurement standards that promote good jobs and 
     equity; and
       Whereas, State and local governments are prohibited from 
     using local hire (hiring people from a specific geographic 
     region) in federally funded procurements; and
       Whereas, The Uniform Guidance has impeded the 
     implementation of policies, including targeted hire 
     provisions and project labor agreements:
       Whereas, This language has hindered state and local 
     governments efforts to put local or disadvantaged residents 
     to work rebuilding infrastructure in their own communities; 
     and
       Whereas, No empirical evidence has been cited that shows 
     local hire has an adverse impact on bid competition or cost; 
     and
       Whereas, The United States Congress itself has never 
     prohibited local hire or targeted hire; and
       Whereas, The 2015 Obama-Biden Administration's Local Labor 
     Hiring Pilot Program allowed grant recipients to use local 
     hire programs to successfully increase social, economic, and 
     racial equity in their communities; and
       Whereas, The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowed 
     for local hire to be used in transportation construction 
     projects; and
       Whereas, Local hire programs address the fundamental goal 
     of having residents participate in infrastructure investments 
     in their own towns and cities: and
       Whereas, Targeted hire programs can also increase 
     opportunities for workers of color, women, veterans, 
     returning community

[[Page S3814]]

     members, and others historically excluded from meaningful 
     employment; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of 
     California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the Office of 
     Management and Budget to update its Uniform Guidance to 
     explicitly allow states and localities to implement strong 
     procurement standards that advance high-quality jobs and 
     equitable hiring, including lifting the local hire 
     prohibition on federally funded projects, and in so doing 
     empower California lawmakers and agencies to create equitable 
     infrastructure jobs that can strengthen our cities, counties, 
     and state; and be it further
       Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies 
     of this resolution to the President and the Vice President of 
     the United States, the federal Office of Management and 
     Budget, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
       POM-117. A joint resolution adopted by the General Assembly 
     of the State of Tennessee urging the federal government to do 
     all within its power to secure the border and protect our 
     country; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs.

                     House Joint Resolution No. 801

       Whereas, recent events in Texas have demonstrated the 
     federal government's disinclination to fulfill a duty imposed 
     by the United States Constitution and federal statutory law, 
     namely the protection of the several states from illegal 
     immigration; and
       Whereas, the security of our nation's borders and the 
     safety of our citizens are paramount to protecting the 
     American way of life; and
       Whereas, due to the present administration's abrogation of 
     its duty to secure the border, more than six million illegal 
     immigrants have crossed our southern border in the last three 
     years; and
       Whereas, Article 1, Sec. 10, Clause 3, of the United States 
     Constitution reserves to the states the right of self-
     defense, including the right to secure a state's border 
     against an invasion;and
       Whereas, the state of Texas has acted properly in declaring 
     an invasion pursuant to such constitutional provision and 
     invoking Texas's constitutional authority to defend and 
     protect its citizens and sovereign property; and
       Whereas, the Texas National Guard, Texas Department of 
     Public Safety officers, and other qualified Texas personnel 
     have been deployed to secure the Texas border; and
       Whereas, federal government officials and agencies have 
     since encroached upon Texas's constitutional right to protect 
     against threats to the public safety; and
       Whereas, the members of this General Assembly have 
     consistently taken steps to address illegal immigration in 
     Tennessee and support the state of Texas in doing likewise; 
     now, therefore,
       Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the One 
     Hundred Thirteenth General Assembly of the State of 
     Tennessee, The Senate Concurring, that this General Assembly 
     stands in support of the state of Texas's efforts to secure 
     its border against illegal immigration and affirms the 
     several states' constitutional right to protect and defend 
     their citizens and property against any threat to public 
     safety and security; and be it further
       Resolved, that this General Assembly commends Governor Lee 
     for previous support of securing the Texas border and urges 
     him to send continued support; and be it further
       Resolved, that this General Assembly urges the federal 
     government to do all within its power to secure the border 
     and protect our country; and be it further
       Resolved, that certified copies of this resolution be 
     transmitted to the President of the United States, the U.S. 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, the Governor of the State of 
     Tennessee, the Speaker and the Clerk of the United States 
     House of Representatives, the President and the Secretary of 
     the United States Senate, each member of the Tennessee 
     Congressional delegation, and the Governor of Texas.
                                  ____

       POM-118. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of 
     the State of Maine requesting the United States Department of 
     Veterans Affairs to provide access to medical care and 
     assistance to members of the Maine National Guard who trained 
     at the military support base in Gagetown, New Brunswick, 
     Canada; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

                            Senate Paper 998

       Whereas, Resolve 2023, chapter 95 established the Gagetown 
     Harmful Chemical Study Commission; and
       Whereas, the commission was tasked with studying the 
     impacts of exposure to harmful chemicals, including 2,3,7,8-
     tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, as well as other 
     dioxins including that known as Agent Orange, on veterans who 
     served at the Canadian military support base in Gagetown, New 
     Brunswick, Canada; and
       Whereas, the commission has striven to demonstrate through 
     scientific evidence the connection between exposure to those 
     chemicals while training and subsequent negative health 
     outcomes, but it is the responsibility of the United States 
     Department of Veterans Affairs to make this determination and 
     provide care and assistance; and
       Whereas, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs 
     has determined that Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to 
     tactical herbicides, including Agent Orange, suffered harmful 
     effects and were subsequently diagnosed with conditions or 
     illnesses associated with that exposure; and
       Whereas, those who served at the Gagetown military support 
     base include members of the United States National Guard, who 
     were never deployed but were neverthelesss exposed to these 
     harmful chemicals, which are known to have been tested at 
     Gagetown; and
       Whereas, access to medical care and assistance through the 
     United States Department of Veterans Affairs is therefore 
     unavailable for these National Guard members; now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That We, your Memorialists, respectfully urge and 
     request that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs 
     recognize the effects of exposure to harmful chemicals, 
     including TCDD and other dioxins, on members of the United 
     States National Guard who trained at Gagetown and who are 
     diagnosed with conditions or illnesses associated with that 
     exposure as has already been done for Vietnam War veterans 
     and others; and be it further
       Resolved, That We further urge and request that the United 
     States Department of Veterans Affairs review the most recent 
     scientific reporting on the effects to human health of 
     exposure to dioxins, to conduct independent environmental 
     sampling and analysis at Gagetown related to dioxins and 
     risks to human health, to examine health outcomes for 
     individuals who trained there and to provide access to 
     medical care and assistance for those individuals; and be it 
     further
       Resolved, That suitable copies of this resolution, duly 
     authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to 
     the Honorable Joseph Biden, President of the United States; 
     the President of the United States Senate; Speaker of the 
     House of Representatives of the United States; the Honorable 
     Denis Richard McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and 
     each Member of the Maine Congressional Delegation.
                                  ____

       POM-119. A resolution adopted by the City Council of the 
     City of Urbana, Illinois, calling for the end of the Gaza war 
     and a lasting peace; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

                          ____________________