Earl Blumenauer

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the tragic passing of Steve Fox, a pioneering advocate, strategist, a true leader in the cannabis legalization effort. It is fitting today that we are passing the SAFE Banking Act. We wouldn't be where we are today without Steve and his amazing efforts. His life work, leadership, and strategic brilliance are unmatched. Passing this critical legislation today would be a small part of a fitting memorial for a man whose efforts made it possible, indeed, imperative to solve this problem. I first met Steve as we were strategizing on the Oregon legalization effort. Back in 2013, after the Colorado legalization campaign that he orchestrated had passed and before Oregon joined the ranks of legalization, he was already a legend. He pioneered so much of the groundwork for the legalization movement that exploded after the success of the Colorado campaign which owed so much to his strategic brilliance. Steve was thoughtful, hardworking, and self-effacing. While this has become a national movement with many leaders now emerging, none compare with Steve. Few will fully understand his many contributions and importance. I for one will miss his genuine, quiet leadership. As someone who's been working on this longer than anyone in American politics, I know we are all deeply, deeply indebted to Steve. We mourn his loss, extend our thoughts to his family and many friends. This should be the year that we finish the pioneering work of his career. It would be a fitting capstone to a lifetime of cannabis leadership, activism, and progress.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here with my friend, Mr. Perlmutter, and the bipartisan support that we are receiving from Mr. Stivers. We are going to hear in a moment from the distinguished gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce), who has been a champion. Sadly, I feel my good friend from North Carolina could have given his speech 25 years ago. The legalization train has left the station. This is a business in the United States that is approaching $20 billion of revenue this year. As has been pointed out, 97 percent of the American public has access to some form of legal cannabis. Medical cannabis, 4 million patients utilize it. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that has arrived, and it is being held captive of the past practice by pretending that the Federal Government can wish away the legalization of this subject. They can't. The flawed Federal policies create serious problems. As Mr. Perlmutter pointed out, we have had over 100 robberies in my community, including a fatality. These cash-only enterprises are sitting ducks for people who have nefarious aims. It is an invitation for money laundering now because of the vast amount of cash that is circulated. It impacts so many legitimate businesses, real estate, insurance, attorneys, accountants, who get caught up. We already heard reference to what happened to Mr. Stivers' constituent in Ohio, a business that provides gardening supplies, that risks losing their bank account. It is time for us to address this inconsistency. It is time for us to pass, again, the SAFE Banking Act. And it is time for us to move forward with legalization on the Federal level with the MORE Act, which will resolve these inconsistencies. Once and for all, give the American people what they want and what they repeatedly vote for across the country. Unleash this State legal business to realize its full potential for health, the economy, and a cry for racial justice. I appreciate us being at this point for a critical first step along the torturous path to full legalization, which I am confident will happen this Congress and not a moment too soon. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the tragic passing of Steve Fox, a pioneering advocate, strategist, a true leader in the marijuana cannabis legalization effort. It is fitting today that we are passing the SAFE Banking Act. We wouldn't be where we are today without Steve and his amazing efforts. His life work, leadership, and strategic brilliance are unmatched. Passing this critical legislation today would be a small part of a fitting memorial for a man whose efforts made it possible, indeed, imperative to solve this problem. I first met Steve as we were strategizing on the Oregon legalization effort. Back in 2013, after the Colorado legalization campaign that he orchestrated had passed and before Oregon joined the ranks of legalization, he was already a legend. He pioneered so much of the groundwork for the legalization movement that exploded after the success of the Colorado campaign which owed so much to his strategic brilliance. Steve was thoughtful, hardworking, and self-effacing. While this has become a national movement with many leaders now emerging, none compare with Steve. Few will fully understand his many contributions and importance. I for one will miss his genuine, quiet leadership. As someone who's been working on this longer than anyone in American politics, I know we are all deeply, deeply indebted to Steve. We mourn his loss, extend our thoughts to his family and many friends. This should be the year that we finish the pioneering work of his career. It would be a fitting capstone to a lifetime of cannabis leadership, activism, and progress.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2021. This legislation passed the House last session in Title III of Division M of the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2, 116th Cong.). It would bring relief to historic rehabilitation projects impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while also improving the credit for smaller projects and expanding the number of projects eligible to receive the credit. Since its inception in 1976, the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) has incentivized private sector investment in rehabilitating historic buildings. The HTC has attracted approximately $173 billion in private capital in the last 45 years, helping to rehabilitate and revitalize communities. More than 45,000 buildings have been rehabilitated using the credit, creating nearly 3 million jobs. Unlike many other tax incentives, HTC projects spur enough economic development to return money to the Treasury. In 2019 the National Park Service reported that the HTC has generated $38.1 billion in federal tax revenue from $32.9 billion in tax credits. The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2021 first recognizes the challenges that historic rehabilitation projects have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides a temporary increase in the credit value to address market volatility and projects' difficulty in accessing capital. The legislation also increases the credit value for small projects, which are often more difficult to finance. Finally, HTC-GO makes several changes to the structure of the credit to make more buildings eligible for the credit and allow for the credit to be more easily paired with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact this legislation in a comprehensive infrastructure package this year.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, America faces a climate crisis. This fact is indisputable, as is the fact that humans are primary cause of the changing climate. But our tax code does not reflect this, instead it showers billions of dollars of benefits to profitable oil and gas companies. Today, I introduced the End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2021, legislation that would eliminate nearly a dozen of the most egregious tax breaks enjoyed by the oil and gas industry. Despite consistent profitability, fossil fuel companies receive billions of dollars in federal tax breaks and subsidies, which underwrite the costs of oil and gas production. These forgone revenues undermine the United States' ability to combat the climate crisis and invest in critical initiatives like education, housing, infrastructure, and healthcare. The End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2021 would not only eliminate 11 of these provisions in the tax code, it would also ensure the United States is no longer providing tax subsidies to oil and gas at the expense of clean energy, increasing the competitiveness of the energy industry. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to get this legislation enacted into law this year.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Keeping Our Manufacturers from being Unfairly taxed while Championing Health Act (KOMBUCHA). This legislation would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to properly tax kombucha, a fermented tea, naturally rich in probiotics and healthy acids, that can contain trace amounts of alcohol. Last month, on February 21, we commemorated World Kombucha Day and acknowledged the many contributions of kombucha brewers in my home State of Oregon, across the United States, and around the world. With the introduction of KOMBUCHA, the United States Congress now can extend that acknowledgement to legislative action by providing the industry with much-needed relief. Under the Internal Revenue Code, kombucha beverages with more than 0.5 percent alcohol-by-volume are subject to excise taxes intended for beer. As a result of the fermentation process that is necessary to produce kombucha, some final products may contain more than 0.5 percent alcohol-by-volume, subjecting the industry to onerous excise taxes. But kombucha drinkers do not choose the product because of its alcohol content, they choose it as a healthy beverage option. My legislation would increase the alcohol-by-volume limit for kombucha to 1.25 percent, properly categorizing the product and allowing the kombucha industry to continue its growth. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senator Wyden in the Senate to provide this relief as soon as possible.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, this month is the end of an era, as Joe Novotny concludes a 30-year career in the House, the last 10 as our Reading Clerk. He assumed that role naturally with quiet competence. He was unflappable in the midst of often frantic activity. He is the face of a critically important and complex set of activities that keeps the House legislative process moving forward. Even when it seems like we are not doing much, it takes a lot of people to make it look that way. He was born for this important role, having literally grown up in the House as a House page to see firsthand the legislative process. His rise through the ranks culminated with his decade as the House Reading Clerk. He has steadily and thoughtfully performed his duties in an exemplary fashion, being helpful, a perfect representation for the many men and women behind the scenes who hold this place together. I, along with thousands of C-SPAN junkies will miss you, Joe, and we all wish you well, the very best in the next chapter of your career and life.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to be here today with my colleagues, Mr. Thompson and Mrs. McBath. Mr. Speaker, Lucy's courage is an inspiration to me. This has been a priority for me in the quarter century I have been in Congress. I have supported every single reform that has advanced. But we have a change today because we have never had in 10 years the alignment with a House leadership and a Senate leadership that will not bury it and a President who will enthusiastically sign it into law. This is a landmark legislation that many of us have been working on literally for decades, and this is one more example of what difference it makes to have Democrats in charge and being able to advance meaningful gun safety. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their hard work, and I am proud to stand with them.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's comments moments ago. This is historic legislation dealing with priorities long neglected. The charts that he presented tell it all. The Republicans, with their $1.7 trillion tax cut, primarily for people who didn't need it, versus our priorities, dealing with making a major impact on child poverty, dealing with health, dealing with our local governments being able to survive. This is a reflection of Democratic values, and the difference it makes is stark. I am proud to vote in favor of this recovery act. I am proud of what it is going to do for people who need it most. The contrast between Democratic priorities and what the Republicans did when they used reconciliation could not be more stark. I appreciate the gentleman illustrating it, and I hope that the House will approve this measure.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a statement from Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan urging support for H.R. 1, For the People Act. Testimony in Support of H.R. 1, For the People Act--Strengthening America Democracy Hearing (Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan) Dear Chairwoman Lofgren, Ranking Member Davis and Distinguished Members of the Committee: My name is Shemia Fagan, and I'm honored to serve as Oregon's 28th Secretary of State. As Oregon's chief elections officer, I lead the agency responsible for upholding our democracy. I am writing in support of H.R. 1, For the People Act. My dad raised my two older brothers and me as a single parent in a beautiful part of rural Oregon: The Dalles and Dufur. Our mother suffered from addiction and was in and out of our lives. I remember my brother driving us to the Portland area when I was in high school to see my mom after she had been homeless for several years. We pulled up to this large Victorianstyle house, with a big wrap around porch and we were blown away by this large house. Instead of walking up the steps to the front door when she greeted us though, my mother dropped to all fours and crawled under the porch. She invited us into her home, where a sleeping bag covered the dirt. Underneath that porch she shared with us one of her few possessions, a box of pictures of me and my brothers. A few years later she went into recovery and fought her addiction. In doing so, she fought for herself and our family. In 2014, she passed away and I'll never forget the words of the minister at her eulogy, ``Trish reached the place of an ordinary life, but it didn't just happen to her, she had to fight for it with everything she had in her.'' Many of us understand the meaning of the minister's words because we have had to fight, and are often still fighting, against poverty or injustice to reach the place of an ordinary life. The ballot is a place to have your voice heard on the issues that impact you directly. Those fighting against barriers to the ballot box need to see progress within reach, and I've learned that no matter the fight: progress must be within reach for everyone. H.R. 1, the People's Act is a step toward progress for all eligible Americans. I'm fighting every day as Oregon's Secretary of State to ensure every Oregonian has a voice. The consideration of H.R. 1 comes at a critical moment in America's history. For far too long, too many Americans across the country have faced barriers to having their voice heard. We should not settle for the status quo. We know that free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our society, democracy, and country--and that they are under threat. Hostile foreign governments are trying to undermine our democracy and attack our democratic institutions. Meanwhile, people within our own democratic institutions are putting up barriers that impede the fundamental right to vote. We must take seriously these attempts to undermine the basic principles of democracy. H.R. 1, the For the People Act, will help restore and bolster voters' rights. Democracy only works when the people can participate and have their voice heard. This legislation will help to lift the voices of every American, no matter their political party or where they live. H.R. 1, the For the People Act, will help restore and bolster voters' rights. Democracy only works when the people can participate and have their voice heard. This legislation will help to lift the voices of every American, no matter their political party or where they live. H.R. 1 builds upon best practices across the country, including many originated in Oregon. We are proud to lead by example with tried and true policies that have improved voter access and participation in the democratic process for decades. The late Republican Secretary of State Dennis Richardson said, ``Everyone who is eligible to vote should be able to vote.'' Secretary Richardson's words exemplify what we proudly refer to as `The Oregon Way.' Together, Oregonians across the political spectrum continue to work together to reduce barriers to participating in our democracy. As Oregon's Secretary of State, I am proud to lend my voice to the chorus calling for replicating Oregon's example to other states. Vote at Home Act is important legislation that was introduced by Representative Earl Blumenauer and Senator Ron Wyden and I'm proud to support this act and see the critical legislation included in H.R. 1. Best Practices in Oregon include: Vote by Mail Automatic Voter Registration Online voter registration Voting Rights for formerly incarcerated individuals Secure and convenient drop box locations throughout the state Early Voting Pre-registration of 16 and 17-year-olds Voting for individuals with disabilities Voting for uniformed services and overseas voters Vote by mail/verified paper ballots In Oregon, we have a proud tradition of open, fair, and accessible elections. This is why we were proud to be the first state to switch entirely to a vote-by-mail system. Voters first approved our vote-by-mail system in 1998 and it has long enjoyed bipartisan support. My recent predecessor, Republican Secretary of State Bev Clarno said in a 60 Minutes interview that voteby-mail is not controversial in Oregon and suggested that if other states try it, ``they might like it.'' Thanks to our safe, secure, and modern system, Oregon consistently ranks as a national leader in voter turnout. Voters' pamphlets are sent to every Oregon household two to three weeks before an election, giving voters time to research issues or candidates. Registered voters receive an official ballot to complete and insert into an official ballot return envelope, which is then signed by the voter. This ballot return envelope can be mailed (postage paid) or dropped off at any official drop box across the state. Election security is built into Oregon's vote-by-mail system. Each ballot has a unique bar code. Election officials in every county double check the signature on the ballot envelope to ensure it matches the one on file. In the 2020 elections, Oregon had a 3-step authentication process that allowed for computer verification and then two individuals verify the signature on the ballot. Simply put, paper ballots are the safest method for conducting secure and accurate elections. Military and overseas ballots are mailed to voters at least 45 days before Election day. Ballots may be accessed through an on line portal called ``My Vote'' and filled in with Oregon's online ballot-marking tool. Once printed, ballots are mailed to the appropriate county elections office. A signed ballot may be faxed or emailed if the voter completes and returns an official Secret Ballot Waiver Form. Automatic Voter Registration In 2016, Oregon became the first state to implement an automatic voter registration (AVR) system. Under the old system, most Oregonians needed to take a separate step to register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after obtaining or renewing their driver license or ID Card. This law makes voter registration automatic, shifting from an opt-in process to an opt-out process. It eliminates the need to fill out the voter registration card for those with qualifying interactions at the DMV. Instead, eligible Oregonians receive a mailing from the Oregon Elections Division explaining their options for registering to vote. The AVR process is limited to applicants who have been coded as citizens by DMV. The Elections Division sends Oregon Motor Voter Cards to those who have provided documentation that they are U.S. citizens. Oregon voters are also required to attest to their qualifications--including citizenship--at the time they submit their ballot. As a result of automatic voter registration, 92 percent of the eligible voting population is registered to vote. Since implementation in the 2016 election cycle, Oregon saw the second largest increase of people of color registered at 79 percent, according to Blue Lab analysis. A study by political scientist and voting expert Professor Paul Gronke of Reed College, found that Oregon's AVR system helped register more people of color, young people, those who are low income, and rural voters. Across the board, Oregon's AVR system has been one of the most successful programs in the country to expand access to the ballot. We already know that this program has been instrumental to bringing the vote to traditionally disenfranchised populations. As just one example: in 2016 advocates in Oregon spoke with a man named Charles who was automatically registered to vote. Charles was an African American and disabled veteran of both Korea and Vietnam wars who was told by his commanders not to register to vote because ``Black men shouldn't vote.'' Thanks to Oregon's AVR legislation, Charles cast his ballot for the very first time--ensuring his vote had a place in Oregon's democracy. Online voter registration/Pre-registration for 16 and 17-year-olds Oregon's online voter registration tool provides Oregonians a convenient and secure way to make sure they can participate in the democratic process. Oregon first implemented on line voter registration in 2009. In the first year of implementation almost 87,000 Oregonians used the system. Just a few years after, Oregon began allowing 16 and 17- year-olds to pre-register to vote under the online voter registration system and through the AVR system. Oregon's online voter registration system, also allows Oregonians to conveniently update their registration if they move, change their name or mailing address, or want to select or change a political party. Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Oregon allows previously incarcerated individuals the right to register to vote in Oregon. Persons convicted of a felony, whether the defendant serves their term of incarceration in a state correctional facility or in a county jail, cannot vote while they are serving their term of incarceration for the felony. All others in the criminal justice system retain their right to vote (such as pre-trial detainees, persons serving misdemeanor sentences in county jails, persons on parole or probation). Voting rights are restored when a person convicted of a felony is released from incarceration. However, once released from incarceration they must re-register to vote in order to restore their voting rights. Voting for Individuals with Disabilities Oregon allows individuals who are visually impaired to request a large format ballot from their local county clerk's office. The election clerks can send them a video, and/or an audio clip to assist individuals with filling out their ballot privately and securely. Voters with no or limited vision can use a screen reader to have ballots and the voters' pamphlets read to them. Voters using tablets to mark a ballot can increase the size of the font and change the color and contrast of the text. Additionally, Oregonians can utilize a screen reader or other technology to access a ballot at home using ``My Vote.'' Tablets also help voters with cognitive disabilities or limited reading capabilities. They work well for voters with limited range of motion. Voters who are quadriplegic or have severe arthritis can use their fingers or a number of assistive technologies, such as sip-and-puff systems, to mark their ballots. Any Oregon voter who needs assistance with can get assistance registering to vote, voting, or returning their ballot and are encouraged to contact their local election officials to ask for assistance and support. Conclusion We are proud of our trailblazing efforts to ensure all eligible Oregonians have access to the ballot box. In Oregon we believe, regardless of political party or affiliation, that democracy works when everyone is represented and everyone can participate and have their voice heard. H.R. 1 is necessary to ensure Americans who all too often face barriers to the ballot box have an opportunity to have their voice heard. H.R. 1 builds upon best practices we have built here in Oregon. We are proud to lead by example with safe, secure, transparent, efficient, and modern policies that have been working in our state and across the country for years.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, this week marks the end of an era as Joe Novotny concludes a thirty-year career in the House, the last ten as our Reading Clerk. In a sense, it seems longer than ten years in that he assumed that role naturally with such quiet competence. He was unflappable in the midst of often frantic activity. He is the face of a critically important and complex set of activities that keeps the House legislative process moving forward. Even when it seems like we're not doing much, it takes a lot of people and a lot of moving pieces to make it look that way. It's almost as though he was born for this important role, having literally grown up in the House. He was a House page, a program that allowed for so many young people to see firsthand the legislative process Hill. Joe's rise through the ranks culminated with his decade as House Reading Clerk. He has steadily and thoughtfully performed his duties in exemplary fashion. He has been personally warm and helpful, being a perfect representation for the many men and women behind the scenes that hold his place together. I, along with thousands of C-SPAN junkies, will miss Joe, and we all wish him the very best in the next chapters of his career and life.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Revitalizing Economies, Housing, and Businesses (REHAB) Act of 2021. This legislation incentivizes equitable transit-oriented development by providing a 15 percent tax credit for expenses related to the rehabilitation of buildings that are more than 50 years old, including adjacent development on the same block, provided that the project is within a half-mile of an existing or planned public transportation center. The legislation also provides a bonus credit of 25 percent for expenses associated with the provision of affordable housing and public infrastructure. While existing community development incentives do an excellent job at targeting their segment of the market, there is a noticeable gap in equitable transit-oriented development. As more Americans move to urban areas, communities face difficult decisions in accommodating increased congestion and affordability concerns, all while seeking to keep their carbon footprint light. By focusing on the rehabilitation of existing assets that are near public transportation, projects are lighter on the land and residents can more easily access jobs and services via transit. Encouraging affordable housing investments in transit-rich areas will transform areas that are often some of the least affordable. Taken together, provisions in the REHAB Act encourage preservation, accessibility, and affordability and will create more livable communities. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to include this legislation in an upcoming infrastructure investment package.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Rural Wind Energy Modernization and Extension Act of 2021. This commonsense proposal builds on the success of the small wind investment tax credit by assisting farmers, ranchers, and small businesses in offsetting the up-front costs of developing and owning distributed wind turbines. Small wind turbines are commonly installed on residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and community sites and can range in size from a few-hundred-watt turbine at a remote cabin to a 5- kilowatt turbine at a home to a multi-megawatt turbine at a manufacturing facility. These systems allow farmers, ranchers, and other consumers to cut their energy bills and, at times, sell power back into the grid. While this technology has grown in the past decade, federal policy to promote deployment of distributed wind has failed to keep up. Current law has constrained nameplate capacity in distributed wind projects and years of short-term extensions have created a significant amount of uncertainty in the distributed wind market. The Rural Wind Energy Modernization and Extension Act would increase the existing 100- kilowatt limitation to 10 megawatts and provide long-term certainty for distributed wind projects for decades to come. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to include this legislation in an infrastructure investment package.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1 is the most significant democracy reform package in a generation. It will make it easier to vote--regardless of income, ability, geography, or race; ends the domination of big money in politics; and enacts tougher ethics standards to ensure that public officials actually work for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I am particularly proud of three provisions that I helped incorporate into this bill: Bringing the Oregon vote-by-mail model nationwide; Paving the way for all States to offer vote-by-mail and early voting; And automatic voter registration for individuals interacting with State agencies. Mr. Speaker, this is personal for me. I started my political career as a college student, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the constitutional amendment to lower the voting age. I spent 2 years of my life working in Oregon on that and on the national campaign. Subsequently, I was on a national commission from the Ford Foundation, the National League of Women Voters, and the Civic League to deal with how we were to reform the election process to make it more uniform and easier for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I was proud of that work, but I am a little embarrassed that that was four decades ago and we are still talking about the need for those reforms. And as my colleagues have mentioned, there are people right now in various State legislatures that are actively continuing a process of making it hard for Americans to vote. This is embarrassing. This isn't just a matter of what happened with civil rights, this has been refined as a high art to be able to gerrymander people into unrepresentative patterns that undercuts the ability of politicians selecting their voters, rather than people selecting their politicians. Mr. Speaker, I have been pained by the lies that have been made about mail-in voting. I am the first Member of the House of Representatives to be elected as a result of a mail-in ballot. We pioneered that in 1996, and we have continued to pioneer that effort. And it is secure, it is convenient, it saves money for local government. It allows people to process this in their own home, in their own time, in their own way. In an era of the pandemic, it provides health--keeping older poll workers from being exposed. The notion that somehow this is a problem that justified some of the outrageous statements and behavior, defies description.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I am pained with this misrepresentation that the President of the United States would denigrate mail-in balloting while he, in fact, does it. This has been done by Republicans and Democrats alike. It is secure. It is safe. And it helps the American people. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge approval of H.R. 1 and rejection of the bogus claims about the problems alleged with mail-in ballots. It is the most secure. It is the most effective. And it is one that I think the public deserves.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Public Buildings Renewal Act of 2021. This legislation will spur private investment in public building infrastructure throughout the United States by creating $5 billion in Private Activity Bonds for the development of government-owned public buildings. Critically, this legislation intends that these bonds are compliant with Davis-Bacon labor standards. In every American community, there are serious concerns about the condition of our schools, public hospitals, justice facilities, universities, and libraries. With state and local budgets becoming increasingly strained, officials have chosen to save money by steadily reducing capital investment in public buildings. But years of underinvestment have led to facilities that are inadequately maintained, fail to comply with current codes or disability requirements, and do not have adequate security--endangering the public. Throughout the country, the average public school building is at least 40 years old, and the current backlog of maintenance and repair projects adds up to more than $45 billion annually in unmet funding needs. It is past time that we upgrade our public buildings to provide a safe, modern, and efficient experience from coast to coast. Presently, the use of public-private partnerships to develop government owned public buildings is restricted because, unlike transportation projects, public buildings are not currently eligible for Private Activity Bonds. This unnecessary impediment prevents public building from combining tax-exempt financing with private, taxable financing, resulting in lower project costs for our state and local governments. The Public Buildings Renewal Act adds public buildings as a new class of projects eligible for financing with Private Activity Bonds, allowing state and local governments to invest in public building infrastructure projects more easily. Once enacted, state and local governments would be able to enter long-term contracts with a private sector company to design, build, finance, and/or operate and maintain the building for a defined period. This legislation is intended to provide an additional financing option to state and local governments looking to improve their public buildings, not be a panacea for all projects. We can no longer accept schools and hospitals in disrepair, deferred maintenance, and delayed capital investment. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to include this legislation in an infrastructure investment package.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I was stunned to hear our friend from North Carolina talk about the rosy economic situation. Let me give one example. For the last year, I have been working on behalf of America's 500,000 independent restaurants. There are 11 million employees and their trillion-dollar supply chain. Already it is too late for one in six who have closed permanently this last year. Without direct assistance, we could lose 80 percent. The good news is that the American Rescue Plan contains $25 billion to fund the restaurants bill. Without the direct relief they need, those restaurants won't survive. This is why it has broad, bipartisan support from Republican mayors, Governors, local officials, and business leaders. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the passage of the American Rescue Plan and the $25 billion lifeline to our independent restaurants that are so important to our communities.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, the Nation watched in horror at the terrible situation in Texas this last week with horrific weather conditions and then the aftermath dealing with problems with safe drinking water and supply. It was leavened a little bit by the plight of Ted Cruz who is notoriously struggling to tell the truth this time as he fled his State and leaving his constituents behind and then watching him contort trying to change his story over the course of the next few days. It was sort of a national joke. But what was happening in Texas was not a joke. These conditions were unprecedented. But they found Texas unable to really respond in a way despite the fact that 10 years ago there was a similar situation. It is fascinating. Ted Cruz isn't the only one struggling with the truth. The Governor of Texas, Governor Abbott, sought to blame wind energy for their plight. Wind energy, which supplies less than 10 percent of the total energy supply for the State, performed better than fossil fuel which provided the majority of it. Think for a moment how they attempted to target the Green New Deal and AOC. While Ted Cruz was struggling to get his story straight, our colleague, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, was raising millions of dollars to help people in Texas cope. Blaming a Green New Deal which has never actually been enacted--it is an aspirational goal--is foolish. What we have seen in Texas with those extreme weather events are a preview of coming attractions. What we saw in Australia this last year and in the Western United States with horrific wildfires, looking at a once-in-a-century weather event is becoming routine, and it is going to happen more and more frequently. I would suggest that Texas leadership could take a look at what they have done. Their famously deregulated energy system has given the family with a $16,000 electric bill or former Governor and Energy Secretary Rick Perry said: Well, people would just be happy to have a few days without energy to be free of the dangers of Federal regulation. I think people in the surrounding States that survived much better and didn't have $16,000 monthly electric bills might review that. I would suggest that the folks in Texas leadership could start first of all by telling the truth. It is not renewable energy, it was fossil fuel that failed and continued reliance on fossil fuel is going to make events like this much, much more frequent. We need to deal with reliability in Texas and around the country. Last, but not least, we must fight for climate justice and a low carbon future. That will help make these situations less frequent and more bearable, and it is a path forward that we can take confident that history will reflect we were on the right side.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's courtesy and her careful, thoughtful explanation of what we are doing. I strongly support the Equality Act, extending civil rights protections to all citizens. I have been honored to be a part of this process throughout my political career, dating back as a child legislator in the 1970s in county government, in city government in Oregon, and for the last 25 years here in Congress. The arguments that we are hearing have been heard before. The same sort of hysterical concerns have proven not to be the case. Wild claims have been proven wrong; and especially I think of marriage equality as the most compelling. Each reform, each step of the way, has been for progress, and equality was positive, and ultimately supported by the public, as is the Equality Act. The wild claims have been proven groundless. At the end of the day, one of the reasons is that Americans are biased in favor of fairness and equality. Another important reason, as alluded to by my friend from Pennsylvania, is personal experience. There was fear and misapprehension, but as people became experienced with a family member who married, a transgender child, when you deal with the reality of real people, what we find is that they are people like everybody else, and we do not want their lives to be turned upside down. I come from a State where by and large these protections are in place, but they aren't in place for everybody everywhere, and we have an opportunity to make additional progress. One of the reasons that we have seen this progress take place is the advocacy of those in the LGBT community who have been tireless, thoughtful, articulate, strategic, moving the agenda forward and bringing along often reluctant politicians. Last but not least, I would reference what happened with our young people. Young people understand this. Young people are not hysterical. Young people express their concern and willingness to embrace others, regardless of sexual orientation, and that is why ultimately this cause will win. It is why so much progress has been made and why it will ultimately be successful. I deeply appreciate this being brought before us, an opportunity for us to approve the Equality Act, affirm the bedrock principle of full equality, move it on to the Senate, and hopefully now with an administration committed to equality, we can enact it into law for the benefit of citizens all across the country. I just have one 30-second evaluation of the notion of scientific forest management.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I will just say, I come from an area where so-called ``scientific management'' of forests has resulted in more forest fires, problems with water quality, problems with habitat. We are learning that we need to make different changes, and one of the tools that we have is extending wilderness protection. It strengthens the environment, protects wildlife, water resources, and makes them more resilient, not less. It is not a matter of raking the forests, as Donald Trump said, but having an opportunity to allow the healing power of nature to provide those protections.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. I am excited that this is one area that there was an opportunity to have that bipartisan cooperation. The Biden administration supports it. We have Republican and Democratic support in the Senate. My good friend, Senator Wicker, and Senator Sinema have led the charge there. This is a bright spot for a very troubled part of our economy, independent restaurants, which are the cornerstone of all of our communities. I hope we can come together to support this on a bipartisan basis as we move forward with the reconciliation. I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy. I appreciate the time.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy as I appreciate his words. This is a step in a long process. There are ample opportunities for bipartisanship. I am hopeful that after years of talking about infrastructure, for instance, and having Lucy pull the football away-- President Trump said he would like to do it, but we were incapable of moving forward even though there was a broad consensus, actually, on both sides of the aisle--I think President Biden is prepared to roll up his sleeves and do that with us. And the contrast between what we saw with President Biden opening up, talking to Republicans, leveling with the American people; and yet, at the beginning a year ago, we had documented evidence that Trump refused to acknowledge the urgency of the coronavirus. He soft-pedaled it along with a bumbling result where tens of thousands of people have died--maybe hundreds of thousands of people-- who didn't need to die. We have seen it in other countries. We are moving forward and I look forward to having opportunities with our Republican friends to join us. The reconciliation process is one step forward. I can't help contrasting it with how we have seen Republicans use reconciliation. I was on the Ways and Means Committee while they were literally writing the bill as we were meeting late into the morning, changing it as it went on. They didn't know what was in it. And that produced almost $2 trillion worth of deficit from people who are now fiscally conservative. The contrast is stunning. We are going into meetings with the Ways and Means Committee during the day next week, not 1 day, not 2 days. We are prepared to be there 3 days or on into the weekend. But I wanted to just take a moment to talk about one area of bipartisan cooperation that really lifts my spirits. I have been working for a year to try and rescue America's independent restaurants, the people who have been hit hardest by the coronavirus of any employment group. 500,000 restaurants--there are 11 million employees-- have suffered more than any other area. I am pleased that the Senate, last night, by a 90-10 vote approved the framework of our restaurants bill, providing space in the reconciliation process, 90-10. And I am pleased that the restaurants bill that we have reintroduced that last session had over 200 cosponsors, we picked up on H.R. 793 44 cosponsors in less than 24 hours. I commend our friends in the Senate who have helped us out. I commend the bipartisan work on this.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity. In following my colleague, Ms. Bush, with an example of how we are fine- tuning the apprenticeship program, one of the secrets in this country, best-kept secrets, in terms of a path to middle-class wage, empowerment, and key to our ability to rebuild and renew America. President Biden hit the ground running. He has been working on a number of areas. And none of his promises is more important than rebuilding and renewing America. We need to have a workforce that enables us to get this job done. I have seen these programs work in my State and national training programs around the country. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a statement from James Hoffa, the general president of the Teamsters, who points out that this is an investment of over $1.6 billion in private capital annually. The programs have long been considered the gold standard for workforce development in the construction trades. They provide a debt-free ladder of opportunity. Apprentices earn wages from the first day, develop demand skills, and portable credentials. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Washington, DC. February 1, 2021. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters supports H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 which the House is expected to consider this week. We urge you to support H.R. 447 which reauthorizes the Registered Apprenticeship Program. The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) reauthorized by this bill has been the most successful workforce development initiative. For decades, the most highly skilled and productive construction craft workers have been trained through RAPs. These privately funded training centers and programs are jointly administered by construction contractors and building trades educators. With an investment of over $1.6 billion in private capital annually, these programs have long been considered the gold standard for workforce development in the construction trades. Often affiliated with unions, RAPS Apprentices provide a debt free ladder of opportunity. Apprentices earn wages from the first day, develop in demand skills, and portable credentials. The National Apprenticeship Act protects a vital (and progressive) wage scale for the next generation for individual apprentices, and contractors through greater productivity and safety. The bill expands RAPs into new occupations and sectors. And, for the first time, there will be concrete standards associated with pre-apprenticeship programs which have grown significantly over the last several years. These standards will provide protections from unscrupulous contractors to ensure a clear and defined pathway into RAPs. These programs are important to opening doors for greater participation and diversity in both programs. RAPs are a pathway to the middle class with over 90 percent of individuals completing a RAP employed upon completion and earning an average wage of $70,000 annually. Again, the Teamsters Union urges you to support H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Program of 2021. Sincerely, James P. Hoffa, General President.

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, this is what it is about, being able to take qualified young people, give them skills, let them earn money through the apprenticeship programs, not a mountain of debt. And time after time we have seen examples after just a couple of years they graduate into wages that enable them to support their family. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to work with my colleagues in strengthening these programs. I have seen the training centers for the carpenters, and IBEW, these are the gold standards that ought to provide an inspiration for everybody in terms of how we provide this path to the middle class, how we strengthen ability to deliver on our promises to rebuild and renew America, and have the opportunity for them to earn money while they are doing it. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this proposal.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman's courtesy and his leadership. Mr. Speaker, the hardest hit sector of our economy is the 500,000 independent restaurants and their 11 million employees. That is why there are 2.3 million of those employees unemployed. And one out of six restaurants has closed permanently, with the prospect of up to 85 percent being lost in the year ahead. Sadly, the impact has been disproportionately on women, minorities, and immigrants. The PPE program didn't work for restaurants. They don't need complicated loans. They don't know, in many cases, whether they are going to be open in 2 or 3 months. The restrictions across the country are such that most restaurants simply do not have a viable economic model. That is why I introduced the Restaurants Act. I am pleased that $50 billion has been designated for small business in this resolution, and I hope at least 50 percent of that will be dedicated to the bipartisan and bicameral Restaurants Act that we have introduced. It has over half the Members of the House of Representatives cosponsoring and over half the Senate. We have an opportunity to move this forward in a way that will give a lifeline to our restaurants that are the cornerstone of our community. We give them that lifeline, and next year at this time most of it will be back to normal. They will be vaccinated, the weather will change, and we will be able to return to that vibrant part of our communities. But they need the lifeline. So I strongly urge support for the Restaurants Act which will be reintroduced and part of the reconciliation process that will make it possible to provide that necessary support to keep them afloat. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) for his courtesy.

Mr. BLUMENAUER

Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I introduced the Building United States Infrastructure and Leveraging Development (BUILD) Act. This bipartisan legislation will spur billions of dollars in private investment toward surface transportation and freight transfer facilities, while giving state and local governments an important instrument to improve their communities. It is no secret that America's infrastructure is falling apart while we fall behind our global competitors. America's roads, bridges, tunnels, and transit systems face a funding gap of more than $1.1 trillion by 2025. One in five miles of highway pavement is in poor condition and congestion costs the U.S. economy nearly $305 billion annually. Continued underinvestment will lead to longer trips to work or school, more costly maintenance expenses, and unsafe road conditions. We must do better. As of December 1, 2020, the Department of Transportation doesn't have any additional surface transportation private activity bonds available, as the entire $15 billion statutory cap has been issued or allocated. This legislation builds on the success of these bonds by doubling the federal volume cap and clarifying that the use of the bonds must maintain strong labor standards. While public-private partnerships are not a panacea for solving all of our transportation challenges, they are an important piece of rebuilding and renewing America. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact this legislation as part of an infrastructure investment bill.