Suzanne Bonamici

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 204, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for introducing this bill, which I am also proud to cosponsor. I thank all of the Members on both sides of the aisle who have cosponsored the bill, the 25 organizations that have endorsed it, and the many more organizations and individuals who contributed to it. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all the importance of a robust U.S. research enterprise. Not only has this been essential during the pandemic, it will continue to be crucial to maintaining U.S. global leadership in science and technology. Unfortunately, this position of global leadership is eroding. To maintain our leadership position and to lead the world in the development of technologies that may dramatically reshape our lives, the U.S. needs a talented STEM workforce that is fully representative of our population. We have a lot of work to do on that front. Women and people of color remain severely underrepresented in STEM. As we have learned from numerous studies, this underrepresentation results from numerous cultural and institutional barriers, as well as a lack of access to resources and adequate support. It is not because of a lack of talent or interest in STEM. We have made progress on increasing the diversity of the STEM fields in recent years, but it is nowhere near enough. We must act now to address these inequities and begin building a more diverse STEM workforce for the 21st century. The STEM Opportunities Act requires comprehensive data collection by Federal agencies so we can better understand the challenge we are facing. It also requires the development of consistent Federal policies for recipients of Federal research awards who have caregiving responsibilities, an issue the pandemic has brought into sharper focus. The bill requires OSTP to develop consistent guidelines and best practices for grant reviewers and program officers, as well as universities and Federal laboratories. These guidelines and best practices will assist in reducing the effects of implicit bias and identifying barriers limiting the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and minorities in STEM. The bill also authorizes the National Science Foundation to expand research aimed at improving the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and minorities in STEM. NSF is also directed to award grants through the existing Tribal Colleges and Universities Program to support computer science education. We cannot leave anybody behind in the STEM fields, and H.R. 204 will help. We give better decisions when we have people from all backgrounds around the table. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this important bill is signed into law. I strongly urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, a few years ago, I held an innovation roundtable in northwest Oregon, and I remember clearly one very successful tech entrepreneur answered the question: What is the best thing we can do for innovation? He said: We need to diversify the STEM workforce because people from different backgrounds and different experiences bring different perspectives and help identify problems that others may not. This bill will help in that effort. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I, once again, urge adoption of the bipartisan STEM Opportunities Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2027, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2027, the MSI STEM Achievement Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important scientists and engineers are to helping us respond to crises and move toward a brighter future. Whether it is a deadly pandemic or the climate crisis, we need all of our Nation's talent to help us understand the challenges and contribute to solutions. We also need all of our Nation's talent to fill the high- skilled jobs of the future. Our Nation's demographics are changing, and we are not keeping up in diversifying our STEM workforce. Hispanics represent 18 percent of the U.S. population, but only 9 percent of the bachelor's degrees in mathematics and physics. And for Black students, STEM degree attainment has either stagnated or declined since 1996. The United States can rightly celebrate our great research universities and the STEM talent they cultivate in their laboratories. But these institutions represent a small fraction of the hundreds of institutions across the Nation that graduate students with STEM degrees, and an even smaller fraction in terms of the number of Black and Hispanic students. In 2018, the Academies released a report highlighting the outsized contributions made by minority-serving institutions, or MSIs. These institutions have a remarkable record of success in recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented minority students in STEM. For example, HBCUs graduate 25 percent of all African- American graduates with STEM degrees. Unfortunately, MSIs have relatively insufficient resources and infrastructure. The MSI STEM Achievement Act would make sure that education and research opportunities are more accessible to STEM students at MSIs. The legislation would require more transparency and accountability in Federal science agency support for MSIs. The legislation directs the National Science Foundation to support research on effective practices at MSIs for recruiting and retaining minority students in STEM, and offer strategies to build on and scale best practices. It further directs NSF to support research and STEM education capacity building at MSIs. The legislation also directs OSTP to develop a strategic plan for increasing MSI participation and success in competitive Federal research funding opportunities. Supporting our country's minority-serving institutions through targeted investments and outreach is essential to building our STEM workforce for the future. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2027, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all of my colleagues to support the bipartisan MSI STEM Achievement Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I, once again, urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important and bipartisan legislation, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2695, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2695, the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act, which I am pleased to cosponsor. In 2017, the Me Too movement sparked a national reckoning with the pervasiveness of sexual harassment. The academic workplace has not been spared. One study found that 58 percent of faculty and staff at universities have experienced sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is detrimental to individuals, often impeding career advancement and leading some to leave academia entirely. Sexual harassment also has significant consequences on the entire scientific enterprise, depriving our most critical STEM fields of skilled researchers, particularly from groups already underrepresented in STEM. In 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report examining the contributing factors to sexual harassment in academia and the effects on women in science, technology, and medicine. The Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act includes key recommendations from the Academies' report and takes further steps to combat sexual harassment in STEM. The National Science Foundation and other agencies have already taken significant steps to address the scourge of sexual harassment in STEM. Unfortunately, not all agencies have taken this issue as seriously, and the patchwork of policies and approaches causes confusion and increases administrative burden on grantees. This legislation helps make sure that we have consistent, governmentwide policies. H.R. 2695 requires a coordinated approach to address sexual harassment at grant-receiving institutions and across our Federal agencies, including by requiring OSTP to issue uniform policy guidance for sexual harassment reporting at Federal science agencies. The bill also authorizes NSF research on the contributing factors to STEM workplace harassment. Finally, the bill would require an important follow-up study by the National Academies. The Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act was developed following extensive consultation with experts on sexual harassment and key stakeholders, including universities. At present, 24 organizations have endorsed this bill, representing a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines, student groups, and professions. I want to thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for introducing this important bill. I also want to thank all of the cosponsors of this bipartisan effort. I urge everyone here to help us take action toward eliminating sexual harassment in the sciences. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2695, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. As a mom and policymaker, I know how important it is to protect the health, well-being, and economic security of pregnant workers and their families. Unfortunately, under current Federal law, pregnant workers do not have access to reasonable workplace accommodations. Simple accommodations, such as providing seating, water, or an extra bathroom break, would allow pregnant workers to stay safe on their job during pregnancy. But when pregnant workers do not have access to the accommodations they need, they are at risk of jeopardizing their health and the health of their baby, losing their job, being denied a promotion, or not being hired in the first place. It is unacceptable that, in 2021, pregnant workers can still be forced to choose between a healthy pregnancy and a paycheck. Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act more than four decades ago, but pregnant workers still suffer discrimination at an alarming rate. Megan, a manufacturing worker in Oregon, was forced to take unpaid leave after her employer denied her modest request for light duty 3\1/ 2\ months before her due date. Oregon has since passed a State version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and it is working very well. But pregnant workers across the country need fairness, too. We know that women of color are overrepresented in low-wage, physically demanding jobs and are, therefore, disproportionately harmed by a lack of access to reasonable accommodations. By clarifying the right of pregnant workers to reasonable accommodations on the job, we will finally give them the ability to work safely without fear of facing discrimination or retaliation. I thank Chairman Scott and Chairman Nadler for their leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the National Partnership for Women & Families in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. National Partnership for Women & Families, Washington, DC, May 11, 2021. Dear Member of Congress: The National Partnership for Women & Families is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization committed to improving the lives of women and families by achieving equity for all women. Since our creation as the Women's Legal Defense Fund in 1971, we have fought for every significant advance for equal opportunity in the workplace, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). We write in strong support of H.R. 1065, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This bipartisan legislation will support pregnant workers on the job, improving women's and families' economic security and promoting healthier pregnancies. More than 40 years ago, Congress passed the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, outlawing discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, yet pregnancy discrimination is still widespread and impacts pregnant workers across industry, race, ethnicity and jurisdiction. Nearly 31,000 pregnancy discrimination charges were filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and state-level fair employment practice agencies between 2010 and 2015, and the reality of pregnancy discrimination is likely much worse than illustrated by EEOC charges. As a result of this discrimination, too many women must choose between their paychecks and a healthy pregnancy-- a choice that no one should have to make. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would create a clear policy standard requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers. Support for a law like this is nearly universal and bipartisan. Eighty-nine percent of voters favor this bill, including 69 percent of voters who strongly favor it. Just this Congress, thirty-five leading private sector employers endorsed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in an open letter to Congress. More than 85 percent of women will become mothers at some point in their working lives. And sometimes, an accommodation is needed in order for a pregnant worker to continue performing their job. Those accommodations are often small changes to their work environment such as additional bathroom breaks, a stool to sit on or the ability to have a water bottle at their work station. Although minor, these accommodations allow pregnant workers to stay in the workforce and continue to provide for themselves and their families. When pregnant workers are fired, demoted, or forced into unpaid leave, they and their families lose critical income, and they may struggle to re-enter a job market that is particularly harsh for people who are currently or were recently pregnant. Pregnancy discrimination affects women across race and ethnicity, but women of color and immigrants are at particular risk. They are disproportionately likely to work in jobs and industries where accommodations during pregnancy are not often provided (such as home health aides, food service workers, package handlers and cleaners). Black women are much more likely than white women to file pregnancy discrimination charges, they are also at a higher risk for pregnancy-related complications like pre-term labor, preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders making reasonable accommodations on the job even more important, and loss of wages and health insurance due to pregnancy discrimination especially challenging. To date, thirty-one states including the District of Columbia and four cities have passed laws requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers. But the ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy and keep a job should not depend on where a pregnant person works. Women are a crucial part of the workforce and their participation matters for the growth of our economy and for the stability and wellbeing of families nationwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the conditions of pregnant workers. Pregnant people are at a higher risk of falling ill from COVID-19 and experiencing complications, and thus require increased protections against the virus. Since the beginning of the pandemic, pregnant workers have experienced increased levels of workplace discrimination by being denied accommodations and leave. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would ensure that pregnant workers have access to the accommodations they need in order to have a safe workplace experience. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would strengthen existing federal protections, ensure more equitable workplaces and allow women to remain in the workforce and maintain their economic stability while having the accommodations necessary for healthy pregnancies. It is time to clarify and strengthen existing federal protections for pregnant workers by passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Sincerely, Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this en bloc amendment. I have done financial counseling for low-income clients at Legal Aid and I learned firsthand that people don't struggle by choice. I was an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission where my work involved enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I have seen how predatory debt collection tactics hurt our families and our communities. Consumers face harassment at home and at work. They frequently get misinformation about debts they might not even legally owe. The problems around debt collection are pervasive. Data from the Urban Institute shows that 68 million Americans had a debt in collection before the pandemic, and most consumers sued by collection agencies don't have legal representation. My amendment will update the law so consumers get advance notice of legal action against them and accurate details about what they legally owe. Strengthening protections for consumers will help individuals and families get through this economic crisis and beyond. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment and the underlying bill. I thank Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Perlmutter for their leadership.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the memory of Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, who represented the people of Oregon's First District in this chamber from 1993 to 1999. I am privileged to have called Elizabeth a friend and a mentor. My first experience volunteering for a political campaign was when I made calls and knocked on doors working for her Congressional race for re- election in 1994. She inspired dedication to worthy causes, including co-founding the Oregon Peace Institute, and embodied the traits all public servants should strive to uphold--to meet the needs of their community and drive meaningful change. Her trailblazing example helped shape my life and my career, and the lives of so many others. Elizabeth was only the third woman to represent Oregon in the House of Representatives, and as an immigrant she was fully committed to protecting the rights of all. Her start in advocacy came at a young age in Kenya, and in her youth she courageously participated in the protests against apartheid in South Africa. From there she continued to grow as a leader and advocate, pursuing a career path that allowed her to serve as a fierce champion for tribal sovereignty, social justice, and peace. She aided countless people during her time in Congress and throughout her life, and her many achievements include helping the Grand Ronde, Klamath, and Coquille tribes gain federal recognition, as well as increasing access to public transportation in our region by extending light rail service to Hillsboro. After leaving Congress, Elizabeth continued to stay involved in her community and enjoyed spending time with her husband John at their winery. Our world, and especially NW Oregon, is a better place because of Elizabeth's tireless devotion to improving the lives of those around her. Let us continue to serve others in her memory.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, in Northwest Oregon, raging wildfires have made the air unhealthy to breathe. Ocean acidification, harmful algal bloom, and hypoxia threaten our fisheries. Droughts and extreme weather patterns jeopardize the livelihoods of our farmers. But there is hope. By recognizing the scale and urgency of the climate crisis, we can take meaningful action to address it. Today, the Biden-Harris administration is convening a group of world leaders to commit to ambitious action. We stand ready to work with them to enact policies that reduce emissions, create jobs, and support frontline communities. Last year, I joined my colleagues on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in releasing our bold, comprehensive, science-based Climate Action Plan to reach net-zero emissions no later than mid- century, and net-negative thereafter. It includes bills like my bipartisan Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act, which I am reintroducing today, to help capture the power of the ocean and coastal ecosystems in mitigating the climate crisis. The Climate Action Plan is our road map. Now, on this 51st anniversary of Earth Day, we must all reaffirm our commitment to the Earth and to taking bold action to solve the climate crisis.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise today, joined by my colleagues from the Oregon congressional delegation and others, to announce the passing of our esteemed former colleague, Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse, who represented the First District of Oregon--the district I am honored to represent--from 1993 to 1999. Congresswoman Furse was not only a friend, but a mentor. My first experience volunteering for a political campaign was during her reelection in 1994. She inspired dedication to worthy causes, including cofounding the Oregon Peace Institute. She embodied the traits public servants should strive to uphold, to meet the needs of their community and drive meaningful change. Our world, especially northwest Oregon, is a better place because of Elizabeth's tireless devotion to improving the lives of those around her. On behalf of the Oregon delegation and all who served with Elizabeth and all who are present, I express our sincere condolences to her family and friends. I ask that the House observe a moment of silence in her memory.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the increasingly harsh workplace conditions that nurses, doctors, social workers, and other healthcare workers have endured to keep our communities going. But even before the pandemic, healthcare and social service workers faced a disproportionate risk of on-the-job violence and injuries. A few year ago, two workers in Oregon were tragically wounded in a workplace stabbing at an organization that provides essential services to youth who are facing addiction, homelessness, and behavioral health issues. Following the incident, Oregon AFSCME members organized to improve working conditions that were compromising the quality of services for vulnerable clients and the safety of the employees. Workers across the country, like the workers at Outside In, in Portland, need an evidence-based workplace violence prevention plan tailored to the needs of the vulnerable populations they serve. Today, we have a chance to support their safety and well-being in the workplace. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of the legislation from the Emergency Nurses Association. Emergency Nurses Association, February 23, 2021. Hon. Joe Courtney, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Courtney: On behalf of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and our more than 52,000 members, I am writing to express our support for H.R. 1195, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act of 2021. This important and timely legislation will ensure that health care and social service employers undertake steps to protect their employees and patients from violence in the workplace. As you know, workplace violence against health care workers, including emergency nurses, has become a national crisis. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers in the health care sector accounted for only 20% of workplace injuries yet comprised approximately 50% of all victims of workplace assault. The same study found that between 2002 and 2013, serious incidents of workplace violence were four times more common for workers in the health care sector versus all workers in the U.S. Unfortunately, assaults and batteries directed at workers occur at especially high rates in emergency departments (EDs), which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are required under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to stabilize and treat all patients. Often, health care professionals in the ED interact with members of the public when emotions run high and their behavior can sometimes become violent. Research has found that emergency nurses and other personnel in the ED experience a violent event about once every two months. Further, a 2011 study reported that one-third of emergency nurses had considered leaving the profession due to workplace violence. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act will ensure that health care employers, including hospitals, take specific steps to prevent workplace violence and ensure the safety of patients and workers. This bill will require health care and social service employers to develop and implement a comprehensive violence prevention plan which must include procedures to identify and respond to risks that make workplaces vulnerable to violent incidents. In addition, the legislation will help ensure that employees are appropriately trained in mitigating hazards. Emergency nurses are disproportionately victims of assaults in the workplace. We would like to thank you for introducing this important legislation and your leadership on this critical issue. Sincerely, Ron Kraus, MSN, RN, EMT,

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I thank Congressman Courtney for his leadership on this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Paycheck Fairness Act. The Equal Pay Act has been the law for more than half a century, but, in 2021, equal pay for equal work is still not a reality for many women, especially women of color. This is an injustice to millions of working families. Closing the wage gap is an economic imperative. Last month, I was honored to chair the hearing on persistent gender- based wage discrimination. We heard witnesses describe the barriers to detecting wage discrimination and holding employers accountable. Most importantly, we heard how the Paycheck Fairness Act can address the problematic loopholes in the current law, empower workers to better detect and combat wage discrimination, and create mechanisms for better pay data transparency. By advancing the Paycheck Fairness Act, we can restore the original intent of the Equal Pay Act and finally make equal pay for equal work a reality. I thank Congresswoman DeLauro for her steadfast leadership. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act from the American Association of University Women.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, these are challenging times for everyone, including for our Nation's young people, who are trying to cope with growing up and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this challenging time, arts education is more important than ever. The arts provide a way to help people connect and cope; and after this crisis, the arts will continue to play an important role in helping to heal. In recognition of Music in Our Schools Month, I want to highlight the value of music education. My mom was a piano teacher, and I took lessons myself. I know music is an important part of a well-rounded education. It helps students become critical, creative thinkers across subjects and eventually in their careers. Yesterday, I spoke with band and choir educators from Oregon, who are working to safely reengage students in in-person music classes. I thank them, and I am grateful that the American Rescue Plan will provide funding to help schools open safely, including those important band and choir classes. Please join me in supporting music education.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for workers to have the right to negotiate for better wages, stronger benefits, and safer working conditions. To keep our communities going, nurses, grocery store workers, firefighters, childcare workers, educators, healthcare workers, and more have been showing up to work every day, despite the risks. We have the opportunity to honor their work and to help restore fairness to our economy by making it easier for workers to form unions and collectively bargain. The PRO Act will establish substantive and enforceable penalties for unlawful tactics employers take to interfere with workers' organizing a union. The legislation closes loopholes in labor laws that allow workers to be misclassified, provides them with protections of the National Labor Relations Act, bans captive audience meetings, and prohibits employers from interfering in union elections. It is the most significant workers' rights legislation in years and an important step in restoring the middle class. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the BlueGreen Alliance in support of the PRO Act. March 8, 2021. Dear Representative: As a coalition of some of the nation's largest labor unions and environmental organizations, collectively representing millions of members and supporters, the BlueGreen Alliance and its partners write to express our support for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2021, H.R. 842. In the United States, we face a critical juncture for the rights of employees to organize. Workers have faced wage stagnation, difficult working conditions, and a wholesale effort to decimate their ability to organize for the past several decades. Exploitation by employers of labor laws that have been made toothless has caused union membership to fall dramatically from 33 percent in 1956 to ten percent in 2018. As it stands, no meaningful penalties exist for corporations using illegal tactics to eliminate the option to organize. Workers, already facing record income inequality, now face job losses due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. And we know the reality is that we went into this pandemic with three ongoing interconnected crises: economic inequality, racial inequality, and climate change. Based on the National Bureau of Economic Research's statistics, we know that unions consistently provide working Americans with ten to twenty percent higher wages than non- unionized workers. Workers who are union members fare better in crises--whether the crisis is COVID-19 or climate change. During crises, unionized workers have better access to enhanced safety measures, unemployment insurance, additional pay, paid sick time, and input in the terms of furloughs or other job-saving arrangements. Empowering workers, whether they are in the private sector or in the public sector, to band together to negotiate better wages and safer working conditions is the best path forward to protecting our workers and rebuilding America's middle class. Organizing does not just affect job quality, though: unionized workers are better equipped to handle potentially hazardous workplace situations, and have more freedom to blow the whistle in dangerous situations. This can avert industrial accidents and result in safer communities, as well as cleaner air and water. Many unions also take firm positions on environmental issues because they understand the impact that clean air and water have on workers. Unions have supported the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and other actions designed to both reduce the carbon pollution driving climate change and grow good-paying jobs in the clean economy. This bill can also help us close the gap in union density and job quality in our growing clean energy sectors. The PRO Act empowers employees by strengthening workers' rights to bargain and to organize. It does so by ending prohibitions on collective and class-action litigation, prohibiting employers from permanently replacing striking employees, amending how employees are defined so that no one is misclassified as an independent contractor, strengthening remedies and enforcement for employees who are exercising their rights, creating a mediation and arbitration process for new unions, protecting against coercive captive audience meetings, and streamlining the National Labor Relations Board's procedures. The PRO Act would take tangible steps to stem the tide of continued violations of the rights of working people to organize and would provide real consequences for those who violate the rights of workers. We must restore fairness to our economy so that workers no longer get a raw deal, and strengthen the right of workers all over the country to unionize and bargain for better working conditions. For these reasons, we urge you to vote yes on the PRO Act. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, BlueGreen Alliance, American Federation of Teachers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Service Employees International Union, Sierra Club, United Steelworkers Union, Utility Workers Union of American.

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with workers and support this bill.

Ms. BONAMICI

Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Equality Act, important legislation that will secure the civil rights of our LGBTQ community. Our LGBTQ friends, neighbors, colleagues, and community members should not miss an educational opportunity, or be denied housing or credit, because of who they are or who they love. I was proud to help pass the Oregon Equality Act when I was in the State legislature. The same arguments were being made back then, in 2007, that some of our colleagues are making today. Do you know what came to pass? Those concerns did not come to pass. What happened? The law brought dignity, security, and peace of mind to the LGBTQ community. It is long past time that LGBTQ Americans across the country have the same protections. As the chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, I have heard from students and workers who were discriminated against, people who were deeply harmed by antigay and transphobic attacks. Today, I am thinking about the trans people in Oregon and around the country who are bravely standing up for equality. We stand with you. We will keep working to create a world where you are safe, free, and supported. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Cicilline for his leadership.