Thomas Carper

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. That could be scary.

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I think we have another Senator from West Virginia that is ready to speak over here. I want to just close with this. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stands ready to work with farmers and ranchers to assist them with compliance. I will say that again: The U.S. Department of Agriculture stands ready to stand with farmers and ranchers to assist them with compliance. Finally, I think this is a moderate rule that thoughtfully responds to the concerns of farmers and ranchers. I met with Administrator Regan personally. This is not the Trump rule, and this is not the Obama rule. It is a compromise, and I think it is one that deserves to be supported. So I would ask for a vote that is against the measure that is before us today. I yield to the Senator from West Virginia.

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the vote occur immediately.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, I am interested in this, and Senator Hawley and I discussed this issue just today. This is the first I have learned of it--in the last 24 hours-- and I was pleased to have had a chance to have discussed it with him. Coincidentally, we are facing this at the Dover Air Force Base, which may be the finest Air Force base in the country. We have literally thousands of people--uniformed personnel and probably another 1,000 civilian employees and a bunch of children--who are involved in a school that is being rebuilt and replaced on the base. I explained to Senator Hawley that we are facing something a little different from the one he is explaining, but it is one that reminds me that there are children's lives and health at stake, and their future is maybe not in the balance, but it is a matter of concern. We are facing, as I said, a situation that reminds me a little bit of this in Delaware in realtime. Our school construction issue at the Dover Air Force Base and the safety issues there that are related to it have led my staff--my Delaware staff--and me to work with the Army Corps of Engineers in order to make sure that the issues that are particular to the Dover Air Force Base and to our school at that base-- it is actually a replacement school--are addressed. So, again, I am more than just a little bit interested and concerned about the issues that are outlined here. My concern, in not spending like more than a few minutes in the last 8 hours in trying to learn a little bit more about the issue here, is that I have learned that the drafting of Senator Hawley's bill, however, to some is confusing and raises some serious implementation concerns based on the initial feedback we have received from both the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Energy as well as from the initial read of the legislation from members of my staff. Just a couple of points. First, the bill appears to overlap a number of authorities between these two Agencies, and the drafting of the text is not clear as to which Agency should be responsible for the remediation or the construction of a new school. Second, the Army Corps of Engineers is telling my staff that, from all of the testing done, the Agency determined the school to be safe, and the results have been corroborated by an independent third testing party. In having not been steeped in this for days or weeks but really for minutes, I need some time, and I think my staff would appreciate some more time to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Energy to understand how we can help Senator Hawley's constituents, including the very young ones who are involved in this. With that, I am going to object at this time to Senator Hawley's unanimous consent request in order to provide us with the time to work with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Energy on a solution for this problem that will lead to its resolution. With that, I object.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Before the Senator from Minnesota leaves the floor, I want to say I could not agree with you more. My dad used to talk to my sister and me about common sense. He would say: Just use some common sense. Thank you for appealing to our better judgment and common sense. Thanks a lot. Madam President, I rise today to talk for a few minutes about three letters--ESG--and, as Aretha Franklin might say, to find out what it means to me. Now, as my staff knows, I am not a fan of acronyms or jargon. ESG is a shorthand description for a form of investing that takes into account environmental, social, and governance factors. It means very little to the average American worker. So let me try to make this simple and real for them. Millions of American workers are saving for retirement or are already withdrawing from a retirement plan, thanks to their employer-sponsored retirement plan, like a 401(k). Each paycheck, hard-working Americans do their best, even when times are tight, to put money away for their future and the future of their children and grandchildren with the hope that, down the road, those weekly or monthly contributions will grow over time and help folks retire with dignity well into their golden years. And with some good fortune and a prudent investment strategy, retirement accounts can also provide certainty and security so that Americans can enjoy their retirement--to take the vacation that you and your spouse always wanted, to make a charitable donation, or maybe to send their grandchild to college. Those retirement savings often grow thanks to something called a fiduciary, who manages American workers' retirement money. There is a Federal law called the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, that first passed in 1974 but has been amended many times to ensure that fiduciaries are doing right by American workers. When decisions are made on behalf of an individual investor, I don't think it is controversial to say that every American wants their money to grow as much as is reasonably possible. In order to make the best decision for Americans' hard-earned retirement savings, I also don't think it is controversial to say that the Federal Government shouldn't be dictating investment decisions. It shouldn't. While the previous administration actually blocked fiduciaries from considering economic factors such as climate risk, I believe that is the wrong approach. The Trump administration's unpredictable and uneven rulemaking led to confusion in the business community and uncertainty for investors. Now, let's be clear. A range of economic factors, including climate change, can impact investment returns and thus fiduciaries' investment decisions. The reality is that concerns about our environment--that is the ``E''--and about the social impact of corporate activities--that is the ``S''--and the corporate governance structure of companies are all highly relevant factors in assessing returns on investments in these companies. That is the ``G.'' So I am pleased. I am pleased that the Biden administration has embraced more of a free market approach, as my friend from New York, the majority leader, outlined, I think, in today's Wall Street Journal. Further, this rule reflects what successful marketplace investors already know: There is an extensive body of evidence that ESG factors could impact markets, could impact industries and companies. I know that many of our colleagues are concerned about the ``E'' in ESG. I am too. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, I know we can't ignore the ``E'' in ESG. The economic risks from climate change are real and they are significant, and fiduciaries must be allowed--allowed--to consider whether those costs may well lower their returns of an investment or not. Unfortunately, our colleagues' efforts to nullify the current Department of Labor's ESG rule threatens the principles-based process that has worked well for nearly 50 years. We should be making it easier--not harder, easier--for investors to evaluate the sustainability commitment from our corporations who want to do what is good for business and for our planet, this planet we call home. With that, I call on our colleagues to join me and many others in opposing the CRA before us today. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, the Committee on Environment and Public Works has adopted rules governing its procedures for the 118th Congress. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 2, of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the committee rules be printed in the Record.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I stand today on behalf of Delaware's congressional delegation to recognize the 100th anniversary of the broiler chicken industry and its contributions to the region's economy, our Nation's food supply, and its innovations in farming practices over the last century. Raising broiler chickens is a way of life for the more than 1,300 farm families on Delmarva whose hard work provides food for hundreds of thousands of people in our country and around the world. The industry all started with an accidental delivery. In 1923, Ocean View, DE, resident Cecile Steele ordered 50 chickens, but instead she received 500. This led Cecile and her husband, Wilmer, to start the first broiler chicken farm on Delmarva. Within 3 years, their new business grew exponentially, and the Steele family built enough coops to house 10,000 chickens. This new kind of farm--one dedicated to raising chickens for meat instead of laying eggs--paved the way for the modern U.S. broiler chicken industry we know today. The industry may have started with an accidental delivery, but we can look back on it now as an amazing economic opportunity for Delmarva and the thousands of families it supports. Farms in our region now produce 567 million chickens a year; 200 million of those chickens are raised in Delaware. The poultry industry has $13.6 billion in economic impact and supports more than 51,900 jobs. It also purchases $1.3 billion worth of crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat annually, making this industry a major purchaser for hundreds of other farmers. I have long known that many farmers are among our best environmental stewards since my days as Governor of Delaware when my administration worked with farmers to create common-sense, effective environmental strategies like the farmer-led Nutrient Management Commission. Today, the adverse impacts of chicken farming on our environment has greatly decreased. Compared to 1960, it now takes 75 percent fewer resources to produce the same amount of chicken than it did back then, and more than 95 percent of poultry litter is recycled and reused as organic, locally produced fertilizer for crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and mushrooms. It is with great pleasure that I rise on behalf of U.S. Senator Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester to honor the 100th anniversary of the Delmarva chicken industry. Along with the hard work of the many farmers, suppliers, employees, not to mention the Delmarva Chicken Association that is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the Delmarva chicken industry keeps Delaware's economy thriving.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would like to ask unanimous consent that the attached Joint Explanatory Statement appear in the Congressional Record in conjunction with H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CARPER. Today, it is my honor to rise in support of the Honorable Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves to be confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Just a few months ago, in September of this year, I had the privilege to introduce Justice Montgomery-Reeves at her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, where she was joined in the audience by her large family and I think most of the State of Delaware. As my colleague from Illinois, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, will attest, we needed a few extra chairs at that hearing in order to accommodate Tamika's family and her friends. Many Delawareans, including the entire Delaware Court of Chancery and the current chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, either made the trek down I-95 or on the Amtrak train that morning to cheer on Justice Montgomery- Reeves. Today, we bring her nomination one step closer to final confirmation. My colleague from Delaware, Senator Coons, and I have often said that those of us in the Senate could learn a thing or two from the First State. When it comes to nominating judges, Delaware's Governor is tasked with filling vacancies on some of the Nation's most highly regarded State courts, including the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court. The Governor routinely seeks advice from a bipartisan judicial nominating commission but is also required to nominate judges from both political parties. We literally have an overall political balance across our judiciary. This rule, enshrined in our State's constitution, brings balance to our court system. I believe it has served our State and our Nation well for over a century. I think it is a pretty good model for the rest of the country, actually. Twenty-five years ago, when I was privileged to serve as Governor of Delaware, I had the opportunity to nominate a new chancellor--or what some would call a chief justice--to the Delaware Court of Chancery. I could have nominated a Democrat. I ended up nominating Bill Chandler. Bill Chandler was born in Sussex County in southern Delaware and previously worked for two Republican Governors--Pete du Pont and Mike Castle. I will tell you, I took some heat politically for that nomination, but I believed that he was the best qualified person for the job, and all these years later, I still believe that. It didn't matter what political party he was from; I knew he would be one heck of a chancellor, and, boy, was he. As chancellor, Bill Chandler earned the respect of our Nation's business and legal communities as a fairminded judge with the utmost integrity, and along the way, he hired and mentored countless law students and law clerks. As it turns out, Bill Chandler hired a young law student, a native of Mississippi, who was a law student at the University of Georgia. He nominated her to be one of his clerks in 2006. Her name was and still is Tamika Montgomery-Reeves. I am a proud Delawarean, but, as I think my colleague the Presiding Officer knows, I am a native son, actually, of West Virginia. Justice Montgomery-Reeves is also a proud Delawarean, but, like me, she made her way to Delaware from another place--in her case, Mississippi--and fell in love with our State, just as I did many years ago. After clerking for Chancellor Chandler, Tamika graduated and began a career in private practice. She became an expert in corporate law and complex business litigation. After a brief stint in private practice in New York, she was hired by another prominent law firm, Wilson Sonsini, which just happened to be looking to open up an office in--guess where--Delaware, the First State. She quickly made partner and could have continued on a path toward a lucrative legal career, but Tamika felt called to serve. In 2015, a vacancy occurred on our Court of Chancery, and then- Governor Jack Markell nominated her to the bench to serve on that court. And she was confirmed unanimously by the Delaware State Senate. Four years later, in 2019, Governor John Carney nominated her to serve on the Delaware State Supreme Court; and, once again, she was confirmed unanimously by the Delaware State Senate, by every single Democrat and, just as importantly, by every single Republican. And by the way, Mr. President and colleagues here in our Chamber today, the Delaware State Senate leadership, both Democrats and Republicans, have sent a letter in support of Justice Montgomery- Reeves' confirmation to the Third Circuit. It is part of the reason that she has earned bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee, and that nine of our friends on the other side of the aisle voted to invoke cloture on her nomination just last week. On behalf of Senator Coons and myself--I want to take my hat off to him for helping to guide this nomination through the Judiciary Committee on to the floor and through last week's cloture vote--we want to thank all of our colleagues--all of our colleagues--Democrats and Republicans, who voted last week on moving forward Tamika's nomination. Having said that, Justice Montgomery-Reeves is also a trailblazer, becoming the first African American to serve on both the Delaware Court of Chancery and on the Delaware Supreme Court. Justice Montgomery-Reeves has been nominated to these positions because her credentials and her intellect are top-notch, and I might add, just as importantly, so is her heart. In addition to her incredible academic and legal career, Tamika and her husband, Jeffrey, are raising two wonderful boys--sons that any of us would be proud to call their own--and raising them back home in Delaware. So I would just say to them--Jeffrey, Jackson, and Tyson--if you are watching at home, thank you for allowing your wife and your mom to continue her service to our country in this new role. I know you are proud of her, and we are proud of her as well. Let me close by saying that I am certain that if Tamika Montgomery- Reeves is confirmed, that the Delaware Supreme Court's loss will be our Nation's gain. She will bring a spirit of collegiality and consensus to the Third Circuit, just as she has in the courts that she served on in Delaware. She is not an ideologue; she is an ideal judge. Justice Montgomery-Reeves is of the highest caliber judges in our State and our Nation and has my strongest possible endorsement. I urge all of our colleagues to join Senator Coons and me--Democrats and Republicans--in support of her nomination. She will not disappoint. I would like to yield the floor to my colleague, who has done a great job in helping to steer this nomination and, actually, to help make the nomination possible in the first place. It is my pleasure, Senator Coons.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Before the Senator leaves, the Bible study that he has referenced is one that Jim and I and a handful of other Democrats and Republicans join in every Thursday when we are in session, with Barry Black, the Chaplain of the Senate, and it has been hosted literally in the hideaway of Jim Inhofe. So it is a home game for him, but it is a home game for Democrats and Republicans just to share some time together in prayer and faith and some of the challenges we face. Some people across the country watch the news all the time--you would think we hate each other here and we never want to work together, never want to get anything done. Thanks in no small part to Jim Inhofe's hospitality and participation and example, that is not the case. So I just want to add my comments as well. He is the two-time chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee and a great partner with me in reducing emissions from buses and diesel engines and stuff like that. He is the lead Republican on the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. So I just want to say there are some good environmentalists in Oklahoma, and on all the issues we have dealt with, Jim Inhofe has been one of those.

Mr. CARPER. Sure.

Mr. CARPER. People ask me: What do you like most about being in the Senate? What do you like most about public service? I like helping people. When they ask me more specifically what gives me joy in the Senate, it is that Thursday, it is that half an hour we spend together just about every Thursday. I am always pleased to be there with our colleagues--sometimes even work out in the gym together.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce along with the Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Graham, the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2022. The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2022 amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and codifies maps to update and add units to the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Congress first passed the bipartisan Coastal Barrier Resources Act in 1982, due in no small part to the hard work of former Congressman Tom Evans from Delaware. Today, the Coastal Barrier Resources System consists of 588 system units, which are areas of low and undeveloped coastal land along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico coasts. There are also 282 otherwise protected areas in the system, which are used primarily for conservation and recreation purposes. Together, this is 3.5 million acres of land and associated aquatic habitat. These units and areas are important not only because they protect habitat vital to our Nation's wildlife but because conserving sensitive coastal habitats also protects our coastal communities--our homes, businesses, and infrastructure--from flooding. The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act represents a proactive step toward more resilient coastlines across our Nation. We need to prioritize the protection of our coastlines ahead of the next storm instead of in response to it. Doing so will make our coastal communities better able to withstand extreme weather events in the face of a changing climate. The legislation I am introducing today would codify 195 updated or new maps that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has transmitted to Congress for the Coastal Barrier Resources System. This bill also includes some minor amendments to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to improve Agency implementation of the Act. In addition, the bill authorizes $5 million in appropriations annually for the Coastal Barrier Resources Act for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. This increase from the last appropriation authorization of $2 million is well- justified by the long-term coastal resilience value generated by the program. This program also saves taxpayer dollars by restricting the use of Federal funding in the sensitive areas that comprise the Coast a Barrier Resources System. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our Nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill I am introducing today be printed in the Record following my statement.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce along with the Senator from South Carolina, Mr. Graham, the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2022. The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2022 amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and codifies maps to update and add units to the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Congress first passed the bipartisan Coastal Barrier Resources Act in 1982, due in no small part to the hard work of former Congressman Tom Evans from Delaware. Today, the Coastal Barrier Resources System consists of 588 system units, which are areas of low and undeveloped coastal land along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Great Lakes, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico coasts. There are also 282 otherwise protected areas in the system, which are used primarily for conservation and recreation purposes. Together, this is 3.5 million acres of land and associated aquatic habitat. These units and areas are important not only because they protect habitat vital to our Nation's wildlife but because conserving sensitive coastal habitats also protects our coastal communities--our homes, businesses, and infrastructure--from flooding. The Strengthening Coastal Communities Act represents a proactive step toward more resilient coastlines across our Nation. We need to prioritize the protection of our coastlines ahead of the next storm instead of in response to it. Doing so will make our coastal communities better able to withstand extreme weather events in the face of a changing climate. The legislation I am introducing today would codify 195 updated or new maps that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has transmitted to Congress for the Coastal Barrier Resources System. This bill also includes some minor amendments to the Coastal Barrier Resources Act to improve Agency implementation of the Act. In addition, the bill authorizes $5 million in appropriations annually for the Coastal Barrier Resources Act for fiscal years 2023 through 2027. This increase from the last appropriation authorization of $2 million is well- justified by the long-term coastal resilience value generated by the program. This program also saves taxpayer dollars by restricting the use of Federal funding in the sensitive areas that comprise the Coast a Barrier Resources System. This reauthorization has clear benefits for our environment and economy--a win-win for Delaware and our Nation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important legislation this Congress. I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the bill I am introducing today be printed in the Record following my statement.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Record.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol in Rehoboth Beach, DE. With over a century of excellence in safety, a strong history in lifeguard competition achievements, and a fully operational emergency medical unit, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol is a leading beach patrol in the Nation. It takes a world class beach patrol to protect a world-class beach, and over the years, the beach patrol has expanded from its humble beginnings. The Rehoboth Beach Patrol was established in 1921 by Benjamin F. Shaw and the Red Cross with just two guards. In 1938, it expanded to 17 guards protecting eight beaches. Over the years, the beach patrol added additional guards to a total of 65 and lifesaving equipment, as Rehoboth Beach attracted more and more tourists far and wide to enjoy its beaches. Perhaps most impressive is that over its more than 100-year history, the beach patrol has recorded only one drowning under its watch. The beach patrol prides itself on ensuring safety both in the water and on its beaches, something that a machine or camera cannot do. It is the skill of the lifeguards, their attention, and ability to manage the beach that keeps everyone safe and having fun. When an organization like the Rehoboth Beach Patrol reaches a 100- year milestone, it has seen much more change than just the style of bathing suits, it has also seen a change in the demographics of its members. From just two men to a diverse group of lifeguards that are half women, the beach patrol is a reflection of the changes in the seaside town over the century. I am honored to rise today to honor the many men and women of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol who have sacrificed their safety in order to protect others. They are true public servants who make Rehoboth Beach-- and our great State--a wonderful and safe place for people of all ages to visit and enjoy. You are all a point of pride for our State, and I wish you many more years of service to Delaware.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Madam President, I am delighted to rise today to salute a member of my committee staff who has made literally invaluable contributions to not just the Congress but to our Nation and not just for a couple of months or years but for literally decades. Greg Dotson, the chief counsel for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which I am privileged to chair, will be retiring on September 30 following a distinguished career in service to this country of ours. On this occasion, I want to take note of his remarkable legacy and extraordinary service to the people of America. As many of my colleagues will attest, true leaders in this body and true leaders elsewhere are only as good as the team that works for them. Like I say, I hire people smarter than me, and that is one of the reasons I think I have had some success. But good leaders are always looking for the best people they can find. For many of us who are elected officials in this body and others, those teams of staff members too often toil in the background and are rarely recognized publicly for their service. While all the members of the Environment and Public Works Committee staff that I am privileged to lead are wonderful public servants, there are sometimes rare individuals who stand out as having made an extraordinary impact on the American people and on this country as a whole. Greg Dotson is one of those exceptional people. He has emerged as an invaluable leader in the effort to address the urgent threat of climate change and has dedicated his life to that vital calling. Greg first joined this mission as a staffer to Congressman Henry Waxman in 1996. Greg followed Congressman Waxman to the House Oversight Committee and, later, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which Henry led. During his nearly 20 years in the House, Greg Dotson helped lead a team that produced the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, a landmark, comprehensive climate change and energy bill that passed the House of Representatives in June of 2009. He has worked on a number of major legislative achievements, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; the Energy Policy Act of 2005; the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996, and many, many more. Greg also spearheaded vital congressional oversight and investigative efforts with environmental significance, including high- profile inquiries into political interference with climate science, the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, and the energy market abuses of Enron. After his illustrious service in the House of Representatives, Greg went on to share his wisdom and passion with young people who are eager to follow in his footsteps and protect our planet. In 2017, he became a professor in environmental policy at the University of Oregon's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Center, a role which has enabled him to take the lessons of his congressional service and use them to help inform the next generation of legal scholars and environmentalists. It was from there that he came to the Environment and Public Works Committee in early 2021, when I was becoming chairman of the committee. When we began a new Congress that year with a new Senate majority and a new President who was committed to action on addressing climate change and our Nation's infrastructure needs, while creating lots of jobs, we knew that EPW needed a seasoned, thoughtful counsel who could help guide our committee through this historic time. Greg was just the man for the job. As chief counsel, he played an invaluable role in helping negotiate and craft the transformational bipartisan infrastructure law enacted last year, working to find common ground with our Republican colleagues and including remarkably strong climate investments in our infrastructure legislation. He also led the charge on efforts to boost electric vehicle infrastructure, clean up our air and our water, and protect communities who are facing the worst consequences of our climate crisis. In addition, Greg played a leading role in efforts to boost the clean energy revolution for our automotive industry. He worked with me to lay out a vision for how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could adopt standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the automotive industry and eliminate tailpipe pollution from new cars by 2035. The letter we ultimately sent to EPA Administrator Michael Regan was met with applause from both auto manufacturers and environmental groups alike. And as someone who has been here a few years, that doesn't happen every day. A few months after we unveiled our proposal, the Biden administration followed up by announcing a new plan that adopted our recommendations for how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars, from trucks, while embracing zero-emission vehicles. And by calling for half of the new vehicles sold in the United States to be zero-emission vehicles by the year 2030 and adopting a multipollutant approach--as we recommended--our Nation will reap major health benefits for millions of Americans while accelerating market trends to the clean cars of the future. This was Greg's vision, and it will remain his legacy for years and years to come. And just a few weeks ago, Greg was here on the Senate floor with Mary Frances Repko, myself, and others on our team, our colleagues as well--on the floor for the crowning achievement of his decades of government service on climate crisis: the Inflation Reduction Act. Greg's countless hours of work were on that landmark bill and were critical to making possible the largest investment in climate in our Nation's history. Let me just say that again, the Inflation Reduction Act. Greg's countless hours of work were on that landmark bill, and they were critical to making possible the largest investment--the largest investment--in climate in our Nation's history. He didn't stop there either, going on to work tirelessly on the methane emissions reduction program--methane is many, many times more harmful than carbon dioxide with respect to climate--an initiative that will have significant impact in our efforts to combat the threat of climate change and safeguard our planet for future generations. Throughout all of his dedicated service to our Nation and the environment, Greg has been just as committed to his family. All of us here in the Senate and, indeed, our Nation as a whole are grateful to his wife Janine and to their two children, Dahlia and Bryce. I believe they are today in Oregon, at their home in Oregon. We want to thank them, the three of them, for generously sharing with us the time and extraordinary talents of their husband and their father. And when he wasn't here in Washington, DC, working tirelessly to make history and improve the lives of the American people, Greg was at home in an equally important role as husband and dad. Those are maybe the two most important roles that all of us can hope for ourselves, and we also hope that he can now begin to devote even more time to them in the days ahead. Greg's public service follows his own family legacy. His father was a Navy man, like my own dad and many of my uncles. That dedication to the greater good, to the betterment of society, which ran through his family, is a beautiful family legacy that Greg continues today. I am deeply grateful--I am deeply grateful--for his sage counsel and know that he will continue to make this world a better place as he returns to teach at the University of Oregon. And so, in closing, I say to Greg something that we like to say in the Navy when people do extraordinary things with their lives. We say: Bravo Zulu, Bravo Zulu. So, Greg, to you and your family, Bravo Zulu. Thank you, my friend. I bid you fair winds and following seas as you prepare to set off on the next set of adventures that lie ahead. And I know that many Members of Congress, along with their staffs, both past and present, join me in this salute. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce, along with the Senator from Maryland, Mr. Cardin; the Senator from Connecticut, Mr. Blumenthal; the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Markey; the Senator from Oregon, Mr. Merkley; the Senator from California, Mr. Padilla; and the Senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Whitehouse, a resolution to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act, which was signed into law on October 18, 1972, is one of the most important environmental laws in the United States and our Nation's principal safeguard against pollution and the degredation of our Nation's water bodies. Five decades of Clean Water Act implementation has improved our Nation's waterways, wetlands, and water infrastructure, all while protecting public health and aquatic ecosystems. This resolution recognizes the historic achievements in improving water quality that have been made over the past 50 years. Perhaps the most memorable example of improved water quality is Ohio's Cuyahoga River. In 1969, the river was so polluted that it actually caught fire. It is a memory I will never forget. Now, because of the Clean Water Act, the Cuyahoga River has been cleaned up and is home to over 60 species of fish. Americans now have a law that seeks to protect them from industrial pollution in our rivers and streams or the indiscriminate destruction of our wetlands. Despite this progress, there have been various challenges and changes to the implementation of the law. Currently, there is a case before the Supreme Court, which seeks to once again allow polluters to dump their waste into upstream waters without consequence. I can think of no better way to commemorate one of our greatest environmental achievements than to fight back against this assault on clean water. While we have come a long way since enacting the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, we must do more--not less--to deliver on the promise of clean water in our country.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I have nine requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders. Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise today to remind our colleagues of the incredible opportunity that we have before us today--incredible opportunity that we have before us today. Later today, this body, the U.S. Senate, will have the opportunity to vote to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. What does that mean? Kigali, as it is affectionately known, is a global treaty to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons, also known own at HFCs. For years, HFCs have been widely used as a key component that are called refrigerants, but a key component in modern air conditioners, in refrigerators, and other cooling products. Yet, the United States is already transitioning away from using HFCs. We might want to ask, why? Well, one reason is that American companies are at the forefront of developing the next generation of coolant technology, the next generation of refrigerants. This transition away from HFCs is expected to stimulate literally billions of dollars in economic investment in this country--billions of dollars; create tens of thousands of jobs; and significantly increase U.S. exports, all using technology developed in this country--all by using technology developed in this country; putting Americans to work, using technologies developed by Americans. Now, first, some history on how we got here. HFCs came about to replace ozone-depleting substances, which created a hole in our ozone layer. I said to some of my colleagues yesterday at a luncheon where we were, Mr. President, that I first remember hearing about the hole in the ozone, I think, when I was in the Navy overseas, and reading about it in Time and Newsweek that I got in the mail while we were deployed and saying: I wonder what this is all about. What could be causing that? It turned out to be a big deal and one that still plays out today in the debate before us as well. But in 1988, this very body, the U.S. Senate, voted unanimously to ratify the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances that was negotiated under President Ronald Reagan's leadership. Since then, the global consumption of ozone-depleting substances has declined by--get this--by 97 percent, while our economy has continued to grow. Now, that is good news. That is really good news. But, unfortunately, there is some bad news. The HFCs that have been used for years now to replace the ozone- depleting substances have been found to also be bad for our environment. So in 2016, the global community got together and amended the Montreal Protocol to also phase down HFCs, hydrofluorocarbons. This is not the first time we have ratified an amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Kigali Amendment before us is the fifth amendment to the Montreal Protocol ratified by the United States. The Kigali Amendment was transmitted to the U.S. Senate on November 16, 2021--almost a year ago--300 days, in fact, ago. Each day that has passed without ratification represents a further delay in supporting American businesses, in supporting American workers, and in growing our economic and national security interests and protecting our economic and national security interests. Thanks to American innovation, we now have HFC alternatives that are cleaner and more energy efficient than HFCs. And the best part--here is the best part: These cleaner, more efficient HFC alternatives are being manufactured, as I said, right here, right here in the U.S. of A. In recent years, the American industries' leadership on transitioning away from HFCs created an excellent opportunity for bipartisan action at the Federal level. And to that end, our friend and colleague Senator Neely Kennedy and I introduced something called the AIM Act, the bipartisan American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. That was in 2019. Our bill proposed phasing down HFCs in our country by 85 percent over 15 years--not overnight, not in 1 year, not in 2 or 3 years but phasing down by as much as 85 percent within 15 years, the same timeline as the Kigali Amendment before us. So 16 Democrats and 16 Republicans joined the AIM Act as cosponsors with Senator Kennedy and myself. Additionally, a broad coalition of organizations, from the National Association of Manufacturers to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the American Chemistry Council, endorsed our bill, along with a lot of other American companies. In December 2020, the AIM Act became law under a divided Congress and a Republican administration. It was a bipartisan win--a bipartisan win. It was an American win as well. Now it is time to build on that success. Now it is time to seize on the opportunity before us and ratify the Kigali Amendment. The Kigali Amendment is good for our economy. Implementing the AIM Act, paired with ratification, will help generate nearly $40 billion of new growth in investment in the U.S. economy by 2027. It will also create roughly 150,000 American jobs--150,000 new American jobs--and increase U.S. heating, ventilation, air- conditioning, and refrigeration exports across the world by at least 25 percent over that same time period. In addition, Kigali ratification is good for consumers. As EPA's data shows us, transitioning away from HFCs means average prices will be lower for consumers--lower for consumers, not higher. Something I think we all support in this body. Ratifying Kigali will also build on our bipartisan success in the AIM Act by allowing the Federal Government to better protect U.S. companies from illegal dumping and smuggling of HFCs into our country from adversaries like China. And then, lastly, Kigali ratification will ensure U.S. companies continue to have access to international markets so that modern, efficient, economical air-conditioners and refrigerators across the world will be stamped ``Made in America,'' not ``Made in China.'' So today, we, the U.S. Senate, have an opportunity to make that vision a reality; to build on the decades-long bipartisan record of success from the Montreal Protocol to the passage of the AIM Act a couple of years ago; to show our Nation and to show the world yet another time that bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions. This is a bipartisan solution. This is a bipartisan solution, and it demands bipartisan support. I hope our colleagues will join Senator Kennedy and myself and many of our colleagues, and, frankly, a whole ton of businesses across the country and organizations who support what we are doing, and join us in supporting the ratification of the Kigali Amendment. Let's seize the day or, as we say in Delaware, ``Carper diem. Carper diem.'' I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. CARPER

Mr. CARPER. I ask for the yeas and nays.