Sharice Davids

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bubba Starling for earning a silver medal as part of the United States national baseball team in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. With every inning, he demonstrated his determination, passion, and love of baseball. I am proud to say that a local Kansan was a part of this very special team. Mr. Starling began his athletic career in Gardner, Kansas as a multi- sport standout athlete. Through baseball, he found his professional calling and, after being ranked in 2011 as the number I baseball recruit in the nation, was selected fifth overall in the Major League Baseball draft by his hometown team, the Kansas City Royals. Given Mr. Starling's history of athletic achievement, it is no surprise that he would excel on the world's biggest stage as a part of the United States Olympic baseball team. Considering the special circumstances of these Olympics, it is even more impressive how Mr. Starling and his teammates rose to win the silver medal. Their perseverance through the pandemic was a beacon of hope in difficult times for our country and the world. I commend their resilience and demonstration of athletic excellence. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Bubba Starling on his silver medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the INVEST in America Act. This comprehensive bill builds our economy back better than before, creates good-paying jobs, and tackles climate change. In the Kansas Third, there is a particular highway that has been a priority since my predecessor's predecessor. It is the busiest four- lane road in the State, experiencing increased crashes and constant congestion. Folks in our district disagree on plenty, but not this. U.S. 69 must be addressed. I am now the vice chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the first Kansan to serve on the committee in a decade. I am proud to say this bill puts us one step closer to bringing home the Federal investment necessary to reduce congestion, increase safety, and attract economic development. It also includes two provisions I introduced on resiliency and responsible financing, saving taxpayer money and bringing smart investments home. For the people sitting in traffic, waiting for the bus in Wyandotte County, or wondering why that one road floods every year no matter how many times we fix it, this cannot wait. If we fail to act, these authorizations will run out by October. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the INVEST in America Act to create jobs and propel our infrastructure into the modern era.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. No, I do not, Mr. Speaker, and I am prepared to close.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support these amendments en bloc, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 508, I rise to offer amendments en bloc No. 5.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this en bloc amendment, which provides for the consideration of 25 individual amendments to address both drinking and wastewater infrastructure concerns. Mr. Speaker, these amendments make several improvements to the underlying legislation, including increasing Federal investment in failing or insufficient septic systems, which is a pervasive water quality and human health challenge facing many of our rural and economically disadvantaged communities, including those from Oregon, Alabama, and New York; Addressing emerging pollution concerns, including so-called flushable wipes that are clogging our Nation's sewers, and the discharge of plastic pellets into our waste stream; Addressing several local water quality challenges, including transboundary sewage flows that have adversely affected the San Diego region, the inadequate wastewater infrastructure in the U.S.-Mexico border region, and the legacy radiological contamination of Coldwater Creek in St. Louis, Missouri; Clarifying audit and reporting requirements for EPA's Green Project Reserve; and Focusing additional attention on potential discrimination and civil rights violations in water infrastructure funding so we can ensure these programs equitably help all communities address their long-term wastewater concerns. Each of these amendments further strengthens the ability of this bill to address the water and wastewater infrastructure needs of this Nation in a way that protects public health and our environment; creates well- paying jobs here in the United States; and addresses the historic water infrastructure challenges that is facing our rural, small, and economically disadvantaged communities. Mr. Speaker, I thank the members for working with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Energy and Commerce to improve this bill and urge passage of this en bloc amendment. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. Bush).

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I wish to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentlewoman from Texas an additional 30 seconds.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, in honor of Building Safety Month, I am pleased to recognize the importance of safety in the built environment and the dedication of the members of the International Code Council (ICC) to their roles in protecting our communities. With natural disasters only expected to increase in frequency and severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the public from tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, ice and snowstorms, wildland fires, and earthquakes. Last November, FEMA released, ``Building Codes Save: A Nationwide Study'' and found that implementing modern building codes could save $600 billion in disaster spending by 2060. This further confirmed findings from the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) that show adopting modern model building codes save $11 for every $1 invested through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, with a $4 to $1 wildfire mitigation benefit. These benefits represent avoided casualties, property damage, business interruptions, and insurance costs, and are enjoyed by all building stakeholders--from developers, titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities. Vulnerable and underserved populations are most affected by increases in utility costs, and they often have the most to lose in the event of a disaster or health emergency. Building codes establish minimum requirements that ensure safe, resilient, and energy efficient schools, childcare and healthcare facilities, housing, and places of employment. Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, plumbers, builders, tradespeople, laborers, and others in the construction industry work to ensure the safe construction of buildings though the use of model building codes. The dedicated members of the International Code Council, a national standards developing organization, come together with local, state and federal officials to develop voluntary consensus codes that protect us in the buildings where we worship, live, work, learn, and play. The International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities and counties and in all 50 states, including the State of Kansas. I commend Johnson County, which makes up a large portion of my district, for recently adopting the 2018 International Codes. During the pandemic, building and fire prevention departments' essential work has ensured that healthcare centers are structurally sound and capable of withstanding natural disasters, and that temporary healthcare facilities providing medical surge capacity are built and maintained to protect occupant safety. These officials enforce state, local, and federal regulations that require adequate ventilation and sanitization. More broadly, code officials protect the health and welfare of building occupants to prevent dangerous sanitary, air quality, structural, or electrical hazards. In a Presidential Proclamation designating May 2021 as Building Safety Month, President Biden stated, ``Investing in our infrastructure and adopting and implementing modem building codes are the most effective mitigation measures communities can undertake.'' Building Safety Month was sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities' code officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and livable buildings. This year's Building Safety Month theme was, ``Prevent, Prepare, Protect. Building Codes Save'' and it encouraged all of us to raise awareness of the importance of safe and resilient construction, fire prevention, sanitation, disaster mitigation, and new technologies in the construction industry. Madam Speaker, please join me in thanking International Code Council Board President Greg Wheeler, as well as ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff for recognizing Building Safety Month.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize William ``Bill'' Ebel, City Manager of Overland Park for his exemplary professional accomplishments. Mr. Ebel has been recognized by the American Public Works Association's as one of their ``Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year''. Mr. Ebel has lived a life committed to public service. Before serving as city manager of Overland Park, Kansas, Mr. Ebel graduated from West Point and served for 21 years in the United States Army. He continued pursuing an interest in public service through his graduate studies in public administration and civil engineering. In over a decade of public service as city manager, Mr. Ebel has prioritized solutions and innovation. He championed the Indian Creek Flood Control Project which solved flooding issues, created development opportunities, and demonstrated his commitment to building partnerships between the public and private sectors. This commitment to public- private partnerships has allowed Mr. Ebel to explore innovative financing solutions to fund development and infrastructure improvements. This is just a small glimpse into a lifetime of work that has led to this professional achievement. One of the most rewarding parts of representing the Kansas Third District is hearing about the exemplary service and accomplishments of my fellow Kansans. Mr. Ebel is certainly no exception and I commend him for his dedication to our state and to our country.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig).

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1490) to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 1490, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2021. 504 loans are an important SBA capital access product, allowing small businesses to affordably purchase machinery and equipment, acquire real estate, or take on other fixed asset costs. The loan has a three-party structure where an SBA-backed 504 lender provides 40 percent of the financing, a third-party lender provides 50 percent of the financing, and a small business borrower provides 10 percent. This unique structure has helped thousands of entrepreneurs expand their businesses and hire more employees, especially businesses with significant fixed costs. Last Congress, the Committee on Small Business's Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations held a hearing to review the current status of the 504 loan program. We heard from a panel of 504 lenders who reported concerns with the loan closing process, specifically that closing delays have caused loans to fall through and businesses to lose out on affordable financing. To that end, Ms. Craig put forth a strong proposal to streamline the 504 loan closing process and make compliance easier for CDCs, borrowers, and third-party lenders, who are essential to the 504 loan structure. Two of the provisions of that bill, which passed unanimously through our committee and the House, were also included in the Economic Aid Act that was enacted in December. The version of the bill before us today is identical to the version we passed last Congress, but for those provisions included in the Economic Aid Act. The changes under consideration today continue to address the issues we have heard in our engagement with 504 lenders and their borrowers in our districts, and I am pleased we are taking a vote on them today. These include increasing the maximum loan size for small manufacturers from $5.5 million to $6.5 million and easing the job retention or creation requirement for them, which helps make 504 loans easier to access. We should be doing everything that we can to make navigating and utilizing this program as simple as possible. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I am committed to helping our small businesses and manufacturers weather this current crisis and to helping Main Street come back even stronger. It is why I fought to secure $10 billion for the Defense Production Act in the American Rescue Plan Act to ramp up domestic production of PPE and other critical supplies. It is also why I introduced the SUPPLIES Act, which would promote the manufacturing of PPE and medical supplies by small businesses here in the U.S. I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bill to help small businesses and manufacturers so they can help us. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota and the gentlewoman from California for their hard work, and I applaud their efforts to make bipartisan improvements to this valuable program. I recommend a ``yes'' vote to all my colleagues in the House. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the SBA's 504 loan program has made a significant impact on our Main Streets in its 62-year history. In addition to partnering with banks to extend affordable fixed-asset capital, most CDCs in the program are also actively involved in promoting local economic development, especially for underserved business communities. I am proud of the opportunity we have today to continue supporting the work of CDCs. I want to applaud the work by the gentlewoman from Minnesota, the gentlewoman from California, and their bipartisan effort on the 504 program. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1482) to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, and for other purposes.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 1482, the 504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act, which clarifies the oversight role of the SBA's Office of Credit Risk Management in respect to CDCs. To improve oversight of the SBA business loan programs, including the 7(a) and 504 loan programs, the agency established the Office of Credit Risk Management--OCRM--within the Office of Capital Access. OCRM conducts periodic reviews of SBA lenders to ensure they are complying with program requirements. In 2018, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to codify the office and gave it the tools it needs to conduct proper oversight and hold noncompliant lenders accountable. It was our intent to boost the office's enforcement powers to help minimize the likelihood that business loan programs would face losses and reduce the need for Congress to appropriate funds. I should point out that these programs are designed to operate at zero subsidy, meaning they come at no cost to the taxpayer, and we intend to keep it that way. I am pleased that the gentleman from North Carolina, along with the gentlewoman from Minnesota, worked together to bring this bill to life last Congress. This bill clarifies OCRM's oversight role and shifts loan closing file review responsibilities to the office and, in turn, keeps the program running at a zero subsidy. I applaud their bipartisanship and, more importantly, their commitment to America's small businesses. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.