Debra Haaland

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1702, the Free Veterans from Fees Act introduced by Representative Greg Steube. This bill seeks to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families by waiving application fees for veterans' special events at war memorials in our Nation's Capital for veterans and Gold Star families. Although the National Park Service has a longstanding practice of waiving application fees for special use permits for most veterans' events at war memorials, oftentimes, veterans' organizations have to pay administrative fees and processing costs to obtain permits for events such as Honor Buses. By codifying a version of this routine practice and policy in law, we can help honor the sacrifices made by our veterans and Gold Star families by ensuring that they are not required to pay when visiting national war memorials built to commemorate their bravery and our fallen heroes. I thank Representative Steube for introducing this legislation and urge my colleagues to support it. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 895) to allow tribal grant schools to participate in the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.

Ms. HAALAND. 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 the measure under consideration.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 895, introduced by Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, authorizes Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations operating Tribally controlled schools the ability to access the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Prior to 2010, Tribal employees generally lacked access to the FEHB program. To fix this, Congress passed the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act in 2010. However, eligibility for Federal health benefits was granted only to the Tribal nations that utilized the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, leaving behind the tribally controlled schools that operate pursuant to the Tribally Controlled Schools Act. This gap has resulted in significant financial strains on 126 tribally controlled schools and has made it difficult for them to recruit and maintain quality educators. Passage of H.R. 895 will remove this disparity and ensure that all BIE-operated and BIE-funded tribally operated schools' employees have access to the FEHB program. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our colleague, Representative Johnson, for championing this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 895, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. 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. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, today we act so that women will no longer experience the fear of not knowing if they can maintain their family's financial security while they are pregnant. As the number of women who work as the primary breadwinners in their households continues to rise, this financial insecurity rises as well. While growing up, my mother was forced out of the Navy because she was pregnant. Although times have changed, mothers are still being forced out of their employment due to the absence of reasonable accommodations. I know first-hand the pressures of being that single source of income for my household, and I have seen how Black and Latina workers are overrepresented in low-wage, physically demanding jobs that need pregnancy accommodations for them to stay safe. More than a decade ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was amended to better implement the principle that physical or mental disabilities should be met with reasonable accommodations. Pregnancy is not considered a disability under the ADA, however, enabling employers to deny reasonable accommodations like allowing pregnant employees to sit on a stool rather than stand during a long shift. This bill would correct that, and I would like to include in the Record a letter from the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities addressed to Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. New Mexico is one of thirty states that have enacted laws to protect access to reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers so they have safe working conditions and, if they are denied that, the right to receive lost pay and compensatory damages. Millions of pregnant workers in these states have benefited from these protections, but a pregnant employee's ability to work safely should not depend on where in this country she lives. The Pregnant Workers' Fairness Act, which is endorsed by nearly 200 worker advocates, civil rights groups and the business community, will hold every employer in our country, across state lines, to these same standards. As we hear horrific stories of immigrant women forced to have hysterectomies and lose their ability to have children, we are reminded that the health, safety and wellbeing of all women is not something we can turn a blind eye to, whether those women work in boardrooms, on a factory floor, or in a hospital. I support this legislation because no expectant mother should have to risk her health or that of her unborn child to stay financially stable. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this historic bill. September 11, 2020. Re Support for Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, H.R. 2694. Hon. Bobby Scott, Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Virginia Foxx, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Scott and Ranking Member Foxx: As co-chairs of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Rights Task Force, we write in strong support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, H.R. 2694. CCD is the largest coalition of national organizations working together to advocate for federal public policy that ensures the self-determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)'s mandate that covered employers make reasonable accommodations to ensure equal opportunity for applicants and employees with disabilities has been tremendously important in helping people with disabilities secure and maintain employment. While the ADA does not cover pregnancy itself as a disability, in light of the ADA Amendments Act, which lowered the standard for demonstrating a disability from what the courts had previously applied, many pregnant workers who experience pregnancy-related complications should be covered as people with disabilities and entitled to reasonable accommodations under the ADA. Yet many courts have continued to interpret the ADA's coverage narrowly, and in practice, large numbers of pregnant workers are not offered reasonable accommodations. Furthermore, a clear pregnancy accommodation standard will help prevent pregnancy-related complications before they arise. Such accommodations should be provided to pregnant workers so that they can remain in the workforce and not lose their employment simply because they experience pregnancy-related limitations. The accommodation requirement of H.R. 2694 is limited, as is the ADA's accommodation requirement, to those accommodations that are reasonable and would not impose an undue hardship. That standard takes into account the needs of employers while also ensuring that pregnant workers can stay on the job with reasonable accommodations. This protection is critical not only for pregnant workers but for our national economy. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is particularly important to people with disabilities. Many people with disabilities who did not require accommodations before becoming pregnant experience new complications due to how pregnancy impacts their disabilities, and need accommodations once they become pregnant. These workers are sometimes told that they are not entitled to accommodations because the employer views the need for accommodation as related to pregnancy rather than to the worker's underlying disability. We thank the Committee for moving the bill forward and urge all members of the House of Representatives to vote for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and oppose any motion to recommit. Sincerely, Jennifer Mathis, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. Stephen Lieberman, United Spinal Association. Allison Nichol, Epilepsy Foundation, Co-chairs, CCD Rights Task Force. Kelly Buckland, National Council on Independent Living. Samantha Crane, Autistic Self Advocacy Network.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and deep sadness that I rise to honor my dear friend and former Governor of the Pueblo of Laguna, Roland Johnson. I join his family and our shared Laguna Pueblo community in honoring his memory and life's work, which he always dedicated to helping others. Throughout his career in public service, Roland led by example, always doing the most to elevate the Laguna Pueblo culture and traditions that he cherished. At age 22, he was elected Secretary of the Pueblo and was the youngest person yet elected to office. In the years that followed, he went on to join the Federal Service, serving the Southwest Bureau of Indian Affairs region intermittently for 30 years. In between this service, Roland led his people as Governor for three terms (1975 through 1977, 1995 through 1998, and 2003 through 2006). While in office, Governor Roland Johnson bolstered Laguna's economic standing and supported job creation by opening an electronics component manufacturing plant. Roland also worked diligently to preserve Laguna traditions through his fluency of our Native Keres language. Governor Johnson incorporated this gift into the work he did with outside partnerships so that the tribe's interests were always at the center of decision-making processes. A born leader, Roland Johnson has left a lasting impression on our Laguna Pueblo and has inspired a long and growing list of current and future tribal leaders. This is thanks not only to his ability to make respectful and practical decisions, but also to his use of traditional values to guide his professional career. His legacy is rooted in the importance of education: by cultivating a solid foundation in the Pueblo tradition, he dedicated his career to both preserving Pueblo culture and creating opportunities for the Laguna people close to home. Additionally while in office, Governor Johnson responded to the need for graduate education support by implementing the Laguna Graduate Scholarship Program. He will be remembered as an historical visionary--someone who always looked to the past to guide his plans for the future. I send my deepest condolences to Roland Johnson's family and friends.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, childcare is a vital part of economic recovery. I know what it is like to struggle to make ends meet as a parent. I raised my daughter, Somah, on my own. And as a single mother working my way through law school, it was very hard to find childcare. In fact, I could never afford childcare. When she was 2, I found a preschool where I could volunteer in exchange for lower tuition so that she would have a place to learn while I worked. It was helpful and shows just how much New Mexicans are willing to support each other. But that should not be the reality for parents and kids across the country. During the pandemic, our State has helped childcare providers stay open by paying licensed providers a premium, but many of them still had to lay off employees because fewer children were showing up. As we look to a future when more parents get back to working outside their home, the childcare industry needs Federal support to safely adapt to the new normal and welcome families and employees back. That is why I am supporting the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. This bill funds upgrades in childcare centers that are needed to meet new health and safety measures for the pandemic; it provides refundable tax credits for parents to return to their jobs; and, most importantly, it ensures a satisfactory, affordable, and guaranteed future for the childcare industry. Madam Speaker, by investing in the childcare industry, we invest in our economic future. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Great American Outdoors Act. From the day I became the chairwoman of the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee, I have heard from constituents, colleagues, and advocates about fixing the maintenance backlog and fully funding LWCF and making it permanent. LWCF has helped provide recreational opportunities for underserved and low-income communities in nearly every Congressional district, and last year, we passed an historic permanent authorization. In my district, LWCF has supported the Valle del Oro National Wildlife Refuge, Petroglyph National Monument, Tingley Beach recreation area, the Elena Gallegos Open Space picnic area, and Martineztown Park. The great American Outdoors Act will ensure LWCF's full $900 million is used every year for conservation and environmental protection, to boost local outdoor economies, and to protect intact ecosystems essential for adapting to climate change. The bill also establishes the National Park Service and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to provide five Federal land management agencies with up to $9.5 billion over 5 years to address the deferred maintenance backlog on our public lands. These agencies will now be able to aggressively address deferred maintenance, improve visitor services, and support Tribal communities in places like Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Parks, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, and El Malpais National Monument. Repairing the crumbling infrastructure on our public lands today is critical so that future generations can enjoy them. I am proud of the work we did to get this bill to this point, and I urge my colleagues to invest in our National Parks and public lands, and vote ``yes'' on the Great American Outdoors Act.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, included in this en bloc are my amendments to protect indigenous communities in Brazil and to remove negative perceptions and stereotypes about pregnant military members that lead to ill-treatment that disadvantage their careers and well- being. In the 1950s, my mother was forced from the Navy because she was pregnant. Though times have changed, Active Duty mothers are experiencing microaggressions and subtle forms of discrimination. Madam Speaker, with this amendment, the DOD must develop and implement policies to end pregnancy discrimination. This change is long overdue and will allow women serving in my district and across the country to have long, successful military careers. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this en bloc, and I thank the chairman for his leadership and support.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, our justice system has been biased: slavery; the Trail of Tears; blankets laced with smallpox; Jim Crow laws; and, recently, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Justice has never been just for everyone, but only for some people. The barriers that have long blocked many people from achieving the American Dream have been revealed most recently under the knees of police. The racism in our system is long-lasting, and change is long overdue. That is why I support the Justice in Policing Act. This bill is a beacon of hope to victims of the systemic racism that plagues our criminal justice system. This bill envisions a new model of public safety that works to end racial bias; promotes de-escalation training instead of militarization; and is built on community trust, transparency, and accountability. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this historic bill.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the HEROES Act. The administration's failed response to this crisis causes heartbreak, financial stress, and lays bare the disparities in our country. Two Dine sisters didn't get treatment in time and died. Their sons will live without their mothers. A single mom in my district lost her job and couldn't get help because of her status. The HEROES Act meets this challenge at the level it demands. When I vote today, I will think of all the families and all of the essential workers, the people who stock our groceries and keep us fed. Mr. Speaker, we must pass this bill.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Heroes Act. When I talk to families in New Mexico, they're sharing their concerns, fears, and struggles. They're afraid of losing their homes, struggling to buy food, and can't afford healthcare and medicine. I've been there. I know what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck, to care for a child on a limited income, and worry for an elderly parent who is in a senior community right now. The Trump Administration's failure to begin widespread testing has caused heartbreak and economic stress for our families. This pandemic has laid bare the disparities that already existed in this country. Two sisters on the Navajo Nation who dedicated their lives to helping others contracted coronavirus, didn't get treatment in time, and died. Their sons will now go through life without their mothers. Gladys Pineda, a single mom in my district, lost her job in homecare. She didn't qualify for assistance because of her immigration status-- this bill will fix that. Heroes come in all forms--they're hospital workers keeping our families healthy, grocery clerks stocking store shelves, teachers teaching remotely, and families staying home to protect elders and their communities. The Heroes Act will provide economic stability so our communities can begin the long road of recovery from this public health emergency. The families worried about housing security and utility shutoffs will have direct payments to help get through this tough time. Children in the homework gap will benefit from an investment in broadband internet connectivity. Small businesses will have access to a stronger Payroll Protection Program and emergency grants that will reach underserved communities and nonprofits of all sizes. We're investing in testing, tracing, and treatment to promote a safe and responsible reopening. Essential workers will get protection and hazard pay for the risks they're taking and help for childcare and other dependent care. We know that state, local and tribal governments are doing everything they can, but they're stretched thin, which is why I worked so hard to include flexible and retroactive funding in this bill. It means firefighters stay on the job, police officers don't get furloughed, and the services cities provide remain intact for our families. As this pandemic impacts our democracy, we're making sure every voter has access to the ballot box and every person in this country is counted in the Census. We're keeping the Postal Service open so every vote counts, medications get delivered, and rural businesses have support. We're boosting funding for the Census and delaying the count so every person has the opportunity to fill out their Census form. I heard from a dad in my district whose son serves in the military. He and his family were stuck in the middle of a move when the Defense Department issued its stop movement order. Many military families had to pay two sets of bills. The Heroes Act includes provisions I fought for to allow these servicemembers to cancel leases and contracts without penalty. In my home state of New Mexico, Native Americans make up just 11 percent of the population but over half of the coronavirus cases. The HEROES Act takes important steps to address this disparity by providing $20 billion for Tribal governments; addressing tribal business concerns on PPP loans; and boosting funding for many Indian Health Service programs. I'm sure we all can think of more things we would like in this bill or things we might have done differently. For example, I've heard from some unions that have concerns about the way this bill goes about the important task of shoring up multiemployer pensions. As this bill and others move forward, I will continue to fight for the priorities that were left out and work with my colleagues to review and debate those on which there is disagreement. To those who are saying that we don't need this legislation, I want you to think about the two sisters who died on the Navajo Nation, or the person who checks you out at the grocery store, and the thousands of people who are struggling right now. American families are worth it, and we need to pass this bill.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, New Mexicans, Americans, and people around the world are facing a crisis: the coronavirus pandemic is giving us an opportunity to question what we value most. How do we value the workers who grow and harvest our food, deliver it to our stores, and help put it on our tables? How do we value the people who put their lives on the line in hospitals and healthcare centers to keep our loved ones healthy? How do we value the people who educate and care for our children during the day so that they are ready for the future? Our lives and our way of life are threatened by this virus, and the only way we can battle that threat is to do it together. I've spoken with doctors, nurses, and first responders in Albuquerque who put their own lives at risk every day to help identify those who are infected and treat those who are sick, and they are running out of personal protective equipment and testing supplies. They are worried that hospitals don't have the capacity to handle all the patients who will fall ill. Democrats fought to make sure that The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act includes comprehensive support for health care workers. The bill provides $150 billion to help all types of hospitals and providers that are most affected by COVID-19 and will fund whatever is needed to fight this virus. It also creates a $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund to help state, local, and tribal governments' efforts to fight the pandemic. I'm pleased that a minimum of $1.25 billion of this funding is allocated for New Mexico, and I fought to make sure that $8 billion will go to Indian tribes across the country. In addition, the bill includes over $30 billion for states, school districts, and institutions of higher education to address coronavirus costs. We all have an important role to play in the battle against the coronavirus, too. Humans are responsible for the spread, but that also means we have the power to stop it. We must protect our seniors and keep our distance from each other while the virus runs its course. I know this isn't easy, and it creates challenges of its own. I had a virtual small business forum with the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber--we heard stories about the tough choices small businesses must make. Do they layoff the workers who rely on the income they provide to support their families? Do they pay as much as they can, as long as they can and then close their doors for good? This bill provides a lifeline so folks can make it through this time when we must change our behavior to stop the spread of the virus. I know what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck, to not know if I'd be able to care for a family member if they were sick, or if I'd be able to afford a hospital bill. This stimulus package provides direct payments to working class families of $1,200 per adult, with an additional $500 available per child. It also provides a $600 per week increase in unemployment payments for every American, which pays 100 percent of wages for the average American struggling through this crisis without a paycheck. It also extends benefits for an additional 13 weeks and gives part-time, self- employed, tipped employees, and gig economy workers access to unemployment benefits. And it protects the contractors who keep our critical national labs running. We're also acting to protect New Mexico small businesses. The bill's Small Business Rescue Plan includes $350 billion in loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits to maintain their existing workforce and help pay expenses like rent, mortgage and utilities and $10 billion for emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief of small business operating costs. While the bill does a lot, this isn't the last action Congress must take. Even after we stop the spread of the virus, our families will need more support. I will be working to ensure that future bills make health the top priority for all people; that we provide economic relief directly to the people of this country, that we rescue workers and communities, not corporate executives; that we protect our democratic process; and that we support the transition to a an economy that will promote economic security for all; I wish these things were in the bill we are voting on today, but we needed to get this bill passed quickly with broad bipartisan support, so there wasn't time to do everything each of us wanted. I'm supporting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act today, and I'll keep fighting to protect the health, safety, and economic security of all New Mexicans and all of us as we battle this pandemic.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, this global crisis causes us to ask: How do we value the workers who grow and harvest our food? How do we value the healthcare workers who risk their own lives for our loved ones? How do we value the people who educate and care for our children? Democrats fought hard to ensure this bill includes comprehensive support for healthcare workers. It also creates a $150 billion relief fund so that State, local, and Tribal governments can fight this pandemic. I know what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck. The stimulus package provides direct payments to working familles so they can pay bills. The Small Business Rescue Plan will aid small businesses and nonprofits in New Mexico to maintain their existing workforce and pay rent. Yet, still, Congress must continue to act. Even after we stop the spread of this virus, we must ensure our families have the help they need. I support the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act because we must battle this threat together.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, as the granddaughter of the founder of the first Native-American baseball team in Arizona, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 6020 and Minor League Baseball. I thank Chairwoman Maloney and Mrs. Miller, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform staff for their wonderful efforts on this issue. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, my grandfather recognized the talent in his community and started up a baseball team to help give everyone a shot and strengthen our connection to each other. My entire family got involved. I remember collecting foul balls because my grandfather gave us 5 cents for each one we retrieved, so we could play a role as well. As the team started winning State championships, more and more people wanted to join. My grandfather welcomed everyone, making sure that America's pastime would reflect America's diversity. Communities across the country enjoy celebrating with their community's Minor League Baseball teams, just like my community with my grandfather's team. My home team, the Albuquerque Isotopes, filled their stands with an average of 8,000 people for each of their games last year, and sold more than half-a-million tickets. Albuquerque would be devastated to lose our team, and small businesses that have concessions at the game would suffer immensely. These games equate to jobs in my district. Major League Baseball may not be targeting the Isotopes with this change, but dozens of communities aren't so lucky. In incredibly unreasonable negotiations, Major League Baseball is trying to force regulations on Minor League Baseball that would shutter not only teams but also the dreams of kids from all walks of life who are inspired by the games they watch. Minor League Baseball provides affordable entertainment and immeasurable joy for families that can't afford Major League Baseball games or are living in rural parts of our country. Mr. Speaker, I fully support the GAO report that will show to Major League Baseball, and everyone else in our country, just how critical Minor League Baseball has been to the social, economic, and historical development of our communities. I am excited to go back home in May and throw the first pitch for the Isotopes game and hope that Members of Congress across the country can continue to have that honor. Go `Topes.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. The President's reckless behavior unnecessarily escalated an already simmering conflict with Iran. The assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, without consulting Congress, led us to the brink of war. While we have taken a step back from the ledge, the President's actions had severe and fatal consequences. Fifty of our brave servicemembers suffered traumatic brain injuries, and 176 innocent civilians on a commercial airline were tragically killed by retaliatory missile strikes. Now is the time to reduce tensions and engage in good faith diplomacy. The American people have made it clear that we do not want a war with Iran. It is long past time for Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over the power to wage war. I urge my colleagues to do this by passing the No War Against Iran Act.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Madam Speaker, I stand before you as a Representative of New Mexico, a place where we believe in dignity and respect for all. In Congress, I have been fighting for them. We have been working to make healthcare more affordable, education accessible, and move our country forward for the people. But today, this President has forced us into a serious debate. We are talking about a President who used the power of the Presidency for his own political gain, risking our national security, and putting the integrity of the next election at risk. It is a sad day when a President shows complete disrespect for Congress as a coequal branch of government and for the American people who elected us. We collected the evidence, and the facts are indisputable. We all took an oath to protect and defend our Constitution. We have the solemn responsibility to hold this President accountable because it is our job. I urge my colleagues to live up to our responsibility and show our fellow Americans that no one, not even the President, is above the law.

Ms. HAALAND

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 216) to provide for equitable compensation to the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation for the use of tribal land for the production of hydropower by the Grand Coulee Dam, and for other purposes.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. 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. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 216, the Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act, will finally compensate the Spokane Tribe of Indians for the flooding of their Tribal lands that occurred with the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam more than 75 years ago. Located in Washington State, the Grand Coulee Dam was built in the 1930s and 1940s. The reservoir it created flooded approximately 2,500 acres of the Spokane Indian Reservation. These lands held great economic, cultural, and spiritual significance for the Spokane Tribal people and included the Tribe's historic salmon fishing sites. Around the time of the dam's completion, the Indian Claims Commission Act of 1946 was enacted, which gave Tribal nations 5 years to file all relevant land claims against the Federal Government. Although the Spokane Tribe filed a claim before this deadline, which was settled in 1967, for around $4,700, lands related to the dam were not included. The end result is that, more than 75 years later, the Spokane Tribe has still not received just compensation for the seizure and destruction of their lands. This has severely impacted the ability of the Tribal government to provide for their people. This is also an issue of fairness and equity. The only other Tribe impacted by the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, successfully secured a settlement with the United States in 1994 and have been receiving compensation ever since. S. 216 will require the Bonneville Power Administration to make annual payments to the Tribe starting in 2022 to match the company's electricity sales, much in the same way the Colville Tribes are compensated. The legislation has the support of the surrounding counties and local entities. Additionally, BPA stated, at a recent subcommittee hearing on the bill, that the annual payments to the Tribe ``will not result in perceptible rate impacts to its utility customers.'' The Grand Coulee Dam and the energy it produces has been a financial boon to the United States and the citizens of the Northwest. It is now time to make whole the Spokane Tribe for their sacrifice. I thank Senator Cantwell for her tireless work on this issue on behalf of the Spokane Tribal people, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. HAALAND. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time and would inquire whether my colleague has any remaining speakers on his side.

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