Marcy Kaptur

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, this amendment includes a number of bipartisan and noncontroversial ideas that were not included in the original bill. Madam Chair, I support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack), a highly capable member of the committee.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Lipinski), the indefatigable gentleman on our committee.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster), probably one of the top scientists who has ever served in this Chamber.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Ruiz).

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Lamb), a veteran.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), a hardworking Member from the Wolverine State.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I rise to ask for support of this amendment. Thirty-four of our Members, many have come to speak on their particular interest. I have reached agreement on a bipartisan basis. I think that speaks for itself, and I ask the membership to support this amendment en bloc. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, the amendment offered by my colleague from Oklahoma prohibits the use of funds to prepare, to propose, or to promulgate any regulation or guidance that references or relies on analysis of the cost of social carbon. It is really unfortunate that the Republican flat Earth faction is at it again. This amendment tells the agencies funded in this bill to ignore the latest climate change science. Astoundingly, the amendment denies that carbon pollution is harmful. Wow. According to this amendment, there is zero cost of carbon pollution. That is denial at its worst. Ask any power plant operator who is retired who contracted emphysema because of their work on those power plants--and these people exist in our society if they haven't died already--or heavy truck diesel mechanics who worked on retooling engines when those fumes were in the garages when they gave their lives to the public sector and they now have COPD, pulmonary disease. This amendment is tantamount to saying that pollution caused climate change, has no cost, and no one will ever get hurt. That is simply not true. Tell the American citizens who lost businesses, homes, and loved ones to hurricanes, wildfires, and other recent natural disasters, and those who continue to face unrelenting flooding in the Midwest that there are no costs from climate change. In the latest National Climate Assessment, our Nation's leading climate scientists reiterated what we have known for years: Climate change is real. It is evidenced by the climate-related indicators we have observed, including longer seasons, extreme drought, flooding, sea level rise, and more violent storms. This amendment tells agencies funded in this bill to ignore reality and these scientific findings. This is not only irresponsible, but a blatant disregard to the well-being and security of this Nation and our people, whom we are sworn to protect and defend. The truth is that climate change is having catastrophic social and economic impacts here in the United States and across our globe. These are real. Ask the nearest farmer--and I just have been with them this past week--who can't plant their fields in the Midwest. And those who are less fortunate face the heaviest impact. Now is not the time. In fact, that group of citizens who live in the ninth ward in New Orleans below sea level comes to mind. Now is not the time to pretend that extreme weather events, rising seas, and more frequent storms do not have a cost. Before the Trump administration abandoned common sense, the social cost of carbon was a very conservative calculation. The full costs of a rapidly changing climate are almost certainly significantly higher, but measuring the social cost of carbon is a much better way than believing the costs are zero. Unfortunately, that is what this amendment would require the government to assume: zero harm and zero cost from carbon pollution and climate change. Pretending that climate change doesn't exist won't make it go away. I urge my colleagues to reject this amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, as the designee of Chairwoman Lowey, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta), my dear colleague.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Panetta).

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 91 Offered by Mr. Graves of Louisiana

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. I share the gentleman's frustration, but I would like to say that I think the answer is that so many projects within the Corps have never had the infrastructure funding that they have needed to move forward, and our bill does provide a leap forward in that direction. I think it is an understatement to say that the Army Corps today has its hands full, and I don't think we need to add any confusion by trying to tinker around breaking up agencies and so forth at this moment. Section 106 of the underlying bill was included in the bill after the administration proposed breaking up the Army Corps and transferring parts of it--arms, legs, heads--to other Federal agencies. I don't really think that is in the Nation's interest. That plan was met with wide bipartisan opposition from both sides of the Capitol. Such a plan would require a plan to authorize that proposal, but of course, the administration never presented Congress with draft legislation. Nevertheless, the administration doubled down on its shortsighted and misguided plan and was set to begin planning efforts until Congress stepped in last fall. The fiscal year 2019 Energy and Water Development bill authored by my colleagues from across the aisle, included this same provision which enjoyed bipartisan, bicameral support. The Corps is responsible for the management of complex, multipurpose projects, some vast, requiring expertise in many areas. Instead of trying to break up and fragment the agency's responsibilities, I would suggest that the administration focus on how it can make the Corps successful in its current organizational structure, including deferring to the technical judgment of the Corps instead of the constant interference from OMB bureaucrats who have never laid a foundation, nor operated spillways along the Mississippi or the Missouri, and so many other responsibilities that the Corps holds across this country. The Army Corps literally holds the lives and communities of the American people in its jurisdiction. Let them do their job. And if they are listening, they are cheering around this country. I strongly oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to do the same thing. I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chairwoman, I would like to thank the gentleman for those remarks and to say that I share his deep concern about the way that OMB, in particular, has a tennis match with Congress when it comes to the Army Corps of Engineers. There is not a more important infrastructure agency at this moment in our country than the Army Corps. The administration said it was going to come forward with an infrastructure bill. Well, if they can't do whatever they are calling an infrastructure bill, this is the infrastructure bill for this country at this time. The needs are enormous. I can't imagine. We have 8 divisions and 38 districts. I want to thank every single individual out there sworn to protect and defend the American people who work for the Army Corps of Engineers and give their lives to this profession across this country. General Semonite is a great patriot, and as were his predecessors. It has a long history, and we really need to have more attention devoted to Corps funding by various administrations that sit over there in the executive branch and underfund these projects around the country. That is why Louisiana had so much trouble and that is why other places in the country have so much trouble. So I do not support the gentleman's amendment. I urge opposition, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to this amendment. The Acting Chair. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 Minutes.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chairwoman, I rise in opposition to this amendment because really, it takes us backwards. The gentleman is from Indiana. I am from Ohio. I think both of us have seen individuals that we represent go off to war. How many wars have we gotten into over the issue of oil and the oil supply of the globe? The Department of Energy has been inventing the future to a point where now, we are 90 percent self-sufficient inside the boundaries of this country. This department helps to invent the future and helps America be more secure. Every one of us has some sense of what is happening with cyberattacks in our energy systems. Over the weekend, a major retailer, Target, for whatever reason, all the cash registers went dead around the country. Was it just a satellite problem? Was it an attack by a foreign aggressor? I simply don't know. But I know this department isn't a place where we should be cutting. Climate change, whether one wishes to admit it or not, is going to require a change in our way of life. This department is essential to help us move in that direction in a very organized manner. Every penny counts and every step we take to help the American people be more secure is needed. This bill funds critical water resource projects and supports science and energy technology. It helps our businesses be more competitive. It funds a credible nuclear deterrent where we have commitments and also nonproliferation, which is important not just to our country, but to the world. I think the gentleman's amendment will actually harm all of these fronts and reduce protections against what the American people are facing from coast to coast right now. I think that the gentleman's objectives on balancing the budget are correct, but I don't think it should be taken out of the hide of these programs. There are other ways to do that--some of the giveaways to the billionaire class in this country who have had the privilege of living a good life and earning a great deal of money in this country. Everybody has got to pitch in. But I don't think where we are inventing the future and helping the American people become more secure in our way of life is the place to hack away. I urge a continued investment in these areas for purposes of our national security and to remain a global leader in energy, water, and science. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing this amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I urge opposition to this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I thank our able Chairwoman Nita Lowey and Ranking Member Kay Granger for leading our Appropriations Committee in doing the real work of America on a bipartisan basis. Our Energy and Water bill makes critical investments in energy and water systems to sustain life on Earth by combating climate change, advancing energy science to yield innovation, building water infrastructure and flood control systems, and investing in necessary nuclear security programs. First, I would like to thank our ranking member, Mr. Simpson, who has been a very constructive and able partner, and also thank our staff, including Jaime Shimek, Angie Giancarlo, Mark Arnone, Mike Brain, Marcel Caldwell, Scott McKee, Farouk Ophaso, and Matt Kaplan, for their hard work in putting this good bill together. This bill rejects the President's drastic and shortsighted proposed cuts that would harm our Nation's interests. Instead, our bill increases investments to meet serious national priorities in energy and water and, of course, nuclear security. Addressing the needs of the future, economically and environmentally, requires that our Nation be at the forefront of global innovation. Our bill moves our Nation forward on that front. Further, American companies require means to ship goods efficiently in a highly competitive global marketplace. Our bill helps them succeed. Finally, ensuring water and electricity for millions of Americans is fundamental. We provide additional support toward those priorities. How do we achieve this? By providing $7.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, an increase--yes, an increase--of $357 million above 2019 and $2.5 billion above the budget request. To understand why, simply listen to any news program and what is happening across this country. This bill invests in key water priorities across our Nation by funding countless regional priorities, including robust funding for the Soo Locks construction project, and by starting the pathway for the Brandon Road invasive species Asian bighead carp control project to, literally, save the Great Lakes. This bill's robust funding for the Army Corps of Engineers is critical to this Nation's economic vitality. We provide $1.63 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation, an increase of $83 million from 2019 and $523 million above the budget request. Overall, our bill provides $37.1 billion for the Department of Energy, an increase of $1.4 billion from 2019 and $5.6 billion above the budget request. We recognize the difficulties of serving a rising population with all of the climate change challenges facing this and the next generation. Within the Department of Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy program receives $2.65 billion, $273 million above 2019 and $2.3 billion above the budget request. This includes robust funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps ensure low-income households and communities across this country have energy-efficient, more livable homes. Advanced Energy Research, ARPA-E, receives $425 million, $59 million above 2019 and a rejection of the President's proposal to eliminate the future. We fund this program. The Office of Science receives $6.87 billion, $285 million above 2019 and $1.3 billion above the budget request. Our bill responsibly funds our Nation's nuclear deterrent, as well as increases funding for nonproliferation efforts while rejecting costly, poorly defined, and duplicative activities proposed by the administration. The National Nuclear Security Administration receives $15.9 billion, a $666 million increase above 2019. And, finally, this bill ensures the executive branch cannot divert essential Army Corps funding for a border wall. In sum, this bill invests in innovation programs at the Department of Energy to yield future opportunities and jobs. It promotes economic prosperity and bolsters trade.

Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairwoman Lowey for yielding me the additional time. Our bill helps address the many challenges facing our Great Lakes, the largest collection of fresh water on the planet. Our bill prepares our country to mitigate and adapt to climate change, with challenges like the desertization of the West, as well as coastal resiliency on the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts. Our bill is more necessary than ever to build and gird America going forward in the great spirit of the quote above the Speaker's rostrum here in the House by Daniel Webster, uttered in 1825: ``Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also in our day and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered.'' Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Do what is right for America. Vote for this bill.

Ms. KAPTUR

Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce an important bill, the Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act. This bill will allow the Coast Guard expanded authority to partner with the Department of Education and the Department of Defense to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for America's elementary and secondary school students and their teachers. Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States--our prosperity and security--depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem and workforce. Given the Coast Guard's mission of coastal defense and maritime law enforcement, daily activity relies significantly on STEM skills. The ability to work with the Department of Education and Department of Defense on youth STEM programs will increase exposure and engagement to the adventures and intriguing opportunities of the Coast Guard's mission. Specifically, the Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act will allow the Coast Guard to coordinate with the Department of Education to establish programs to improve STEM knowledge and skills for elementary and secondary school students and faculty. It will allow the Coast Guard to cooperate and coordinate with the Department of Defense, particularly through the very successful DOD STARBASE Program. It will also allow the Coast Guard to expand beyond traditional STEM skills to focus on expertise particularly important to their own mission, including limnology, marine science, and oceanography. Basic STEM concepts are best learned at an early age--in elementary and secondary school--and are the essential prerequisites for career technical training, advanced college-level and graduate study, and success in workplaces. With the range of federal agencies partnered to coordinate federal STEM initiatives, the Coast Guard too has a vested interest in advancing this important mission. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and its goal of expanding the Coast Guard's efforts to engage and expose American youth to vital STEM education and workforce skills.