Susie Lee

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of my amendment to H.R. 21. This amendment would ensure that the Federal Government is not forced into leasing public lands with low- or no-potential for oil and gas development to the fossil fuel industry as a result of this bill. The reckless leasing of low- to no-potential lands, also known as speculative leasing, has allowed millions of acres of our Nation's invaluable public lands to be put in harm's way for no real economic benefit in return. The problem is pervasive, affecting all Western States. However, it is particularly severe in my home State of Nevada where there are very few productive oil and gas formations but plenty of Federal land. Speculative leasing is a serious problem that costs taxpayers serious money. These leases are cheap. They are easy to acquire, usually selling at near the minimum bid of $2 per acre. Because they are so cheap, companies with purely speculative interests target these lands with little intent or likelihood of putting them into production. Thus, the government is then forced to use taxpayer dollars to administer and monitor them, but the leases almost never generate royalties or other benefits for the American taxpayer. In fact, according to the GAO, 99 percent of these noncompetitive leases, which are frequently issued with little or no-potential lands, never went into production or generated royalties for taxpayers. In addition to burdening taxpayers, these leases also come with environmental risks. In many instances, low-potential lands receive fewer protections than areas with high potential because Federal land managers forecast low likelihood of development activity. This leaves land, water, and wildlife all incredibly vulnerable. The current policy creates an opportunity cost. Once leased, low- potential lands are not prioritized for other uses like conservation and recreation, regardless of their development status. My amendment will prevent speculative leasing from becoming an even bigger problem. It will exclude Federal lands with no or low potential for oil and gas development from the scope of this bill. My amendment will save taxpayer dollars instead of strong-arming Federal agencies into spending those tax dollars on issuing and administering speculative leases that generate little or no revenue. This means the Federal oil and gas program can more efficiently focus on managing leases that actually generate royalties and revenues for taxpayers. My amendment will mitigate environmental risk. Nearly 50 percent of all leases in the West--spanning 9.9 million acres--are currently idle, with iconic landscapes they encompass frequently left neglected, and the unique cultural and natural resources of these storied places, likewise, are left largely unprotected. This amendment will prevent additional acreage from being put in environmental jeopardy to satisfy leases that half the time are simply left to gather dust. On balance, this amendment reins in the practice that has numerous costs and provides little or no return on investment for us, the American taxpayers. So I implore all of you, Democrats and Republicans, to vote ``yes'' on my amendment, a clear example of commonsense land management and fiscal responsibility. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 25.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 520. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Axne (Pappas) Beatty (Neguse) Boebert (Gaetz) Brooks (Moore (AL)) Brown (MD) (Evans) Cawthorn (Gaetz) Cherfilus-McCormick (Brown (OH)) Cicilline (Jayapal) Clyburn (Butterfield) DeFazio (Pallone) Dingell (Pappas) Doyle, Michael F. (Evans) Dunn (Salazar) Escobar (Garcia (TX)) Espaillat (Correa) Gosar (Weber (TX)) Jacobs (NY) (Sempolinski) Johnson (TX) (Pallone) Kelly (IL) (Horsford) Kim (NJ) (Pallone) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Krishnamoorthi (Pappas) Larson (CT) (Pappas) Lawson (FL) (Evans) Levin (CA) (Huffman) Meeks (Horsford) Newman (Correa) Norcross (Pallone) Ocasio-Cortez (Tlaib) O'Halleran (Pappas) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Pascrell (Pallone) Payne (Pallone) Pressley (Neguse) Rice (SC) (Weber (TX)) Rush (Beyer) Sewell (DelBene) Simpson (Fulcher) Sires (Pallone) Speier (Garcia (TX)) Stevens (Craig) Strickland (Correa) Tiffany (Fitzgerald) Titus (Pallone) Welch (Pallone)

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding work of one of my congressional classmates, now one of my closest friends here, Congresswoman Cindy Axne. In 2018, less than 100 years after women gained the right to vote, we were elected as part of the largest class ever of women elected to the House--a record we broke again 2 years later. Breaking the glass ceiling was just the start. Cindy Axne is a true trailblazer. No issue is too big or small. As a fellow mom in Congress and a lifelong education advocate, I have seen Cindy's passion for the next generation. Even before her time in Congress, as a mom at local school board meetings, Cindy fought to make real change and to promote education equity with the implementation of full-day kindergarten across her children's school district. That passion and can-do character has followed her to Congress, too. Congresswoman Cindy Axne is a rare breed here on Capitol Hill. Bipartisanship is a word many of us use here in Congress, but few of us can back it up quite like Cindy. Her energy and enthusiasm are endless, and I have seen firsthand how she brings it to her work here in Washington. As the lone Federal Democrat from the Hawkeye State, she has taken that Iowa-nice attitude to a whole new level--working with anyone, Democrat or Republican, to get the job done. Las Vegas, Nevada, and Des Moines, Iowa, may be looking a little bit different, but Cindy and I have worked together to find common ground that transcends partisanship and works for every single American. As the tallest woman in Congress--although Representative Lori Trahan might have a point of order on that--she also bears one of the tallest lists of accomplishments in her time in this House. She personally helped her constituents recover from catastrophic flooding. She led the charge to keep our communities safe with the Invest to Protect Act. Cindy led the charge to tackle inflation with the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, as well. Her legacy for Iowa lives on in the millions of dollars that she has brought home for her constituents, in the legislation she has fought to get across the finish line, and in all of us fighting to end the divisiveness and to bring the collective spirit of compromise to Congress. I thank Cindy for everything--for her leadership, for her unwavering spirit, and, most importantly, for her friendship.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as leaders of the Republican Party in both the House and the Senate have introduced legislation to ban abortion nationwide. It doesn't matter if you live in a State where abortion is protected by the voters like Nevada. Abortion would be banned in every State. The most extreme restrictions would be held in place, and women's healthcare decisions would be taken away from you and handed over to Lindsey Graham and his Republican colleagues. The vast majority of Americans support Roe, but the Supreme Court has stripped away our freedoms and overturned 50 years of constitutional precedent. Since Roe, extremist politicians have introduced nearly 590 bills to ban, restrict, and control our choice. That is right--nearly 600 bills. They are obsessed with taking away our most personal healthcare decisions, and we can't let that happen. I will do everything in my power to stop the Washington Republicans who want to take away your freedom. We will not be intimidated.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership, as well as my cosponsors: Representatives Hudson, Herrera Beutler, and Ruiz for their hard work in supporting this piece of legislation. I rise today in strong support of my bipartisan legislation, the MOBILE Health Care Act, which will help more Americans access the quality healthcare they need and deserve. In my State of Nevada, more than two-thirds of residents live in a primary care health professional shortage area. In our rural communities, that number goes to 82 percent. Needless to say, the situation is dire, and that is why expanding access to quality healthcare has been a priority of mine since I have been a Member of Congress. Expanding the capabilities of Federally Qualified Health Centers, commonly known as FQHCs, has been a top focus of mine when it comes to expanding access to healthcare. That is because FQHCs lead the Nation in driving quality improvement, while reducing healthcare costs. Across this country, 1 in 11 Americans, including 400,000 veterans, and nearly 9 million children, rely on FQHCs for their primary healthcare. They have been a huge success in expanding quality care, but the reality is, smaller, rural communities do not have the population base to support full-time health centers. There are also many Americans, in both rural and urban areas, who lack transportation to access their closest FQHC, and that is exactly where mobile health units come in. Mobile health units have the capability to bring high-quality healthcare to all Americans, especially those in underserved areas. My bill will allow FQHCs this important flexibility to use their Federal New Access Point grants to establish mobile health units. This will allow health centers to better serve their communities, especially communities that have traditionally been hard to reach; and this does so at no additional cost to the taxpayer. In my district, we have seen the difference these mobile units make. For example, the Nevada Health Centers currently runs three mobile health units: The Children's Mobile Medical Unit, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Unit, and the Mammovan. The Mammovan is a mobile mammography unit that travels to underserved areas of our State, providing mammograms to women in geographically isolated areas and those who may not otherwise seek this important preventative care that will allow for early detection and simply will save lives. The First Person Care Clinic in Nevada also has a mobile health unit and is in the process of setting up a second one, which will expand access to primary care to more patients from Las Vegas, to Henderson, to Laughlin. Recently, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the Mammovan in action, and I am proud of all of Nevada's health centers and the southern Nevada Health District who are leading the way in providing lifesaving mobile healthcare for Nevadans. We must build off these success stories and ensure health centers across America can utilize mobile health units where they make sense to better serve their communities. We must keep working to ensure that every American has access to healthcare they need and deserve; and that is why I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this critical piece of legislation today.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today as this week marks 300 days since we signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law. But we didn't stop there, we have accomplished so much more in the last 100 days. For years, Washington has been all talk, no action when it comes to infrastructure. Congress after Congress, President after President, all promised to finally tackle our Nation's crumbling infrastructure. This Congress finally delivered--and delivered with bipartisan support. It was truly a historic moment, but in the 300 days since it was signed into law--on this very floor, amidst all of the noise and divisiveness--this Congress has continued to make history. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence legislation in nearly 30 years. Now law. The PACT Act, to provide generations of veterans and their families the care and benefits they have earned and deserve. Now law. The CHIPS and Science Act, which will allow us to compete with China, boost our supply chains and American innovation, and bring jobs back to America. Now law. The Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest step our country has taken to tackle climate change, while also delivering lower prices for prescription drugs and expanded access to affordable healthcare. This, too, is now law. Nevada was ground zero for the economic devastation of this pandemic. Nevada was also ground zero for the most urgent effects of climate change, but Nevada also stands to gain the most from the Inflation Reduction Act. A record 14.5 million people--and more than 100,000 Nevadans--have signed up for coverage through the ACA marketplaces. Now, that coverage will be even more affordable with the expanded tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Medicare can finally negotiate lower drug prices, which means savings for our seniors and every single taxpayer. Not only that, the Inflation Reduction Act caps out-of-pocket costs for part D drugs and insulin for seniors and individuals with disabilities on Medicare. All of this means better, more accessible healthcare, and more money in Nevadans' pockets. I am also incredibly proud that this bill will tackle our climate crisis and stand up for Nevada's future. The West is facing the worst drought in 12 centuries. In my district, the dire situation at Lake Mead is making headlines all over the world. This bill will help mitigate the harmful effects of our drought by funding environmental restoration projects and investing in conservation projects to increase water levels in the Colorado River. It is going to take all of us to fight the climate crisis. This bill supports Nevadans on the ground in their effort to save energy and save money all along the way. Do you need to replace a stove or a refrigerator? Do you need to install solar panels or perhaps buy an electric vehicle? This bill will help you with direct rebates to buy more energy-efficient options. Overall, Nevadan families that take advantage of the clean energy tax credits could save more than $20,000 in a single year. All of this is fully paid for by cuts to our deficit by $300 billion, by finally making the ultra-wealthy and big corporations finally begin to pay their fair share. Let me be clear, not one person earning less than $400,000 a year will pay a penny more in Federal taxes. Madam Speaker, a lot can happen just in 300 days--from infrastructure to gun violence prevention to helping our veterans and building a stronger American economy. The Inflation Reduction Act is perhaps the biggest achievement of this Congress, and House Democrats delivered it alone. Not one Republican voted to lower the cost of prescription drugs and insulin. Not one Republican voted to lower healthcare costs. Not one Republican voted for a fairer tax system. Not one Republican voted to put people over their politics. The fight continues, and House Democrats will do everything in our power to deliver the results and put the American people first.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise as the water level in Lake Mead sits at yet another all-time low. Today, Lake Mead, which provides water for 25 million Americans, holds just 27 percent of its capacity. Just 40 years ago, as you can see here, Lake Mead was actually above full capacity. But now we face the threat of the worst megadrought in 12 centuries. The clock is ticking, and we must act now. That is why I am supporting the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. This package includes three of my bills to tackle our drought, conserve water, enhance our research capabilities, and keep more water in Lake Mead for Nevadans. We cannot let politics get in the way of this. Water is not a partisan issue. Every Nevadan, every American, whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent, needs a stable water supply. Let's pass this package and help secure our future.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, in the wake of the Supreme Court's destructive decision overturning Roe v. Wade, women across this country have shared their stories. From Facebook to the dinner table to streets in protest, women have shared the details of the deeply personal and often difficult moments in which they exercised their right to choose. Madam Speaker, I rise today to share the story of a constituent of mine named Misty. His name was Miles. I knew something was wrong at 12 to 16 weeks. At 20 weeks, it was too late. I spent a terrible night in the ER hemorrhaging. Miles survived that incident and there was still a heartbeat. The next day was traumatic at an ultrasound. I had lost so much fluid and Miles was being smashed. They said that he wasn't getting the blood he needed to his kidneys and other places. They literally sent me home to wait for him to die. There was still a heartbeat at 20 weeks, but I was informed that Miles could not live to full term and that I would have to deliver conventionally if I had made it to 24 weeks. The news continued to get worse, and I waited. That was the longest week of my life. I waited through fear, depression, anxiety, and immense sadness. At the end of that week, I decided, with my fetal medicine specialist, to terminate the pregnancy. It was one of the toughest decisions I have ever faced. The trauma that I would have experienced by delivering a dead baby, Miles, would have been more than I could handle. Going to the doctor every other day and seeing him dying was enough to make me realize this. Misty closes by saying: We are not careless, immoral, or monsters. Madam Speaker, I stand with Misty, and I stand with her right to make her decision. The trauma and pain that women like Misty face in these moments should be met with care, compassion, and the right to privacy. But instead, my colleagues on the right would rather inflict more trauma during what can be an extremely challenging moment in a woman's life: forcing them to cross State lines to access abortion; forcing them to give birth when it threatens their health, their mental health, and their financial well-being; forcing them to defend miscarriages in front of a court of law; forcing young girls to carry a pregnancy to term that is the result of a sexual assault or rape. We cannot become complicit in the destructiveness of these extreme policies. Behind each pro-life policy are the very real and very personal stories of women whose lives will be forever turned upside down. I thank Misty for her story, but she shouldn't have to share it. For 50 years, the law of the land respected individual choice and privacy. In Nevada, our law still reflects that today, but tomorrow may look different. National Republicans stand ready to ban and restrict abortion nationwide, even in States like Nevada where the right to choose is protected by law. Just last week, on this very same House floor, they lined up in droves to talk about it. The reality of a nationwide abortion ban is far more likely than you may think. I am not going to stand by and watch, and that is why I was so proud to vote for the Women's Health Protection Act, and, equally, to vote in the next few days on the Right to Contraception Act. Madam Speaker, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect your right to choose.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as our Nation begins to grapple with the fall of Roe v. Wade. Twenty days ago, the Supreme Court erased 50 years of precedent, ending the freedom for women to have the right to choose. Already, the devastating effects are becoming very clear: State legislatures are criminalizing women and healthcare providers, pregnant cancer patients who cannot get the treatment they need to survive, a 10-year-old rape victim forced to travel across State lines to access the abortion she needs. It is horrific. But make no mistake, these stories are the result of a radical Republican agenda, and these are the stories that Republicans refuse to acknowledge. We must call them out. This is an extremely difficult, personal decision, but I trust that women can make that choice, and I will do everything in my power to protect that right to choose.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today as we mark the 159th day of this year, and more than 246 mass shootings; Columbine, Sandy Hook, Uvalde, Parkland. We cannot pretend that we have not been here before, and we cannot fail to act yet again. I have heard from mothers in my district who are frightened for their children's safety. I have heard the horrors of the survivors of the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas, and survivors of domestic violence and other daily gun violence that doesn't always make the headlines. And I have heard the echoes of decades of disappointment and frustration as Congress has failed over and over again to do something. This is not about politics. It is about protecting our kids. This is about doing the jobs we were elected to do because I refuse to accept that because we may not be able to prevent all gun violence, we should not prevent any gun violence. We can act and must act, and that is why I am voting to pass the gun safety laws.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate West Career and Technical Academy's We the People team. They are not only studying history; they are making it. Mr. Speaker, 1999 was the last time a southern Nevada We the People team qualified for nationals. But now, 14 students from West Tech's We the People team have changed that. As part of We the People, these students are going that extra mile in their civic education to study our history, our Constitution, and our democracy. To Mrs. Rozar and all the outstanding We the People teachers, we say thank you. I have no doubt of West Tech's success later this month when they compete here in Washington, but I am even more excited to watch where this passion takes them as leaders in Nevada's future. Congratulations to West Tech's We the People team, and good luck in D.C.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this last week of March as National Area Health Education Centers, or AHEC, week. The AHEC program is vital to this country and for Nevadans because we are facing an unprecedented shortage of healthcare providers. The doctor shortage in southern Nevada is nearing crisis levels, which means longer wait times, fewer choices, and less access to quality healthcare. The size of Nevada's physician workforce ranks near last in this country. As our community continues to expand, the challenges continue to grow. To solve this crisis, underserved communities like Las Vegas need to expand the resources we offer so that medical providers can learn and grow their careers right here. That is exactly what AHECs do. They are part of the solution. The Nation's 300 federally funded AHECs are in nearly every State and in multiple U.S. territories. In the past 5 years, they have trained 2 million healthcare professionals. Please join me in saluting AHECs as they continue to be committed to prepare, plan, and train for a better healthcare future.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Liz Bolhouse, a pediatric ICU nurse back home in Las Vegas. Tonight, President Biden will address this Congress and the Nation in the State of the Union address, and Liz is my guest. While we continue to recover from this pandemic, let's reflect on what we have done. We have put over 500 million shots in arms of Americans, our kids are back in school, our economy is getting back on track, and a record-breaking 6.7 million jobs were created in the President's first year. It is hardworking Americans in southern Nevada, and all across this Nation, who are the true heroes in this recovery. Liz is one of those heroes. Liz has lived and worked in Nevada for 22 years as a nurse. It goes without saying that these have been two of the hardest years in all of our lives, but these 2 years have brought out the best in our dedicated and selfless healthcare heroes, including Liz, and the hundreds of Nevada nurses she represents as the SEIU Local 1107 chief nursing steward. I thank Liz and I thank every nurse back home and across this great Nation for your hard work and dedication in keeping our communities healthy and safe.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about news that many people don't hear too much about coming out of Washington. Too often they only hear one side of the story about divisiveness, gridlock, and a general unwillingness to put results over politics. And don't get me wrong, it is a problem, but there are a whole lot of us in this body that are fighting every day to put an end to that and break the cycle in Washington, especially when it comes to our veterans. In the past 2 months alone we have seen legislative breakthroughs that had the support of both Democrats and Republicans to help make sure that our country continues to serve our Nation's veterans. I introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Representatives Anthony Gonzalez, Tony Gonzales, and Colin Allred to invest in the Zero Suicide initiative and bring accountability into the VA. Last week, this House passed legislation that will end a GI Bill disparity between the National Guard and Reserve members so that every single servicemember can access the benefits their sacrifices have earned. And last month, President Biden signed the REMOTE Act into law to extend legislation to protect student benefits for veterans. In southern Nevada alone, 200 veterans were facing cuts in their benefits, but with our votes in the House and Senate and President Biden's signature, those benefits were extended, and it was just that easy. These are just a few examples of the bipartisan wins this Congress has been able to accomplish for veterans. You see, a lot of legislation before us, especially bills that serve our veterans, are common sense. And I encourage Washington to not lose sight of those two words: Common sense.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Nevada's longest-serving Senator, Harry Reid, who passed away on December 28, with his beloved children: Lana, Key, Josh, Leif, and Rory; and his devoted wife of 62 years, Landra, by his side. My condolences and prayers are with them all and with the countless people whose lives he has changed, his friends, staff, and all of those in the great State of Nevada. This tribute could be about Senator Reid being the most consequential Senate majority leader in modern history. It could also be about how Senator Reid was the true embodiment of what it meant to be battle born, a boxer as a young man who never backed down from a good fight for the least among us. It could be about the story of his American Dream, rising out of severe poverty in Searchlight, Nevada; hitchhiking 40 miles to school; working as a Capitol Police Officer to put himself through law school, to becoming one of the most powerful political leaders of our time. It could also be about his legislative accomplishments, such as the Affordable Care Act, which gave millions of Americans access to affordable healthcare, saving our economy during the Great Recession, taking on Wall Street, or making sure that Nevada would not become the Nation's nuclear waste dumping ground. However, I want to focus on Senator Reid's role in advancing women in politics. In Nevada, Senator Reid is known for his quiet yet sometimes curt demeanor; his incredible, strategic mind; and his work ethic beyond compare. He built a team, known as Team Reid, that has roots throughout this Capitol, throughout Nevada, and throughout this country, which will have an impact long beyond his life. There is no doubt that Senator Reid was a visionary when it came to politics. His vision in making sure that women had a runway into politics has left an indelible mark. Within his own legendary team, women occupied the most senior posts. At the same time, Senator Reid recruited and mentored women up and down the ballot. It is no surprise, therefore, that Nevada became the first State to have a woman-majority State legislature. We have a woman- majority supreme court, as well as a woman-majority congressional delegation, with two female Senators, Cortez Masto and Rosen. Harry Reid's devotion to Landra is legendary. Perhaps it was her enormous role in his life and his utter respect for her as a partner that seeded his unspoken yet strong commitment to women's leadership. Maybe it was the role that his mother played, raising him out of extreme poverty in Searchlight, Nevada. Whatever the motivation, the results speak for themselves. Growing up in Searchlight, Harry Reid was given a nickname, Pinky. I am not sure what it referred to, and I actually don't think he particularly liked it. But as Senator Reid lies in state in our Nation's Capitol this week, this woman, who benefited from his mentorship and guidance, will believe that perhaps that nickname was a premonition of his role in changing the face of leadership in Nevada and this country. We all know that Senator Reid was infamous for not saying goodbye. I myself was the recipient of that dial tone on many occasions. But those occasions were because he never failed to pick up the phone when I called for advice. I will miss those phone calls, but I will take this opportunity to say goodbye to a man who showed how to fight for the little guy; a man who could take a punch and outwork anyone; a man who led through example of compassion and strength. I say goodbye to Senator Reid and thank him.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the tremendous impact that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will have on my home State of Nevada. Nevada was ground zero for the pandemic, and its effects were especially felt by the travel and tourism industry, which employs tens of thousands of Nevadans and brings in the bulk of the State's revenue each year. Now that President Biden has signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, our leading industries in Nevada and Nevada families can take part in the economic opportunities and the thousands of jobs that this bill promises. Nevada is slated to receive $2.5 billion for highway investments like the I-15 corridor between Las Vegas and LA, the I-11 corridor between Las Vegas and Phoenix, and $459 million for public transportation. This means that not only can Nevada families get to work and school safely and more efficiently but that millions of our visitors each year can more easily experience everything that our State has to offer. Nevada will also get a minimum of $100 million to expand access to broadband across the State, meaning that no Nevadan will be left behind. Nevada also has been ground zero for the effects of the climate crisis as we continue to face the effects of severe drought. With the passage of my water recycling infrastructure bill, included in this, Nevada will now be more equipped to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure that our communities have continuous access to safe, clean drinking water for years to come. Nevada is only able to reap all of these benefits because Congress was able to put politics aside and work together to come up with sensible solutions to create a better future for our Nation. We cannot stop there. It is critical that we continue to work side by side to pass the Build Back Better agenda and make sure that American families don't just recover from this pandemic but that they prosper moving forward.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about evapotranspiration. Perhaps you are not used to getting a mini Earth science lesson on the floor of the House, but hear me out for a minute. Nevada boasts 300 sunny days a year. It is great for hiking and biking, not so great when it comes to precipitation and our growing severe drought. But we can't just rely on precipitation data in understanding our drought because we are losing water with all of our sunny days. Evapotranspiration, or ET, is the combination of water lost through evaporation from the land and transpiration from plants. It is a critical measurement that we need to plan for the future of western water. Until recently, and frankly, to my surprise, water managers could not access this data. But a group of scientists, academics, advocacy organizations, and even corporations are working to change that. OpenET is filling the biggest data gap in water management by giving everyone access to ET data, and I mean everyone. You can Google it and pull it right up on your computer. From water managers, to utility providers, to farmers and ranchers, to conservationists, this data will help folks across the West make better water decisions to protect our most vital resource for decades to come. That is exactly why I have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Open Access Evapotranspiration Act with Senator Cortez Masto to fill these critical data gaps and inform drought solutions across the West. I am all in when it comes to finding solutions for Nevada's drought. We must explore every option and make these investments before it is too late. The Time Is Now to Lower Drug Prices

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we continue to negotiate the Build Back Better Act. When I ran for Congress, I promised my constituents that I would do everything to fight for lower drug prices. Over and over again in townhalls, I hear from my constituents that they are so extremely worried about how they are going to pay for prescription drugs. In fact, one in five seniors reports not taking their medicines as prescribed because of the cost. I have even heard from constituents who say they skip meals so they can afford the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. This is outrageous. I urge my colleagues to address this problem with the urgency it deserves. With the Build Back Better agenda, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the status quo and make good on our promise that no one should have to choose between affording their prescription drugs, or putting food on the table, or paying rent. We must enact legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs. The time is now. Our constituents all over this country are counting on us.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today, not alone, but on the shoulders of hundreds of advocates and activists leading the charge to fight this climate crisis with the urgency it demands. Over the past couple months, I have stood here almost every week calling for bold investments in clean energy infrastructure and climate solutions in the Build Back Better Act. But I know when we pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the Build Back Better Act, it will be because of the efforts of so many advocates. For years, Nevadans from the Nevada Conservation League, the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Chispa, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Battle Born Progress and so many other hardworking organizations have come together to demand climate action. Now, thanks to your hard work, I am confident that we will pass historic investment in clean energy infrastructure and build back better for our future. The time to act on climate is now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the water in Lake Mead has fallen to record-breaking lows not seen since the Hoover Dam was constructed. Already, Lake Mead has fallen to just 35 percent of its capacity. And as you can see behind me, a bathtub ring taller than the Statue of Liberty surrounds the lake as a reminder of the water that was once there. This is a crisis that we can fix only with new investment and innovative solutions, and that is why I am supporting the bipartisan infrastructure package and the climate and water investment provisions of the Build Back Better Act. It could not be more clear. Nevada is ground zero for the effects of climate change, but we also are ground zero for the benefits of this historic legislation. The bipartisan infrastructure package includes more than $8 billion for water infrastructure. This also includes my water recycling legislation that will invest in large-scale water recycling projects to help keep more water in Lake Mead for Nevadans. There is not a moment to lose. The opportunity is here and the time to act on climate and act for Nevada's water and future is now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the tremendous students, staff, and teachers at Nevada's 2021 Blue Ribbon Schools. Not one, not two, but three Clark County schools, all in Nevada's Third Congressional District, were just named National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education: Charlotte Hill Elementary, Frank Lamping Elementary, and Pinecrest Academy of Nevada Inspirada. These schools were recognized for their exemplary work to close the achievement gap, expand educational opportunities, and excel academically. I always say education is the key to opportunity, and I cannot wait to see where all of these incredible young Nevadans will go. Congratulations, Clark County schools.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because, believe it or not, yet again, it is infrastructure week here. For decades, our country has been calling for investment to bring our infrastructure into, not just the future, but at this point, the present. For months, we have been meeting, both Democrats and Republicans, to get this bill to work for all of us. Now, it is time to take action and pass it for the American people. The stakes could not be higher. Nevada, where I am from, has been ground zero for this pandemic. We are ground zero for the effects of climate change. But, more importantly, we are ground zero for the promise and the economic opportunities in this bill. Roads, bridges, access to broadband, electric vehicles, electric buses, clean energy, water solutions for the West, all of this is needed and all of it will benefit my State and every corner in this country. That is why we have to put politics aside, come together, and pass this legislation now. I came to Congress because I was tired of the bickering and the dysfunction and the gridlock. I was tired of politics as usual. Safer roads and bridges, these are not partisan political issues. We have the opportunity to pass these investments for every single American and create millions of good-paying jobs and strengthen our recovery and get our economy back on track. The time to deliver solutions is now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 25th anniversary of Lutheran Social Services of Nevada (LSSN), who serves our southern Nevada community. Throughout their 25 years of service, LSSN has provided help to more than 383,231 Las Vegans in need. What began as humble means of helping the community in 1985, in the form of a food pantry and clothing closet, LSSN has grown to an immense operation serving a multitude of southern Nevadans over the last 25 years that are low-income, at-risk of homelessness, homeless, families with or without children, youth, veterans, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. Despite the uncertainty and unprecedented challenges of the last 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, LSSN found further ways to redouble their efforts to the community by distributing more than 770,596 pounds of food through their DigiMart Food Pantry to more than 62,840 people. This is nearly three times as many of Las Vegans they have served through the pantry prior to the pandemic. Additionally, LSSN provided rental assistance and rapid rehousing resources to 167 households in need. This allowed those families to remain or become sheltered in the midst of a pandemic ravaging our Las Vegas community and economy. Finally, LSSN served more than 7,960 hot and well-balanced meals to seniors, while also teaching nutrition education and physical activity through Zoom and other remote means. It was my honor to visit and tour the LSSN DigiMart Food Pantry in May 2021, as they unveiled an expansion of the facility from 750 square feet to 3,058 square feet. LSSN projects that this will allow them to serve an additional 5,000 families annually. I am in awe of the way our Nevada entities and community have continually stepped up to serve through numerous crises, and that gratitude extends to LSSN. I look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success in the years to come, and I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating and honoring their 25th anniversary.