Jerry McNerney

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5567, the Measuring the Economics Driving Investments and Access for Diversity Act of 2020, or, simply, the MEDIA Diversity Act of 2020. This bill promotes much-needed diversity in the communications marketplace, and I commend Representatives Veasey and Long and their staffs for all their efforts towards this bipartisan bill. I also, of course, want to thank Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, full committee Chairman Pallone, Ranking Member Walden, and Ranking Member Latta for their work in bringing this bipartisan legislation to the floor. This bill requires the FCC to consider, with the input of its Office of Communications Business Opportunities, market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals in the communications marketplace. When Representatives Long and Veasey first introduced this bill in January of this year, it was, of course, a different time. The murder of George Floyd has since led to protests across the country, highlighting decades of racial inequalities. Those inequalities exist in our communications marketplace. For example, the owners of broadcast and cable media outlets do not reflect our diverse population. These media outlets can influence people's opinions and perceptions through educational, political, entertainment, and news programming. Diversity in ownership of media outlets helps to ensure that programming offers different perspectives and that viewers have access to programming that is relevant to them. Experts have also found that ownership diversity can provide financial and competitive benefits. But in a concentrated communications marketplace, barriers for entry still exist, and the Federal Communications Commission is already tasked with studying what those barriers are. This bill simply asks the FCC to also consider market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals. Creating ownership parity to reflect the country's diversity is a worthy goal, and this bipartisan effort is just a small step that can have a genuine impact in identifying market entry barriers. To be clear, there is so much more that we need to do, and the Energy and Commerce Committee, 2 weeks ago, reported out two additional bills that also take important steps to diversify our media market, one of which my Republican colleagues unfortunately objected to. I would call on my Republican colleagues to support those measures as well when they come to the floor. This is no time to say that our work is done. We must recognize that Americans need transformative change to meet this moment. While incremental steps are crucial, we must do more. These additional measures that were just reported by the committee, like this one, are modest changes that will help begin the task of comprehensive reform. I am proud of the good work done by the members of the committee, and I am proud of this bill. I hope we can come together as a committee and as a Congress and do the additional work that is needed. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the MEDIA Diversity Act of 2020, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5567) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission to consider market entry barriers for socially disadvantaged individuals in the communications marketplace report under section 13 of such Act.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5567 promotes much needed diversity in the communications marketplace. As the Member who represents the most racially and ethnically diverse city in the country, Stockton, California, I want to make sure that the owners of broadcast and cable media outlets reflect our diverse population. H.R. 5567 is a step toward achieving that goal. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY

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

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 451) to repeal the section of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that requires the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate and auction the T-Band spectrum, as amended.

Mr. McNERNEY. 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 H.R. 451.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 451. I am pleased that we are finally here on the floor considering this legislation to protect the public safety spectrum. Since the 1970s, a band of spectrum known as the ``T-Band'' has been utilized by local and regional public safety officials, fire companies, and first responders. The T-Band is an indispensable radio channel that creates the backbone of the public safety communications systems in 11 major metro areas across the United States. Yet, the T-Band is at risk because of a provision of the law that jeopardizes public safety and first responders' ability to continue operations in that band. Unless Congress acts, the Federal Communications Commission is required by law to clear out the current T-Band users, relocate them to a different channel, and prepare the T-Band for commercial auction. This would be a mistake for a number of reasons. For starters, the cost of relocating every public safety T-Band user to a different band is roughly $5 billion to $6 billion, according to the Government Accountability Office. That figure is hard to justify, especially when we consider that, under the current law, the cost of relocating all those incumbent users are supposed to be covered by the proceeds from auctioning off the T- Band for commercial use. The problem there is, even the most generous estimates put the potential T-Band auction proceeds at only $1 billion to $2 billion. Relative to other auctions, that is not very much. There is not a lot of demand for this kind of spectrum in the market, which means taxpayers would be on the hook for the other $4 billion, roughly. But make no mistake, we have heard loud and clear that the T-Band is perfect for public safety and first responder communications. Put simply, the T-Band is what our public safety personnel are used to, they don't want to lose it, and letting them continue operating in that band saves the taxpayers up to $4 billion. With this bill, we are showing first responders and public safety personnel operating in the T-Band, who every day serve and protect more than 90 million Americans collectively, that we have their backs. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representative Engel, the bill's sponsor, for his years of leadership and persistence on this issue. I also want to thank Ranking Member Walden for working with us to get this bill to the floor today and appreciate his work to curb the diversion of 911 fees by States. This is a commonsense bill that helps public safety personnel across the country, and it will ultimately save the taxpayers money in the long run. I am glad to see this legislation move out of the House today on a bipartisan basis and look forward to its consideration by the Senate and the President. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the minority manager, Mr. Gianforte, for his work this afternoon in managing the floor. The T-Band is what our first responders and public safety personnel are used to. They don't want to lose it. And letting them continue in that band saves the taxpayers up to $4 billion. That is why we must pass H.R. 451. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2661) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to designate 9- 8-8 as the universal telephone number for the purpose of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and through the Veterans Crisis Line, and for other purposes.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart) for his leadership on this issue. It is an issue that can affect families and tear them apart, and I appreciate the work. The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act is a necessary step in reducing suicide in the United States and will ultimately save lives. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, as California has grappled with devastating wildfires, we must do everything possible to help them stay connected during these events, when connectivity can mean the difference between life and death. H.R. 5918 is a critical part of this effort. I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member and chairwoman of the committee for their support of this bill, and all members of the committee. The work of the Federal Government impacts every single American. Artificial intelligence presents many opportunities for the Federal Government to be better able to serve all Americans. There are also certain risks that AI presents. As Federal agencies adopt AI technology, it is critical that they are equipped with the expertise and tools they need to succeed and that they address the potential risks of adopting this technology. That is why this legislation is critical. It will help Federal agencies scale AI adoption in a smart and responsible way. First, this legislation will create a Center of Excellence within the General Services Administration. The Center of Excellence will provide a pool of AI experts within the Federal Government that can help agencies adopt AI and will also help better coordinate AI adoption across the Federal Government. Second, this legislation will require agencies to develop governance plans to guide their AI adoption and use. These governance plans must address privacy and civil liberties considerations. The goal of these governance plans is to ensure agencies adopt and use AI in a responsible way. Third, this legislation will make it easier for the Federal Government to attract AI talent by establishing a new occupational series for AI experts. As co-chair of the Congressional AI Caucus, I have heard about the different ways in which the Federal agencies are adopting and looking to adopt AI to improve their operations and to be able to more effectively serve Americans. Some of these include the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, the USDA, the Veterans Affairs Administration, the Department of Labor, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The AI in Government Act will enable these Federal agencies and others to scale AI adoption, while reducing and addressing the potential risks of using AI. I again want to thank Chairwoman Maloney and the Oversight Committee staff for working with me and my staff on this important bill. I also want to thank Senators Portman, Harris, and Gardner for their leadership on this bill in the Senate. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, my amendment would increase and decrease by $5 million the NSF Research and Related Activities budget to support a National Academy of Sciences study on approaches and procedures for creating and assessing congressional district maps. The mathematical community has focused on the theory of district map drawing and can now provide fair and unbiased methods of creating and evaluating district maps. Recent court rulings have shown that objective statistical evidence can be used to assess whether district maps have been drawn in an overly partisan manner. These rulings which have continually found congressional and State legislative districts in States across the country to be too partisan highlight the need for an impartial, unbiased system of creating and assessing district maps. My amendment would fund a study to define best practices for creating fair congressional districts and be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this amendment.

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her hard work on the appropriations bill this year. It is never easy. This year is even harder. I thank, not only the chairwoman, but all the members of the committee. I thank them for their work, and I thank the chairwoman for including my amendment. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment to division B of H.R. 7617. This amendment is critical to advancing our Nation's competitiveness in artificial intelligence. It will require the National Science Foundation to examine, including through workshops, and to publish findings on the following: First, which universities are putting out significant peer reviewed AI research, including based on quantity and number of citations; Second, for each of the identified universities, what specific factors enabled their AI research, including computing power, data sets, and availability, specialized curriculum, and industry and other partnerships; and Third, how universities not included in this list could implement these factors to produce AI research as well as case studies that universities can look to as examples and potential pilot programs that the Federal Government could develop or support to help universities produce AI research. AI research is critical to our Nation's competitiveness in artificial intelligence. We need to have a competitive spirit if we want to compete with China and other countries. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the AI Caucus, I am proud that this important amendment has received strong bipartisan support. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.

Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, first I want to thank the chair and the ranking member for their hard work in considering all these amendments. Madam Speaker, my amendment would increase and decrease by $15 million DOE's Energy Information Administration budget to stimulate more robust data collection and analysis from their commercial and residential surveys, specifically with regards to water consumption, as well as to make water consumption data for commercial buildings available to the public, broken down by principal building activity and by region. Our energy and water systems are interdependent. As water scarcity, availability, and uncertainty become more prominent, the U.S. energy system risks exposure to potential associated vulnerabilities. Therefore, it is time for a more integrated approach to address the challenges and opportunity of the energy-water nexus. My amendment aims to assist us in that process by encouraging the EIA to modify and improve their existing data collection and analysis programs, enabling us to better collect and utilize energy-water data. I urge adoption of this amendment.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on communities throughout the country, and my region is one of the latest to be declared a hotspot. In San Joaquin County, more than 10,000 have been diagnosed and 110 have lost their lives to this disease. Our hospitals have less than 14 percent availability in the ICUs, and my district, like many others, is in dire need of assistance. Mr. Speaker, over 2 months ago, the House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, but this critical legislation is still sitting in the Senate majority leader's desk being ignored by Senate Republicans. This week, Senator McConnell announced his alternative to the HEROES Act, which falls way short, leaving individuals, cities, and States without the resources they need to survive this crisis. My district deserves better, the American people deserve better, and the House Democrats have offered better. It is time for the Republican- controlled Senate to join us and meet this challenge head-on.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, in response to the attacks on September 11, my son joined the military, and I am now the proud father of a U.S. Air Force veteran. I know firsthand the anxiety felt by loved ones whose family members are called on to fight for our Nation overseas. As the father of a former soldier, I am disgusted by the allegation that Russia placed a bounty on our troops, and as an American citizen, I am outraged that the Commander in Chief of our military forces has seemingly abandoned his responsibilities. The President has an obligation to investigate these accusations and to protect the lives of American soldiers, but, once again, all we are hearing from this White House is denial and deflection. We deserve to know the truth. When was the President informed and what action has he taken to protect the lives of our troops? Americans should settle for nothing less.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, the number of people in this country without broadband is outrageous. Being on the wrong side of the digital divide has a devastating impact on so many people in our society, including students who need to complete homework; veterans and seniors who need telehealth services; individuals trying to start a business, applying for a job, or teleworking, or keeping up with the news or loved ones. This pandemic has shined a bright light on the connectivity issues and disparities in this country. Mr. Speaker, 34 percent of my constituents don't have broadband service at home. This is due to gaps in broadband deployment and also because many face adoption barriers. People simply can't afford service. I am proud that H.R. 2 includes the Digital Equity Act, which I authored with Representatives Lujan and Clarke. It provides critical funding to close gaps in broadband adoption and promote digital literacy. We are long overdue for ensuring that every American is connected to broadband, but we have an opportunity to rise up to this challenge and address this issue by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 2.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, as a mathematician and a Member of Congress sent here to represent the interests of my constituents, I am baffled by the arguments made by my Republican colleagues regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. They don't seem to understand simple math. The facts are that one in four Americans report their prescriptions are too expensive and brand name drug prices have jumped 60 percent in just a year's time. At this rate, the majority of Americans are becoming unable to afford their medications. Meanwhile, the CBO has estimated that this bill would reduce drug prices by up to 55 percent for the covered drugs. This would offset the increase of those brand name prescriptions. We are sent here to do what is right for the American people, not for the pharmaceutical companies who raked in $5.1 billion in 1 year through the price increases of just seven drugs. It is time for my Republican colleagues to do the math and, more importantly, listen to their constituents.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, racism persists in America today, and its poison pervades our institutions, creating barriers that magnify inequality and injustice. To Black Americans and communities of color, this comes as no surprise. But, unfortunately, it has taken many Americans too long to acknowledge this truth. We cannot ignore how the remnants of slavery and the Jim Crow era have maintained a stronghold on our institutions. Our criminal justice system disproportionally penalizes Black Americans and people of color with almost blanket immunity for those who disregard human life and dignity. But, today, we have an opportunity to right these wrongs and to tell the world that the U.S. House of Representatives believes that Black lives matter. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act would make much-needed reforms, from holding police accountable to combating racial profiling. When this law passes, this will make a real difference in American life. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this essential legislation.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 965. Today, there are more than 1.45 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 86,000 related deaths in the United States, and these numbers continue to increase. Our job in Congress is to provide help and leadership in this crisis. It is critical that we continue serving our constituents. But requiring Members of Congress to travel back and forth to Washington to vote and participate in official business in person during this pandemic puts the health of our constituents and ourselves at greater risk. All this traveling by so many Members of Congress will worsen the crisis we are working to mitigate. If you don't agree with the rule changes, I urge you to reconsider. If you care about the health of your constituents, if you care about the health of yourself, your colleagues, and your staff, and if you really want to mitigate this crisis, then support the temporary rule and vote ``yes'' on H. Res. 965.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives, the people's House, is vested by the Constitution with the power of impeachment to balance the power of the Presidency. Without this essential duty, the President could exploit his sacred office without any regard for the law. On January 3, 2019, every Member of the House swore an oath to defend the Constitution, and this week, we are being asked to do just that. When allegations arose that the President tried to coerce a foreign government to help undermine the 2020 election, the House carried out its duty to investigate a potential abuse of power; but the President refused to cooperate and forbade his administration from doing so, obstructing Congress from carrying out our sworn responsibility. If these actions bear no consequence, future Presidents may act without constraint and American democracy will be at an end. Therefore, compelled by my sworn duty to defend the Constitution, I will vote to impeach this President.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives is vested by the Constitution with the power of impeachment to provide a balance to the power of the Presidency. Without this essential duty, the President could exploit the sacred office without any regard for the law. On January 3, 2019, every Member of the House swore an oath to defend our Constitution, and this week, we are being asked to do just that. President Trump tried to undermine the 2020 election; and when the House exercised this duty to investigate this abuse of power, the President refused to cooperate and forbade his administration from doing so, obstructing Congress from carrying out our sworn responsibility. If these actions bear no consequences, future Presidents may act without constraint, and American democracy will be at an end. Therefore, compelled by my sworn duty to defend the Constitution, I will vote to impeach this President, and I urge the Senate to remove him from office.

Mr. McNERNEY

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Chair, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 676. Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. O'Halleran