Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 468.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2016.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, the D.C. statehood bill will receive a hearing in the Senate, and I expect the date to be announced today. I appreciate that our D.C. statehood bill has already passed the House, and I thank the House. Our hearings and House passage have alerted Americans that the residents of their own Nation's Capital do not have the same rights as other Americans. As a result, a detailed poll now shows that 54 percent of the American people support D.C. statehood for the District of Columbia. As Americans who pay the highest Federal taxes per capita in the United States, D.C. residents say it is about time--indeed, well past time--for Congress to grant statehood to the residents of the District of Columbia.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 610) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program to support the restoration of San Francisco Bay, as amended.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I will include in the Record a letter from Chairman John Yarmuth of the House Committee on Budget agreeing to waive consideration of H.R. 610, as amended, as well as Chair DeFazio's response to Mr. Yarmuth expressing appreciation for his willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in support of H.R. 610. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Los Altos, CA, June 10, 2021. Re H.R. 610--San Francisco Bay Restoration Act--SUPPORT. Hon. Jackie Speier, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Speier: On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen), I write to express our support for your legislation, H.R. 610, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act. Comprised of over 65,000 acres of acquired and protected open space on the San Francisco Peninsula, Midpen is one of the largest regional open space districts in California. Our braided mission is to acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space and agricultural land of regional significance, to protect and restore the natural environment, to preserve rural character and encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and to provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. As you know, the legislation would prioritize funding for the San Francisco Bay, a vital resource to our District, the regional community, and the entire state of California. The $250 million authorized in the bill would provide critical federal investment to restoring the Bay's wetlands and estuaries, assist in the recovery of endangered species, and help to alleviate the impacts of climate change. We greatly appreciate the legislation's establishment of this federal partnership to improve the Bay Area and protect our coastal community and economy. For these reasons, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District greatly supports the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act (H.R. 610). Thank you for your leadership and continued work on improving the Bay Area. If you have any questions or would like to further discuss our support, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Ana M. Ruiz, General Manager.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 610. This legislation would create a stand-alone program for the San Francisco Bay within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in essence elevating restoration efforts of a water body that has been part of the national estuary program since 1993. This legislation responds to an August 2018 Government Accountability Office report that found a centralized program would improve the existing efforts to restore and protect the San Francisco Bay. This legislation would authorize $25 million annually for fiscal year 2022 through 2026, with a cap on Federal funding for eligible projects and a cap on administrative expenses. H.R. 610 is supported by the delegation representing the bay and surrounding area, including our committee colleagues Jared Huffman, Mark DeSaulnier, and John Garamendi. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 610, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Washington, DC, June 2, 2021. Hon. John Yarmuth: Chair, Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Yarmuth: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R 610, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act. I appreciate your decision to waive formal consideration of the bill. I agree that the Committee on the Budget has valid jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important legislation, and I further agree that by forgoing formal consideration of the bill, the Committee on the Budget is not waiving any jurisdiction over any relevant subject matter. Additionally, if requested I will support the appointment of conferees from the Committee on the Budget should a House- Senate conference be convened on this legislation. Finally, this exchange of letters will be included in the Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the floor. Thank you again, and I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the Committee on the Budget on this important issue. Sincerely, Peter A. DeFazio, Chair.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Speier).

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1703, as amended.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1703, the National Children's Museum Act, which I have sponsored. Last Congress, the House passed this bill by voice vote. This bipartisan, bicameral bill, which I introduced with Republican Rodney Davis of Illinois and which has been introduced in the Senate by Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Republican Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia would require the General Services Administration to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Children's Museum, a congressionally designated museum, to allow the museum to remain in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, a Federally owned building in the Nation's capital without charge for the duration of its existing lease. The National Building Museum operates under such an agreement. The National Children's Museum is the only congressionally designated museum required to pay rent in a Federal building. Originally named the Capital Children's Museum, the museum was a staple in D.C. for decades. The museum opened in 1974 in a former convent on H Street Northeast. In 2003, Congress recognized the immense value of having a children's museum in the Nation's capital and officially designated the museum as the National Children's Museum. After being closed for several years, the museum reopened last year in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown D.C. where it immediately attracted visitors from throughout the Nation's capital and the entire Nation. However, only 18 days later, the coronavirus pandemic forced the museum to close its physical space. Still, the museum continued to offer valuable online resources to our children as they navigated new, challenging learning circumstances, including over 75 at-home experiment and project video programs and monthly podcasts. The museum has served teachers in 45 States and the District through its virtual field trips since the pandemic began. However, due to revenue losses during the pandemic and other costs, the museum has said it will close permanently without enactment of this bill. This bill would allow the National Children's Museum to continue to benefit the millions who visit and live in the Nation's capital and the national capital region. Madam Speaker, I support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of my good friend, Mr. Davis, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, like my friend, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the city of San Diego in support of H.R. 587. The City of San Diego, San Diego, CA, June 14, 2021. Hon. Scott Peters, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Congressman Peters: On behalf of the City of San Diego, I am writing to you in support of the Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II (OPRA II) H.R. 587. OPRA II is the product of a decades-long regional collaboration and will deploy advanced technology to purify recycled water. Additionally, this legislation is critical to implementing the comprehensive Pure Water San Diego program, which will provide a reliable, sustainable source of drinking water while simultaneously reducing treated discharge to the ocean by nearly 50 percent. This bill delivers certainty and provides a more streamlined process to comply with regulations, provided the City meets stringent water recycling milestones. Under OPRA II, the City of San Diego must demonstrate that its Pure Water program is able to produce 83 million gallons of water a day, nearly one-half of the City's water supply demand by 2036. Over the same period, the program is expected to reduce treated discharge from the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will be continuously monitored and subjected to ongoing research efforts by academic, local, state, and national entities. The City of San Diego is grateful for your leadership on this important legislative effort. Sincerely, Todd Gloria, Mayor, City of San Diego.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 587. The legislation, introduced by Representative Scott Peters, clarifies that the city of San Diego, California, can utilize the standard Clean Water Act National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit process to continue operation of the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant with alternative standards. The legislation, which provides regulatory accountability and consistency to the city, has the support of surrounding localities, local public works departments and water districts, as well as local nongovernmental and environmental organizations. Currently, the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant applies for and receives a waiver under the Clean Water Act to discharge wastewater with less than full secondary treatment, the baseline requirement of the Clean Water Act. The facility qualifies for the waiver by meeting certain criteria and must renew its application every 5 years. As part of a long-term effort, the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant is working to reduce its discharges to coastal waters. This effort involves water recycling and will redirect a portion of the facility's discharge. However, the facility's discharges to coastal waters will never be eliminated. To be clear, this legislation is not a waiver of all the requirements of the Clean Water Act, and the facility will need to comply with the other requirements of the act. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 587, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters).

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1262) to establish a task force on improvements for certain notices to airmen, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1144. The bill establishes a new regional program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address water pollution concerns in the Puget Sound and authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. The Puget Sound has seen significant degradation of water quality and habitat as a result of human development. This legislation builds on the successes Puget Sound has seen while part of the National Estuary Program and incorporates the recommendations of a July 2018 report of the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the Federal and State efforts to restore the Sound. This legislation is vitally important to ensure long-term health of a watershed that helps provide food, water, and other ecosystem services for 4.5 million people and contributes to the State's economy. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1144, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Strickland).

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the Puget Sound watershed has long provided food, clean water, and other ecosystem benefits for 4.5 million people and a wide variety of species as well. The region is essential to the State's economy. Human development and other actions have degraded the water quality and habitat of the Sound, including that of critical species like salmon and orca whales. The Puget Sound was deemed an Estuary of National Significance in 1988, and in 2018, GAO determined that further investment and a program with clear leadership and coordination of objectives is crucial to achieving the long-term restoration and protection goals of this diverse and dynamic ecosystem. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2008) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes.

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