Hire More Heroes Act of 2015
Floor Speech
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Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased that we are considering this amendment today. In fact, the genesis of this idea came to me in a constituent letter in February 2014. I was contacted by a constituent who works at a local Federal facility who was surprised and dismayed that he was unable to charge his electric car at work.
We found that, due to a quirk in the reading of current law, Federal agencies were prevented from providing EV charging facilities for personal use by their employees.
Thanks to this constituent's suggestions, I introduced a bill last Congress, the EV-COMUTE Act, to allow Federal agencies to provide charging stations for their employees at no cost to the taxpayer.
I am grateful to my colleagues, Mr. Massie and Ms. Eshoo, for joining me in this effort, both as cosponsors of the EV-COMUTE and of this amendment.
This story is a great example of democracy at work and the power of citizen participation in generating ideas. After two Congresses of introducing the EV-COMUTE, I am happy to support this amendment here today.
It is a straightforward amendment that will make Federal workplaces more efficient, flexible, and innovative by allowing the GSA to install and operate electric car charging stations at Federal facilities for use by employees at no cost to the taxpayer, fully covered by user fees.
Currently, if Members of Congress and their staff choose to drive an electric vehicle to work at the U.S. Capitol, we have the option to pay a fee to plug in our vehicle so that it will be fully charged and ready to go when we leave. But our constituents that work at Federal agencies outside the Capitol don't have the option.
My district in Silicon Valley continues to lead in advancing innovation in the EV charging industry. Yet, nearly 5,000 Federal employees in my district do not have access to charging facilities at work.
Congress approved electric vehicle recharging at the U.S. Capitol complex with strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate. This amendment corrects the disparity and allows Federal employees more choices in how they commute; gives the GSA and agencies flexibility on whether to provide charging, how to provide it, including through contractors; improves air quality while reducing reliance on foreign oil; and does so at no cost to the taxpayer.
I urge my colleagues to support this amendment to expand workplace charging and transportation options. I thank Mr. Massie for being my partner in supporting and pursuing this innovation.
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