Investing in A New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman DeFazio for all he has done with this Moving Forward Act, and I rise in strong support of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, there is no better way to jump-start our economy and create millions of good-paying jobs than to modernize our badly aging infrastructure. It will also help us significantly to combat climate change.

COVID-19 has wiped out more than 600,000 clean energy jobs, stifling both our economy and our fight against climate change. This bill would help us rebuild our economy with a $70 billion investment in clean energy. This sweeping investment will upgrade the electric grid to accommodate more renewable energy and make the grid more resilient.

We also invest in energy efficiency, which will help homeowners save money on their energy bills. We make a major investment in the development of electric vehicle charging networks, stimulating job growth in the EV industry and addressing the need to lower greenhouse gas pollution coming from our cars and trucks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also put a spotlight on just how critical it is to have access to clean and safe water. That is why this bill invests over $25 billion in drinking water programs, and it also provides $2.7 billion for the brownfields programs so local communities can transform former factories, abandoned lots, and other vacant facilities into community centers, parks, and new businesses.

Mr. Speaker, the pandemic has also starkly demonstrated the need to ensure families all across the Nation have access to high-speed internet. The Moving Forward Act provides over $100 billion to fund broadband-related programs, which will get us to 100 percent internet coverage.

Kids all around the Nation need access to broadband to participate in their classes online, and this bill provides $5 billion for mobile hotspots and connected devices to make sure students who don't have access to these resources at home can effectively engage with remote learning.

We also authorized $12 billion to upgrade our frail 911 infrastructure for the next generation.

Mr. Speaker, finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed an alarming number of preexisting weaknesses in our Nation's healthcare infrastructure, so we invest $30 billion to upgrade our Nation's health infrastructure. That is for hospitals, community centers, and other healthcare facilities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge our Members to vote for the Moving Forward Act to move our Nation forward during these unprecedented times.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 1028, I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this en bloc amendment of 28 that will further improve the already strong language of H.R. 2 in many areas.

It will expand our digital internet infrastructure through Tribal benefits and assistance available under the broadband sections. These digital infrastructure measures will ensure access to affordable, reliable internet service and give Americans living in multifamily and government-assisted housing access to reliable, high-speed broadband.

It will strengthen energy efficiency and resilience for critical infrastructure, while addressing greenhouse gas pollution and environmental justice issues at our Nation's ports.

It creates a fund to invest in clean energy technologies and jobs and improves the Department of Energy's laboratory infrastructure, while bolstering its clean energy research.

It improves the underlying clean school bus and electrical vehicle provisions, while also expanding on the PFAS and lead contamination provisions.

It also improves drinking water assistance to our territories.

Mr. Speaker, this bloc of amendments also includes provisions to protect pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while promoting the safe use of child booster seats.

It also prioritizes hospital and lab infrastructure projects that will address natural disaster preparedness and reduce wait times for results of COVID-19 tests.

So I want to thank the many Members who contributed to the en bloc, including Representatives Blunt-Rochester, Dingell, Matsui, Sarbanes, Lujan, O'Halleran, and Cardenas from the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as Representatives Brindisi, Craig, Cunningham, Foster, Haaland, Hayes, Krishnamoorthi, Levin of Michigan, Lipinski, Meng, Moore, Norcross, Phillips, Plaskett, Porter, Sablan, Slotkin, Spanberger, and Takano. Their amendments are making this a better bill, and I thank them for their contributions.

This an excellent amendment. I urge its adoption, and I reserve the balance of time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, can I inquire about how much time remains on each side?

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I was expecting someone else, but they are not here. I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge strong support of this en bloc amendment. I do think it will improve the already strong language of H.R. 2 in many areas, and I would urge its adoption.

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