Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the en bloc packages.

My first amendment adjusts Federal investments for the Federal Highway Administration to defund an expensive, unsightly, and unnecessary 60-foot-high artificial rock wall on I-80 in Warren County in my district. I encourage, instead, a safer, smarter option.

The community which sits next to the beautiful Delaware Water Gap, one of Jersey's greatest natural treasures, believes this rock wall will be ineffective and that it will wreak havoc on the area's ecotourism. I couldn't agree more.

This amendment makes clear that congressional intent is for no Federal funds to be used for the construction of an artificial wall between mileposts 1.04 and 1.45 along I-80 in Knowlton and Hardwick Townships, New Jersey. There are safer, better options.

My second amendment makes it clear that Federal investments for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must help address the COVID-19-linked substance abuse and mental health issues affecting far too many children and young adults in our country. The pandemic has caused a historic rate of mental health issues, especially with our students, and we must help them get the support they need. It is just heart-wrenching.

My final amendment prioritizes clean drinking water because every child should have access to water at school that is free of lead that can cause great harm to them. This amendment adjusts the Federal CDC environmental health investment, creating congressional intent to help ensure that school drinking water is free of lead and dangerous chemicals. We must protect children in north Jersey and nationwide from dangerous chemicals and lead in their drinking water.

Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan en bloc set of amendments.

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