Condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a meaningful and consequential piece of legislation, the Build Back Better Act.

This bill will strengthen our economy, create good-paying jobs, and make extraordinary investments that will improve child care, education, health care, child nutrition, and housing. Importantly, the legislation will take critical steps to address the climate crisis.

This legislation is a significant victory for children, families, caregivers, and early childhood educators. According to data from Oregon State University, every county in my home state of Oregon was a child care desert for infant and toddler care before the coronavirus pandemic, meaning that there is only one spot for every three children who need care. The $390 billion investment for early childhood care and universal preschool in the Build Back Better Act is fundamental to the long-term success and health of our kids and economy. These investments will help millions of parents, overwhelmingly women, return to work. Additionally, we will finally recognize the critical role of early childhood educators by making sure they are paid a living wage.

We have also provided substantial investments in our students by making higher education more affordable, including by increasing the value of the Pell Grant and expanding federal financial aid to eligible students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), temporary protected status (TPS), and deferred enforced departure (DED) status. To help students succeed in school and transition into a rewarding career, the Build Back Better Act provides funding for retention and completion grants. The bill also supports our teaching workforce by investing in grant programs to help train new teachers and address the teacher shortage. Additionally, the legislation also supports communities of color through targeted investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic- Serving Institutions and other Minority Serving Institutions.

As Chair of the Education and Labor Committee's Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee, I know students will be better equipped to succeed when they are no longer

worrying about their next meal. The Build Back Better Act provides nine million more students free school meals through improving the Community Eligibility Provision, which is a significant step toward ending childhood hunger.

The Build Back Better Act provides for greater access to high- quality, affordable health care and lowers costs for many Americans, especially our nation's seniors. The bill extends the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were included in the American Rescue Plan, and lowers the cost of prescription drugs by finally allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for some drugs. The bill expands Medicare to cover the cost of hearing aids and makes home health care for elderly parents or loved ones with disabilities more affordable and accessible. It also includes significant resources for Older Americans Act meal programs and other senior services that I have long championed, particularly those supporting LGBTQ+ seniors and other underserved communities.

The bill will allow work authorization and provide important protections from deportation for many immigrants who have been building lives in this country and contributing to our communities for more than a decade. The legislation will not provide the crucial path to citizenship that I have been advocating for, but this is significant progress that we can continue to build on.

Importantly, we are facing a code red climate emergency and the Build Back Better Act is the most significant climate bill to come before the U.S. House of Representatives. It provides long-term extensions for renewable energy tax credits, and for the first time, energy storage projects will qualify for investment tax credits. This bill also invests $29 billion in nonprofit, state, and local institutions that support rapid deployment of low- and zero-emission technologies, with a particular focus on low-income communities that historically have not received these types of investments. This legislation combats methane emissions, which account for one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions, by creating a methane emissions reduction program to incentivize oil and gas companies to reduce their methane leaks.

The health of our ocean reflects the health of our planet. The Build Back Better Act makes a significant investment by providing $6 billion for habitat restoration projects to conserve, restore, and protect coastal and marine habitats, increasing these ecosystems' resilience to climate change. It also provides $500 million for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate research to improve our understanding of the interdependence of our nation's coasts, ocean, weather, and climate. Although there is still tremendous work needed to prevent national and global climate disaster, the Build Back Better Act makes transformational and unprecedented investments in combating climate change.

The Build Back Better Act will also improve conditions for working Americans. It provides nearly $20 billion in funding for education and career training opportunities for underemployed and dislocated workers and fosters greater collaboration between industry, labor, nonprofits, and educational institutions to equip workers with skills training and post-training employment opportunities.

This bill will also support families when they need to take leave from work. Currently, the U.S. is one of only six nations in the world without a national paid leave program. The Build Back Better act brings the United States in line with every other OECD country by providing workers with four weeks of paid family leave for childbirth, major illness recovery, and family caretaking responsibilities.

Oregonians have long experienced pronounced challenges from the lack of affordable housing. The Build Back Better Act includes $150 billion to build and upgrade affordable housing stock and enhance rental assistance for low-income Americans. It also includes critical updates to and expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which will further incentivize affordable housing development. This funding will improve housing affordability, support people experiencing homelessness, and shrink the homeownership gap for people of color.

Data reported by the United States Census Bureau found that the Child Tax Credit expansion that was included in the American Rescue Plan has already slashed taxes for millions of families and contributed significantly to reducing child hunger and housing insecurity. The Build Back Better Act builds upon this success by extending the enhanced Child Tax Credit for another year.

And finally, The Build Back Better Act is fully paid for by making sure the wealthiest Americans and large corporations pay their fair share in taxes.

The Build Back Better Act's historic investments will improve the lives of families and individuals, create thousands of good-paying jobs, and help our country rebuild after the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. And with the provisions to address the climate crisis, it will help bring about a better, healthier, and more secure future for Oregonians and Americans. For these reasons, I look forward to voting in favor of this bill.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his extraordinary leadership.

He and other chairs have brought us to a moment in history on the floor of the House today when we can do something of significance for the people. I thank the chairman.

Madam Speaker, with confidence in the vision of President Biden, and associating myself with the inspiring and informative comments of the distinguished chairman, Mr. Neal, with our distinguished Democratic leader, Mr. Hoyer, the Democratic whip last evening, and with respect for those who work in this Capitol, and as a courtesy to my colleagues, I will be brief.

In his remarks, our Democratic leader, Mr. Hoyer, talked about the pride we take in telling our children and our grandchildren that we were here present to pass the Build Back Better legislation and what it means for future generations. Whip Clyburn talked about the three legs of the Biden platform: the Rescue Plan, the BIF, the Infrastructure and Jobs bill, and now the Build Back Better, the infrastructure for our future. And Chairman Neal quoted Daniel Webster and spoke of our responsibilities to the people.

Madam Speaker, in that spirit, I proceed by saying: Under this dome, for centuries, Members of Congress have stood exactly where we stand now, to pass legislation of extraordinary consequence in our Nation's history and for our Nation's future.

In the original House Chamber, now Statuary Hall where Lincoln served, is Clio, the muse of history. Clio reminds men and women in these hallowed Halls that we are part of history; that our words and actions will face the judgment of history; and that we are part of the long and honorable heritage of our democracy.

With the passage of the Build Back Better Act, we--this Democratic Congress--are taking our place in the ``long and honorable heritage of our democracy,'' with legislation that will be a pillar of health and financial security in America that will be historic in forging landmark progress for our Nation. We talk about history as we look and prepare for the future.

Much has been said since our distinguished Democratic leadership spoke last evening. Much has been said on this floor. But the facts are these: Following the vision of President Biden, guided by the expertise and energy of our chairs, Members, and staff, we have the Build Back Better bill that is historic, transformative, and larger than anything we have ever done before. We are building back better.

If you are a parent, a senior, a child, a worker--if you are an American--this bill is for you. And it is better.

It is better in terms of healthcare. It is better if you are a senior: Your cost at the pharmacy will be cut to a fraction, with annual costs capped under Medicare Part D, and you will benefit from the Medicare hearing benefit.

It is better if you have diabetes: When you go to the pharmacy, instead of paying hundreds for insulin, you will pay no more than $35 per month.

And it is better for all Americans: We are halting Big Pharma's outrageous tax hikes; and in addition to that, we are dramatically lowering healthcare costs under the Affordable Care Act.

We are also expanding coverage to millions under the Affordable Care Act, as I mentioned.

It is better in terms of family care. If you are a parent, it is better. Most families will benefit from reduced childcare costs, cut fully in half for most families, and free universal pre-K for every 3- and 4-year-old in America.

It is better if you are a middle-income family. You will benefit from an expanded Biden child tax cut and paid family and medical leave.

It is better if you are a caregiver. You will have the respect you deserve with the benefit of an historic investment of high-quality home healthcare.

And it is better for America's working families, with an average of 2 million jobs created each year over 10 years, together with the BIF.

Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs; a four-letter word.

And it is better for climate. If you want your family to benefit from clean air, clean water, for the development of good-paying green jobs for the future and from improved national security, we are meeting the President's vision to cut pollution in half by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050, creating good-paying union jobs and lowering families' energy costs; advancing environmental justice with the Justice40 initiative of President Biden; and honoring our commitment to passing on a better planet to our children. Our responsibility is always to our children and to the future.

Last week, our congressional delegation went to COP26 in Glasgow and affirmed the commitment of this Congress to meet and beat our climate goals. With this legislation, we can achieve this for the children and for Mother Nature.

The Build Back Better agenda creates jobs, secures tax cuts for the middle class, lowers costs for families, while making the wealthiest pay their fair share. Good-paying jobs; cut taxes for the middle class; lower costs, especially in regard to healthcare and childcare; making the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share.

Build Back Better is fully paid for. It reduces the deficit and grows the economy. Unlike--and perhaps I need to remind you--unlike the Republican tax scam, which was passed in the dark of night, with the speed of light, with no hearings whatsoever, and it increased the deficit by more than $2 trillion, more than this whole bill does for the American people; tax cuts for the wealthiest, giving 83 percent of the benefits to the top 1 percent and did nothing to help the American people in terms of jobs, clean air, clean water, affordable healthcare, and the rest.

Madam Speaker, 83 percent to the top 1 percent, in the dark of night, at speed of light. Don't make me laugh about criticizing this bill.

Build Back Better will not increase inflation, according to the experts, including an array of Nobel Peace Prize-winning economists and Moody's.

This victory is possible because of the tenacious, tireless, and values-based leadership of our chairs, members, and staff of the committees.

I just want to acknowledge the staff of this institution, the House of Representatives, for their just being there for us over and over again regardless of when and where. Thank you so much.

Build Back Better is a better agenda for workers, for families, for children, and for our planet. If you believe, as I do, that this planet is God's creation, and we have a moral obligation to be good stewards of it, this bill is for you.

Even if you don't share that view--and I think most of us do. If you don't share that view, we all agree that we have a moral responsibility to our children and to their future to pass on the planet in a responsible way.

We are proud to be passing this legislation under the leadership of President Joe Biden. He was an advocate and a leader in terms of the bipartisan infrastructure bill, but he did not confine his vision for America to that bill alone.

Today, we have the opportunity to build back better for the American people and for the children. Madam Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on the legislation and a ``no'' vote on the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, President Biden's massive new multitrillion dollar tax and spend bill, the so-called Build back Better Act will cost at least $4 trillion according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

According to the Chamber, the Build Back Better Act will significantly increase inflation and lead to up to 3 million people losing their employer sponsored health insurance plans.

Astonishingly, as we debate this legislation on the floor of the House today, there is still no detailed cost analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Among the bill's most egregious provisions, it:

Effectively bans Catholic and other faith-based schools from participating in the expanded child care program;

Dramatically raises taxes on businesses and individuals;

Grants more power to the IRS to target taxpayers by removing taxpayer protection requirements and hiring 87,000 additional agents;

Permits taxpayer money to go to entities involved China's genocide against the Uyghur Muslims;

Institutes price controls on prescription drugs and subjects companies that refuse to comply to a massive excise tax, which would cripple innovation and could cause the removal of life-saving drugs from the U.S. market.

And, shockingly, the legislation forces taxpayers to pay for abortion on demand in several new and expanded programs.

Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize or facilitate the killing of an unborn child.

The so-called Build Back Better Act:

Gives states $30 billion over three years to create reinsurance programs for health insurance issuers. There are no protections whatsoever to prevent subsidization of plans covering elective abortion,

Extends to January 1, 2027 the increases to premium tax credits available for consumers through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Premium tax credits allow taxpayer funding to subsidize ACA plans that provide elective abortion;

Provides $10 billion worth of public health funding grants that aren't Hyde Amendment protected,

Makes permanent the Health Coverage Tax Credit without Hyde protection to prevent taxpayer funds in this program from paying for health plans that include elective abortion;

Mandates abortion coverage in the Affordable Care Act (ACA);

And more.

The National Right to Life Committee strongly opposes this legislation and pointed out that: ``The 2010 Obamacare law as would the Build Back Better (BBB) created multiple new streams of federal funding that are ``self-appropriated'' flowing outside regular appropriations.

``That said, the Obamacare law contains a provision that specifically permitted states to ban elective abortion coverage in their exchanges, and 25 states passed legislation doing so. The BBB, starting in 2024, would explicitly override the laws of 11 of these states--states that did not expand their Medicaid programs. One additional non-expansion state (Wyoming) will also now be required to cover abortion.

``Further, the provisions mandate that Obamacare silver exchange plans cover abortion and transportation for abortions (without cost sharing) for the Medicaid coverage gap population. The BBB provides unlimited appropriations to finance this abortion expansion. The BBB would mandate coverage in the abovementioned 12 states of ``services described in subsection (a)(4)(C) of section 1905 of such [the Social Security] Act [family planning services] for which Federal payments would have been so available [``under title XIX of the Social Security Act] which are not otherwise provided under such plan as part of the essential health benefits package described in section 1302(a).'' Obamacare specifically excluded abortion as a required essential health benefit under section 1303, and this BBB provision would effectively override the 2010 law.''

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote to every Member of Congress on Wednesday and said: ``it is completely unacceptable that the current House version of the Build Back Better Act expands taxpayer funding of abortion . . . No proposal to support individuals needing affordable health care coverage should compel Americans to pay for the destruction of human life through their tax dollars . . . In addition, the latest text maintains the proposed health care affordability fund for states without Hyde protections, and provides funding for several public health grants without Hyde protections. This fundamental problem of expanded taxpayer funding of abortion in the Build Back Better Act must be remedied before the bill moves forward.''

The Susan B. Anthony List opposes the bill and said yesterday: ``It is critical to remember that whenever abortion is not explicitly excluded from funding, it is included . . . A careful reading of this bill shows billions of dollars being appropriated outside of Hyde protections, leaving them available for direct and indirect abortion funding, upsetting the status quo and funneling money to the abortion industry . . . The ACA coverage provision mandates abortion coverage for its Medicaid-gap population in the twelve states that opted out of Medicaid expansion for plan years 2024 and 2025. It is notable that none of these states currently fund abortion coverage. This language would coerce them states to cover abortion against the will of their constituents.''

The Hyde Amendment, Madam Speaker, has saved more than 2.4 million lives--about 60,000 per year since it was first enacted.

Hyde protections need to be added to this bill.

It is time, I believe, for more of us to face the harsh reality of what abortion does to children and look beyond the sound bites and slogans.

No-one in the media ever bothers to expose the violent methods of abortion that include dismemberment of a child's fragile body, including decapitation, and that drugs like RU-486 starve the baby to death.

Or that unborn babies killed by abortion at 20 weeks or later experience excruciating suffering and physical pain. And until rendered unconscious or dead by these hideous procedures, the baby feels the pain every cut according to medical experts in life-enhancing prenatal surgery.

Abortion is not health care unless one construes the precious life of an unborn child to be analogous to a tumor to be excised or a disease to be vanquished pregnancy is not a disease.

Mr. Biden once wrote constituents, explaining that his support for laws against funding for abortion, by saying ``it would protect both the woman and her unborn child.''

Mr. Biden went on to say ``that those of us who are opposed to abortion should not be compelled to pay for them.'' I agree. Most Americans agree.

Over the years, the polls have consistently shown that Americans do not support taxpayer funded abortion.

The January 2021 Marist poll found that by a margin of 58 percent to 38 percent oppose taxpayer funded abortion.

The Marist poll found that a supermajority of 65 percent of Independents oppose taxpayer funding of abortion.

Unborn babies need the President of the United States and Members of Congress to be their friend and advocate, not powerful adversaries.

Madam Speaker, I ran for Congress to help people in Chicago, in Illinois and across the country achieve the American dream. The Build Back Better Act represents a transformative investment in children, families, workers, businesses, and the planet that will improve health and well-being, advance economic and environmental justice, meaningfully address climate change, and grow our economy while asking the wealthiest and most secure to pay their fair share. The pandemic has harmed tens of millions of Americans-- disproportionately hurting African Americans and other communities of color, women, seniors, and children. This bill meets immediate needs for food, shelter, medical care, and child care as well as long-term needs for quality education, good-paying jobs, safe roads and water, and a healthy environment. I am deeply proud that many priorities that I have championed are included in this historic bill.

It provides 4 weeks of paid family and medical leave for workers so that they do not face the inhumane choice of caring for loved ones or financial ruin. Lower-income workers and workers of color are much less likely to have any paid leave, yet are more likely to need it due to greater health challenges and less savings to weather caregiving without pay. As Chair of the Subcommittee with jurisdiction over paid leave, I have worked closely with Ways and Means Chairman Neal and advocates to shape this equity-generating, universal benefit.

The bill enhances the Earned Income Tax Credit to improve the economic well-being of millions of childless workers and noncustodial parents--with new help for younger workers, foster and homeless youth, and seniors. I've fought for these improvements for over a decade via my Responsible Fatherhood Act. These changes will help 17 million adults nationwide and over 600,000 in Illinois.

It provides $2 billion to train workers with barriers to employment-- including people with records--for careers in the allied health professions. This provision will help Chicago State which has a stellar Health Profession Opportunity Grant program and expand programs like those offered by the Safer Foundation to help people with records become successful healthcare professionals.

It helps vulnerable students by making Pell non-taxable and removing the lifetime ban on the American Opportunity Tax Credit for past felony drug convictions.

It incents substantial private investment in solar energy that will reduce electricity costs for tens of millions of low-income individuals while making the air they breathe safer.

It contains strong labor provisions so that our investments in green energy benefit workers as well as businesses.

It includes $1 billion for to help justice-involved individuals obtain employment and training services via the Reentry Employment Opportunities Program. It makes sure that people leaving prison have Medicaid coverage to improve health and successful reentry.

It includes $2.5 billion for public health approaches to reduce community violence and

advance trauma interventions, which I have championed via the RISE from Trauma Act.

It helps restore fairness to the tax code by rolling back the Republicans' punitive limit on the State and Local Tax deduction to hurt citizens in blue states like Illinois.

The pandemic hit Black renters with children especially hard, with 29 percent reporting that their household is not caught up on rent. Further, in 2020, Black and Latino families with children were more than twice as likely to suffer food insecurity as white households. The Build Back Better Act addresses racial and economic inequities for communities of color and rural and underserved communities. It dramatically reduces child poverty via a substantial Child Tax Credit, raising a projected 4.1 million children above the poverty line and cutting child poverty by more than 40 percent. In October alone, the advanced CTC gave caregivers in my Congressional District over $30 million to provide food, shelter, and other necessities for 121,000 children. This bill makes the largest investment in affordable housing and community development in half a century--over $145 billion--and it feeds the hungry with $10 billion for nutrition.

It makes Americans healthier by decreasing the cost of health insurance and medication, expanding medical services, investing $1 billion in community health centers, and providing tremendous funding to reduce health inequities.

It makes the largest investment in child care in our Nation's history, saving most families more than half of their spending on child care. Further, it makes historic investments to care for seniors and individuals with disabilities so that they can receive care in their homes and communities, recognizing the need to care for our aging population.

It makes the largest expansion of free education since our country established public high schools a century ago. It provides universal and free preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds, promoting racial equity in education. In addition, it expands access to affordable higher education by increasing the Pell grants by $550 for more than 5 million students, creating grants to close the college completion gap, and investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions, including Predominantly Black Institutions like Malcolm X, Olive-Harvey, and Chicago State.

This legislation invests billions in small businesses, including $1.6 billion for minority owned businesses and $105 million for education and financial assistance for the formerly-incarcerated to form businesses to create jobs in their communities. Further, it ensures the largest effort to combat climate change in American history.

I am honored to vote for this once-in-a-generation legislation. I came to Congress to make this type of momentous change. I urge my colleagues to pass it.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Yarmuth for his steadfast commitment to shepherding this landmark legislation to the floor.

I am honored to join with my colleagues, just days after President Biden signed a sorely needed and long-awaited infrastructure package that will rebuild the Nation's deteriorating roads and bridges to consider the ``Build Back Better Act.''

Madam Speaker, the magnitude of what we are doing here is really compelling.

Twenty-eight years ago, I came to Congress to advocate for the interests of my friends and neighbors who, after decades of struggle, deserve a more fair and equitable economy that fuels prosperity and job growth in our communities well into the future.

That is just what H.R. 5376 will do.

I could not be prouder to be a part of this Democratic majority as we come together, with a sense of urgency, to deliver for the people while tackling climate change and other challenges that put our communities at risk.

I am particularly appreciative that the bill invests $1.5 billion in the Department of Homeland Security to provide crucial resources to three challenges confronting the Nation: cybersecurity; domestic terrorism and other threats to houses of worship and non-profits; and reducing the Department of Homeland Security's carbon footprint.

The homeland security title of this bill provides $100 million in new funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps DHS take necessary action to help secure churches, synagogues, mosques, and other nonprofits from domestic terrorism and other threats.

It has been just 3 years since the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history, when 11 lives were lost in a mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The funding the House provides today can help prevent such a tragedy from happening again.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a statement in support of this additional funding from the Jewish Federations of America.

It also invests in the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to help State and local governments develop secure and resilient critical infrastructure networks by, among other things, accelerating State and local governments' transition to the (dot) gov domain and increasing capacity to hire network defenders.

Finally, the homeland security title provides $900 million in strategic investments to help the department reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the ongoing effects of climate change that have a direct impact on our national security.

Once again, I thank Chairman Yarmuth for his leadership along with Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, and my fellow committee chairs for their months of hard work to produce this once-in-a-generation legislation which includes so many important investments in our homeland security.

For these reasons, I urge passage of H.R. 5376 and look forward to swift action on this package by the Senate so that it can be signed by President Biden and begin to improve the lives of my constituents in the Second District of Mississippi and beyond.

[From The Jewish Federations of North America, Oct. 28, 2021]

Jewish Federations Express Gratitude for Additional Security Funding

Jewish Federations Express their gratitude to House

Homeland Security Chair Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Senate

Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Gary

Peters (D-MI) for helping to secure an additional $100

million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in

the Homeland Security portion of the reconciliation package.

``Communities can only flourish when their security needs

are met. The inclusion of an additional $100 million for the

Nonprofit Security Grant Program will save lives, help keep

Jewish and other communities safe, and allow them to

flourish'' said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of the

Jewish Federations of North America.

``Just yesterday, we commemorated three years since the

Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh, the worst violent

anitsemitic attack in the nation's history. Additional

funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will not only

help secure synagogues, but houses of worship and nonprofits

of every stripe across the nation that face threats at a time

of increased violent extremism,'' he added.

The NSGP provides grants to nonprofits to help fund

security measures such as inspection and screening systems,

physical barriers, and development of emergency preparedness

plans.

This year, as hate crimes spiked and houses of worship were

increasingly targeted, the NSGP was able to fund fewer than

half of all applicants.

Fingerhut advocated for increasing NSGP funds at a Senate

HSGAC hearing on violent extremism this Summer.

Homeland Security Appropriations bills in both chambers

propose leaving NSGP funding flat at $180 million, as overall

proposed funding levels remain unchanged.

Federations' advocacy for further government investment in

community safety measures is part of the public-private

partnership envisioned in the historic LiveSecure campaign,

which is raising $54 million in philanthropic dollars to

spread the security umbrella to every Jewish community across

the country and help fortify Jewish communal institutions.

Jewish Federations also thank Senate Majority Leader

Charles Schumer (D-NY) for his leadership on this program,

and the perennial champions Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY),

Rob Portman (R-OH), and Reps. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) and John

Katko (R-NY) for supporting NSGP funding. We look forward to

continuing to work with them to increase annual funding for

the program through the appropriations process.