Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023. This amended version inserts into the Senate bill the text we passed out of the Science Committee unanimously. This bill also includes the text of the ADVANCE Act. I thank Representatives Pascrell and Kean and our Senate colleagues Mr. Peters and Ms. Collins for their leadership and cooperation on this important bill.

In our changing climate, we are experiencing more frequent and severe wildfires, not just in the Western United States, but across the United States. From Maui in Hawaii to Smokehouse Creek, Texas, we have witnessed the ferocity and destruction of wildfires. With more than a third of the population living within the wildland-urban interface, our communities are more at risk from fire than ever before.

In addition to wildfires, there were more than half a million structure fires in 2022, including 360,000 home fires. Tragically, this resulted in 2,790 civilian and 18 firefighter deaths. We will always honor our firefighters' commitment and sacrifice. We trust our firefighters to fulfill their role professionally, including those occasions when it may mean risking their own lives. However, that trust goes both ways, and they must have from Congress the support and resources they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.

S. 860 reauthorizes the U.S. Fire Administration and two very special programs: The Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response, SAFER grants.

The U.S. Fire Administration helps fire and emergency medical services prepare for, prevent, mitigate, and respond to all hazards. The USFA also leads Federal work on public safety, education, fire research, and fire service training. This legislation will authorize the agency and modernize the National Emergency Response Information System, which will mean much-needed improvements to data collection, usage, and analytics for decision-makers at all levels of fire response.

AFG and SAFER have been supporting local firefighters for two decades. AFG helps fire departments obtain crucial safety gear, including breathing apparatus, equips firefighters with new technologies, and also supports research to improve protective gear.

The SAFER program helps recruit and retain firefighters. Seventy percent of U.S. firefighters are volunteers, and rural communities in particular rely primarily on volunteer firefighters. Studies have shown that increasing firefighter crew sizes drastically improves the likelihood of safe outcomes. This program is an effective and meaningful investment into the emergency preparedness of our communities.

Recipients of AFG and SAFER awards are in all 50 States, Washington, D.C., the territories, and some Tribes. We must ensure these funds are getting into the hands of those who need them most, so this bill also calls on the GAO to identify any barriers that may prevent fire departments from accessing these crucial Federal funds. This bill is vital to keeping our communities protected and to support our firefighters and EMS first responders.

As for the ADVANCE Act provisions, this legislation is a continuation of the strong, bipartisan support that Congress has shown toward the development and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors. This bill would enhance the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's ability to safely and efficiently license next-generation nuclear technologies, all while lowering the financial barriers for first-of-a-kind movers.

The ADVANCE Act also includes a bill sponsored by our colleague Congresswoman Trahan that would support our emerging fusion industry-- this is so important--by codifying the NRC's current fusion device guidelines into law. It is important that these guidelines that are not overly restrictive be placed into law. This will provide much-needed clarity and consistency for these emerging companies as they design and build the fusion reactors of the future, which we so desperately need to succeed.

I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell), someone who has worked on these issues for so many years.

Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette), a distinguished member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens), a distinguished member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, who did so much work on this.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the Science Committee, which always operates on a bipartisan basis. Once again, we have worked together on the provisions in this bill.

I will highlight something I mentioned in passing, which is the fusion energy program. For years and years, people have said that fusion energy is always 50 years away. That was before ignition was achieved at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, the National Ignition Facility, not once, not twice, but many times. We now have a private- sector fusion industry that is charging ahead and making tremendous progress.

I have heard, when I have visited with them, their praise for the NRC's guidelines. This is not fission. It doesn't have the challenge of nuclear energy, so it doesn't need the same kind of regulatory scheme. It needs to be sensible, streamlined, solid, and certain.

That is what those standards are. Putting them into law is going to help private industry rush forward. I think all of us hope that they will be as successful as they plan to be within the next 5 years. This act will help that happen.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of the House to vote for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 870) to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration and firefighter assistance grant programs, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 870, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 870, the Fire Grants and Safety Act. I thank my Senate Democratic colleague Chairman Peters for his leadership in advancing this legislation through the Senate.

This bill incorporates language from H.R. 4090, the Fire Grants and Safety Act, a bill that I championed through the House Science Committee. It also includes the ADVANCE Act, legislation from the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Environment and Public Works Committee.

I thank all of my colleagues for their work in making this a strong and comprehensive bill. Through bipartisan and bicameral collaboration, we have paved the way for advancing this bill in the House, and I anticipate its smooth passage in the Senate.

I was proud to lead the Fire Grants and Safety Act with my colleagues and original cosponsors, the Congressional Fire Services Caucus co- chairs, Representatives Pascrell, Bost, Fitzpatrick, and Hoyer, Chairman Lucas, Ranking Member Lofgren, Subcommittee Chairman Collins, Subcommittee Ranking Member Stevens, and Representative Golden.

I also thank the many external stakeholders, including the local firefighters from the Seventh Congressional District in New Jersey, for their critically important feedback as we developed this legislation.

Firefighters and EMTs are frequently first responders to danger. They are essential for keeping our communities safe. All across the country, firefighters and EMS personnel work through danger and uncertainty every day to protect their neighbors.

As a former volunteer firefighter, I know the hardship and sacrifices that firefighters make daily to quickly respond to emergencies, so I am proud to lead the Fire Grants and Safety Act to ensure that our firefighters have the proper training and equipment to continue to protect our communities.

The Fire Grants and Safety Act increases funding for the U.S. Fire Administration and reauthorizes two critical programs: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant program (SAFER).

AFG directly supports local firefighters by providing training, equipment, and even vehicles. The SAFER program provides training for local fire departments so that they are better able to respond to emergencies. Together, these programs ensure that we have capable, well-equipped fire departments to protect our communities.

We must pass this legislation before the programs sunset at the end of this year.

By advancing this multiyear reauthorization, we ensure the continuity and the stability of these programs, enabling the Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER to continue equipping, training, and staffing our departments effectively.

This bipartisan and bicameral piece of legislation demonstrates our firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our firefighters, empowering them to overcome challenges and fulfill their mission of safeguarding our communities.

I support the inclusion in this bill of the ADVANCE Act to ensure that America maintains its leadership in nuclear energy. To quote the Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy: ``Nuclear Power is the Most Reliable Energy Source, and It's Not Even Close.'' By harnessing its unparalleled reliability, low carbon emissions, and

capacity for large-scale power generation, nuclear energy fosters energy security, technological innovation, and a cleaner environment for future generations.

By empowering the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to lead in international forums for the development of regulations for advanced nuclear reactors, this bill strengthens America's position as a global leader in nuclear technology.

By requiring the NRC to develop a streamlined licensing process and allowing the hiring of specialized staff, the bill facilitates innovation and the adoption of advanced nuclear technologies.

This reform not only accelerates the pace of technological advancement but also fosters a more adaptive regulatory environment, encouraging investment and fostering economic growth in the nuclear sector.

Once again, I thank House and Senate leadership, my Science Committee colleagues, Congressional Fire Services Caucus co-chairs, and numerous external stakeholders for their critical feedback as we worked to draft this reauthorization. I encourage all my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Duncan) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Allen) to speak on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank my House and Senate colleagues and Chairman Peters for co-leading this important reauthorization.

As I previously mentioned, this legislation is a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of our first responders, empowering them to overcome challenges and fulfill their mission of safeguarding our communities. That will help make all Americans safer.

The ADVANCE Act, as we have heard in this Chamber, is also critically important to pass today.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan and bicameral legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation to reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grants, the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants, and the United States Fire Administration.

It is hard to imagine now, but 25 years ago, Federal support for our fire services was nearly nonexistent, very little equity, but then funding for firefighting was primarily the responsibility of the State and local governments.

During budget shortfalls, fire departments were often the very first to get cut. When a department needed equipment or personnel, they resorted to bake sales and pancake breakfasts, although there is nothing wrong with those. That is a heck of a way to bring responsibility of protecting the citizens.

Working with local fire departments, national advocates, retirees, partners in Congress, and the White House, we passed the FIRE Act into law after getting volunteers and career firefighters here to Washington, D.C., to follow every Congressman and get on their case. That is what we did.

While we will take credit for this legislation, it is really the firefighters that did this. They came to Washington. It seems like a lifetime away.

Career firefighters, fire chiefs, volunteers, everyone came together to make sure our fire groups were no longer the forgotten piece of the public safety equation.

Our law delivered Federal dollars to local departments for the very first time. In 2003, we created the SAFER program so departments could meet their staffing needs.

The success of these programs speaks for itself. Since its inception, AFG has delivered more than $9 billion to equip and train firefighters.

When we were looking at this legislation out in the West, there were some departments that had to push the equipment to the fire. That is the case, and that existed over 25 years ago.

I am proud to say that SAFER has awarded more than $5 billion. This has been called one of the most efficient programs.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that SAFER awarded more than $5 billion to departments to hire, recruit, and retain firefighters.

These grants are amongst the most effective in the entire Federal budget. Fire departments rely on the Fire Administration for fire data collection, public safety education, and service training. Without reauthorization, these programs would all go kaput September 30.

Thank you to my fire service co-chairs, Representatives Hoyer, Bost, and Fitzpatrick, as well as the House cosponsor, Congressman Kean from New Jersey, for joining us in our bipartisan quest.

This is truly, Mr. Speaker, a bipartisan piece of legislation that worked.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for the time, and I rise in support of S. 870, which includes a bipartisan and bicameral nuclear energy package.

I first thank my colleague, friend, and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security for leading this effort in the House along with me, Congresswoman Diana DeGette.

I thank the chair and ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Chairman Carper and Ranking Member Capito, for leading this effort in the Senate.

Finally, I thank the chairwoman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for making nuclear energy a policy priority in this Congress.

Now, this package of nuclear bills is comprised of the work of many Members of both the House and the Senate on both sides of the aisle, and I thank them for their work in advancing the peaceful use of nuclear energy here in the United States.

The ADVANCE Act, which is a Senate bill, and the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, which is a House bill, will expand nuclear energy by modernizing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and programs at the Department of Energy.

The bill updates our regulatory framework to restore America's nuclear dominance and encourage innovation while also maintaining the NRC's global gold standard of safety. Now, more than ever, it is essential that America leads in the nuclear energy space.

As we approach a nuclear renaissance here in the United States, a future which will see small module reactors, microreactors, advance fuel reactors, and reprocessing of commercial spent fuels, it is exciting times.

When Congress first passed the Atomic Energy Act over 70 years ago, we ushered in the age for the peaceful use of the atom and cemented American nuclear leadership globally.

Our adversaries, like Russia and China, are working to undercut our strength and seeking to dominate the nuclear markets and supply chains.

A robust and growing nuclear industry is critical for reducing carbon emissions and providing reliable, affordable, and clean energy to the American people.

This nuclear package will help bring America's nuclear promise back and secure, once again, the United States' position as a global nuclear leader.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, thanks to all of the Members here today who have worked on this legislation.

I rise in strong support of S. 870, legislation that includes the ADVANCE Act, which I co-lead with Energy Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Duncan, to modernize our nuclear energy policy and to maintain important safety provisions and environmental protections.

Transitioning to clean energy needs to be an all-of-the-above approach that leverages every aspect of our energy production in the United States, including nuclear.

Nuclear energy provides nearly 20 percent of the electricity in the United States. It is also our largest source of carbon-free energy, making up more than half our emissions-free electricity.

We know that nuclear energy is not a silver bullet, but if we are going to get to zero percent carbon emissions by 2050, it must be part of the equation.

This bill helps ensure that our approach to nuclear energy is modernized, focusing on safety and environmental protections.

I am glad that my provisions to improve safety measures at nuclear energy facilities, recruit a highly trained and skilled workforce, and keep our nuclear regulations up to date were included in the bill.

These steps will help enhance our nuclear energy supply chain while protecting against failures that could negatively impact communities in the workforce.

One of the provisions included in this legislation will strengthen the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's ability to attract and retain highly qualified and competent employees, ensuring the commission is up to the challenge of licensing the advanced reactors that we anticipate will come in increasing numbers over the next decade.

In 2022, the NRC reported it was 23 percent smaller than it was 6 years earlier, and a third of the commission is currently eligible for retirement.

We need to incentivize a strong nuclear energy workforce so we can ensure nuclear energy is safe and effective. This will be an important part of taking on the climate crisis.

This bill is overwhelmingly bipartisan, it is supported by a variety of advocacy groups, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.