Floor Statements

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the severity of inequities in the U.S. healthcare system. Latinos and African Americans experienced the highest death and infection rates during the pandemic.

But inequitable access to quality, affordable healthcare is not unique to the past 18 months. Centuries of structural and systemic racism continue to result in poorer health outcomes in communities of color. Historically, these communities are underserved by health professionals, which both causes and further exacerbates health disparities.

That is why I am proud to introduce The Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2022, which uses a market-based approach to incentivize increased health provider participation in structurally disadvantaged areas.

This bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to designate health enterprise zones based on measurable and documented health disparities in areas with poor health outcomes.

These zones would be eligible Federal grants for projects to reduce health disparities and provide healthcare providers employee tax credits, a 10 percent Medicare reimbursement bonus, and student loan repayment.

I want to thank Representative Anthony Brown for introducing the House companion, and I look forward to working on this bill into the next Congress. I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key step to achieving health equity.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, and that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and morning business be closed; that upon the conclusion of morning business, the Senate proceed to executive session for the consideration of Executive Calendar No. 972, R. Russell Rumbaugh, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Navy; further, that the Senate recess from 12:30 p.m. until 2:15 p.m. to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

For the information of the Senate, rollcall votes are possible during Tuesday's session.

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of the Senator from Georgia.

I yield the floor.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the bill that I introduced today to help ensure the financial stability of smaller credit unions.

Congress created the Central Liquidity Facility in 1978 to improve the general financial stability of credit unions by serving as a liquidity lender to credit unions experiencing unusual or unexpected liquidity shortfalls.

Unfortunately, under current law, smaller credit unions often do not have access to the critical tool that could help them address liquidity shortfalls, especially amid higher interest rates.

That is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Cramer to allow corporate credit unions to buy Central Liquidity Facility capital stock for a chosen subset of its members rather than all of its members for the next 5 years. This would provide greater flexibility for smaller unions to use the Central Liquidity Facility's services.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to meet the needs of our Nation's 5,000 credit unions and the communities they serve.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the bill that I introduced today to help ensure the financial stability of smaller credit unions.

Congress created the Central Liquidity Facility in 1978 to improve the general financial stability of credit unions by serving as a liquidity lender to credit unions experiencing unusual or unexpected liquidity shortfalls.

Unfortunately, under current law, smaller credit unions often do not have access to the critical tool that could help them address liquidity shortfalls, especially amid higher interest rates.

That is why I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Cramer to allow corporate credit unions to buy Central Liquidity Facility capital stock for a chosen subset of its members rather than all of its members for the next 5 years. This would provide greater flexibility for smaller unions to use the Central Liquidity Facility's services.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill to meet the needs of our Nation's 5,000 credit unions and the communities they serve.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill would allow foreign crewmembers of lightering ships to obtain a visa for a time period consistent with the duties of their work in the United States.

This bill would amend the C and D visa categories in the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow foreign crewmembers who are involved in ship-to-ship liquid transfer to be granted nonimmigrant visas for up to 180 days. This affects those crewmembers who are involved in moving oil from one ship to another and then transporting it into the interior of the United States.

The bill also clarifies that these crewmembers are engaged in foreign trade and are not considered to be performing labor within the United States.

Many vessels carrying crude oil or liquid natural gas are too large to enter U.S. ports, so lightering crews transfer these imports onto smaller vessels capable of entering U.S. ports. Crews may also transfer oil and liquified natural gas from smaller vessels to larger ships to consolidate exports bound for foreign ports. Approximately 74 percent of all U.S. exports and 44 percent of all U.S. imports of crude oil or natural gas are conducted by lightering.

Currently, crewmember visas are granted for 29 days, which is an insufficient time for lightering crews to get their work done. Customs and Border Protection must parole crewmembers into the United States on a case-by-case basis, which is administratively burdensome on the Agency. In fact, it is estimated that this bill could save CBP $250,000 and 6,000 man-hours per year.

I want to thank Senator Cornyn for joining me in this effort, and I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this technical fix as quickly as possible.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Energy Security and Lightering Independence Act of 2022. This bipartisan bill would allow foreign crewmembers of lightering ships to obtain a visa for a time period consistent with the duties of their work in the United States.

This bill would amend the C and D visa categories in the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow foreign crewmembers who are involved in ship-to-ship liquid transfer to be granted nonimmigrant visas for up to 180 days. This affects those crewmembers who are involved in moving oil from one ship to another and then transporting it into the interior of the United States.

The bill also clarifies that these crewmembers are engaged in foreign trade and are not considered to be performing labor within the United States.

Many vessels carrying crude oil or liquid natural gas are too large to enter U.S. ports, so lightering crews transfer these imports onto smaller vessels capable of entering U.S. ports. Crews may also transfer oil and liquified natural gas from smaller vessels to larger ships to consolidate exports bound for foreign ports. Approximately 74 percent of all U.S. exports and 44 percent of all U.S. imports of crude oil or natural gas are conducted by lightering.

Currently, crewmember visas are granted for 29 days, which is an insufficient time for lightering crews to get their work done. Customs and Border Protection must parole crewmembers into the United States on a case-by-case basis, which is administratively burdensome on the Agency. In fact, it is estimated that this bill could save CBP $250,000 and 6,000 man-hours per year.

I want to thank Senator Cornyn for joining me in this effort, and I urge my colleagues to join us in passing this technical fix as quickly as possible.

Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading.

In order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of rule XIV, I would object to further proceeding.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise to recognize Didar Singh Bains, a community leader in California, who passed away on September 13, 2022, at the age of 84.

Didar embodied the pioneer spirit of the Golden State. He left a small village in his native Punjab, India, for America with almost no money to his name. Didar found agricultural work in the Imperial Valley before eventually working his way to Yuba City in the northern part of the State.

Through hard work he tapped into California's fertile soils and rich agricultural bounty to build a farming empire that spanned California, Washington, and British Columbia. His particular gift for cultivating peaches earned him the moniker of ``Peach King.''

But Didar was much more than a farmer; he was a philanthropist, a pillar of his community, and a beacon of hope for Sikh immigrants across the country who were often fleeing violence in search of a better life.

A man of great faith, Didar raised money to build a Sikh temple in Yuba City, and he became the youngest president of the Stockton Gurdwara Sikh temple in 1965. He also founded the World Sikh Organization in 1984, which has donated millions of dollars to philanthropic causes around the world. After Sikhs became targets of discrimination and violence following the September 11 terror attacks, he worked with community leaders to meet with President George W. Bush in hopes of educating the Nation on the Sikh community.

The nearly 100,000 Sikh Americans who travel from across the country each year to Yuba City's annual Nagar Kirtan festival have Didar Singh Bains to thank. Didar was a champion for Yuba City and the surrounding region. His legacy is felt to this day by the businesses that now line the largely rural area. It can be seen in the political gains for Sikh Americans, exemplified by his nephew winning mayoral office in 2009 and becoming the first Sikh

American elected to lead a city in United States history. And it can be told by the countless number of immigrants whom he helped achieve the American dream.

My deepest condolences to his family, community, and Sikh Americans everywhere.

Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the life of Carmen Ramirez, a relentless advocate for Oxnard, CA; a champion for the environment; and a dear friend to so many.

Born in Oklahoma--but a true daughter of California--Carmen grew up in the community of Pico Rivera in Los Angeles County. She attended the University of San Francisco and California State University, Los Angeles, before graduating from Loyola Law School.

Her passion for improving the lives of others eventually brought her to Oxnard. Beginning in 1978, Carmen served as a legal aid attorney working to represent low-income Californians of La Colonia. Among her many legal and professional accomplishments, she later served as president of the Ventura County Bar, president of the Women Lawyers of Ventura County, a trustee for The Colleges of Law for Santa Barbara and Ventura, a member of the board of governors for the California State Bar, and a member of the executive committee of the California Bench Bar.

But what drew Carmen into public service was her passion for the environment. In 2007, she joined the fight to oppose a liquefied natural gas project proposed near the beaches of Oxnard, and she fought successfully to protect her community. She would go on to become a staunch advocate in our fight against the climate crisis and to promote renewable energy, always leading with kindness, compassion, and composure.

She was elected to the Oxnard City Council for 10 years, where she served for 8 years as Mayor pro tem, promoting the causes of social and environmental justice. She went on to serve as the first Latina on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in 2020.

Carmen cared deeply about her community. And in turn, her community cared deeply about her. Just ask one of the hundreds of Californians who crowded Plaza Park to pay tribute at her vigil. Remembered that day in tearful embraces, cutting through the sounds of the mariachi, and echoed in shouts of ``Viva Carmen Ramirez!'' we can see the lasting memory she leaves behind.

While she was taken too soon from family, friends, and her community, we will always have the example she set--defined by moral leadership and a fundamental care for others--to follow.

``Viva Carmen Ramirez.''

Oxnard, Ventura County, and all of California mourns her loss.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., on a lifetime of service to his community and a career of caring for others.

Bishop Blake has served as pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ for 53 years--53 years as a pillar of Crenshaw and South Los Angeles.

While it may be hard to believe, there was a time before the name Blake was synonymous with Crenshaw. Charles E. Blake, Sr., was born in Little Rock, AR, into a family of faith. His father was a preacher and well-respected leader in the Pentecostal faith. Both Charles and his brother, J.A., would go on to preach in the Church of God in Christ.

After his family moved to California and notably after his first sermon at the age of 16, he attended California Western University and subsequently earned his master's degree at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. It was there--as student body president, surrounded by Black students and faculty, and as a leader of student civil rights marches in Selma and Montgomery--where he began to see the strength of Black community power.

In 1969, he became senior pastor of West Angeles Church, where his powerful sermons from a pulpit in South Los Angeles grew his congregation rapidly and brought together the community. By 1999, what had once been a 300-person church on 5th Avenue and Adams Boulevard had grown to require the construction of the ornate, 5,000-seat West Angeles Cathedral.

Bishop Blake's unwavering faith and exalted message of devotion earned his election as presiding bishop of the Church of God in Christ four times, representing millions of worshippers around the globe. It also led to his appointment by President Obama to the Inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

But to countless families in South Los Angeles, whether attending a Sunday service or watching the Crenshaw corridor grow around them, his commitment to his community is what is most memorable. Over his decades of leadership, he brought to Crenshaw affordable housing, a performing arts theater, and a K-12 school; encouraged economic growth and businesses that provided jobs to Angelenos; created programs to lift up Black men with educational and financial literacy resources; and secured invaluable attention and resources for neighborhoods in South Los Angeles.

He invested in the Crenshaw corridor when it needed it most, and we thank him for his faith and service.

All of California wishes him and his wife, Lady Mae L. Blake, well in retirement, and we wish his son, Charles E. Blake II, luck in his new role as senior pastor.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Father Greg Boyle on 50 years of service as a Jesuit priest and as a compassionate leader for families in East Los Angeles.

For over three decades, Father Boyle has served as founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and re- entry program in the world. Based in Los Angeles, Homeboy provides an off-ramp for thousands of former gang members and at-risk youth.

Born in Los Angeles in 1954, Father Boyle first joined the Society of Jesus in 1972. After being ordained as a priest in 1984, he went on to serve Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, where he saw the severity of poverty and violence in Los Angeles that condemned generations of Angelenos to hardship, incarceration, and--all too often--the loss of loved ones.

But he didn't shy from the dangers before him or ignore a community in need of care. Guided by the tenets of his faith--of nonviolence, of love, of care for others--he brought together his parish and community leaders to found what would later become Homeboy Industries. At its start, the organization focused on providing educational resources and employment services.

It would soon grow into a haven for hope for thousands of people in East Los Angeles, throughout the region, and beyond. Through Homeboy Bakery, Homeboy Diner, Homeboy Merchandise, and more, hundreds of people find job training and a reason to get up and get better each and every day. And once inside their doors, surrounded by people who have been through similar challenges, Angelenos are provided support for substance abuse, mental health services, and legal and educational resources.

Each month, Homeboy Industries also provides free tattoo removal services for nearly a thousand Californians to remove gang-related tattoos, removing a common barrier to finding work, and providing safety from visible signs of gang affiliation.

Father Boyle has lived his faith through action. Over five decades of service, he has believed in the goodness inherent in each of us. He has had the compassion to give second chances when others wouldn't. And for those who needed a little light, true to his Jesuit mission, he has the persistence to ``go forth and set the work aflame.''

In the ``lethal absence of hope,'' as he describes it, Father Boyle has brought love, understanding, and a bright future to thousands of Angelenos, and we are grateful for his service.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act to improve efforts at the Department of Justice to hold polluters accountable and to build capacity at State, local, and Tribal governments to do the same.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act builds on the recent announcement by the Department of Justice to launch a new Office of Environmental Justice. My bill would make this new office permanent and authorize $50 million in grant funding to assist State, local, and Tribal governments with their own environmental enforcement efforts. It would also create a new Section for Environmental Justice within the Environment and Natural Resources Division to bring cases for violations of environmental laws in low-income communities and communities of color burdened by pollution.

Environmental hazards like air, water, and land pollution disproportionately affect communities that have been historically marginalized, such as Tribal communities, low-income populations, and communities of color. Many of these communities have been further neglected by decades of underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and healthcare. The codification of a permanent Office of Environmental Justice will ensure that DOJ coordinates with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to advance environmental justice and will give communities a seat at the table where decisions impacting their communities are being made. Further, a permanent Environmental Justice Section will help ensure that environmental justice is at the forefront of DOJ's enforcement work while improving enforcement of title VI of the Civil Rights Act to investigate civil rights complaints related to environmental justice.

Finally, the new grant program this legislation would establish would improve the capacity of State, local, and Tribal agencies to launch their own environmental enforcement efforts--which is necessary for a whole-of-government approach to reversing environmental injustice.

Enforcement of our Nation's bedrock environmental laws cannot be something that ebbs and flows between administrations but must be a constant commitment from the Federal Government to protecting the communities most over-exposed to pollution. Enacting this legislation will guarantee a long-term commitment by the Federal Government to advancing environmental justice and to building healthier, cleaner communities.

I am grateful to Representative Barragan for leading this effort in the House of Representatives, and I am thankful that the Department of Justice is willing to prioritize defending environmental justice. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this bill as quickly as possible.

Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act to improve efforts at the Department of Justice to hold polluters accountable and to build capacity at State, local, and Tribal governments to do the same.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act builds on the recent announcement by the Department of Justice to launch a new Office of Environmental Justice. My bill would make this new office permanent and authorize $50 million in grant funding to assist State, local, and Tribal governments with their own environmental enforcement efforts. It would also create a new Section for Environmental Justice within the Environment and Natural Resources Division to bring cases for violations of environmental laws in low-income communities and communities of color burdened by pollution.

Environmental hazards like air, water, and land pollution disproportionately affect communities that have been historically marginalized, such as Tribal communities, low-income populations, and communities of color. Many of these communities have been further neglected by decades of underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and healthcare. The codification of a permanent Office of Environmental Justice will ensure that DOJ coordinates with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies to advance environmental justice and will give communities a seat at the table where decisions impacting their communities are being made. Further, a permanent Environmental Justice Section will help ensure that environmental justice is at the forefront of DOJ's enforcement work while improving enforcement of title VI of the Civil Rights Act to investigate civil rights complaints related to environmental justice.

Finally, the new grant program this legislation would establish would improve the capacity of State, local, and Tribal agencies to launch their own environmental enforcement efforts--which is necessary for a whole-of-government approach to reversing environmental injustice.

Enforcement of our Nation's bedrock environmental laws cannot be something that ebbs and flows between administrations but must be a constant commitment from the Federal Government to protecting the communities most over-exposed to pollution. Enacting this legislation will guarantee a long-term commitment by the Federal Government to advancing environmental justice and to building healthier, cleaner communities.

I am grateful to Representative Barragan for leading this effort in the House of Representatives, and I am thankful that the Department of Justice is willing to prioritize defending environmental justice. I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this bill as quickly as possible.