Floor Statements

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit new oil or natural gas leases in federal waters off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington.

I am pleased to be joined today by Senators Padilla, Wyden, Merkley, Murray, Cantwell, Menendez, Booker, Markey, and Sanders in introducing this bill, which is critically important to protecting the west coast from additional oil spills.

Californians know all too well the devastating effects of oil spills. In 1969, a well blowout on an offshore rig spilled an estimated 3 million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Santa Barbara. At the time, it was the worst oil spill in U.S. history and was catastrophic to the local environment and marine life, closing beaches, harming the economy, and killing thousands of birds, fish, and marine mammals.

After the Santa Barbara disaster, California had enough. The State blocked all new offshore drilling in state waters and in 1994 enacted a permanent offshore drilling ban. Through local ordinances, congressional opposition, and Presidential moratoria, no new drilling in Federal waters off California has been allowed since 1984.

Unfortunately, Californians are still confronting the impacts from ongoing offshore drilling operations. In October 2021, a ruptured pipeline spilled more than 25,000 gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean and onto the beaches of Orange County. Despite numerous alarms, operators allowed oil to flow from the leak for over 14 hours. It was absolutely devastating.

The spill covered more than 8,000 acres of the ocean's surface and required more than a week of cleanup. In that time, local businesses suffered, fisheries shuttered, and crews worked to remove harmful oil and tar balls from sensitive wildlife habitat.

Despite the harm caused to individuals and businesses in the community, the operator has been given permission to repair the pipeline and begin drilling again, exposing the California coastline to the risk of yet another accident.

California's coastal and ocean economies are engines of growth that support millions of jobs and generate significant economic activity for the State and Nation. Because of the unique nature of the west coast ocean shelf, any new potential drilling would occur near the coastline and directly threaten the environment and robust economy.

Beyond that, we are currently in the midst of a historic offshore energy transition. This past December, a successful auction was held for five offshore wind energy areas off the California coast, paving the way for a new floating wind industry. At the same time, the Federal Government has begun a programmatic review of decommissioning oil and gas platforms in the Pacific to prepare for their eventual removal. The era of offshore oil and gas production in the Pacific is coming to a close, and it is long overdue.

It is time to respect the view of California and our fellow west coast States by passing the West Coast Ocean Protection Act permanently ban offshore drilling and protect the Pacific coast for generations to come.

Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act, which would establish a new Federal grant program to increase capacity for comprehensive supportive services paired with housing as a way to address our country's homelessness crisis.

As we have seen with the growing diversity of our homeless populations--individuals with mental health conditions or those struggling with addiction, people who simply could not keep up with increases in rent, families with children, and veterans--our Nation's homelessness crisis is not going away on its own without coordinated efforts at every level of government.

According to the data released in December from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are approximately 582,500 homeless individuals, including families with small children, in the United States. Nearly 30 percent of this population is in California, with approximately 172,000 homeless people sleeping on the streets on any given night.

In a nation as prosperous and wealthy as ours, we can and we must do better to address the issue of homelessness.

That is why I am introducing the Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act, which would authorize a new Federal funding stream of $1 billion per year, subject to annual appropriations. Grantees must serve individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by providing housing paired with a comprehensive set of services and must

provide a 25-percent match for any Federal funds received.

Because each individual and every community is unique, the grant program would be flexible in order to work in any region or for any homeless population.

This bill is based on a model that has proven to be effective and supports the great work already being done across the country, allowing local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations to expand their capacity and ensure a greater reach by putting Federal dollars where they will be most effective.

I am proud that this legislation is supported by a wide coalition of local governments, housing, health, and child welfare organizations, including the mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, National League of Cities, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Counties, National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the National Housing Conference.

Supportive services such as mental and physical health care, substance abuse treatment, education and job training, and life skills such as financial literacy are critical components. Paired with intensive case management, supportive housing models make a difference.

We have seen the success of such partnerships in San Francisco, where the GLIDE Foundation provides critical services that meet an individual's basic needs, including meals, crisis intervention and prevention, childcare and educational programming, legal advice, and housing.

This would not be possible without the organization's partnerships with the city of San Francisco, particularly the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and other critical stakeholders. I highly encourage my colleagues to examine this exemplary homeless services model to see firsthand how effective partnerships can help to combat homelessness.

It is imperative that we support these types of partnerships, as well as nonprofit service providers, as they work to get people into housing to both mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and address their long- term needs.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting the bill and moving it through the Senate, especially as we continue to contend with the increase in homelessness.

Madam President, I rise today to recognize and give thanks to one of the hardest working and most integral members of my team, Ms. Chesna Foord. Chesna has been my director of scheduling for 6 years and has spent nearly a decade in my offices in Washington, DC, and in San Francisco.

Every Member of this Senate knows the importance of their scheduler, and Chesna has been a 10. She is the first person I call in the morning and often the last person I check with at night. She gets me where I need to be and ensures that I am prepared when I get there, but she also has developed a sixth sense for what needs to be done and pitfalls to avoid. And I am forever grateful that she does it all with unflappable patience and good cheer. I am pleased to have her not just on my staff, but as a friend.

As a Senator, I have the pleasure of seeing young people come into public service and, in some cases, flourish in the environment. Chesna is one of those people.

She joined my San Francisco office as an intern shortly after graduating from the University of Puget Sound. After distinguishing herself there, Chesna moved across country to intern in my Washington, DC, office and was promoted to staff assistant and then to deputy scheduler.

But it has been over the past 6 years as director of scheduling that I have gotten to know Chesna and watched her grow in skill, in communication, in leadership, and into the woman I now get to see day in and day out.

She has been here with me through good times and bad and has helped me get through impeachments and Supreme Court confirmations, vote-a- ramas and insurrection. And I will be always be thankful for her help with arrangements and support when my husband passed away earlier this year.

I am sad to see Chesna leave, but I understand that the lure of the West Coast and personal ties are calling Chesna back home to California. Thankfully, Chesna will remain on the team, as a field representative in my Los Angeles office.

And so, on behalf of this grateful Senator, I thank Chesna Foord for her friendship and her forbearance, and thank her for her years of excellent and caring service.

Madam President, I rise today to honor Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services-- CalOES--as he retires following years of committed and extraordinarily capable public service.

Director Ghilarducci's laudable career spans 30 years of service in public safety and government management at the local, State, and Federal levels, as well as more than 12 years in the private sector, working in security and crisis management globally. I, myself, have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Ghilarducci and have witnessed firsthand his dedication to the safety of all Californians.

Early in his career, Director Ghilarducci served as the deputy State fire chief at CalOES. In this role, he oversaw special operations such as the State Urban Search and Rescue Response System. Director Ghilarducci helped develop this search and rescue system in the wake of the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, and this system has since served as the model for the Nation. In fact, Ghilarducci relied on this system as he led the Federal search and rescue operations in the wake of the 1995 terrorist bombings in Oklahoma City, demonstrating the system's effectiveness, as well as his own courage in the face of disaster. Twenty years later, he served as an adviser to the State of Louisiana and Governor Kathleen Blanco in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and provided on the ground assistance.

In 2000, he was appointed deputy director of CalOES, where he oversaw statewide emergency operations, planning, and training. Drawing from his experience in State and national emergency response, Director Ghilarducci utilized his position to advocate for preventative disaster management and clearer communication between local, State, and Federal agencies with disaster-relief organizations. During his

tenure, CalOES expanded its mission to encompass more than natural disasters, adding programs that focused on terrorism prevention and cybersecurity attacks and developed faster and broader disaster response to public health emergencies like COVID-19.

In February 2012, Governor Jerry Brown appointed Ghilarducci to secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, a great fit for someone so well-qualified. The following year, the Governor appointed him to director of CalOES and he has held this position ever since. While in this role, Ghilarducci briefed President Obama in 2014 on California's historic drought, as well as President Trump and President Biden during their respective visits to California after natural disaster events, including the Camp and Caldor fires. Under his direction, CalOES improved and modernized the State's emergency management. Earlier this year, CalOES announced a first in the Nation grant program focused on building community resilience to prevent long- term disaster impacts.

As one of California's Senators, I extend my deepest gratitude to Director Ghilarducci for his tireless commitment to the safety of Californians and Americans nationwide. Please join me in wishing him a safe, prosperous, and well-earned retirement.

Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the Respect for Marriage Act.

I was proud to introduce this bill earlier this summer with Senators Baldwin, Collins, and Portman. I am greatly encouraged by yesterday's bipartisan vote of 62 to 37 to advance the bill and continue moving this important legislation forward.

The Respect for Marriage Act would guarantee legal protections for millions of marriages in the United States by repealing the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act and ensuring that marriages entered into legally are given full faith and credit by every State and the Federal Government.

Simply put, Americans should be free to marry the person they love, regardless of sexual orientation or race, without fear of discrimination or fear that their marriages will be invalidated. This is a straightforward bill. It merely codifies the existing requirement that the Federal Government and every State recognize legal marriages.

In 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to marry for same-sex couples. And 55 years ago, in Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court ruled that ``the freedom to marry . . . a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State.''

These decisions also reflect the will of the American people. Over the past few decades, public support for same-sex marriage and interracial marriage has grown exponentially. In fact, recent polls have found that 71 percent of Americans support same-sex marriage and 94 percent approve of interracial marriages. This bill has been endorsed by hundreds of organizations, including nonprofits, corporations, and religious organizations that span the ideological spectrum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a list of endorsing organizations be printed in the Record.

I would like to applaud the House for passing the Respect for Marriage Act with significant bipartisan support earlier this summer. It is now the time for the Senate to do the same.

I would like to take a moment to speak to my Republican colleagues who have said marriage equality is ``a nonissue'' right now. Some of my Senate colleagues have said things like: It's the law of the land, so passing legislation is not a good use of Congress's time.

As we saw this summer with the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, hard-fought rights are still always vulnerable to repeal. We must also remember that in a concurring opinion to the Roe v. Wade repeal, one Supreme Court Justice explicitly called for the Court to reconsider and overturn Obergefell. We must act now so that no matter what happens in the courts, married same-sex and interracial couples are protected.

Overturning Obergefell and Loving would return the country to a patchwork of State laws where couples could be subject to State- sanctioned discrimination. Many States still have bans on same-sex marriages on the books that would immediately take effect if marriage equality were overturned.

I would also like to touch on how far-reaching the legal ramifications of overturning Obergefell and Loving would be. Without the Respect for Marriage Act, if a married same-sex or interracial couple lived in a State that decided to ban their union, their marriage could be invalidated. Even if a couple lived in a State that permitted same-sex or interracial marriage, that marriage could be deemed invalid if they were able to travel to a State that did not have marriage equality.

Invalidated marriages would also give rise to a host of legal concerns for couples who relied on the ability to marry when making major life and family planning decisions. For example, spouses may no longer be able to make important healthcare decisions or even visit their partners in the hospital. Nonbirthing parents may no longer have parental rights over their children. There would be some serious confusion about Federal and State tax violations and tax laws could be arbitrarily and discriminatorily applied.

The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure that all legally married couples are afforded the same protections, regardless of where they live, providing security and peace of mind to millions of families.

I spent decades advocating for equality. As a supervisor and mayor of San Francisco during the height of the gay rights movement, I witnessed the terrible pain and trauma that resulted from hateful discrimination. I watched firsthand as the LGBT community fought for legal recommendation of their lives, their relationships, and their personal dignity. We cannot return to a system that allows bigotry and hate. Bigotry and discrimination have no place in this society. No one should have to live not knowing whether their marriage will suddenly become invalid.

This bill will give families the peace of mind and security that comes with knowing that their valid marriages will remain legally protected under Federal law.

I want to thank Senators Baldwin, Collins, Portman, Sinema, and Tillis for their leadership on this important

issue. I encourage the rest of my colleagues to please join us in supporting the passage of the bill.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Tibetan Policy Act, which I was pleased to introduce in the Senate in May 2001, along with 20 bipartisan cosponsors. This critical legislation solidified Congress' commitment to the Tibetan people, and it makes me so proud to know that it continues to shape U.S. policy toward Tibet today.

From its enactment, this law set the foundation for U.S. policy toward Tibet, with the primary goal of preserving the Tibetan way of life. The Tibetan Policy Act makes it official U.S. policy to preserve the Tibetan language, religious freedom, and cultural expression and to press for improved respect for human rights.

The act also addresses the importance of economic development, education, and healthcare for the preservation and prosperity of the Tibetan people. This includes addressing the humanitarian needs of Tibetan refugees and diaspora communities and promoting activities to protect the environment and sustainably manage the water and other natural resources of the Tibetan plateau, which has become even more important now as we deal with extreme heat, flooding, and drought as a result of climate change.

To achieve these objectives, we established in statute the position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department, whose primary role is to coordinate U.S. Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet. These include U.S. Government assistance for nongovernmental organizations to work in Tibetan communities in China and programs to support human rights and democracy in Tibet, among others.

The Special Coordinator's central objective, however, is to promote dialogue between the Chinese Government and Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and his representatives. This is very important to me as I have always believed in the importance of dialogue to improve mutual understanding and respect, especially with those with whom you have the deepest disagreements. It was important to me as mayor of San Francisco, when we developed the first ``sister city'' relationship with Shanghai in 1980, and it remains important to me today as a U.S. Senator.

However, to my disappointment, dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama's representatives have stalled since 2010. I have encouraged this and prior administrations at every opportunity to open and exercise channels of communication with China, and I likewise call upon the Chinese Government to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama, who is unquestionably the cultural and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.

The Tibetan people remain close to my heart, as they are for so many in California and as they were for my late husband, Richard Blum, who introduced me to Tibet and felt so passionately about advancing the human rights of Tibetans and preserving their unique heritage.

I am proud of what we accomplished with this legislation, but there is more work to be done. It is imperative for those of us in Congress to continue vigorously supporting the aspirations of

the Tibetan people, to safeguard their identity and culture, and to advocate for the importance of dialogue to improve their relations with the Chinese Government. I urge my colleagues to join me in doing so.

Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Michael Schiffer on being confirmed to serve as Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Michael has prepared himself well for this important position, becoming one of the most respected foreign policy hands in Washington, having also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia.

I had the pleasure of working with Michael for nearly a decade when he served as my senior national security adviser and then my legislative director. In our time working together, I saw Michael's skill, expertise, and dedication every day.

He has excelled in every role he has had throughout his career in public service advancing America's interests and improving our standing abroad. He is committed to advancing U.S. national security and advocating for freedom, democracy, and human rights, the pillars of USAID's mission.

Michael will be sorely missed by the Senate, where he has been a pillar of the Foreign Relations Committee staff. USAID will benefit greatly from Michael's service, and I have no doubt that he will continue to serve the American people well. I wish him great good luck as he embarks on this new chapter.

Mr. President, I rise today to support my bipartisan resolution--which I introduce along with Senators Todd Young, Tammy Baldwin, and Tim Scott--to designate September 2022 as National Workforce Development Month and to highlight the importance of workforce development programs for dislocated workers, low-income adults, and at-risk youth.

According to a recent poll, nearly half of U.S. workers said their current job may be at risk due to advancements in technology and automation. By 2030, the number of U.S.-based jobs that will require more than a high school degree but not those of a 4-year college education is expected to increase by nearly one-quarter. Our economy is changing, and our workforce must change along with it.

Accordingly, both business leaders and workers say that they would benefit from investments in worker skills training and development.

In response to the needs of workers and businesses, Congress reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014, which passed with strong bipartisan support. This landmark legislation has supported employment, training, and support services in recognition of the need to strengthen the focus of the United States on the skills necessary to effectively prepare individuals for employment in local and regional industries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led many Americans to adapt their work habits and change their jobs or career paths. The pandemic has also altered the demands for many jobs. It is therefore imperative for us to prioritize workforce development programs focused on this new reality while also getting people back to work.

This resolution reaffirms the impact that education, skills training, and career advancement training can have on workers' ability to improve their lives.

Our resolution would designate September 2022 as National Workforce Development Month, something Congress has done each year since 2017. More specifically, our resolution would reaffirm the Senate's support for Federal initiatives promoting workforce development and acknowledge the vital role this training plays in supporting employees, businesses, and our national economic prosperity.

As the needs of businesses and workers change, it is important that Congress support the development of a skilled workforce. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this resolution.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senator Padilla to preserve the enduring legacy of California's giant sequoias: the Save Our Sequoias Act. I thank Senator Padilla for working with me on this important bill, as well as the bipartisan sponsors of similar legislation in the House.

The Save Our Sequoias Act would charge a dedicated group of Federal, State, local, and Tribal land managers known as the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition with developing wildfire resilience projects to help save these magnificent trees.

The bill would also provide Federal Agencies with narrow, targeted authorities to implement these projects quickly and protect our remaining sequoias, as well as create a strategy to enhance sequoia reforestation.

Giant sequoias are one of the most iconic plants in the world. The sequoia known as General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth at more than 100 feet in circumference and 275 feet tall.

Sequoias grow quickly, producing a 50-foot tree's worth of wood each year, yet can live to be thousands of years old. They are also remarkably fire-adapted, with spongy bark that can be up to 2-feet thick.

Perhaps most importantly to me, these incredible trees only grow in my home State of California. Just being around these trees is a humbling experience. Their immensity puts them in a class by themselves, and it is no wonder that they have been the source of reverence and amazement.

For many years, sequoias were considered nearly immune to the effects of wildfires, but unfortunately devastating fires in recent years have overwhelmed even their potent defenses. Officials have estimated that 20 percent of all mature giant sequoias have been destroyed just since 2020.

Scientific research has additionally suggested that without significant action, another 20 percent could be lost in the next 3 years. This would be a staggering tragedy and demands action. As former President Theodore Roosevelt himself put it, ``A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.''

The vast majority of giant sequoias live on Federal land, and I thank President Biden and his administration for using existing authorities to try to save these magnificent trees. Nevertheless, Congress can and should enact legislation to protect sequoias long into the future.

Our bill would accomplish this goal by first codifying the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, an existing group of public land managers with jurisdiction over sequoia groves, and requiring it to develop a strategy to make sequoia groves more resilient to wildfire. It would also provide congressional support for the Biden Administration's current actions under an emergency declaration to expedite sequoia wildfire resilience projects.

Federal agencies should not be reliant on emergency authorities, however, in order to implement necessary wildfire resilience projects in the future. To that end, our bill provides those Agencies with narrow, targeted authorities to continue making progress on those projects and authorizes funding for dedicated personnel. It also establishes a grant program for sequoia resilience projects that occur off of Federal land.

Lastly, our bill ensures that we do not simply mitigate future sequoia losses but also begin the process of regrowth. Since sequoias can live to be thousands of years old, it is never too early to begin rejuvenating these majestic trees.

Mr. President, giant sequoias are one of the great treasures of the world, not just of California. It is incumbent upon Congress to pass our bill to ensure they are protected and can be cherished for thousands of years to come.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senator Padilla to preserve the enduring legacy of California's giant sequoias: the Save Our Sequoias Act. I thank Senator Padilla for working with me on this important bill, as well as the bipartisan sponsors of similar legislation in the House.

The Save Our Sequoias Act would charge a dedicated group of Federal, State, local, and Tribal land managers known as the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition with developing wildfire resilience projects to help save these magnificent trees.

The bill would also provide Federal Agencies with narrow, targeted authorities to implement these projects quickly and protect our remaining sequoias, as well as create a strategy to enhance sequoia reforestation.

Giant sequoias are one of the most iconic plants in the world. The sequoia known as General Sherman is the largest tree on Earth at more than 100 feet in circumference and 275 feet tall.

Sequoias grow quickly, producing a 50-foot tree's worth of wood each year, yet can live to be thousands of years old. They are also remarkably fire-adapted, with spongy bark that can be up to 2-feet thick.

Perhaps most importantly to me, these incredible trees only grow in my home State of California. Just being around these trees is a humbling experience. Their immensity puts them in a class by themselves, and it is no wonder that they have been the source of reverence and amazement.

For many years, sequoias were considered nearly immune to the effects of wildfires, but unfortunately devastating fires in recent years have overwhelmed even their potent defenses. Officials have estimated that 20 percent of all mature giant sequoias have been destroyed just since 2020.

Scientific research has additionally suggested that without significant action, another 20 percent could be lost in the next 3 years. This would be a staggering tragedy and demands action. As former President Theodore Roosevelt himself put it, ``A grove of giant redwood or sequoias should be kept just as we keep a great and beautiful cathedral.''

The vast majority of giant sequoias live on Federal land, and I thank President Biden and his administration for using existing authorities to try to save these magnificent trees. Nevertheless, Congress can and should enact legislation to protect sequoias long into the future.

Our bill would accomplish this goal by first codifying the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, an existing group of public land managers with jurisdiction over sequoia groves, and requiring it to develop a strategy to make sequoia groves more resilient to wildfire. It would also provide congressional support for the Biden Administration's current actions under an emergency declaration to expedite sequoia wildfire resilience projects.

Federal agencies should not be reliant on emergency authorities, however, in order to implement necessary wildfire resilience projects in the future. To that end, our bill provides those Agencies with narrow, targeted authorities to continue making progress on those projects and authorizes funding for dedicated personnel. It also establishes a grant program for sequoia resilience projects that occur off of Federal land.

Lastly, our bill ensures that we do not simply mitigate future sequoia losses but also begin the process of regrowth. Since sequoias can live to be thousands of years old, it is never too early to begin rejuvenating these majestic trees.

Mr. President, giant sequoias are one of the great treasures of the world, not just of California. It is incumbent upon Congress to pass our bill to ensure they are protected and can be cherished for thousands of years to come.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senators Booker, Wyden, Duckworth, Padilla, and Warren: the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act. This is a companion to legislation introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff in the House of Representatives.

Our bill would ban the importation and exportation of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales for public display, with an exception for animals being released to a marine sanctuary or back to the wild.

Our bill would also prohibit breeding captive whales to raise their newborns for public display, ensuring that the current generation of these whales in captivity would be the last.

The evidence is clear: Orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales are intelligent and emotionally complex animals that cannot thrive in captivity. In the wild, these whales can travel up to 100 miles per day and dive hundreds of feet deep.

However, many animals in captivity live in tanks so small they cannot even turn around. Often, these whales are so stressed that they gnaw on the concrete walls of their tanks until the dental nerves of their teeth are exposed, permanently damaging their teeth and requiring constant antibiotics.

The inhumane confinement for these animals has consequences, which are made clear when news breaks of yet another whale dying well before its time. In the wild, the average orca lives for 40 years. Orcas in captivity in the United States typically live only 12 years. Although no orca has ever been documented attacking a human in the wild, in captivity, these whales have been documented to lash out at their human trainers, causing severe harm or death.

Despite these well-established facts, more than 50 whales remain in captivity across the United States. My home State of California has already banned orca shows and breeding, and some exhibitors like SeaWorld have promised to end their orca breeding programs.

It is long past time for Federal Government to apply this policy to the whale species that suffer the most in captivity and end this cruel practice. Our bill, which is endorsed by 15 animal welfare organizations, would do just that.

Mr. President, by passing my bill, the Senate can prevent the needless suffering and deaths of these majestic animals who truly belong in the wild. I urge my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring the SWIMS Act.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senators Booker, Wyden, Duckworth, Padilla, and Warren: the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act. This is a companion to legislation introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff in the House of Representatives.

Our bill would ban the importation and exportation of orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales for public display, with an exception for animals being released to a marine sanctuary or back to the wild.

Our bill would also prohibit breeding captive whales to raise their newborns for public display, ensuring that the current generation of these whales in captivity would be the last.

The evidence is clear: Orcas, beluga whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales are intelligent and emotionally complex animals that cannot thrive in captivity. In the wild, these whales can travel up to 100 miles per day and dive hundreds of feet deep.

However, many animals in captivity live in tanks so small they cannot even turn around. Often, these whales are so stressed that they gnaw on the concrete walls of their tanks until the dental nerves of their teeth are exposed, permanently damaging their teeth and requiring constant antibiotics.

The inhumane confinement for these animals has consequences, which are made clear when news breaks of yet another whale dying well before its time. In the wild, the average orca lives for 40 years. Orcas in captivity in the United States typically live only 12 years. Although no orca has ever been documented attacking a human in the wild, in captivity, these whales have been documented to lash out at their human trainers, causing severe harm or death.

Despite these well-established facts, more than 50 whales remain in captivity across the United States. My home State of California has already banned orca shows and breeding, and some exhibitors like SeaWorld have promised to end their orca breeding programs.

It is long past time for Federal Government to apply this policy to the whale species that suffer the most in captivity and end this cruel practice. Our bill, which is endorsed by 15 animal welfare organizations, would do just that.

Mr. President, by passing my bill, the Senate can prevent the needless suffering and deaths of these majestic animals who truly belong in the wild. I urge my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring the SWIMS Act.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senators Alex Padilla and John Hickenlooper. This is a companion to the bipartisan bill that Representative Mike Thompson has introduced in the House of Representatives.

In 2020, the Fire Victim Trust was established after Pacific Gas & Electric, PG&E, was found legally responsible for major California wildfires in 2015, 2017, and 2018. PG&E contributed about $13 billion to this fund to pay victims of these wildfires to cover losses they suffered.

Unfortunately, the specific situations of each of these victims is different, and it is unclear to many whether they will need to pay Federal income tax on the amounts they receive. Moreover, it is unfair that these victims should have to worry about paying taxes on amounts that are simply intended to make them whole.

In addition, about 30 percent of settlement payouts are devoted to attorney fees, for attorneys whom the victims did not hire. It appears that victims will even owe taxes on the full amount of the settlement, including these attorney fees.

This is a problem now for wildfire victims in California. However, as the frequency and severity of wildfires grows across the Western United States due to climate change, it is more likely that this is a problem that California and other States will face again.

Our legislation would do two things. First, it would clarify that such wildfire settlement fees are not taxable. Second, it would create an above-the-line tax deduction for relevant attorney fees. This would provide tax certainty and fairness to wildfire settlement victims now and into the future.

With the incidence of wildfires rising, this is an important issue for Congress to address now to avoid victims having to worry about paying taxes on settlement payments that are meant to make them whole from devastating losses that many of them have suffered.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill.

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge Act, along with my California colleague, Senator Alex Padilla.

As our country's population grows, so does the need for infrastructure like housing and highways. However, we must find a way to balance the needs of growth with the preservation of our natural resources, including endangered species habitat and green space for the health and safety of our communities.

Senator Padilla and I are proud this legislation would accomplish those goals by creating a Federal wildlife refuge in western Riverside County as part of a collaborative land management plan created by Riverside County.

The newly created wildlife refuge would provide expanded recreation, conservation, and educational opportunities for the local community-- one of the fastest growing in the Nation.

This legislation builds off Riverside County's multiple species habitat conservation plan, allowing land that has already been acquired by the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority to be included in the new Federal wildlife refuge this bill would create.

Our bill would establish a new unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System--the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge would be comprised of donated lands from Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, as well as any additional lands deemed appropriate by the Interior Department acquired from willing sellers or donors, including Federal, State, or local agencies, Tribes, or private land owners.

This refuge would not only create increased recreation, outdoor access, and educational opportunities in Southern California but also work to protect endangered species in the region like the arroyo toad, the southwestern willow flycatcher, and the quino checkerspot butterfly. These protections would in turn help streamline infrastructure projects and support smart growth and land management planning.

As temperatures continue to rise and California experiences another historic drought and wildfire season, it is more important than ever to ensure that we conserve green spaces. As I stated earlier, Riverside County's population is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is well documented that human development can have damaging effects on the health of endangered and threatened species. Additionally, overdevelopment results in poor community health and well-being.

That is why smart, collaborative land management planning is our best option on how to move forward with a growing population and economy, while safeguarding the resources that keep our communities and wildlife populations healthy.

This bill would support the conservation of habitat for 146 different species in the region, including 33 species that are listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The acquisition boundary for the refuge was created in collaboration with the county, environmental groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The boundary area expands on local conservation efforts and increase access to green spaces, especially to underserved communities.

The coronavirus pandemic and recent extreme heat waves in our State have served to underscore the importance of ensuring access and preservation of open spaces, especially as our Nation's population grows and its cities expand.

This bill also meets the Biden administration's call to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, an initiative known as America the Beautiful. We are proud the creation of this refuge would contribute to that important goal.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of legislation that I introduced today along with Senators Alex Padilla and John Hickenlooper. This is a companion to the bipartisan bill that Representative Mike Thompson has introduced in the House of Representatives.

In 2020, the Fire Victim Trust was established after Pacific Gas & Electric, PG&E, was found legally responsible for major California wildfires in 2015, 2017, and 2018. PG&E contributed about $13 billion to this fund to pay victims of these wildfires to cover losses they suffered.

Unfortunately, the specific situations of each of these victims is different, and it is unclear to many whether they will need to pay Federal income tax on the amounts they receive. Moreover, it is unfair that these victims should have to worry about paying taxes on amounts that are simply intended to make them whole.

In addition, about 30 percent of settlement payouts are devoted to attorney fees, for attorneys whom the victims did not hire. It appears that victims will even owe taxes on the full amount of the settlement, including these attorney fees.

This is a problem now for wildfire victims in California. However, as the frequency and severity of wildfires grows across the Western United States due to climate change, it is more likely that this is a problem that California and other States will face again.

Our legislation would do two things. First, it would clarify that such wildfire settlement fees are not taxable. Second, it would create an above-the-line tax deduction for relevant attorney fees. This would provide tax certainty and fairness to wildfire settlement victims now and into the future.

With the incidence of wildfires rising, this is an important issue for Congress to address now to avoid victims having to worry about paying taxes on settlement payments that are meant to make them whole from devastating losses that many of them have suffered.

I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this bill.

Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge Act, along with my California colleague, Senator Alex Padilla.

As our country's population grows, so does the need for infrastructure like housing and highways. However, we must find a way to balance the needs of growth with the preservation of our natural resources, including endangered species habitat and green space for the health and safety of our communities.

Senator Padilla and I are proud this legislation would accomplish those goals by creating a Federal wildlife refuge in western Riverside County as part of a collaborative land management plan created by Riverside County.

The newly created wildlife refuge would provide expanded recreation, conservation, and educational opportunities for the local community-- one of the fastest growing in the Nation.

This legislation builds off Riverside County's multiple species habitat conservation plan, allowing land that has already been acquired by the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority to be included in the new Federal wildlife refuge this bill would create.

Our bill would establish a new unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System--the Western Riverside County National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge would be comprised of donated lands from Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority, as well as any additional lands deemed appropriate by the Interior Department acquired from willing sellers or donors, including Federal, State, or local agencies, Tribes, or private land owners.

This refuge would not only create increased recreation, outdoor access, and educational opportunities in Southern California but also work to protect endangered species in the region like the arroyo toad, the southwestern willow flycatcher, and the quino checkerspot butterfly. These protections would in turn help streamline infrastructure projects and support smart growth and land management planning.

As temperatures continue to rise and California experiences another historic drought and wildfire season, it is more important than ever to ensure that we conserve green spaces. As I stated earlier, Riverside County's population is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is well documented that human development can have damaging effects on the health of endangered and threatened species. Additionally, overdevelopment results in poor community health and well-being.

That is why smart, collaborative land management planning is our best option on how to move forward with a growing population and economy, while safeguarding the resources that keep our communities and wildlife populations healthy.

This bill would support the conservation of habitat for 146 different species in the region, including 33 species that are listed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The acquisition boundary for the refuge was created in collaboration with the county, environmental groups and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The boundary area expands on local conservation efforts and increase access to green spaces, especially to underserved communities.

The coronavirus pandemic and recent extreme heat waves in our State have served to underscore the importance of ensuring access and preservation of open spaces, especially as our Nation's population grows and its cities expand.

This bill also meets the Biden administration's call to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, an initiative known as America the Beautiful. We are proud the creation of this refuge would contribute to that important goal.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.