Senate Pages on S. 1201, April 19, 2021 — Congressional Record
Summary
Page S2013 of the Senate section of the Congressional Record for April 19, 2021, in interleaved columns. Additional cosponsor entries cover S. 747 on adjustment of status for essential workers, S. 800 on documentation by nurse practitioners and physician assistants under Medicare, S. 1112 on designating the Chisholm National Historic Trail and S. Res. 134 on negotiations with the United Kingdom. A speaker says climate change is intensifying droughts and poses an existential threat to hundreds of millions of people, which is that speaker's view. Other text includes whereas clauses on Supreme Court nominations and court expansion, and workforce provisions amending the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
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“Senate Pages on S. 1201, April 19, 2021 — Congressional Record.”
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2013
(Mr. SCHUMER) and the Senator from S. 1112 left thousands in Texas without power
Vermont (Mr. SANDERS) were added as At the request of Mr. MORAN, the and water. Less than a year prior,
cosponsors of S. 747, a bill to amend the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. deadly wildfires, exacerbated by cli-
Immigration and Nationality Act to MARSHALL) was added as a cosponsor of mate change engulfed California, kill-
provide for the adjustment of status of S. 1112, a bill to amend the National ing 31 people, and Australia, killing 34
essential workers, and for other pur- Trails System Act to designate the people, and forced thousands to flee
poses. Chisholm National Historic Trail and their homes and lose their livelihoods.
S. 800 the Western National Historic Trail, And yet, while hurricanes and storm
At the request of Mr. BROWN, the and for other purposes. surges are horrific, climate change is
names of the Senator from Montana S. RES. 134 also increasing the intensity, length
(Mr. TESTER) and the Senator from At the request of Mr. LEE, the name and geographic expanse of droughts
West Virginia (Mrs. CAPITO) were added of the Senator from Iowa (Mr. GRASS- around the world contributing to food
as cosponsors of S. 800, a bill to amend LEY) was added as a cosponsor of S. insecurity, natural resource scarcity
title XVIII of the Social Security Act Res. 134, a resolution expressing the and desertification.
to permit nurse practitioners and phy- Likewise, intensifying effects of cli-
sense of the Senate that the President
sician assistants to satisfy the docu- mate change pose an existential threat
should work with the Government of
mentation requirement under the to hundreds of millions of people and
the United Kingdom to conclude nego-
Medicare program for coverage of cer- exacerbate global forced migration.
tiations for a comprehensive free trade
tain shoes for individuals with diabe- Nations like Bangladesh, India, and In-
agreement between the United States
tes. donesia are incredibly vulnerable to
and the United Kingdom.
S. 828
mass displacement due to rising sea
S. RES. 148
At the request of Mr. BARRASSO, the levels. Island nations like Tuvalu,
At the request of Ms. WARREN, the Seychelles, the Republic of the Mar-
name of the Senator from Arkansas name of the Senator from Minnesota
(Mr. BOOZMAN) was added as a cospon- shall Islands and Kiribati are already
(Ms. KLOBUCHAR) was added as a co- managing internal migration due to
sor of S. 828, a bill to amend title XVIII sponsor of S. Res. 148, a resolution rec-
of the Social Security Act to provide climate change induced sea-level rise.
ognizing the importance of paying trib- Without ambitious action to both keep
for the coverage of marriage and fam- ute to those individuals who have
ily therapist services and mental global leverage temperatures well
faithfully served and retired from the below an increase of two degrees Cel-
health counselor services under part B Armed Forces of the United States,
of the Medicare program, and for other sius above preindustrial levels it is
designating April 18, 2021, as ‘‘Military forecasted that the entirety of certain
purposes. Retiree Appreciation Day’’, and en-
S. 844
nations may become uninhabitable
couraging the people of the United within my grandchildren’s lifetime. It
At the request of Mr. THUNE, the States to honor the past and continued is a moral imperative for the Senators
name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms. service of military retirees to their in this body, and humanity, to act to
SINEMA) was added as a cosponsor of S. local communities and the United ensure that is not the world we leave
844, a bill to amend the Internal Rev- States. for the generations that will come
enue Code of 1986 to treat certain
f after us. Today’s generations are the
amounts paid for physical activity, fit-
first people to personally and regularly
ness, and exercise as amounts paid for STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED
experience the effects of climate
medical care. BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
change on the natural world and its
S. 892 By Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, impact on humanity . . . and we are
At the request of Mr. WYDEN, the Ms. HIRONO, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. also the last generations that can, and
name of the Senator from Washington SHAHEEN, Mr. MERKLEY, Mr. must, act to prevent the worst fore-
(Ms. CANTWELL) was added as a cospon- SCHATZ, Mr. MURPHY, Mr. casts from becoming reality.
sor of S. 892, a bill to amend the Inter- KAINE, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. BOOK- Changing climate and weather pat-
nal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure that ER, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN): terns intensification of global food in-
kombucha is exempt from any excise S. 1201. A bill to restore the United security and resource scarcity espe-
taxes and regulations imposed on alco- States’ international leadership on cli- cially threaten the lives and security
holic beverages. mate change and clean energy, and for of the world’s most vulnerable popu-
S. 895 other purposes; to the Committee on lations. For months, heavy rainfall and
At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the Foreign Relations. warmer temperatures have triggered a
name of the Senator from Oklahoma Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I locust plague in East Africa that has
(Mr. INHOFE) was added as a cosponsor rise today to speak on the United lasted more than an entire year. This
of S. 895, a bill to amend the Internal States Climate Leadership on Inter- historic locust plague—triggered by
Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an ex- national Mitigation, Adaptation, and conditions exacerbated by climate
emption from gross income for manda- Technology Enhancement Act of 2021— change—has threatened agricultural
tory restitution or civil damages as the U.S. CLIMATE Act. Mr. President, and pastoral livelihoods and worsened
recompense for trafficking in persons. climate change represents a clear and already acute food insecurity in the re-
S. 903 present threat to the stability, secu- gion. At the same time, similar ex-
At the request of Mrs. BLACKBURN, rity and prosperity of nations around treme weather patterns are expected to
the name of the Senator from Ten- the world, including the United States. expand and shift the ranges of life-
nessee (Mr. HAGERTY) was added as a The cost of climate-induced disasters threatening diseases like malaria, West
cosponsor of S. 903, a bill to amend the becomes more indisputable and dev- Nile Virus, cholera, and others. Beyond
Immigration and Nationality Act to re- astating with every passing year. Bar- the palpable destruction and devasta-
quire a DNA test to determine the fa- ring swift and ambitious action, the tion of climate-induced crises, climate
milial relationship between an alien situation will only worsen. change is a ‘‘threat multiplier,’’ a term
and an accompanying minor, and for We’ve all seen the devastating im- coined by the CNA Corporation’s Mili-
other purposes. pacts of climate change. For years, un- tary Advisory Board in 2007 to express
S. 1021 precedented tropical storms have de- the way in which climate change exac-
At the request of Ms. DUCKWORTH, stroyed communities in Mozambique, erbates instability; conflict and subse-
the names of the Senator from Mary- Central America, and the United quent displacement; terrorism; and
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land (Mr. CARDIN) and the Senator from States, including communities in my other vital security matters.
Michigan (Ms. STABENOW) were added home state of New Jersey. This past Clearly, climate change does not
as cosponsors of S. 1021, a bill to ensure February, incredibly abnormal and begin nor end at any nation’s borders.
affordable abortion coverage and care brutal winter weather, exacerbated by No one is immune to the effects of cli-
for every person, and for other pur- climatic disruption to the Arctic’s mate change—which is why we must
poses. polar vortex, killed eleven people and not only work with the rest of the
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S2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
world to combat this crisis, but lead rectives on re-entry into the Paris TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL
the charge. It is simply not enough to Agreements; ratification of the Kigali AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS
enact robust domestic policies—this is Amendment to the Montreal Protocols; Sec. 201. Sense of Congress in support of the
a global problem that requires inter- compliance with environmental initia- United States returning to the
nationally collaborative solutions. tives of the International Civil Avia- Paris Agreement.
Sec. 202. Enhanced United States commit-
What’s more, our leadership and re- tion Organization; and the establish- ment to the Paris Agreement.
newed international engagement can ment of new international efforts to Sec. 203. Sense of Congress regarding ratifi-
generate opportunities for Americans. mitigate transportation sector and cation of the Kigali Amend-
By committing to international agree- greenhouse gas emissions. ment to the Montreal Protocol.
ments and adhering to emerging inter- Title III integrates climate change Sec. 204. Compliance with the carbon offset
national production norms, we are mitigation and adaptation efforts into and reduction scheme for inter-
opening the global markets for the in- a range of tools and initiatives at national aviation.
novation, ingenuity, and leadership of USAID, the Department of the Treas- Sec. 205. Short-lived climate pollutants.
Sec. 206. International cooperation regard-
the American private sector. ury, the Department of State, the DFC,
ing clean transportation and
I commend the Biden administra- and the United Nations. sustainable land use and com-
tion’s commitment to returning the Title IV incorporates a clean energy munity development.
United States to the global stage, mandate into the United States’ diplo- Sec. 207. Sense of Congress on United States
thereby granting us the capacity to re- matic and development efforts, thereby reengagement with the Group
engage and lead the international com- protecting our own energy security in- of Seven and the Group of
munity in tackling the greatest threat terests and promoting responsible glob- Twenty on climate action.
of our time. President Biden’s Execu- al energy production. TITLE III—CLIMATE CHANGE
tive Order on Tackling the Climate Title V of the bill addresses the DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND SUPPORT
Crisis at Home and Abroad has des- United States’ bilateral and multilat- Sec. 301. International Climate Change Ad-
ignated climate action as a core tenant eral engagement on climate change, aptation, Mitigation, and Secu-
of U.S. diplomacy and national secu- encouraging U.S. cooperation with rity Program.
China, India, the European Union and Sec. 302. United States contributions to the
rity planning. He has appointed former Green Climate Fund.
Secretary of State John Kerry as Spe- other key partners.
Sec. 303. Sense of Congress on United States
cial Presidential Envoy for Climate, Title VI of the U.S. CLIMATE Act in- engagements at the World Eco-
ensuring that climate considerations tegrates our colleague from Hawai’i, nomic Forum.
have a strong advocate where impor- Senator HIRONO’s Women and Climate Sec. 304. Clean energy and the United States
tant decisions are being made. And, Change Act, which acknowledges and International Development Fi-
under the leadership of President addresses the disproportionate effects nance Corporation.
Biden, the United States has officially of climate change on women and girls Sec. 305. Consistency in United States policy
around the world. on development finance and cli-
rejoined the Paris Agreement. mate change.
The time for debate and discussion The science is clear: we are running
out of time to stave off the most dev- TITLE IV—CLEAN ENERGY DIPLOMACY
on why and how we must tackle this
astating effects of climate change that AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
crisis is over. The science is clear: we
will directly impact our children and Sec. 401. Energy diplomacy and security
must achieve net zero emissions by 2050
our children’s children. After four within the Department of
in order to ensure a safe and pros- State.
perous future for ourselves and our pos- years of being absent from the con- Sec. 402. Department of State primacy for
terity. Now is the time for action and versation, it is time for the United energy diplomacy.
implementation of crucial efforts to States to not only return to the table, Sec. 403. Reports on United States participa-
save our planet. but lead the charge to protect our tion in Mission Innovation and
Congress can and must do more to shared home. We cannot solve this cri- the Clean Energy Ministerial.
support the restoration of the United sis alone—this is not an American Sec. 404. Reduced deforestation.
States’ climate diplomacy and leader- problem, this is a global crisis that can TITLE V—BILATERAL AND REGIONAL
ship. That is why I am introducing the only be combatted with coordinated, MULTILATERAL CLIMATE DIPLOMACY
United States Climate Leadership in international action. The U.S. CLI- AND COOPERATION
International Mitigation, Adaptation, MATE Act of 2021 provides the essen- Sec. 501. North American Strategy.
tial resources, programs, and support Sec. 502. Accountability and cooperation
and Technological Enhancement Act,
for the United States to lead the world with China.
or the U.S. CLIMATE Act, of 2021, a Sec. 503. United States and European Union
comprehensive piece of legislation to forward in the existential fight to save cooperation on climate finance
bolster President Biden’s bold commit- our planet. Mr. President I ask unani- for developing countries.
ment to U.S. climate leadership by pro- mous consent that the full text of the Sec. 504. Sense of Congress on clean energy
viding resources, programs and policy legislation be printed in the RECORD cooperation with India.
to support and expedite the realization following my remarks, I yield the floor Sec. 505. Power Africa.
of United States action that will be es- and note the absence of a quorum. Sec. 506. Caribbean Energy Initiative.
So ordered. Sec. 507. Sense of Congress on conservation
sential to regaining the international
S. 1201 of the Amazon River basin.
community’s trust and partnership Sec. 508. Sense of Congress regarding renew-
with the U.S. in the global climate Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- able energy in Indonesia.
fight. It represents a bold course of ac- resentatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, TITLE VI—WOMEN AND CLIMATE
tion that Congress should take to sup- CHANGE ACT
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
port forward-looking leadership in the Sec. 601. Short title.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as
White House in their commitment to the ‘‘United States Climate Leadership in Sec. 602. Findings.
preventing the worst-case scenarios of International Mitigation, Adaptation, and Sec. 603. Definitions.
climate change from becoming reality. Technology Enhancement Act of 2021’’. Sec. 604. Statement of policy.
Title I of the bill establishes climate (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of con- Sec. 605. Federal Interagency Working
change as a cross-cutting imperative at tents for this Act is as follows: Group on Women and Climate
the State Department. It also calls for Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Change.
the integration of climate models and Sec. 2. Findings; sense of Congress. Sec. 606. Development and implementation
Sec. 3. Purpose. of strategy and policies to pre-
forecasting into national security plan-
Sec. 4. Definitions. vent and respond to the effects
ning across all federal agencies and
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TITLE I—CLIMATE AND NATIONAL of climate change on women
features directives on protecting our globally.
SECURITY
security and environmental interests Sec. 607. Climate Change within the Office
Sec. 101. Climate diplomacy.
in the Arctic. Sec. 102. Enhancing United States security of Global Women’s Issues.
Title II declares support for U.S. co- considerations for global cli- SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.
operation and engagement in inter- mate disruptions. (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol-
national agreements. This includes di- Sec. 103. Arctic diplomacy. lowing:
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2015
(1) The Special Report: Global Warming of percent of world’s terrestrial species at risk (14) Among the world’s top greenhouse gas
1.5°C, published by the Intergovernmental of extinction. emitters, the United States is the only coun-
Panel on Climate Change on October 8, 2018, (6) According to the International Energy try that—
and the Fourth National Climate Assess- Agency, the United States, China, India, and (A) has rescinded national policies to re-
ment, first published by the United States the European Union (including the United duce greenhouse gas emissions;
Global Change Research Program in 2018, Kingdom) account for more than 58 percent (B) has advanced policies aimed at bol-
concluded that— of global greenhouse gas emissions. stering fossil fuel consumption and extrac-
(A) the release of greenhouse gas emis- (7) China, which is the world’s top green- tion, including through the removal of Fed-
sions, most notably the combustion of fossil house gases emitter and has an outsized im- eral protections of public lands that are crit-
fuels and the degradation of natural re- pact on the United States’ core interest in ical wilderness areas vital to maintaining
sources that absorb atmospheric carbon from climate stability— healthy natural ecosystems; and
human activity, are the dominant causes of (A) is likely to achieve its carbon emis- (C) has abstained or withdrawn itself from
climate change during the past century; sions mitigation pledge to the Paris Agree- several global cooperative efforts acknowl-
(B) changes in the Earth’s climate are— ment, contained in its 2015 nationally deter- edging and addressing the climate crisis.
(i) causing sea levels to rise; mined contribution, to ‘‘peak’’ emissions (15) United States leadership during delib-
(ii) increasing the global average tempera- around 2030 ahead of schedule; erations over the Paris Agreement—
ture of the Earth; (B) announced, on September 22, 2020, a (A) was exemplified by—
(iii) increasing the incidence and severity pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060; (i) its commitment to reduce national
of wildfires; and and emissions by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 lev-
(iv) intensifying the severity of extreme (C) has yet to announce an updated nation- els;
weather, including hurricanes, cyclones, ty- ally determined contribution. (ii) its leadership in the ‘‘Umbrella Group’’
phoons, flooding, droughts, and other disas- (8) On October 26, 2020, Japan, the world’s and its role as cofounder of the ‘‘High Ambi-
ters that threaten human life, healthy com- third largest economy and fifth greatest car- tion Coalition’’;
munities, and critical infrastructure. bon emitter, announced a pledge to achieve (iii) its co-facilitation of the UNFCCC;
(2) An increase in the global average tem- carbon neutrality by 2050. Despite apprehen- (iv) its work with the Ad Hoc Working
perature of 2 degrees Celsius compared to sion about growing nuclear energy sources, Group on the Paris Agreement on agenda
pre-industrialized levels would cause— Japan aims to increase its share of renew- item 5: Modalities, procedures and guidelines
(A)(i) the displacement, and the forced in- able and nuclear energy following new tar- for the transparency framework for action;
ternal migration, of an estimated 143,000,000 gets unveiled next year. and
people in Latin America, South Asia, and (9) India has met its growing energy de- (v) its support for the enhanced trans-
Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050 if insufficient ac- mands by becoming a global leader in renew- parency framework for action and support
tion is taken (according to the World Bank); able energy generation. Despite significant referred to in Article 13 of the Paris Agree-
and investments in renewable energy, and the ment;
(ii) the displacement of an average of implementation of strong national green- (vi) its pledge of $3,000,000,000 to the Green
17,800,000 people worldwide by floods every house gas mitigation policies, India con- Climate Fund (of which the United States
year (according to the Internal Displacement tinues to operate some of the world’s dirtiest still owed $2,000,000,000) in support of devel-
Monitoring Centre) because of the exacer- fossil fuel power plants and has high emis- oping countries’ efforts to adapt to climate
bating effects of climate change; sions generated from its transportation sec- change and to mitigate greenhouse gas emis-
(B)(i) more than $500,000,000,000 in lost an- tor. India is a critical market for foreign in- sions; and
nual economic output in the United States (a vestment and will be a major competitor in (vii) the development of critical bilateral
10 percent contraction from 2018 levels) by international clean energy development fu- climate action cooperation initiatives with
2100 (according to the Fourth National Cli- tures. China and India; and
mate Assessment); and (10) India’s leadership within the Clean En- (B) established the United States as essen-
(ii) an additional 100,000,000 people world- ergy Ministerial, the Mission Innovation ini- tial to uniting the world in climate action
wide to be driven into poverty by 2030 (ac- tiative, and the International Solar Alliance cooperation.
cording to the World Bank); has put India at the forefront of renewable (16) The United States’ reversal on nearly
(C)(i) greater food insecurity and decreased energy development and helped India achieve all climate action policies since 2017, includ-
agricultural production due to climate a top 5 global rank among clean energy pro- ing repealing the Clean Power Plan (an-
change’s effects on the increased frequency ducers. Installed electricity capacity from nounced by President Obama in August 2015),
and intensity of extreme weather events; and renewables in India grew by 144 percent be- cancelling contributions to the United Na-
(ii) the proliferation of agricultural pests tween 2014 and 2020. Approximately tion’s Green Climate Fund, abstaining from
and crop diseases, loss of biodiversity, de- $42,000,000,000 was invested into India’s re- all G7 and G20 climate action communiques,
grading ecosystems, and water scarcity (ac- newable energy sector between 2014 and 2019. and withdrawing the United States from the
cording to the United Nations Food and Ag- (11) The European Union demonstrated its Paris Agreement—
riculture Organization); and strong commitment to climate action by (A) undermines the viability of the Paris
(D) more than 350,000,000 additional people making the ambitious pledge to reduce the Agreement;
worldwide to be exposed to deadly heat collective greenhouse gas emissions of its 27 (B) harms American diplomacy;
stress by 2050. member nations by at least 55 percent by (C) disadvantages the ability of the United
(3) According to the International Mone- 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and to achieve State private sector to compete in a clean
tary Fund, a persistent annual increase in carbon neutrality by 2050. The European Par- energy global economy, for which the Inter-
average global temperature of .04 degrees liament went even further, voting to reduce national Finance Corporation estimates that
Celsius would reduce global real gross do- its collective economy wide greenhouse gas investments spurred by the Paris Agreement
mestic product per capita by 7.22 percent by emissions by 60 percent by 2030 (compared to will creates up to $23,000,000,000,000 in new in-
2100. 1990 levels). These commitments represent vestment opportunities;
(4) According to the United Nations Envi- substantial improvements from the previous (D) erodes the United States’ leadership,
ronment Programme, climate change is ex- goal of a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse standing, and trust within the international
acerbating unusual regional weather condi- gas emissions by 2030. community; and
tions, which is driving the current and pro- (12) The European Union’s member nations (E) concedes leadership and economic op-
longed desert locust outbreak that is threat- have also provided the equivalent of approxi- portunity to foreign governments keen on
ening food security across East Africa and mately $120,000,000,000 between 2014 and 2020 taking advantage of the United States’ ab-
Southeast Asia. in support and financing to build climate sence from international climate action ini-
(5) According to the Intergovernmental change resilience and develop low carbon en- tiatives.
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and ergy capacity throughout the developing (17) The Paris Agreement’s central aim is—
Ecosystem Services— world. (A) to strengthen the global response to
(A) an increase in the global average tem- (13) The European Union has traditionally the threat of climate change by maintaining
perature of between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius been a steadfast partner with United States the global temperature rise well below 2 de-
will result in a significant reduction in the in the United Nation’s Framework Conven- grees Celsius above pre-industrial levels; and
worldwide number of land species; tion on Climate Change by pushing for im- (B) to pursue efforts to further limit the
(B) an increase in the global average tem- proved accountability, transparency, and temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
perature of 2 degrees Celsius— shared responsibility among parties in miti- (18) The Paris Agreement—
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(i) will place 5 percent of world’s species at gating global greenhouse gas emissions. As (A) specifies the need for a strong global
risk of extinction; and the United State Government’s executive response to climate change;
(ii) will result in the destruction of more branch has pulled away from climate action (B) acknowledges that all ‘‘[p]arties
than 99 percent of all coral reefs worldwide; commitments, the European Union has in- should, when taking action to address cli-
and creased its cooperation with coalitions of mate change, respect, promote and consider
(C) an increase in the global average tem- States through partnerships such as the their respective obligations on human rights,
perature of 4.3 degrees Celsius will place 16 United States Climate Alliance. the right to health, the rights of indigenous
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S2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
peoples, local communities, migrants, chil- into account the Cancun Adaptation Frame- (B) set the standard for ambition on cli-
dren, persons with disabilities and people in work’’, which includes measures to enhance mate action;
vulnerable situations and the right to devel- understanding, coordination and cooperation (C) use its diplomatic leverage to create in-
opment, as well as gender equality, em- with regard to climate change induced dis- centives for other countries to take strong
powerment of women and intergenerational placement, migration and planned reloca- action on climate change;
equity’’; tion, where appropriate, at the national, re- (D) broker, with other world powers, bilat-
(C) notes the importance of ‘‘climate jus- gional and international levels. eral commitments on emissions reductions
tice’’ when mitigating and adapting to cli- (27) The Paris Agreement is an example of and climate finance and support for devel-
mate change; the multilateral, international cooperation oping countries, which are critical for—
(D) recognizes ‘‘the need for an effective needed to overcome climate change-related (i) building trust and consensus around
and progressive response to the urgent challenges facing the global community, global cooperation on climate action; and
threat of climate change’’; such as reducing emissions, promoting eco- (ii) sending important investment signals
(E) requires all parties to put forward their nomic growth, and deploying clean energy to private finance and private industry on
best efforts through nationally determined technologies. investment and development trends;
contributions and to strengthen these efforts (28) The Paris Agreement recognizes ‘‘the (E) be transparent in how the United
in the future; fundamental priority of safeguarding food States is delivering on its commitments;
(F) requires each party to update its na- security and ending hunger, and the par- (F) ensure it is adopting and implementing
tionally determined contribution every 5 ticular vulnerabilities of food production consistent policies and practices with re-
years, with each successive nationally deter- systems to the adverse impacts of climate spect to climate change across bilateral and
mined contribution representing a progres- change.’’. multilateral development finance institu-
sion beyond the previous nationally deter- (29) The Paris Agreement recognizes that— tions;
mined contribution, and reflecting the par- (A) adaptation is a global challenge facing (G) hold other world powers accountable
ty’s highest possible ambition; all countries, with local, subnational, na- for making and meeting strong commit-
(G) recognizes that marine ecosystems cov- tional, regional, and international dimen- ments;
ering more than 70 percent of the Earth’s sions; and (H) call for reciprocal standards of trans-
surface have an integral role in climate bal- (B) adapting to the effects of climate parency; and
ance; and change is a key component of the long-term (I) support developing countries, in an in-
(H) was developed under the UNFCCC, an global response to climate change to protect clusive manner—
international environmental treaty which people, livelihoods, and ecosystems. (i) to expand deployment and access to
the United States ratified, with the advice (30) American leadership during the Paris clean energy;
and consent of the Senate on October 15, Agreement negotiations encouraged wide- (ii) to plan and invest in climate change
1992. spread international participation in the adaptation solutions;
(19) Seventy percent of the Paris Agree- Paris Agreement. (iii) to improve climate change resilience
ment signatories’ nationally determined (31) American States, cities, and businesses capacities; and
contributions in support of the goals of the are stepping up and pledging to meet the (iv) to promote—
Paris Agreement are ocean-inclusive, and 39 Paris Agreement goals in the wake of absent (I) sustainable agriculture practices;
Paris Agreement signatories are focused on and uncertain leadership by the President. (II) food security; and
the inclusion of ocean action in nationally (32) The Paris Agreement— (III) natural resource conservation.
determined contributions through the Be- (A) has driven innovation in developing SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
cause the Ocean initiative. cleaner, more reliable, and more affordable The purpose of this Act is to provide au-
(20) The United States communicated its forms of energy; thorities, resources, policies, and rec-
nationally determined contribution— (B) has demonstrated that addressing cli- ommended administrative actions—
(A) to achieve, by 2025, an economy-wide mate change and providing affordable energy (1) to restore United States global leader-
target of reducing its greenhouse gas emis- to American consumers are not mutually ex- ship on addressing the climate crisis and
sions by 26 to 28 percent below its 2005 level; clusive; and make United States climate action and cli-
and (C) has encouraged the United States to de- mate diplomacy a more central tenet of
(B) to make best efforts to reduce its emis- velop the Mid-Century Strategy for Deep United States foreign policy;
sions by 28 percent. Decarbonization, which— (2) to improve the United States’ commit-
(21) A thriving clean energy industry in the (i) was released on November 16, 2016; and ment to taking more ambitious action to
United States, which employs more than (ii) states, ‘‘Energy efficiency improve- help mitigate global greenhouse gas emis-
500,000 Americans, is essential in achieving ments enable the energy system to provide sion and improve developing countries’ resil-
these targets. the services we need with fewer resources ience and adaptation capacities to the ef-
(22) A number of existing laws and regula- and emissions. Over the past several years, fects of climate change;
tions in the United States also are relevant the United States has demonstrated that (3) to reclaim, accept, and fully engage di-
to achieving this target, including— programs and standards to improve the en- plomacy within a variety of current and out-
(A) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et ergy efficiency of buildings, appliances and standing multilateral institutions that the
seq.); vehicles can cost-effectively cut carbon pol- United States has withdrawn, withheld sup-
(B) the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public lution and lower energy bills, while main- port, or diminished meaningful engagement
Law 102–486); and taining significant support from U.S. indus- from in recent years;
(C) the Energy Independence and Security try and consumers.’’. (4) to encourage the pursuit of new bilat-
Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–140). (33) Global temperatures must be kept eral cooperation agreements with other
(23) On November 4, 2020, the United States below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industri- world powers on initiatives to advance global
withdrawal from the Paris Agreement be- alized levels to avoid the most severe im- clean energy innovation and deployment and
came effective, which at the time resulted in pacts of a changing climate, which will re- other measures to mitigate global green-
the United States being the only state party quire— house gas emissions and improve climate
(out of 197 parties) to the UNFCCC that is (A) global reductions in greenhouse gas change adaptation capacities;
not a party to the Paris Agreement. emissions from human sources of 40 to 60 (5) to ensure that the United States’ na-
(24) On January 20, 2021, President Biden percent from 2010 levels by 2030; and tional security apparatus integrates criti-
initiated the process for reentering the (B) net-zero global emissions by 2050; cally important data on the compounding ef-
United States into the Paris Agreement. On (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of fects that climate change is having on global
February 19, 2021, the United States offi- Congress that— security risks by enhancing our under-
cially rejoined the Paris Agreement. (1) when the United States proffers a standing of how, where, and when such ef-
(25) Article 8 of the Paris Agreement strong commitment and focused leadership fects are destabilizing countries and regions
states, ‘‘Parties recognize the importance of on climate action, the rest of the world will in ways that may motivate conflict, dis-
averting, minimizing and addressing loss and likely follow its example; placement, and other drivers of insecurity;
damage associated with the adverse effects (2) when the United States abdicates lead- and
of climate change, including extreme weath- ership on such matters, other countries are (6) to authorize funding and programs to
er events and slow onset events, and the role likely to waiver on their commitments to support a reaffirmation of the United States’
of sustainable development in reducing the action and retract to insular posturing on commitments to international cooperation
risk of loss and damage.’’ Such adverse ef- matters that require cooperation; and and support for developing and vulnerable
fects include strong winds from hurricanes (3) in order to avert the worst impacts of countries to take climate action.
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and tropical storms, and flooding from storm climate change, which is in the core national SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
surges and heavy rain, that inflict losses on interest of the United States, the United In this Act:
various sectors of the United States econ- States should— (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT-
omy. (A) prioritize climate change in its foreign TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional
(26) The Paris Agreement requires that policy, and ensure that climate change is committees’’ means—
parties ‘‘should strengthen their cooperation taken into account in all foreign policy deci- (A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of
on enhancing action on adaptation, taking sion making; the Senate;
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2017
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of (A) United States national security con- (15) UNITED STATES-MEXICO-CANADA AGREE-
the Senate; cerns and subnational, national, and regional MENT; USMCA.—The terms ‘‘United States-
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of political stability; and Mexico-Canada Agreement’’ and ‘‘USMCA’’
the House of Representatives; and (B) overseas security and conflict situa- mean the Agreement between the United
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of tions that are potentially exacerbated by dy- States of America, the United Mexican
the House of Representatives. namic environmental factors and events, in- States, and Canada, done at Buenos Aires
(2) CLEAN ENERGY.—The term ‘‘clean en- cluding— November 30, 2018.
ergy’’ means— (i) the intensification and frequency of TITLE I—CLIMATE AND NATIONAL
(A) renewable energy and energy from sys- droughts, floods, wildfires, tropical storms, SECURITY
tems; and other extreme weather events; SEC. 101. CLIMATE DIPLOMACY.
(B) energy production processes that emit (ii) changes in historical severe weather, (a) IN GENERAL.—The President and the
zero greenhouse gas emissions, including nu- drought, and wildfire patterns; Secretary of State shall prioritize climate
clear power; (iii) the expansion of geographical ranges action and climate diplomacy in United
(C) systems and processes that capture and of droughts, floods, and wildfires into regions States foreign policy by—
permanently store greenhouse gas emissions that had not regularly experienced such phe- (1) ensuring diplomacy, support, and inter-
from fossil fuel production and electricity nomena; agency coordination for bilateral and multi-
generation units; (iv) global sea level rise patterns and the lateral actions to address the climate crisis;
(D) products, processes, facilities, or sys- expansion of geographical ranges affected by and
tems designed to retrofit and improve the drought; and (2) improving coordination and integration
energy efficiency and electricity generated (v) changes in marine environments that of climate action across all bureaus and
from electrical generation units, while using effect critical geostrategic waterways, such United States missions abroad.
as the Arctic Ocean, the South China Sea, (b) CLIMATE ACTION INTEGRATION.—The
less fuel, less or fewer power production re-
the South Pacific Ocean, the Barents Sea, Secretary of State, through the Under Sec-
sources, or less feedstocks; and
and the Beaufort Sea. retary of State for Economic Growth, En-
(E) zero emission vehicles. ergy, and the Environment and any other
(3) CLIMATE ACTION.—The term ‘‘climate (7) NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBU-
TION.—The term ‘‘nationally determined con-
designees, shall—
action’’ means enhanced efforts to reduce (1) prioritize climate action and clean en-
greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen re- tribution’’ means a country’s pledged efforts
to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions ergy within the bureaus and offices under
silience and adaptive capacity to climate-in- the leadership of the Under Secretary for
duced impacts, including— and adapt to the effects of climate change,
which may include a financial pledge of sup- Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environ-
(A) climate-related hazards in all coun- ment;
tries; port or financing to assist developing coun-
(2) ensure that such bureaus and offices are
(B) integrating climate change measures tries achieve their climate action goals, in
coordinating with other bureaus of the De-
into national policies, strategies and plan- accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 4 of
partment of State regarding the integration
ning; and the Paris Agreement, which requires each
of climate action and climate diplomacy as a
(C) improving education, awareness-rais- Party—
cross-cutting imperative across the Depart-
ing, and human and institutional capacity (A) to ‘‘prepare, communicate and main-
ment of State;
with respect to climate change mitigation, tain successive nationally determined con-
(3) encourage all Under Secretaries of
adaptation, impact reduction, and early tributions that it intends to achieve’’; and
State—
warning. (B) to ‘‘pursue domestic mitigation meas-
(A) to assess how issues related to climate
(4) CLIMATE CRISIS.—The term ‘‘climate cri- ures, with the aim of achieving the objec- change and United States climate action are
sis’’ means the social, economic, health, tives of such contributions’’. integrated into their operations and pro-
(8) NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTIONS.—The term grams;
safety, and security impacts on people, and
‘‘natural climate solutions’’ mean actions to (B) to coordinate crosscutting actions and
the threats to biodiversity and natural eco-
protect, sustainably manage, and restore diplomatic efforts that relate to climate ac-
system health, which are attributable to the
natural or modified ecosystems that— tion; and
wide-variety of effects on global environ-
(A) address climate change effectively and (C) to make available the technical assist-
mental and atmospheric conditions as a re-
adaptively; and ance and resources of the bureaus and offices
sult of disruptions to the Earth’s climate
(B) simultaneously provide human well- with relevant expertise to provide technical
from anthropogenic activities that generate
being and environmental benefits. assistance and expert support to other bu-
greenhouse gas emissions or reduce natural
(9) NATURAL RESOURCES.—The term ‘‘nat- reaus within the Department of State re-
resource capacities to absorb and regulate
ural resources’’ means the terrestrial, fresh- garding climate action, clean energy devel-
atmospheric carbon.
water, estuarine, and marine fish, wildlife, opment, and climate diplomacy;
(5) CLIMATE DIPLOMACY.—The term ‘‘cli- plants, land, air, water, habitats, and eco-
mate diplomacy’’ means methods of influ- (4) manage the integration of scientific
systems. data on the current and anticipated effects
encing the decisions and behavior of foreign (10) NET ZERO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.—
governments and peoples through dialogue, of climate change into applied strategies and
The term ‘‘net zero greenhouse gas emis- diplomatic engagements across pro-
negotiation, cooperation and other measures sions’’ means that any anthropogenic green-
short of war or violence around issues re- grammatic and regional bureaus of the De-
house gas emissions are balanced or offset by partment of State and into the Department
lated to addressing global climate change, deliberate activities that absorb or capture of State’s decision making processes;
including— and permanently store equivalent amounts (5) ensure that the relevant bureaus and of-
(A) the mitigation of global greenhouse gas of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. fices provide appropriate technical support
emissions; (11) PARIS AGREEMENT.—The term ‘‘Paris and resources—
(B) discussion, analysis, and sharing of sci- Agreement’’ means the international agree- (A) to the President, the Secretary of
entific data and information on the cause ment adopted by parties to the United Na- State, and their respective designees charged
and effects of climate change; tions Framework Convention on Climate with addressing climate change and associ-
(C) the security, social, economic, and po- Change’s 21st Conference of Parties in Paris, ated issues;
litical instability risks associated with the France on December 12, 2015. (B) to United States diplomats advancing
effects of climate change; (12) RENEWABLE ENERGY.—The term ‘‘re- United States foreign policy related to cli-
(D) economic cooperation efforts and trade newable energy’’ means all forms of energy mate action; and
matters that are related to or associated produced from sources that naturally occur (C) for the appropriate engagement and in-
with climate change and greenhouse gas or are replenished in nature in a sustainable tegration of relevant domestic agencies in
mitigation from the global economy; manner, including bioenergy, geothermal en- international climate change affairs, includ-
(E) building resilience capacities and ergy, hydropower, ocean energy, solar en- ing United States participation in multilat-
adapting to the effects of change; ergy, and wind energy. eral fora; and
(F) sustainable land use and natural re- (13) RESILIENCE.—The term ‘‘resilience’’ (6) carry out other activities, as directed
source conservation; means the ability of human made and nat- by the Secretary of State, that advance
(G) accounting for loss and damage attrib- ural systems (including their component United States climate-related foreign policy
uted to the effects of climate change; parts) to anticipate, absorb, cope, accommo- objectives, including global greenhouse gas
(H) just transition of carbon intense econo- date, or recover from the effects of a haz- mitigation, climate change adaptation ac-
mies to low or zero carbon economies and ac- ardous event in a timely and efficient man- tivities, and global climate security.
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counting for laborers within affected econo- ner, including through ensuring the preser- (c) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNDER SEC-
mies; and vation, restoration, or improvement of its RETARY OF STATE FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS.—
(I) technological innovations that reduce essential basic structures and functions. The Under Secretary of State for Political
or eliminate carbon emissions. (14) UNFCCC.—The term ‘‘UNFCCC’’ means Affairs shall ensure that all foreign missions
(6) CLIMATE SECURITY.—The term ‘‘climate the United Nations Framework Convention are—
security’’ means the effects of climate on Climate Change, done at New York May 9, (1) advancing United States bilateral cli-
change on— 1992, and entered into force March 21, 1994. mate diplomacy;
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S2018 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(2) engaging strategically on opportunities ters in embassies of the United States or in as flooding, drought, and extreme storm
for bilateral climate action cooperation with other United States diplomatic or inter- events, including tropical cyclones.
foreign governments; and national development missions. (d) CLIMATE SECURITY STRATEGY.—The Sec-
(3) utilizing the technical resources and co- (h) CLIMATE CHANGE SUPPORT AND FINANC- retary shall use the evaluations required
ordinating adequately with the bureaus re- ING.—The Secretary of State shall facilitate under subsection (a)—
porting to the Under Secretary of State for the coordination among the Department of (1) to inform the development and imple-
Economic Growth, Energy and the Environ- State and other relevant departments and mentation of a climate security strategy for
ment. agencies, including the United States Agen- the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Op-
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 200 days after cy for International Development, the De- erations, the Bureau of Political-Military
the date of the enactment of this Act, the partment of the Treasury, the United States Affairs, embassies, consulates, regional bu-
Under Secretary of State for Economic Trade and Development Agency, and the reaus, and other offices and programs oper-
Growth, Energy, and the Environment, in co- United States International Development Fi- ating chief of mission authority, including
operation with the Under Secretary of State nance Corporation, of contributing develop- those with roles in conflict avoidance, pre-
for Political Affairs, shall submit a report to ment finance or foreign assistance relevant vention and security assistance, or humani-
the appropriate congressional committees to United States international climate ac- tarian disaster response, prevention, and as-
that— tion and in support of United States climate sistance; and
(1) assesses how climate action and United diplomacy. (2) in furtherance of such strategy, to as-
States climate diplomacy is integrated (i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— sess, develop, budget for, and (upon approval)
across the Bureaus of the Department of There are authorized to be appropriated such implement plans, policies, and actions—
State; and sums as may be necessary to carry out this (A) to account for the impacts of climate
(2) includes recommendations on strategies section. change to global human health, safety, gov-
to improve cross bureau coordination and SEC. 102. ENHANCING UNITED STATES SECURITY ernance, oceans, food production, fresh water
understanding of United States climate ac- CONSIDERATIONS FOR GLOBAL CLI-
MATE DISRUPTIONS.
and other critical natural resources, settle-
tion and climate diplomacy. ments, infrastructure, marginalized groups,
(e) EFFECT OF ELIMINATION OF POSITIONS.— (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State,
and economic activity;
If the positions of Under Secretary of State in consultation with other relevant agencies,
(B) to evaluate the climate change vulner-
for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Envi- shall conduct biennial comprehensive eval-
ability, security, susceptibility, and resil-
ronment and the Under Secretary of State uations of present and ongoing disruptions
iency of United States interests and non-de-
for Political Affairs are eliminated or under- to the global climate system, including—
fense assets abroad.;
go name changes, the responsibilities of such (1) the intensity, frequency, and range of
(C) to coordinate the integration of cli-
Under Secretaries under this section shall be natural disasters;
mate change risk and vulnerability assess-
reassigned to other Under Secretaries of (2) the scarcity of global natural resources,
ments into all foreign policy and security de-
State, as appropriate. including fresh water;
cision-making processes, including awarding
(f) CLIMATE CHANGE EXPERTS IN KEY EM- (3) global food, health, and energy insecu-
foreign assistance;
BASSIES.—Not later than 180 days after the rities;
(D) to evaluate specific risks to certain re-
date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec- (4) conditions that contribute to—
gions and countries that are—
retary of State shall submit a report to the (A) intrastate and interstate conflicts;
(i) vulnerable to the effects of climate
Committee on Foreign Relations of the Sen- (B) foreign political and economic insta-
change; and
ate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of bility;
the House of Representatives that— (ii) strategically significant to the United
(C) international migration of vulnerable
(1) identifies the number of personnel of States;
and underserved populations;
the Department of State and the United (E) to enhance the resilience capacities of
(D) the failure of national governments;
States Agency for International Develop- foreign countries to the effects of climate
and
ment who— change as a means of reducing the risks of
(E) gender-based violence; and
(A) dedicate a significant portion of their conflict and instability;
(5) United States and allied military readi-
work to climate change mitigation, climate (F) to advance principles of good govern-
ness, operations, and strategy.
change adaptation, food security, or clean (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the evalua- ance by encouraging foreign governments,
energy matters; and tions conducted under subsection (a) are— particularly nations that are least capable of
(B) are stationed at United States missions (1) to support the practical application of coping with the effects of climate change—
in countries that are highly vulnerable to scientific data and research on climate (i) to conduct climate security evalua-
the effects or major greenhouse gas emitters; change’s dynamic effects around the world to tions; and
(2) analyzes the need for Federal climate improve resilience, adaptability, security, (ii) to facilitate the development of cli-
change policy specialist personnel in United and stability despite growing global environ- mate security action plans to ensure sta-
States embassies, United States Agency for mental risks and changes; bility and public safety in disaster situations
International Development missions, and (2) to ensure that the strategic planning in a humane and responsible fashion;
other United States diplomatic and inter- and mission execution of United States (G) to evaluate the vulnerability, security,
national development missions; and international development and diplomatic susceptibility, and resiliency of United
(3) includes— missions adequately account for heightened States interests and nondefense assets
(A) recommendations for increasing cli- and dynamic risks and challenges associated abroad;
mate change expertise within United States with the effects of climate change; (H) to build international institutional ca-
missions abroad among foreign service offi- (3) to improve coordination between United pacity to address climate security implica-
cers; and States science agencies conducting research tions and to advance United States interests,
(B) options for assigning to such missions and forecasts on the causes and effects of cli- regional stability, and global security; and
climate change attachés from the Environ- mate change and United States national se- (I) other activities that advance –
mental Protection Agency, the Department curity agencies; (i) the utilization and integration of cli-
of Energy, the National Oceanic and Atmos- (4) to better understand the dispropor- mate science in national security planning;
pheric Administration, the National Aero- tionate effects of global climate disruptions and
nautics and Space Administration, the De- on women, girls, indigenous communities, (ii) the clear understanding of how the ef-
partment of Agriculture, the Department of and other historically marginalized popu- fects of climate change can exacerbate secu-
Interior, or other relevant Federal agencies. lations; and rity risks and threats.
(g) CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORS.—The Sec- (5) to inform the development of the cli- SEC. 103. ARCTIC DIPLOMACY.
retary of State, or the Secretary’s designee, mate security strategy described in sub- (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of
shall have primary responsibility for the section (d). Congress that—
management and execution of United States (c) SCOPE.—The evaluations conducted (1) the rapidly changing Arctic environ-
climate diplomacy and related foreign policy under subsection (a) shall— ment—
and shall make appropriate arrangements (1) examine developing countries’ (A) creates new national and regional secu-
with the Administrator of the United States vulnerabilities and risks associated with rity challenges due to increased military ac-
Agency for International Development, the global, regional, and localized effects of cli- tivity in the Arctic;
Administrator of the Environmental Protec- mate change; and (B) heightens the risks of potential con-
tion Agency, the Secretary of Energy, the (2) assess and make recommendations on flicts spilling over into the Arctic region
Secretary of Agriculture, the Administrator necessary measures to mitigate risks and re- from interventions and theaters of tension in
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- duce vulnerabilities associated with effects, other regions of the world;
ministration, the Administrator of the Na- including— (C) threatens maritime safety due to inad-
tional Aeronautics and Space Administra- (A) sea level rise; equate regional resource capacity to patrol
tion, and other relevant Federal agencies (B) freshwater resource scarcity; the increase in vessel traffic this remote re-
and departments to assign personnel from (C) wildfires; and gion is experiencing from the growing ex-
such agencies and departments to serve as (D) increased intensity and frequency of panses of open Arctic water from diminished
dedicated advisors on climate change mat- extreme weather conditions and events, such annual levels of sea ice;
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2019
(D) impacts public safety due to increased (5) make available the methods and ap- and transit in the Arctic Region by non-Arc-
human activity in the Arctic region where proaches on the integration of climate tic Nations; and
search and rescue capacity remains very lim- science to other regional security planning (E) to facilitate the development of Arctic
ited; and programs in the Department of State to bet- Region Security Action Plans to ensure sta-
(E) threatens the health of the Arctic’s ter ensure that broader decision making bility and public safety in disaster situations
fragile and historically pristine environment processes may more adequately account for in a humane and responsible fashion; and
and the unique and highly sensitive species the effects of climate change; (6) to evaluate the vulnerability, security,
found in the Arctic’s marine and terrestrial (6) serve as a key point of contact for other susceptibility, and resiliency of United
ecosystems; and Federal agencies, including the Department States interests and nondefense assets in the
(2) the United States should reduce the of Defense, the Department of the Interior, Arctic Region.
consequences outlined in paragraph (1) by— the Department of Homeland Security, and
(A) carefully evaluating the wide variety the Intelligence Community, on Arctic Re- TITLE II—INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
and extremely dynamic set of security and gion security issues; AND CONVENTIONS
safety risks unfolding in the Arctic; (7) develop and facilitate the implementa-
(B) developing policies and making prep- SEC. 201. SENSE OF CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF
tion of an Arctic Region Security Policy in
arations for mitigating and responding to THE UNITED STATES RETURNING TO
accordance with subsection (f); THE PARIS AGREEMENT.
threats and risks in the Arctic; (8) use the voice, vote, and influence of the
(C) adequately funding the National Earth United States to encourage other countries It is the sense of Congress that—
System Prediction Capability to sub- and international multilateral organizations (1) President Trump’s decision to withdraw
stantively improve weather, ocean, and ice to support the principles of the Arctic Re- the United States from the Paris Agreement
predictions on time scales necessary for en- gion Security Policy implemented pursuant was a mistake that harmed the leadership,
suring regional security and trans-Arctic to subsection (f); and economic, national security, and diplomatic
shipping; (9) perform such other duties and exercise interests of the United States; and
(D) investing in resources, including a sig- such powers as the Assistant Secretary of (2) the United States’ expeditious return to
nificantly expanded icebreaker fleet, to en- State for Oceans and International Environ- the Paris Agreement is a critical first step to
sure that the United States has adequate ca- mental and Scientific Affairs and the Sec- restoring United States leadership among,
pacity to prevent and respond to security retary of State shall prescribe. and in cooperation with, the international
threats in the Arctic region; and (e) RANK AND STATUS.—The Secretary of community;
(E) pursuing diplomatic engagements with State may change the title of the Deputy As- (3) resuming United States’ global leader-
all nations in the Arctic region to reach an sistant Secretary for Arctic Affairs des- ship in the Paris Agreement’s implementa-
agreement for— ignated under subsection (c) to Special Rep- tion process is critical to ensuring that the
(i) maintaining peace and stability in the resentative or Special Envoy with the rank rules and procedures for implementing the
Arctic region; and of Ambassador if— Paris Agreement achieve maximum benefits
(ii) fostering cooperation on stewardship (1) the President nominates the person so for the United States;
and safety initiatives in the Arctic region. designated to that rank and status; and
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (4) prioritizing the immediate preparation
(2) the Senate confirms such person to such and communication of an updated United
(1) ARCTIC NATIONS.—The term ‘‘Arctic Na-
rank and status. States’ nationally determined contribution
tions’’ means the 8 nations with territory or
exclusive economic zones that extend north (f) ARCTIC REGION SECURITY POLICY.—The in support of the Paris Agreement will dem-
of the 66.56083 parallel latitude north of the Arctic Region Security Policy shall include onstrate a renewed and increasingly ambi-
equator, namely Russia, Canada, the United requirements for the Bureau of Conflict and tious United States’ commitment to climate
States, Norway, Denmark (including Green- Stabilization Operations, the Bureau of Po- action, which should incorporate—
land), Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. litical-Military Affairs, embassies, regional (A) strategies for achieving domestic
(2) ARCTIC REGION.—The term ‘‘Arctic Re- bureaus, and other offices with a role in con- greenhouse gas emissions reductions that
gion’’ means the geographic region north of flict avoidance, prevention and security as- achieve the United States’ 2015 national de-
the 66.56083 parallel latitude north of the sistance, or humanitarian disaster response, termined contribution to the Paris Agree-
equator. prevention, and assistance to assess, develop, ment;
(c) DESIGNATION.—The Assistant Secretary budget for, and implement plans, policies, (B) an ambitious 2030 mitigation target
of State for Oceans and International Envi- and actions— representing a mid-term goal that signifies
ronmental and Scientific Affairs shall des- (1) to enhance the resilience capacities of the emission reductions trajectory the
ignate a deputy assistant secretary serving Arctic Nations to the effects of climate United States needs to be on to achieve net-
within the Bureau of Oceans and Inter- change and increased civilian and military
zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050;
national Environmental and Scientific Af- activity from Arctic Nations and other na-
(C) commitments to engage constructively
fairs as ‘‘Deputy Assistant Secretary for tions that may result from increased accessi-
with parties to the Paris Agreement regard-
Arctic Affairs’’, who shall be responsible for bility of the Arctic Region due to decreased
ing the development of strategies to secure
affairs in the Arctic Region. sea ice, warmer ambient air temperatures
ambitious commitments from all parties and
(d) DUTIES.— The Deputy Assistant Sec- and other effects of climate change, as a
retary for Arctic Affairs shall— means of reducing the risk of conflict and in- to ensure adequate progress on mitigating
(1) facilitate the development and coordi- stability; greenhouses sufficiently to prevent 1.5 de-
nation of United States foreign policy in the (2) to assess specific added risks to the Arc- gree Celsius increase of warming;
Arctic Region relating to— tic Region and Arctic Nations that— (D) announced intentions of the United
(A) meeting national security needs; (A) are vulnerable to the effects of climate States’ to accept and fulfill United States
(B) protecting the Arctic environment and change; and obligations to other international agree-
conserving its biological resources; (B) are strategically significant to the ments to reduce global greenhouse gas emis-
(C) promoting environmentally sustainable United States; sions, including the International Civil Avia-
natural resource management and economic (3) to account for the impacts on human tion Organization’s Carbon Offset and Reduc-
development; health, safety, stresses, reliability, food pro- tion Scheme for International Aviation and
(D) strengthening institutions for coopera- duction, fresh water and other critical nat- the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Pro-
tion among the Arctic Nations; ural resources, and economic activity; tocol;
(E) involving Arctic indigenous people in (4) to coordinate the integration of climate (E) an intention to resume the United
decisions that affect them; and change risk and vulnerability assessments States’ cooperation and support for coopera-
(F) enhancing scientific monitoring and re- into the decision making process on foreign tive climate action detailed and announced
search on local, regional, and global environ- assistance awards to Arctic Nations; in various climate change communiques pro-
mental issues; (5) to advance principles of good govern- duced by the G7, the G20, the Arctic Council,
(2) coordinate the diplomatic objectives, ance by encouraging and cooperating with the United Nations, and others for which the
and, as appropriate, represent the United Arctic Nations on collaborative approaches— United States has recently abstained;
States within multilateral fora that address (A) to sustainably manage natural re- (F) a platform and policy incentives for the
international cooperation and foreign policy sources in the Arctic Region; United States private sector, and State and
matters in the Arctic Region; (B) to share the burden of ensuring mari- local governments to accurately account for
(3) help inform transnational commerce time safety in the Arctic Region; their contributions to reduce greenhouse gas
and commercial maritime transit in the Arc- (C) to prevent the escalation of security emissions;
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tic Region; tensions by mitigating against the mili- (G) a new, increased contribution pledge to
(4) coordinate the integration of scientific tarization of the Arctic Region; the Green Climate Fund, and contributions
data on the current and projected effects of (D) to develop mutually agreed upon multi- to other complementary multilateral funds;
climate change on the Arctic Region and en- lateral policies among Arctic Nations on the (H) a commitment to resume a leadership
sure that such data is applied to the develop- management of maritime transit routes role within the Green Climate Fund to
ment of security strategies for the Arctic through the Arctic Region and work coop- achieve accountability, transparency, and
Region; eratively on the transit policies for access to management reforms; and
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S2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(I) other activities that advance United (b) PLAN FOR DEVELOPING THE UNITED State and local educational agencies, in inte-
States climate-related foreign policy objec- STATES’ NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBU- grating instruction on human-caused cli-
tives, including global greenhouse gas miti- TION.—At least 20 days before the United mate change and the societal, environ-
gation, climate change adaptation activities, States submits a new or provisional nation- mental, and economic effects of such climate
and global climate security; ally determined contribution, the President change into curricula taught in elementary
(5) United States collaboration with other shall consult with, and provide embargoed and secondary schools under the control of
nations, especially developing countries drafts of the nationally determined contribu- such State and local educational agencies, in
most impacted by the need to transition car- tion to, the appropriate congressional com- order to meet the goals and ambitions of the
bon intensive industrial sectors, and the mittees. Paris Agreement to ensure climate edu-
workforces of these affected industries, on (c) PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY.—The President cation and awareness in schools.
the global transition to environmentally sus- shall make available to the public a plan for (e) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE AC-
tainable economies and societies to ensure the United States to meet its nationally de- COUNTABILITY OF PARTIES TO THE PARIS
workers benefit from opportunities that termined contribution, which shall include— AGREEMENT.—It is the sense of Congress that
arise in a transition to economies powered (1) ambitious, economy-wide, short-term the United States shall use its diplomatic le-
by clean energy, including engagements on— greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets verage and the mechanisms of the Paris
(A) realizing the potential to create sig- for 2025 and 2030, with relevant addenda to Agreement that promote transparency, re-
nificant net gains in employment opportuni- the plan following its initial submission; porting, and accountability among parties to
(2) considerations made for populations, re- seek to play critical leadership roles on the
ties through increases in the number of de-
gions, industries, and constituencies that Paris Agreement’s critical working groups,
cent jobs through investments in environ-
could be affected by actions to meet the tar- subsidiary bodies, and constituted bodies—
mentally sustainable production and con-
gets described in paragraph (1) and the fail- (1) to maximize the United States’ ability
sumption and management of natural re-
ure to meet such targets, including the effect to hold other parties accountable for meet-
sources;
of such actions on— ing the commitments to the Paris Agree-
(B) improving the quality of jobs and in-
(A) United States’ jobs, wages, and pay; ment; and
creased incomes on a large scale from more
(B) the cost of energy (such as electricity (2) to ensure that all parties commit to and
productive processes, and environmentally
and gasoline) for consumers; and meet ambitious greenhouse gas emissions re-
sustainable products and services in sectors
(C) the ability to develop and deploy new, ductions targets.
such as agriculture, renewable energy, trans- innovative, domestically produced tech- SEC. 203. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING RATI-
port, construction, recycling, and tourism; nologies; FICATION OF THE KIGALI AMEND-
(C) social inclusion through improved ac- (3) a description of how the United States MENT TO THE MONTREAL PRO-
cess to affordable, environmentally sustain- may use— TOCOL.
able energy and payments for environmental (A) multilateral and bilateral diplomatic (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol-
services, which are of particular relevance to tools, in addition to the expert committee lowing:
women and residents in rural areas who face established under Article 15 of the Paris (1) The chemical refrigerant alternative,
more economic challenges; Agreement, to encourage and assist other hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), and its chemical
(D) protections from the effects of eco- parties to the Paris Agreement to fulfill derivatives identified in Annex F of the Mon-
nomic restructuring that would otherwise their announced contributions; and treal Protocol on Substances that Deplete
result in the displacement of workers and (B) the mechanisms under Articles 12 and the Ozone Layer, done at Montreal Sep-
possible job losses; 13 of the Paris Agreement to urge enhanced tember 16, 1987, which replaced
(E) training and access to new job opportu- actions from other parties to achieve the hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and
nities attributable to new environmentally overall objectives of the Paris Agreement; chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), are short-lived
sustainable and clean energy powered enter- (4) a description of how the Paris Agree- and highly potent greenhouse gases.
prises and workplaces; ment’s loss and damage provisions would af- (2) Some HFCs are 4,000 times more potent
(F) attracting new environmentally sus- fect infrastructure resiliency in the United greenhouse gases than carbon dioxide. The
tainable and clean energy powered enter- States; expansion of mass production and worldwide
prises and workplaces to communities (5) a coherent and stable policy framework use of HFCs have significantly contributed
transitioning to low carbon economies and for sustainable enterprise development and to the recent worsening of the global climate
assist with adapting to climate change to decent work opportunities for all United crisis.
avoid loss of assets and livelihoods and invol- States residents that— (3) In October 15, 2016, the parties at the
untary migration; and (A) is developed through engagement in so- 28th Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Pro-
(G) avoiding adverse effects on the incomes cial dialogue, particularly in— tocol, with the support of the United States,
of poor households from higher energy and (i) communities that have historically ex- adopted an amendment (referred to in the
commodity prices; and perienced environmental injustice; and Act as the ‘‘Kigali Amendment’’) to the Mon-
(6) the United States should communicate (ii) communities with economies that are treal Protocol to globally phase down the
its intention to achieve net zero greenhouse heavily dependent on fossil fuel production production and application of
gas emissions by 2050. or consumption; and hydrofluorocarbons, most commonly used as
SEC. 202. ENHANCED UNITED STATES COMMIT- (B) maintains such social dialogue, in line refrigerants in air conditioners and for cold
MENT TO THE PARIS AGREEMENT. with international labor standards— storage.
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING NEED (i) at all stages, from policy design to im- (4) The Kigali Amendment calls for parties
FOR UPDATED UNITED STATES NATIONALLY plementation and evaluation; and to cut the production and consumption of
DETERMINED CONTRIBUTION.—It is the sense (ii) at all levels, from the national level to HFCs by more than 80 percent during a 30-
of Congress that— the enterprise; and year period—
(1) all parties determine their voluntary (6) an accounting of other relevant activi- (A) to eliminate an estimated 80,000,000,000
contributions to the Paris Agreement, in ac- ties that advance United States foreign pol- metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
cordance with Article 4.2 of the Paris Agree- icy objectives of— emissions by 2050; and
ment; (A) advancing global greenhouse gas miti- (B) to avoid up to 0.5 degree Celsius warm-
(2) the development and submission of a gation; ing by the end of the century, while con-
new United States’ nationally determined (B) supporting climate change adaptation tinuing to protect the ozone layer.
contribution should be prioritized, in accord- activities; and (5) United States’ ratification of the Kigali
ance with Article 4.9 of the Paris Agreement; (C) improving global climate security. Amendment will require the advice and con-
(3) the new United States’ nationally de- (d) EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS.— sent of the Senate. There is broad bipartisan
termined contribution should— (1) IN GENERAL.—The plan developed under support for the Kigali Amendment in the
(A) represent an ambitious 2030 target, in subsection (c) shall be consistent with Arti- Senate, as evidenced by a letter sent by 13
accordance with Articles 4.2 and 4.3 of the cle 12 of the Paris Agreement, which states Republican senators to the President on
Paris Agreement; and ‘‘Parties shall cooperate in taking measures, June 4, 2018, urging the President to submit
(B) put the United States on an appro- as appropriate, to enhance climate change the Kigali Amendment to the Senate for ad-
priate trajectory towards achieving net zero education, training, public awareness, public vice and consent.
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; and participation and public access to informa- (6) The Environmental Protection Agency
(4) the plan required under subsection (b) tion, recognizing the importance of these received sufficient domestic legal authority
should— steps with respect to enhancing actions to comply with the international obligations
(A) be developed in accordance with Arti- under this Agreement.’’. of the Kigali Amendment under title II of
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cle 4.13 of the Paris Agreement; (2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this the Department of the Interior, Environ-
(B) inform United States’ obligations Act may be construed to require or prohibit ment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
under Article 13.7 of the Paris Agreement; the President from including in the plan de- Act, 2021 (division G of Public Law 116–260),
and veloped under subsection (b), consistent with which was enacted on December 27, 2020.
(C) clearly demonstrate how the United the prohibition described in section 438 of (7) As of the date of the introduction of the
States will achieve the target referred to in the General Education Provisions Act (20 Act, the President has not submitted the
paragraph (3). U.S.C. 1232a), recommendations to support Kigali Amendment to the Senate for advice
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2021
and consent and the United States Govern- (including the United Nations Environment (E) fostering research to improve scientific
ment has neither ratified nor implemented Programme, the UNFCCC, the Montreal Pro- understanding of—
policies to comply with the Kigali Amend- tocol, the Arctic Council, the Group of 7, the (i) how high concentrations of short-lived
ment. Group of 20, the Organization for Economic climate pollutants affect human health,
(8) The Kigali Amendment, which has been Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the safety, and our climate;
ratified by 100 parties, entered into force on Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the (ii) changes in the amount and regional
January 1, 2019. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Arc- concentrations of black carbon and methane
(9) Adoption of the Kigali Amendment and tic Council, the Climate and Clean Air Coali- emissions, based on scientific modeling and
United States’ ratification of and compli- tion on Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, and forecasting;
ance with the Kigali Amendment is sup- the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agri- (iii) effective means to sequester short-
ported broadly by affected industry stake- culture) to use the voice, vote, and influence lived climate pollutants; and
holders and environmental public interest of the United States, consistent with the (iv) other related areas of research the
organizations. broad foreign policy goals of the United United States representatives deem nec-
(10) Industries in the United States that States, to advocate that each such body or essary;
use and produce fluorocarbons— conference— (F) encouraging the World Bank, the Inter-
(A) contribute more than $158,000,000,000 (1) commit to significantly increasing ef- national Monetary Fund, and other inter-
annually in goods and services to the econ- national finance organizations—
forts to reduce short-lived climate pollut-
omy of the United States; and (i) to prioritize efforts to combat short-
ants;
(B) employ more than 700,000 individuals, lived climate pollutants; and
(2) invest in and develop alternative energy
with an annual industry-wide payroll of (ii) to enhance transparency by providing
sources, industrial and agricultural proc-
more than $32,000,000,000. sufficient and adequate information to facili-
esses, appliances, and products to replace
(11) Foreign competitors to United States tate independent verification of their cli-
sources of short-lived climate pollutants;
chemical refrigerant and refrigeration equip- mate finance reporting;
(3) enhance coordination with the private
ment based and operating in countries that (G) encouraging observers of the Arctic
sector—
have ratified the Kigali Amendment and are Council (including India and China) to adopt
(A) to increase production and distribution
implementing policies in compliance with mitigation plans consistent with the findings
of clean energy alternatives, industrial proc-
the Kigali Amendment are gaining an advan- and recommendations of the Arctic Council’s
esses, and products that will replace sources
tage on United States based industries in the Framework for Action on Black Carbon and
of short-lived climate pollutants;
manufacturing and used of next-generation Methane;
(B) to develop action plans to mitigate
chemicals and equipment. (H) collaborating on technological ad-
short-lived climate pollutants from various
(12) The United States’ ratification of the vances in short-lived climate pollutant miti-
private sector operations;
Kigali Amendment— gation, sequestration and reduction tech-
(C) to encourage best technology, methods,
(A) would support and promote the techno- nologies; and
and management practices for reducing
logical leadership of the United States’ in- (I) advising foreign countries, at both the
short-lived climate pollutants;
dustries to lead global production and mar- national and subnational levels, regarding
(D) to craft specific financing mechanisms
keting of replacement refrigerants and the development and execution of regulatory
for the incremental costs associated with
equipment in compliance with the Kigali policies, services, and laws pertaining to re-
mitigating short-live climate pollutants; and
Amendment; and ducing the creation and the collection and
(E) to grow economic opportunities and de-
(B) according to industry analysis, would safe management of short-lived climate pol-
velop markets, as appropriate, for short-
potentially create approximately 33,000 new lutants.
lived climate pollutants trading, capture,
manufacturing jobs in the United States and (c) ENHANCING INTERNATIONAL OUTREACH
and other efforts that support economic AND PARTNERSHIP OF UNITED STATES AGEN-
add approximately $12,500,000,000 per year to growth using low and zero carbon energy
the economy of the United States. CIES INVOLVED IN GREENHOUSE GAS REDUC-
sources; TIONS.—
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (4) provide technical assistance to foreign
Congress that— (1) FINDING.—Congress recognizes the suc-
regulatory authorities and governments to cess of the United States Climate Alliance
(1) the President should immediately sub- remove unnecessary barriers to investment
mit the Kigali Amendment to the Senate for and the greenhouse gas reduction programs
in short-lived climate mitigation solutions, and strategies established by the Environ-
advice and consent; and including—
(2) the Senate should promptly provide its mental Protection Agency’s Center for Cor-
(A) the use of safe and affordable clean en- porate Climate Leadership.
advice and consent on the Kigali Amend- ergy;
ment. (2) AUTHORIZATION OF EFFORTS TO BUILD
(B) the implementation of policies requir- FOREIGN PARTNERSHIPS.—The Secretary of
SEC. 204. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CARBON OFF- ing industrial and agricultural best practices
SET AND REDUCTION SCHEME FOR
State shall work with the Administrator of
for capturing or mitigating the release of the Environmental Protection Agency to
INTERNATIONAL AVIATION.
methane from extractive, agricultural, and build partnerships, as appropriate, with the
The Administrator of the Federal Aviation industrial processes; and
Administration shall promulgate regulations governments of foreign countries and to sup-
(C) climate assessment, scientific research, port international efforts to reduce short-
establishing uniform policies and take other monitoring, and technological development
necessary actions to implement the terms of lived climate pollutants and combat climate
activities; change.
the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for (5) develop and implement clear, account- (d) NEGOTIATION OF NEW INTERNATIONAL
International Aviation (commonly known as able, and metric-based targets to measure AGREEMENTS AND REASSERTION OF TARGETS
‘‘CORSIA’’), which was adopted by Inter- the effectiveness of projects described in IN EXISTING AGREEMENTS.—Not later than 1
national Civil Aviation Organization in Oc- paragraph (4); and year after the date of the enactment of this
tober 2016 as Assembly Resolution A39-3, and (6) engage international partners in an ex- Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a
any amendments to such Resolution with isting multilateral forum (or, if necessary, report to Congress that—
which the United States concurs, as means establish through an international agree- (1) assesses the potential for negotiating
to secure a single global carbon emissions ment a new multilateral forum) to improve new international agreements, new targets
market-based mechanism to facilitate the global cooperation for— within existing international agreements or
participation of operators of civil aircraft of (A) creating tangible metrics for evalu- cooperative bodies, and the creation of a new
the United States in international aviation. ating efforts to reduce short-lived climate international forum to mitigate globally
SEC. 205. SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE POLLUTANTS. pollutants; short-lived climate pollutants to support the
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: (B) developing and implementing best efforts described in subsection (b);
(1) HIGH-GWP HFC.—The term ‘‘high-GWP practices for phasing out sources of short- (2) describes the provisions that could be
HFC’’ means newly manufactured lived climate pollutants, including expand- included in such agreements;
hydrofluorocarbons with a global warming ing capacity for innovative instruments to (3) assesses potential parties to such agree-
potential calculated over a 100-year period of mitigate short-lived climate pollutants at ments;
greater than 150, as described in the Fifth the national and subnational levels of for- (4) describes a process for reengaging with
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental eign countries, particularly countries with Canada and Mexico regarding the methane
Panel on Climate Change. little capacity to reduce greenhouse gas targets agreed to at the 2016 North American
(2) SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE POLLUTANTS.—The emissions and deploy clean energy facilities, Leaders’ Summit; and
term ‘‘short-lived climate pollutants’’ and countries that lack sufficient policies to (5) describes a process for reengaging with
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means— advance such development; the countries of the Arctic Council regarding
(A) black carbon; (C) encouraging the development of stand- the methane and black carbon targets that
(B) methane; and ards and practices, and increasing trans- were negotiated in 2015 through the Frame-
(C) high-GWP HFC. parency and accountability efforts for the re- work for Action.
(b) IN GENERAL.—The President shall direct duction of short-lived climate pollutants; (e) CONSIDERATION OF SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE
the United States representatives to appro- (D) integrating tracking and monitoring POLLUTANTS IN NEGOTIATING INTERNATIONAL
priate international bodies and conferences systems into industrial processes; AGREEMENTS.—In negotiating any relevant
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S2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
international agreement with any country or (F) prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, emis- (3) to use the voice and vote of the United
countries after the date of the enactment of sions from aviation and shipping were in- States in multilateral institutions to ad-
this Act, the President shall— creasing faster than all other transportation vance international efforts to advance sus-
(1) consider the impact short-lived climate modes; and tainable land-use planning, climate-smart
pollutants are having on the increase in (G) energy demand and emissions have con- agriculture, sustainable forest management,
global average temperatures and the result- tinued to rise in all modes of road transport and community-led conservation and devel-
ing global climate change; (cars, trucks, buses, and 2- and 3-wheelers), opment;
(2) consider the effects that climate change particularly in heavy-duty road freight (4) to improve the reliability and sustain-
is having on the environment; and transport, which account for 75 percent of ability of transportation systems, particu-
(3) ensure that the agreement strengthens global transportation sector emissions. larly in developing countries, through a
efforts to eliminate short-lived climate pol- (5) The worldwide market share of sport focus on mitigating carbon emissions, im-
lutants from such country or countries. utility vehicles rose 15 percentage points be- proving health and safety outcomes through
tween 2014 and 2019, and now comprises 40 improved land use and community design,
SEC. 206. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION RE-
GARDING CLEAN TRANSPORTATION percent of the global light-duty vehicle mar- and improved mobility for all populations;
AND SUSTAINABLE LAND USE AND ket. (5) to promote collaboration regarding
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. (6) China is the world’s largest automobile international research and development in—
market, with more than 23,700,000 light vehi- (A) zero-emission vehicles;
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol-
cles sold in China in 2018. As China’s road (B) sustainable urban development and
lowing:
network rapidly continues to expand, the smart growth; and
(1) Agriculture, forestry, and other land
number of vehicle miles traveled per capita (C) advanced low carbon biofuels for trans-
use accounted for 24 percent of global green-
will most likely lead to growth in China’s portation;
house gas emissions during 2010, which—
transportation sector carbon dioxide emis- (6) to facilitate and support the ability of
(A) is caused primarily from agriculture
sions. parties to the Paris Agreement to more ac-
(cultivation of crops and livestock) and de-
(7) Even with India’s advancement of poli- curately monitor, record, and report trans-
forestation; and
cies to promote electric vehicles and
(B) does not take into account the carbon portation sector emissions;
biofuels—
dioxide that ecosystems remove from the at- (7) to develop greater cooperation among
(A) India relies heavily on oil, and com-
mosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, parties for strengthening the rules and ambi-
prises 29 percent of India’s total energy con-
dead organic matter, and soils, which offset tion of the Paris Agreement’s mitigation
sumption;
approximately 20 percent of emissions from targets for transportation sector emissions;
(B) prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, India
this sector. (8) to improve the structural integrity of
was the world’s fastest growing aviation
(2) The transportation sector accounts for critical transportation infrastructure to
market, with passenger numbers for domes-
14 percent of global gas emissions and 28 per- withstand current and forecasted effects of
tic and international flights doubling since
cent of the United States’ greenhouse gas climate change and support community re-
2010;
emissions. (C) India is planning to build 100 new air- silience, improved access to jobs, and adapt-
(3) According to the National Center for ports between 2020 and 2035, and industry an- ability to the effects of climate change; and
Biotechnology Information’s report, ‘‘Na- alysts have projected up to 520,000,000 Indian (9) to explore new opportunities or seek en-
tional Mitigation Potential from Natural air travelers annually by 2037; and hanced initiatives within existing multilat-
Climate Solutions in the Tropics’’— (D) the World Health Organization reports eral and bilateral agreements to develop
(A) better land stewardship is needed to that 15 of the cities worldwide with the worst mechanisms and policies for reducing trans-
achieve the Paris Agreement’s temperature air pollution are in India, largely due to portation sector greenhouse gas emissions.
goal of holding the increase of global average urban vehicle emissions. (c) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.—In imple-
temperatures well below 2 degrees Celsius, (8) In 2013, Mexico became the first vehicle menting the policy described in subsection
particularly in the tropics; market in Latin America to establish fuel (b), the President should direct the United
(B) as countries enhance their nationally economy or carbon dioxide emissions stand-
determined contributions, confusion persists States representatives to appropriate inter-
ards.
about the potential contribution of better national bodies to use the influence of the
(9) The Department of State, the National
land stewardship to meeting such goal; United States, consistent with the broad for-
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and
(C) in 50 percent of the tropical countries, the Environmental Protection Agency do not eign policy goals of the United States, to ad-
cost-effective natural climate solutions have a program in place to encourage other vocate that each such body—
could mitigate more than 50 percent of na- countries to adopt standards that are com- (1) promote transportation sector invest-
tional emissions; patible with United States fuel economy and ment in—
(D) in more than 25 percent of the tropical emissions standards. (A) electric vehicles and other low and zero
countries, cost effective natural climate so- (10) Many countries adopt European emis- carbon transportation technologies; and
lutions potential is greater than national sions standards rather than United States (B) sustainable land use development that
emissions; and standards, in part because of European diplo- incorporates—
(E) natural climate solutions can trans- matic engagement, disadvantaging United (i) multi-modal transportation designs
form national economies and contribute to States automakers in international markets. aimed at reducing—
sustainable development goals. (b) STATEMENT OF POLICY.—It is the policy (I) traffic congestion;
(4) According to the International Energy of the United States to partner, consult, and (II) carbon emissions from motor vehicles;
Agency— coordinate with foreign governments, civil (III) travel times between high volume des-
(A) global transport emissions increased by society, international financial institutions, tinations within a community;
less than 0.5 percent in 2019 (compared with subnational communities, agribusiness and (IV) vehicle crashes and other threats to
an average annual increase of 1.9 percent automobile industry leaders, and the private motorist and pedestrian safety; and
since 2000), owing to efficiency improve- sector in a concerted effort— (V) stormwater runoff from impervious
ments, electrification, and greater use of (1) to raise awareness of— road surfaces, vehicle conflicts with wildlife,
biofuels; (A) the greenhouse gas emission contribu- habitat destruction, and other forms of envi-
(B) transportation is responsible for 24 per- tions from agriculture, forestry, other land ronmental degradation commonly associated
cent of direct carbon dioxide emissions from uses, and the transportation sector to the with roads and motor vehicles;
fossil fuel combustion; annual total of anthropogenic greenhouse (ii) multi-use community designs and
(C) electric car deployment has grown rap- gas emissions globally; and dense development that accounts for locat-
idly since 2010, with the global stock of elec- (B) the importance of working coopera- ing residential development near essential
tric passenger cars passing 5,000,000 in 2018 tively on the development of multi-faceted goods, services, and job opportunities (to re-
(an increase of 63 percent from the previous and country specific policies and strategies— duce individual reliance of motorized per-
year); (i) to effectively reduce greenhouse gas sonal transportation);
(D) in 2018— emissions from agriculture, forestry, other (iii) transportation systems designed—
(i) approximately 45 percent of all electric land uses, and the transportation sector; and (I) to maximize the safety of all users; and
cars on the road were in China; (ii) to promote economic growth, opportu- (II) to reduce the probability of motorized
(ii) approximately 24 percent of such cars nities, sustainable land management, and eq- vehicle crashes, including motorized vehicle
were in Europe; and uitable access to mobility, transportation crashes that injure or kill pedestrians and
(iii) approximately 22 percent of such cars services, and resources among all popu- bicyclists;
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were in the United States; lations; (2) strive to improve mobility by advancing
(E) existing measures to increase effi- (2) to mitigate land use sector emissions equitable access to transportation services
ciency and reduce energy demand must be through enhanced land use planning, sus- among all populations, particularly histori-
deepened and extended for compliance with tainable agriculture practices, sustainable cally underserved or marginalized popu-
the Sustainable Development Scenario of the forest management, and community-led con- lations and communities;
International Energy Agency’s World Energy servation and development and other natural (3) improve environmental quality and
Model; climate solutions; community health outcomes through—
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2023
(A) safer and more efficient multi-modal through ambitious climate action, in par- (A) renounce the United States contrarian
transportation systems that reduce vehicle ticular through reducing emissions while positions on climate change expressed in the
pollution and congestion; stimulating innovation, enhancing adaptive 2018 and 2019 official documents of the G7 and
(B) reductions in the amount of impervious capacity, strengthening and financing resil- G20 summits;
surfaces; and ience and reducing vulnerability; as well as (B) renew its commitment to climate co-
(C) integration of safe pedestrian and bicy- ensuring a just transition, including increas- operation and support for fulfilling the goals
cling infrastructure; ing efforts to mobilize climate finance from of the Paris Agreement in the context of the
(4) addresses unique transportation and a wide variety of sources.’’. G7 and the G20;
economic needs of countries’ diverse popu- (4) In 2019, the United States blocked the (C) lead efforts to formalize new mecha-
lations and communities in ways that also G7 from making any new or additional com- nisms and commitments to climate action
support a country’s achievement of ambi- mitments on climate change, to the ex- cooperation between the heads of state of the
tious greenhouse gas mitigation commit- pressed disappointment and frustration of G7 and of the G20, which are aimed at—
ments; the other six heads of state. (i) increasing ambition on greenhouse gas
(5) enhance coordination and engagement (5) The G7, without the active participa- mitigation; and
with private sector stakeholders; tion of the United States, continues to work (ii) strengthening support for climate fi-
(6) provide technical assistance to foreign together to fulfill clean energy commit- nance in developing countries, particularly
regulatory authorities and governments to ments on initiatives such as the 2014 Rome countries that are most vulnerable to the ef-
remove barriers to investment in transpor- Initiative for Energy Security, the 2015 Ham- fects of climate change; and
tation systems, infrastructure and electric burg Initiative for Sustainable Energy Secu- (D) challenge the heads of state of the G7
vehicles and low and zero carbon fuels; and rity, the 2016 Kitakyushu Initiative on En- and the G20 to leverage private financing and
(7) use clear, accountable, and metric- ergy Security for Global Growth, and the Af- increase grants and official development as-
based targets to measure the effectiveness of rica Renewable Energy Initiative. However, sistance in clean energy and sustainable de-
such projects. United States objections to global coopera- velopment projects in their own countries
(d) VEHICLE FUEL ECONOMY AND CO2 EMIS- tive climate action have prevented the G7 and in developing countries, especially coun-
SIONS DIPLOMACY INITIATIVE.— from undertaking new clean energy and cli- tries that are most vulnerable to the effects
(1) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary of State, mate action initiatives in recent years. of climate change; and
in consultation with the Secretary of Com- (6) The 2018 Buenos Aires Leaders Declara- (2) initiate the China-focused agenda de-
merce, the Secretary of Transportation, the tion by the G20— scribed in subsection (b) at the G7.
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Adminis- (A) recognizes the risks that climate
trator of the Environmental Protection TITLE III—CLIMATE CHANGE
change poses to global security, global DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AND SUPPORT
Agency, shall develop a Vehicle Fuel Econ- health, and economic development; and
omy and CO2 Emissions Diplomacy Initiative SEC. 301. INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE AD-
(B) affirms the significance of the Paris
to promote the worldwide adoption of vehi- APTATION, MITIGATION, AND SECU-
Agreement. RITY PROGRAM.
cle fuel economy and vehicle carbon dioxide (7) The United States insisted on the inclu-
emissions standards that are compatible (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
sion of a statement in the G20 Buenos Aires (1) CONVENTION.—The term ‘‘Convention’’
with United States standards. Leaders Declaration, for which the United
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.— means the United Nations Framework Con-
States was the only subscriber, expressing vention on Climate Change, done at New
(A) DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS.—The Secretary of dissenting opinions on international climate
State shall lead diplomatic efforts to encour- York May 9, 1992, and entered into force
action cooperation and equivocation on ‘‘uti- March 21, 1994.
age foreign governments to adopt vehicle lizing all energy sources and technologies,
fuel economy standards and vehicle carbon (2) MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND
while protecting the environment’’. POPULATIONS.—The term ‘‘most vulnerable
dioxide emissions standards. (8) In 2019, the G20 narrowly avoided con-
(B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Adminis- communities and populations’’ means com-
cluding without a leaders’ declaration, when munities and populations that are at risk of
trator of the National Highway Traffic Safe- the President unsuccessfully tried to pres-
ty Administration and the Administrator of substantial adverse effects of climate change
sure the other 19 heads of state to weaken and have limited capacity to respond to such
the Environmental Protection Agency shall commitments on combating climate change
provide technical assistance to other coun- effects, including women, impoverished com-
in the 2019 G20 Osaka Leaders Declaration, munities, children, indigenous peoples, and
tries to help such countries to develop new leaving the United States to provide a dis-
standards, testing regimes, and compliance formal and informal workers.
senting provision articulating its outlier po- (3) MOST VULNERABLE DEVELOPING COUN-
strategies. sition on climate action in the Declaration.
(3) PROGRAM SCOPE.—The Vehicle Fuel TRIES.—The term ‘‘most vulnerable devel-
(b) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days
Economy and CO2 Emissions Diplomacy Ini- oping countries’’ means, as determined by
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
tiative should— the President, acting through the Secretary the Administrator of the United States
(A) have the goal of reducing oil consump- of State, shall initiate a China-focused agen- Agency for International Development, de-
tion by at least 2,000,000 barrels per day by da at the G7, with respect to— veloping countries that are at risk of sub-
2030, in addition to the reduction anticipated (1) trade and investment issues and en- stantial adverse effects of climate change
by the implementation of standards in exist- forcement; and have limited capacity to respond to such
ence as of the date of the enactment of this (2) establishing and promulgating inter- effects, considering the approaches included
Act; national infrastructure standards; in any international treaties and agree-
(B) include input in developing the pro- (3) the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong; ments.
gram from leaders in United States industry; (4) human rights concerns in Xinjiang, (4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means
and Tibet, and other areas in the People’s Repub- the International Climate Change Adapta-
(C) focus special attention on Latin Amer- lic of China; tion, Mitigation, and Security Program es-
ica. (5) the security of 5G telecommunications; tablished pursuant to subsection (c).
SEC. 207.SENSE OF CONGRESS ON UNITED (6) anti-competitive behavior; (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section
STATES REENGAGEMENT WITH THE (7) coercive and indentured international is to provide authorities for additional, new,
GROUP OF SEVEN AND THE GROUP finance and conditional provision of foreign current, and ongoing bilateral and regional
OF TWENTY ON CLIMATE ACTION.
assistance; international development assistance, and,
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol- (8) international influence campaigns; as appropriate, to leverage private resources,
lowing: (9) climate change; in support of host country driven projects,
(1) President Trump has abstained from (10) China’s domestic and international in- planning, policies, and initiatives designed
several heads of state meetings on climate vestments in new coal power plants; to improve the ability of host countries—
action and cooperation with the heads of (11) environmental standards; and (1) to primarily produce reliable renewable
state from countries comprising the Group of (12) coordination with like-minded regional energy and reduce or mitigate carbon emis-
Seven (referred to in this section as the partners, including the Republic of Korea sions from the power sector while facili-
‘‘G7’’) and the Group of Twenty (referred to and Australia. tating the transition in key global markets
in this section as the ‘‘G20’’). (c) BRIEFING ON PROGRESS OF NEGOTIA- from electricity generated from fossil fuel
(2) The G7 summit held in Charlevoix, Que- TIONS.—Not later than 1 year after the date power to low-cost clean energy sources, in a
bec in June 2018 produced a climate action of the enactment of this Act, the President manner that is equitable for workers and
communique that was signed by the heads of shall provide a briefing to the Committee on communities;
state from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Foreign Relations of the Senate and the (2) to adapt and become more resilient to
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
Japan, and the United Kingdom, but was not Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House current and forecasted effects of climate
signed by the United States. of Representatives regarding the progress of change; and
(3) The G7 climate action communique any negotiations described in subsection (b). (3) to employ—
states, ‘‘Canada, France, Germany, Italy, (d) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (A) sustainable land use practices that
Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Euro- Congress that the United States should— mitigate desertification and reduce green-
pean Union reaffirm their strong commit- (1) in the next G7 communique and G20 house gas emissions from deforestation and
ment to implement the Paris Agreement, Leaders’ Declaration— forest degradation; and
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S2024 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(B) agricultural production practices that in accordance with international labor serve soil, and improve food and water secu-
reduce poverty while improving soil health, standards; rity of communities;
protecting water quality, and increasing food (7) reduce the vulnerability and increase (16) foster partnerships with private sector
security and nutrition. the resilience capacities of communities to entities and nongovernmental international
(c) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—The Sec- the effects of climate change, including ef- development organizations to assist with de-
retary of State, in coordination with the fects on— veloping solutions and economic opportuni-
Secretary of the Treasury and the Adminis- (A) water availability; ties that support projects, planning, policies,
trator of the United States Agency for Inter- (B) agricultural productivity and food se- and initiatives described in subsection (b);
national Development, shall establish a pro- curity; (17) provide technical assistance and
gram, to be known as the ‘‘International Cli- (C) flood risk; strengthen capacities of developing coun-
mate Change Adaptation, Mitigation, and (D) coastal resources; tries to meet the goals of the conditional na-
Security Program’’, to provide bilateral and (E) biodiversity; tionally determined contributions of those
regional assistance to developing countries (F) economic livelihoods; countries;
for programs, projects, and activities de- (G) health and diseases; (18) establish investment channels de-
scribed in subsection (e). (H) housing and shelter; and
(d) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Assist- signed to leverage private sector financing
(I) human migration; in—
ance provided under this section shall be (8) help countries and communities adapt
used to supplement, and not to supplant, any (A) clean energy;
to changes in the environment through en- (B) sustainable agriculture and natural re-
other Federal, State, or local resources hanced community planning, preparedness,
available to carry out activities that fit the source management; and
and growth strategies that take into account
characteristics of the Program. (C) the transportation sector as described
current and forecasted regional and localized
(e) POLICY.—It shall be the policy of the in paragraph (3); and
effects of climate change;
United States to ensure that the Program (19) provide technical assistance and sup-
(9) conserve and restore natural resources,
provides resources to developing countries, ecosystems, and biodiversity threatened by port for non-extractive activities that pro-
particularly the most vulnerable commu- the effects of climate change to ensure such vide alternative economic growth opportuni-
nities and populations in such countries, to resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity are ties while preserving critical habitats and
support the development and implementa- healthy and continue to provide natural pro- natural carbon sinks.
tion of programs, projects, and activities tections from the effects of climate change (f) PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE.—
that— such as extreme weather; (1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the
(1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions (10) provide resources, information, sci- United States Agency for International De-
through the integration and deployment of entific data and modeling, innovative best velopment, under the direction of the Sec-
clean energy, which may include trans- practices, and technical assistance to sup- retary of State, and in consultation with the
mission, distribution, and interconnections port vulnerable developing countries and Secretary of the Treasury and, as appro-
to renewable energy, while facilitating the communities adapt their economies, commu- priate, the Administrator of the Environ-
transition in key global markets from elec- nities, and security planning efforts to the mental Protection Agency, the Secretary of
tricity generated from fossil fuel power to effects of climate change; Energy, and the Secretary of Agriculture,
low-cost renewable energy sources, in a man- (11) promote sustainable and climate-resil-
ner that is equitable for workers and com- shall provide assistance under the Program—
ient societies, including through improve- (A) in the form of bilateral assistance pur-
munities; ments to make critical infrastructure less
(2) advance the use of clean energy tech- suant to the requirements under subsection
vulnerable to the effects of climate change; (g);
nologies facing financial or other barriers to (12) encourage the adoption of policies and
widespread deployment that could be ad- (B) to multilateral funds or international
measures, including sector-based and cross- institutions with programs for climate miti-
dressed through support under the Program sector policies and measures, that substan-
to reduce, sequester, or avoid greenhouse gas gation or adaptation in developing countries
tially reduce, sequester, or avoid greenhouse
emissions; consistent with the policy described in sub-
gas emissions from the domestic energy and
(3) improve the availability, viability, and section (e); or
transportation sectors of developing coun-
accessibility of zero emission vehicles, in- (C) through a combination of the mecha-
tries;
cluding support for design and development nisms specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(13) reduce deforestation and land degrada-
of transportation networks and land use (2) LIMITATION.—
tion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and
practices that mitigate carbon emissions in implement sustainable forestry practices; (A) CONDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION TO MULTI-
the transportation sector; LATERAL FUNDS OR INTERNATIONAL INSTITU-
(14) promote sustainable land use activi-
(4) support building capacities that may in- TIONS.—In any fiscal year, the Administrator
ties, including supporting development plan-
clude— ning, design, and construction with respect of the United States Agency for Inter-
(A) developing and implementing meth- to transportation systems and land use that national Development, under the direction of
odologies and programs for measuring and incorporates— the Secretary of State, may provide up to 40
quantifying greenhouse gas emissions and (A) multi-modal transportation designs percent of the assistance available to carry
verifying emissions mitigation, including aimed at reducing— out the Program to 1 or more multilateral
building capacities to conduct emissions in- (i) traffic congestion; funds or international institutions that meet
ventories and meet reporting requirements (ii) carbon emissions from motor vehicles; the requirements of subparagraph (B).
under the Paris Agreement; (iii) travel times between high volume des- (B) MULTILATERAL FUND OR INTERNATIONAL
(B) assessing, developing, and imple- tinations within a community; INSTITUTION ELIGIBILITY.—A multilateral
menting technology and policy options for (iv) motor vehicle crashes and other fund or international institution is eligible
greenhouse gas emissions mitigation and threats to motorist and pedestrian safety; to receive assistance under subparagraph
avoidance of future emissions, including sec- and (A)—
tor-based and cross-sector mitigation strate- (v) stormwater runoff from impervious (i) if—
gies; road surfaces, motor vehicle conflicts with (I) such fund or institution is established
(C) enhancing the technical capacity of wildlife, habitat destruction, and other pursuant to—
regulatory authorities, planning agencies, forms of environmental degradation com- (aa) the Convention; or
and related institutions in developing coun- monly associated with roads and motor vehi- (bb) an agreement negotiated under the
tries to improve the deployment of clean en- cles; Convention; or
ergy technologies and practices, including (B) multi-use community designs and (II) the assistance is directed to 1 or more
through increased transparency; dense development that account for locating multilateral funds or international develop-
(D) training and instruction regarding the residential development near essential ment institutions, pursuant to an agreement
installation and maintenance of renewable goods, services, and job opportunities to re- negotiated under the Convention; and
energy technologies; and duce individual reliance on motorized per- (ii) if such fund or institution—
(E) activities that support the development sonal transportation; (I) specifies the terms and conditions under
and implementation of frameworks for intel- (C) transportation systems designed to— which the United States is to provide assist-
lectual property rights in developing coun- (i) maximize the safety of all users; ance to the fund or institution, and under
tries; (ii) improve mobility by advancing equi- which the fund or institution is to provide
(5) improve resilience, sustainable eco- table access to transportation services assistance to recipient countries;
nomic growth, and adaptation capacities in among all populations, particularly histori- (II) ensures that assistance from the
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
response to and in spite of the effects of cli- cally underserved or marginalized popu- United States to the fund or institution and
mate change; lations and communities; and the principal and income of the fund or insti-
(6) promote appropriate job training and (iii) reduce the probability of vehicle tution are disbursed only—
access to new job opportunities in new eco- crashes and pedestrian and bicyclist injuries (aa) to support projects, planning, policies,
nomic sectors and industries that emerge and mortalities; and initiatives described in subsection (b);
due to the transition from fossil fuel energy (15) promote sustainable agricultural prac- (bb) consistent with the policy described in
to clean energy, with full labor protections tices that mitigate carbon emissions, con- subsection (e); and
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2025
(cc) in regular consultation with relevant programs, projects, or activities carried out Davos, Switzerland, put addressing the cli-
governing bodies of the fund or institution under this subsection. mate crisis at the top of its agenda. World
that— (h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— and business leaders reinforced the need for
(AA) include representation from countries There is authorized to be appropriated to urgent action to avoid human destruction
among the most vulnerable developing coun- carry out this section $2,000,000,000 for fiscal from the clear and present climate crisis.
tries; and year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter. (2) At the 2020 annual meeting of the WEF,
(BB) provide public access. SEC. 302. UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTIONS TO the President, accompanied by the Secretary
(C) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION.—The Sec- THE GREEN CLIMATE FUND. of the Treasury, delivered a contrarian mes-
retary of State, the Administrator of the (a) UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTIONS.—On be- sage, claiming, ‘‘To embrace the possibilities
United States Agency for International De- half of the United States, the Secretary of of tomorrow, we must reject the perennial
velopment, or the Secretary of the Treasury the Treasury and the Secretary of State— prophets of doom and their predictions of the
shall notify the appropriate congressional (1) shall jointly coordinate contributions apocalypse.’’.
committees not later than 15 days before to the Green Climate Fund; and (3) Nevertheless, the WEF, without support
providing assistance to a multilateral fund (2) may contribute to the Green Climate from the United States, announced climate
or international institution under this sub- Fund, in addition to the amounts authorized initiatives on sustainable markets, reaching
section. under subsection (d), additional amounts carbon neutrality on insurance investment
(3) LOCAL CONSULTATIONS.—Programs, from other relevant foreign assistance ac- portfolios, decarbonizing the automotive sec-
projects, and activities supported by assist- counts. tor through circular economies, and
ance provided under this subsection shall re- (b) LIMITS ON COUNTRY ACCESS.—The Sec- transitioning to healthier, more sustainable
quire consultations with local communities, retary of the Treasury shall use the voice, food systems.
particularly the most vulnerable commu- vote, and influence of the United States to (4) The one initiative the United States did
nities and populations in such communities, ensure that— agree to join is the Trillion Tree Campaign,
and indigenous peoples in areas in which any (1) the Fund does not provide more than which aims to grow, restore, and conserve 1
programs, projects, or activities are planned approximately 15 percent of the resources of trillion trees by 2030.
to engage such communities and peoples the Fund to any one country; (5) The President’s dismissal of the threat
through adequate disclosure of information, (2) each country that receives amounts climate change poses to economic growth
public participation, consultation, and the from the Fund submits to the governing and global security has isolated the United
free prior and informed consent of such peo- body of the Fund an investment plan that States from the 117 represented countries at
ples, including full consideration of the describes how— the WEF that support its climate agenda and
interdependence of vulnerable communities (A) energy efficiency or production are accelerating their national commitments
and ecosystems to promote the resilience of projects will achieve significant and lasting in other international fora to address cli-
local communities. reductions in national-level greenhouse gas mate change.
emissions; and (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of
(g) BILATERAL ASSISTANCE.—
(B) adaptation projects will— Congress that at the 2021 WEF, or at an ap-
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except to the extent in-
(i) provide long-term enhancements to na- propriate time and venue as early as possible
consistent with this subsection, the adminis-
tional and food security; in 2021—
trative authorities under the Foreign Assist-
(ii) protect lives and livelihoods; (1) the Secretary of State should commit
ance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) shall
(iii) ensure lasting access to freshwater re- to restoring diplomatic engagement and co-
apply to the implementation of this sub-
sources; or operation on mobilizing investment and sup-
section to the same extent and in the same
(iv) advance public health outcomes; and port for growing the global economy while
manner as such authorities apply to the im-
(3) in the case of a country that is not clas- achieving net zero global greenhouse gas
plementation of such Act in order to provide
sified by the World Bank as having a low-in- emissions by 2050;
the Administrator of the United States
come economy, provides for not less than 15 (2) the Secretary of the Treasury should
Agency for International Development with
percent of the total cost of the plan to be announce—
the authority to provide assistance to coun-
contributed from the public funds of the (A) the intention of the United States Gov-
tries, including the most vulnerable devel-
country. ernment to divest from future investment
oping countries, for programs, projects, and (c) PROJECT AND PROGRAM REQUIRE-
activities consistent with the purposes de- and support for fossil fuel energy and extrac-
MENTS.—The Secretary of the Treasury, in
scribed in subsection (b) and the policy de- tion projects in developing countries; and
consultation with the Secretary of State,
scribed in subsection (e). (B) the establishment of an international
shall use the voice, vote, and influence of the
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out this clean energy private finance fund to support
United States to ensure that support from
subsection, the Administrator shall ensure the development of large-scale renewable en-
the Fund is used exclusively to support the
that— ergy projects in middle income countries;
deployment by developing countries of clean
(A) the environmental impact of proposed (3) the Chief Executive Officer of the
energy technologies and the development of
programs, projects, and activities is assessed United States International Development Fi-
projects that improve the resilience capac-
through adequate consultation, public par- nance Corporation should commit to—
ities and ability of countries to adapt to the
ticipation, and disclosure of information; (A) divesting the United States Inter-
effects of climate change, including, as ap-
and national Development Finance Corporation
propriate, through the provision of technical
(B) programs, projects, and activities from future fossil fuel energy development
support or support for policy or institutional
under this subsection— and extraction projects; and
reforms.
(i) avoid environmental degradation, to the (B) investing a significant portion of the
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In
maximum extent practicable; and annual portfolio of the United States Inter-
addition to the amounts authorized to be ap-
(ii) are aligned, to the maximum extent national Development Finance Corporation
propriated under section 301(h), there are au-
practicable, with broader development, pov- in clean energy development projects; and
thorized to be appropriated for contributions
erty alleviation, or natural resource manage- (4) the Administrator of the United States
to the Green Climate Fund—
ment objectives and initiatives in the recipi- Agency for International Development
(1) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
ent country. should commit to prioritizing building resil-
(2) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(3) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.—The Admin- ience and adaption capacities in the most
(3) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
istrator shall seek to ensure that— climate-vulnerable countries.
(4) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(A) local communities, particularly the (e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than SEC. 304. CLEAN ENERGY AND THE UNITED
most vulnerable communities and popu- 240 days after the date of the enactment of STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOP-
lations in areas in which any programs, MENT FINANCE CORPORATION.
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Sec-
projects, or activities are carried out under retary of the Treasury shall submit to the (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1451 of the Better
this subsection, are engaged in the design, appropriate congressional committees a re- Utilization of Investments Leading to Devel-
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation port describing— opment Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 9671) is amend-
of such programs, projects, and activities (1) the purpose of and progress on each ed by adding at the end the following:
through disclosure of information, public project supported by the Fund; and ‘‘(j) CLEAN ENERGY.—
participation, and consultation; and (2) how each such project furthers the in- ‘‘(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180
(B) the needs and interests of the most vul- vestment plan described in subsection (b)(2) days after the date of the enactment of this
nerable communities and populations are ad- of each country in which the project is im- subsection, the Chief Executive Officer of the
dressed in national or regional climate plemented. Corporation shall submit to the appropriate
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
change adaptation plans. SEC. 303.SENSE OF CONGRESS ON UNITED congressional committees a report—
(4) CONSULTATION AND DISCLOSURE.—For STATES ENGAGEMENTS AT THE ‘‘(A) highlighting the substantial commit-
each country receiving assistance under this WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. ment of the Corporation to invest in renew-
subsection, the Administrator shall establish (a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the fol- able and other clean energy technologies;
a process for consultation with, and disclo- lowing: ‘‘(B) setting forth—
sure of information to, local, national, and (1) In 2020, the World Economic Forum (re- ‘‘(i) a plan to significantly reduce green-
international stakeholders regarding any ferred to in this section as the ‘‘WEF’’) in house gas emissions associated with projects
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S2026 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
and subprojects within the Corporation’s (b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Section 7079(b) of ‘‘(i) to formulate and implement inter-
portfolio, as required by paragraph (2); and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 national policies, in coordination with the
‘‘(ii) a plan for facilitating the transition (Public Law 111–117; 123 Stat. 3396) is amend- Secretary of Energy, as appropriate, aimed
in key global markets from electricity gen- ed by striking ‘‘comment:’’ and all that fol- at protecting and advancing United States
erated from fossil fuel power to clean, low- lows and inserting ‘‘comment.’’. energy security interests and international
cost renewable energy sources, in a manner SEC. 305. CONSISTENCY IN UNITED STATES POL- energy development and access to elec-
that is equitable for workers and commu- ICY ON DEVELOPMENT FINANCE tricity, in accordance with the United Na-
nities, as required by paragraph (3); and AND CLIMATE CHANGE. tion’s sustainable development goals in ways
‘‘(C) detailing the efforts of the Corpora- (a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of that ensure responsible development of glob-
tion to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions Congress that the strength and credibility of al energy resources by effectively managing
associated with projects and subprojects United States climate policy is undermined United States bilateral and multilateral re-
within the Corporation’s portfolio, including when there is a lack of consistency between lations;
a full accounting of the reductions, achieved the policies and practices implemented at ‘‘(ii) to ensure that analyses of public
in accordance with the plan described in the United States International Develop- health and national security implications of
paragraph (2). ment Finance Corporation and the policies global energy and environmental develop-
‘‘(2) PLAN TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMIS- and practices the Corporation promotes at ments are reflected in the decision-making
SIONS.— the international financial institutions. process within the Department of State;
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year (b) ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY AT MULTI- ‘‘(iii) to incorporate energy security and
after the date of the enactment of this sub- LATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS.—The Sec- clean energy development priorities into the
section, the Corporation shall submit to the retary of the Treasury shall instruct the activities of the Department related to mat-
appropriate congressional committees a cli- United States executive director of each ters involving global energy development,
mate change mitigation plan to reduce international financial institution to use the accounting for the effects global energy de-
greenhouse gas emissions associated with voice and vote of the United States to advo- velopment has on—
projects and subprojects within the Corpora- cate for enhancing transparency by pro- ‘‘(I) United States national security;
tion’s portfolio by, relative to October 1, viding sufficient and adequate information ‘‘(II) quality of life and public health of
2020— to facilitate independent verification of the people, households, and communities, par-
‘‘(i) not less than 60 percent by 2025; and climate finance reporting of the institution. ticularly vulnerable and underserved popu-
‘‘(ii) 100 percent by 2028. (c) POLICY ALIGNMENT.—The Secretary of lations affected by, or proximate to, energy
‘‘(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Corporation the Treasury shall instruct the United development, transmission, and distribution
shall begin implementation of the plan re- States executive director of each inter- projects;
quired by subparagraph (A) not later than 20 national financial institution to use the ‘‘(III) United States economic interests;
days after submitting the plan to the appro- voice and vote of the United States— ‘‘(IV) emissions of greenhouse gases that
priate congressional committees. (1) to challenge policy-based loans or lend- contribute to global climate change; and
‘‘(C) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than one ing through financial intermediaries that di- ‘‘(V) local and regional land use, air and
year after the date on which the Corporation rectly or indirectly supports fossil fuels; and water quality, and risks to public health of
begins implementation under subparagraph (2) to seek to ensure that all loans, grants, communities described in subclause (II);
(B) of the plan required by subparagraph (A), policies, and strategies of the institution are ‘‘(iv) to coordinate energy activities within
and every 2 years thereafter until the Cor- aligned with the objectives of the Paris the Department of State and with relevant
poration achieves the goal of reducing green- Agreement. Federal departments and agencies;
house gas emissions associated with projects (d) PROHIBITION.—Section 1451 of the Better ‘‘(v) to work internationally—
and subprojects within the Corporation’s Utilization of Investments Leading to Devel- ‘‘(I) to support socially and environ-
portfolio by 100 percent, the Corporation mentally responsible development of energy
opment Act of 2018 (22 U.S.C. 9671), as amend-
shall submit a report to the appropriate con- resources that mitigate carbon emissions,
ed by section 304, is further amended by add-
gressional committees on the Corporation’s and the distribution of such resources for the
ing at the end the following:
progress and efforts to achieve the green- benefit of the United States and United
‘‘(k) CONSISTENCY IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND
house gas emissions reductions goals of the States allies and trading partners for their
SOCIAL POLICIES.—The Corporation may not
plan. energy security, climate security, and eco-
adopt any environmental or social policy
‘‘(3) CLEAN ELECTRICITY TRANSITION.—The nomic development needs;
that provides less protection for commu-
Corporation shall seek, in providing support ‘‘(II) to promote—
nities and the environment than the level of
for projects under title II, to facilitate the ‘‘(aa) the availability of clean energy tech-
protection required under title XIII of the
transition in key global markets from elec- nologies, including carbon capture and stor-
tricity generated from fossil fuel power to International Financial Institutions Act (22
age;
clean, low-cost renewable energy sources, in U.S.C. 262m et seq.).’’. ‘‘(bb) energy sector innovation;
a manner that is equitable for workers and (e) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ‘‘(cc) well-functioning global markets for
communities, by— DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘inter- clean energy resources and technologies;
‘‘(A) enabling the phase-out of uneconomic national financial institution’’ has the ‘‘(dd) expertise for the benefit of the
coal-fired power plants that are shielded meaning given that term in section 1701(c) of United States and United States allies and
from competition from renewable energy the International Financial Institutions Act trading partners;
sources by noncompetitive market struc- (22 U.S.C. 262r(c)). ‘‘(III) to resolve international disputes re-
tures such as long-term contracts and regu- TITLE IV—CLEAN ENERGY DIPLOMACY garding the exploration, development, pro-
lated tariffs; AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT duction, or distribution of energy resources;
‘‘(B) using low-cost capital— SEC. 401. ENERGY DIPLOMACY AND SECURITY ‘‘(IV) to support the economic, security,
‘‘(i) to refinance existing debt on uneco- WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF and commercial interests of United States
nomic coal-fired power plants; STATE. persons operating in the energy markets of
‘‘(ii) to reinvest in renewable energy (a) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR foreign countries; and
sources to replace such plants; ENERGY RESOURCES.—Section 1(c) of the ‘‘(V) to support and coordinate inter-
‘‘(iii) to support a just transition to renew- State Department Basic Authorities Act of national efforts—
able energy for affected workers and commu- 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)) is amended— ‘‘(aa) to alleviate energy poverty;
nities by generating decent jobs that adhere (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as para- ‘‘(bb) to protect vulnerable, exploited, and
to international labor standards all along graph (5); and underserved populations that are affected or
the renewable energy supply chain; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the fol- displaced by energy development projects;
‘‘(iv) to support the upgrading of jobs and lowing: ‘‘(cc) to account for and mitigate green-
skills as well as job creation and improved ‘‘(4) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR house gas emissions from energy develop-
productivity in more labor-intensive indus- ENERGY RESOURCES.— ment projects;
tries that offer employment opportunities on ‘‘(A) AUTHORIZATION FOR ASSISTANT SEC- ‘‘(dd) to promote fair labor practices, labor
a wide scale; and RETARY.—Subject to the numerical limita- protections for workers, and training for and
‘‘(C) considering— tion specified in paragraph (1), there is au- access to good-paying jobs within the clean
‘‘(i) competitive approaches, like reverse thorized to be established in the Department energy sector; and
auctions, to ensure the best value in invest- of State an Assistant Secretary of State for ‘‘(ee) to increase access to clean energy for
ing in renewable energy sources; and Energy Resources. vulnerable and underserved communities;
‘‘(ii) partnering, as appropriate, with— ‘‘(B) PERSONNEL.—The Secretary of State, ‘‘(vi) to lead the United States commit-
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‘‘(I) the United States Agency for Inter- in collaboration with the Assistant Sec- ment to the Extractive Industries Trans-
national Development; and retary of State for Energy Resources, and in parency Initiative; and
‘‘(II) the Department of the Treasury with accordance with the authorization under ‘‘(vii) to coordinate energy security and
respect to efforts by multilateral develop- subparagraph (A), shall ensure that suffi- climate security and other relevant func-
ment banks (as defined in section 1701(c) of cient personnel are dedicated to energy mat- tions within the Department of State under-
the International Financial Institutions Act ters within the Bureau of Energy Resources taken as of the date of the enactment of this
(22 U.S.C. 262r(c))).’’. in order— paragraph by—
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2027
‘‘(I) the Bureau of Economic and Business of renewable energy and carbon mitigation (10) LEAKAGE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES.—The
Affairs; technologies from the energy and transpor- term ‘‘leakage prevention activities’’ means
‘‘(II) the Bureau of Oceans and Inter- tation sectors. activities in developing countries that are
national Environmental and Scientific Af- (c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CON- directed at preserving existing forest carbon
fairs; and GRESS.—In this section, the term ‘‘appro- stocks, including forested wetlands and
‘‘(III) other offices within the Department priate committees of Congress’’ means— peatlands that might, absent such activities,
of State.’’. (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of be lost through leakage.
(b) ELIMINATION OF AUTHORITY FOR COORDI- the Senate; (11) NATIONAL DEFORESTATION REDUCTION
NATOR FOR INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AF- (2) the Committee on Energy and Natural ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘‘national deforest-
FAIRS.—Section 931 of the Energy Independ- Resources of the Senate; ation reduction activities’’ means activities
ence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17371) (3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the in developing countries that reduce a quan-
is amended— House of Representatives; and tity of greenhouse gas emissions from defor-
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and (4) the Committee on Energy and Com- estation that is calculated by measuring ac-
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) merce of the House of Representatives. tual emissions against a national deforest-
as subsections (a) and (b), respectively. SEC. 404. REDUCED DEFORESTATION. ation baseline established pursuant to sub-
SEC. 402. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PRIMACY FOR (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: paragraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (d)(4).
ENERGY DIPLOMACY. (1) ADMINISTRATOR.—Except as otherwise (12) SUBNATIONAL DEFORESTATION AND FOR-
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Department of State expressly provided, the term ‘‘Adminis- EST DEGRADATION REDUCTION ACTIVITIES.—The
shall have primacy for all United States dip- trator’’ means the Administrator of the term ‘‘subnational deforestation and forest
lomatic engagements with regard to inter- United States Agency for International De- degradation reduction activities’’ means ac-
national energy affairs. velopment. tivities in developing countries that reduce a
(b) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—The Sec- (2) DEFORESTATION.—The term ‘‘deforest- quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from
retary of State, as appropriate, shall coordi- ation’’ means a change in land use from a deforestation and forest degradation that is
nate with and use the technical expertise forest (including peatlands) to any other calculated by measuring actual emissions
and resources of the Department of Energy, land use. using an appropriate baseline, or an alter-
the Environmental Protection Agency, the (3) DEVELOPING COUNTRY.—The term ‘‘de- native determined under subsection
Department of the Interior, and other rel- veloping country’’ means a country eligible (d)(4)(B)(ii), established by the Adminis-
evant Federal agencies and departments in to receive official development assistance trator at the State or provincial level.
the planning and execution of United States according to the income guidelines of the
foreign policy goals and objectives related to Development Assistance Committee of the (b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section
international energy affairs. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and are to provide United States assistance to
SEC. 403. REPORTS ON UNITED STATES PARTICI- Development. developing countries to develop, implement,
PATION IN MISSION INNOVATION (4) EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS.—The term and improve actions that reduce deforest-
AND THE CLEAN ENERGY MINISTE- ‘‘emissions reductions’’ means greenhouse ation and forest degradation or conserve or
RIAL. gas emissions reductions achieved from re- restore forest ecosystems—
(a) MISSION INNOVATION.—Not later than 90 duced or avoided deforestation under this (1) to protect the value of forest eco-
days after the date of the enactment of this section. systems with respect to permanent carbon
Act, the President shall submit to the appro- (5) FOREST.— capture and sequestration in a manner in
priate committees of Congress a report that (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘forest’’ means which such value is measurable, reportable,
details the scope and nature of United States a terrestrial ecosystem, including wetland and verifiable; and
participation in Mission Innovation, includ- forests, comprised of native tree species gen- (2) in a manner that—
ing— erated and maintained primarily through (A) is consistent with and enhances the im-
(1) who in the United States Government natural ecological and evolutionary proc- plementation of complementary United
serves as the lead for Mission Innovation; esses. States policies that support the good govern-
(2) what objectives the United States has (B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘‘forest’’ does ance of forests, biodiversity conservation,
used Mission Innovation to advance; not include plantations, such as crops of and environmentally sustainable develop-
(3) what partnerships the United States has trees planted by humans primarily for the ment;
established through Mission Innovation and purposes of harvesting. (B) takes into consideration the views and
the date on which any partnerships the (6) FOREST DEGRADATION.—The term ‘‘for- participation of local communities and most
United States brokered were announced; est degradation’’ is any reduction in the car- vulnerable communities and populations (as
(4) how the United States has leveraged bon stock of a forest due to the effects of
defined in section 301(a)), particularly forest-
Mission Innovation to engage in technology human land-use activities, including such
dependent communities; and
transfer arrangements with foreign govern- land-use activities on peatlands.
(C) incorporates the right to free prior and
ments; (7) HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER.—The term
informed consent of indigenous peoples.
(5) how the United States has attracted ‘‘human rights defender’’ means an indi-
private sector entities to contribute to and vidual, group, or association that peacefully (c) EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS THROUGH RE-
participate in Mission Innovation; contributes to the effective elimination of DUCED DEFORESTATION.—
(6) the total amount of funding provided by all violations of human rights and funda- (1) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—Not later
the United States Government to Mission In- mental freedoms of peoples and individuals, than 1 year after the date of the enactment
novation each year since the establishment including in relation to mass, flagrant, or of this Act, the Administrator, in consulta-
of Mission Innovation; and systematic such violations, such as those re- tion with the Administrator of the Environ-
(7) the outline of a strategic engagement sulting from apartheid, all forms of racial mental Protection Agency, the Secretary of
plan and objectives for delivering new energy discrimination, colonialism, foreign domina- Agriculture, and the head of any other ap-
technology innovation outcomes through tion or occupation, aggression or threats to propriate agency, shall establish a program
Mission Innovation. national sovereignty, national unity, or ter- to provide assistance to reduce greenhouse
(b) CLEAN ENERGY MINISTERIAL.—Not later ritorial integrity, and the refusal to recog- gas emissions from deforestation in devel-
than 90 days after the date of the enactment nize the right of peoples to self-determina- oping countries, in accordance with this sec-
of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall tion and the right of every people to exercise tion.
submit to the appropriate committees of full sovereignty over its wealth and natural (2) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the pro-
Congress a report that details the scope and resources. gram established under paragraph (1) shall
nature of United States participation in the (8) INTACT FOREST.—The term ‘‘intact for- be—
Clean Energy Ministerial, including— est’’ means an unbroken expanse of natural (A) to achieve—
(1) the number of Clean Energy Ministerial ecosystems within the global extent of forest (i) emissions reductions of at least
meetings that the Secretary of Energy has cover that— 7,000,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
participated in; (A) covers an area of at least 500 square in 2025;
(2) the diplomatic objectives, including kilometers and is at least 10 kilometers in (ii) cumulative emissions reductions of at
with respect to energy technologies and pri- each direction; and least 11,000,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide
vate sector entities, that the United States (B) contains forest and non-forest eco- equivalent by December 31, 2030; and
has aimed to promote within the Clean En- systems minimally influenced by human eco- (iii) additional emissions reductions in
ergy Ministerial; nomic activity and large enough that all na- subsequent years;
(3) the consensus initiatives, if any, among tive biodiversity, including viable popu- (B) to build capacity to reduce deforest-
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the chiefs of party to the Clean Energy Min- lations of wide-ranging species, could be ation at a national level in developing coun-
isterial that the United States objected to, maintained. tries experiencing deforestation, which may
refused to join, or refrained from contrib- (9) LEAKAGE.—The term ‘‘leakage’’ means include—
uting to the development of; and the unexpected loss of anticipated carbon (i) preparing developing countries to par-
(4) a plan for restoring United States lead- benefits due to the displacement of activities ticipate in international markets for inter-
ership in using the Clean Energy Ministerial in a project area to areas outside the project, national offset credits for reduced emissions
to promote the development and deployment resulting in carbon emissions. from deforestation; and
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S2028 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(ii) supporting the development of domes- quantify emissions reductions for purposes of servative alternative for quantifying emis-
tic policy frameworks to ensure effective, ef- purchasing or trading subnational emissions sions;
ficient, and equitable benefit-sharing of the reduction credits in carbon markets; (C) provide that each national deforest-
proceeds of such credits issued by national (F) the identification of, and actions to ad- ation baseline established under subpara-
and subnational governments; dress, the drivers of land use emissions; graph (B)(i)—
(C) to preserve forest carbon stocks in (G) programs that would exclude from the (i) is national, or subnational on an in-
countries where such forest carbon may be United States illegally harvested timber or terim basis, in scope; and
vulnerable to leakage, particularly in devel- products made from illegally harvested tim- (ii) is consistent with nationally appro-
oping countries with largely intact native ber, in accordance with and consistent with priate mitigation commitments or actions
forests; the objectives of the Lacey Act Amendments
with respect to deforestation, taking into
(D) to build the scientific knowledge and of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.);
consideration—
institutional capacity to help developing (H) the development and strengthening of
countries— (I) the average annual historical deforest-
governance capacities to reduce deforest-
(i) monitor the effects of climate change ation and other land use emissions and to ation rates of the country during a period of
on their forests; combat illegal logging and associated trade, at least 5 years; and
(ii) develop and implement strategies to including the development of systems for (II) the applicable drivers of deforestation
conserve their forests; and independent monitoring of the efficacy of and other factors to ensure additionality;
(iii) support forest-dependent communities forest law enforcement and increased en- (iii) establishes a trajectory that would re-
adapt to climate change; and forcement cooperation, including joint ef- sult in zero net deforestation by not later
(E) to the extent practicable, to reduce de- forts with Federal agencies, to enforce the than 20 years after the date on which the
forestation in ways that reduce the vulner- Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 baseline is established;
ability and increase the resilience to climate et seq.); (iv) is adjusted over time to account for
effects for forests and forest-dependent com- (I) the provision of incentives for policy re- changing national circumstances; and
munities. forms to achieve the objectives described in (v) is designed to account for all signifi-
(d) REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL DE- subsection (c)(2); cant sources of greenhouse gas emissions
FORESTATION REDUCTION PROGRAM.— (J) the development of pilot projects— from deforestation in the country;
(1) ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES.— (i) to examine where mitigation and adap- (D) with respect to assistance provided for
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in tation activities in forest ecosystems coin- activities described in subparagraph (A) or
subparagraph (B), the Administrator may cide; and (B) of paragraph (2), require emissions reduc-
provide assistance under this section only (ii) to explore means for enhancing the re- tions to be achieved and verified before the
with respect to a developing country that— silience of forest ecosystems and forest-de- provision of any assistance under this sec-
(i) the Administrator, in consultation with pendent communities; tion;
the Administrator of the Environmental (K) the promotion of mechanisms to de- (E) with respect to accounting for sub-
Protection Agency and the Secretary of Ag- liver resources for local action and to ad- national deforestation and forest degrada-
riculture, determines— dress the needs, rights, interests, and par- tion reduction activities that lack the stand-
(I) is experiencing deforestation or forest ticipation of local and indigenous commu- ardized or precise measurement and moni-
degradation; or nities; and
(II) has standing forest carbon stocks that toring techniques needed for a full account-
(L) monitoring and evaluation of the re-
may be at risk of deforestation or degrada- ing of changes in emissions or baselines, or
sults of the activities conducted under this
tion; are subject to other sources of uncertainty,
section.
(ii) has the legal regimes, standards, and (3) MECHANISMS.—The Administrator shall apply a conservative discount factor to re-
safeguards to ensure that the rights and in- apply the administrative authorities under flect the uncertainty regarding the levels of
terests of indigenous peoples and forest-de- the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. reductions achieved;
pendent communities are protected in ac- 2151 et seq.), except to the extent incon- (F) ensure that activities under this sec-
cordance with the standards established sistent with the provisions of this section, to tion are designed, carried out, and man-
under paragraph (4); and the same extent and in the same manner as aged—
(iii) has entered into a bilateral or multi- such authorities apply to the implementa- (i) using forest management practices that,
lateral agreement or arrangement with the tion of such Act in order to support activi- in an open and transparent process—
United States, or is part of an international ties to achieve the objectives described in (I) improve the livelihoods of forest com-
program supported by the United States to subsection (c)(2) by— munities in a manner that promotes the
prevent deforestation, that establishes the (A) developing and implementing programs maintenance of intact forests, protects asso-
conditions of participation by the country in and project-level activities that achieve such ciated biodiversity, and restores native for-
the program established under this section, objectives; est species and ecosystems while avoiding
which shall include an agreement to meet (B) to the extent practicable, giving pri- the introduction of invasive nonnative spe-
the standards established under paragraph ority in any review process to activities cies;
(4) for the activities to which such standards under paragraph (2)(A); and (II) maintain natural biodiversity, resil-
apply. (C) as appropriate, considering multi-year ience, and carbon storage capacity of forests;
(B) EXCEPTION.—A developing country that funding arrangements in carrying out the (III) to the extent practicable, do not ad-
does not meet the requirement described in purposes of this section. versely affect the permanence of forest car-
paragraph (1)(A)(ii) may receive assistance (4) STANDARDS.—The Administrator, in bon stocks or emissions reductions;
under this section for the purpose of building consultation with the Administrator of the (IV) include broad stakeholder participa-
capacity to meet such requirement. Environmental Protection Agency and the tion and the free prior and informed consent
(2) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Subject to the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish pro- of affected indigenous peoples; and
requirements of this section, in providing as- gram standards that— (V) take into account the needs and inter-
sistance under this section, the Adminis- (A) ensure that emissions reductions
ests of local communities, forest-dependent
trator may support activities to achieve the achieved through supported activities—
communities, indigenous peoples, and vul-
objectives described in subsection (c)(2), in- (i) are additional, measurable, verifiable,
nerable social groups;
cluding activities such as— and monitored;
(ii) in consultation with, and with the full
(A) national deforestation reduction ac- (ii) account for leakage, uncertainty, and
and effective participation of, local commu-
tivities; permanence; and
(B) subnational deforestation and forest (iii) at a minimum, meet the standards es- nities, indigenous peoples, and forest-depend-
degradation reduction activities, including tablished under the emissions unit criteria of ent communities in affected areas, as part-
pilot activities, policies, and measures that the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme ners and primary stakeholders, before and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are sub- for International Aviation (CORSIA) devel- during the design, planning, implementa-
ject to significant uncertainty; oped by the International Civil Aviation Or- tion, monitoring, and evaluation of activi-
(C) activities to measure, monitor, and ganization (ICAO); ties; and
verify deforestation, avoided deforestation, (B) require— (iii) with equitable sharing of profits and
and rates of deforestation, including, if ap- (i) the establishment of a national defor- benefits derived from the activities with
plicable, spatially explicit land use plans estation baseline for each country with na- local communities, indigenous peoples, and
that identify intact and primary forest areas tional deforestation reduction activities that forest-dependent communities; and
and managed forest areas; is used to account for reductions achieved (G) with respect to assistance for all ac-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
(D) leakage prevention activities; from such activities; or tivities under this section, seek to ensure
(E) the development and implementation (ii) if a developing country has established the establishment and enforcement of legal
of measurement, monitoring, reporting, and policies and taken measures to reduce emis- regimes, standards, processes, and safeguards
verification capacities and governance struc- sions from disturbed peatlands, deforest- by the country in which the activities are
tures, including legal regimes, standards, ation, or forest degradation, but has not es- conducted, as a condition of such assistance
processes, and safeguards, as established tablished a national baseline, the provision or as a proposed activity for which such as-
under paragraph (4), to enable a country to of a credible, transparent, accurate, and con- sistance may be provided, which—
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2029
(i) protect the rights and interests of local (A), the Administrator shall determine, (b) ELEMENTS AND PRIORITIES.—The strat-
communities, indigenous peoples, forest-de- based on the criteria specified that subpara- egy described in subsection (a) shall include
pendent communities, human rights defend- graph, whether such assistance should in- efforts—
ers, and vulnerable social groups; and clude assistance for subnational deforest- (1) to ensure that potential projects and in-
(ii) promote consultations with local com- ation and forest degradation reduction ac- vestments pursued under the United States-
munities, indigenous peoples, and forest-de- tivities. Mexico-Canada Agreement—
pendent communities in affected areas, as (ii) CONTINUED ASSISTANCE.—The Adminis- (A) are compatible with long-term climate
partners and primary stakeholders, before trator may extend the period during which goals and the collective targets established
and during the design, planning, implemen- assistance is authorized for subnational de- under the Paris Agreement; and
tation, monitoring, and evaluation of activi- forestation and forest degradation reduction (B) meet all environmental and social re-
ties under this section; and activities beyond the 5-year period described sponsibility standards required under the
(iii) ensure equitable sharing of profits and in subparagraph (A) in order to further the USMCA;
benefits from incentives for emissions reduc- objectives described in subparagraph (B) or (2) to explore shared and common interests
tions or leakage prevention with local com- (C) of subsection (c)(2). and cooperative actions to promote clean en-
munities, indigenous peoples, and forest-de- (9) COORDINATION WITH FOREIGN ASSIST- ergy development, climate security, and cli-
pendent communities. ANCE.—Subject to the direction of the Presi- mate change mitigation strategies within in-
(5) SCOPE.— dent, the Administrator shall, to the extent stitutions (such as the UNFCCC, the Mon-
(A) REDUCED EMISSIONS.—The Adminis- practicable and consistent with the objec- treal Protocol, the Green Climate Fund, the
trator shall include reduced emissions from tives described in subsection (c)(2), seek to Group of Twenty and the United Nations)
forest degradation and disturbance of align activities under this section with with programs, initiatives and actions to ad-
peatlands within the scope of activities broader development, poverty alleviation, or dress the climate crisis that may include—
under this section. natural resource management objectives and (A) providing support in developing mid-
(B) EXPANSION OF AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— initiatives in countries receiving assistance century low-carbon strategies;
If the Administrator determines, in con- under this section. (B) extending coal finance restrictions to
sultation with the Administrator of the En- (10) ASSISTANCE AS SUPPLEMENT.—The pro- coal mining operations; and
vironmental Protection Agency and the Sec- vision of assistance for activities under this (C) strengthening and expanding carbon
retary of Agriculture, that sufficient meth- section shall be used to supplement, and not pricing by—
odologies and technical capacities exist to to supplant, any other Federal, State, or (i) considering the cost of carbon in long-
measure, monitor, and account for the emis- local support available to carry out activi- term decision making;
sions referred to in subparagraph (A), the ties under this section. (ii) supporting the development of national
Administrator may expand the authorized (11) FUNDING LIMITATION.—Of the funds or subnational systems;
activities under this section, as appropriate, made available to carry out this section in (iii) sharing technical expertise; and
to include reduced soil carbon-derived emis- any fiscal year, not more than 7 percent may (iv) making efforts to align pricing instru-
sions associated with deforestation and deg- be used for the administrative expenses of ments where feasible;
radation of forested wetlands and peatlands, (3) to commit to a methane reduction goal
the United States Agency for International
consistent with a comprehensive approach to and cooperate to reduce black carbon and to
Development in support of activities de-
maintaining and enhancing forests, increas- recommit to the formal agreement reached
scribed in paragraph (2). Such amount shall
ing climate resiliency, reducing emissions, at the June 2016 North American Leaders
be in addition to other amounts otherwise
and increasing removals of greenhouse gases. Summit in Ottawa to reduce methane emis-
available for such purposes.
(6) ACCOUNTING.—The Administrator shall sions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45
(12) INDONESIA.—Not less than 10 percent of
use a publicly accessible registry to account percent by 2025, and to work to develop a
the funds made available in any fiscal year
for and register the emissions reductions new, more ambitious target for 2030;
to carry out this section shall be used for ac-
achieved through assistance provided under (4) develop and implement a North Amer-
tivities described in paragraph (2) in Indo-
this section each year, after appropriately ican strategy for sustainable transpor-
nesia. tation—
discounting for uncertainty and other rel-
evant factors as required by the standards (e) LEGAL EFFECT.— (A) to encourage State and provincial lead-
established under paragraph (4). (1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section ers to negotiate interstate and interprovin-
(7) INTERNATIONAL DEFORESTATION REDUC- may be construed to supersede, limit, or oth- cial sustainable transportation agreements
TION PROGRAM INSURANCE ACCOUNT FOR NON- erwise affect any restriction imposed by Fed- between Mexican, American, and Canadian
COMPLETION OR REVERSAL.—In furtherance of eral law (including regulations) on any inter- jurisdictions;
the objectives described in subsection (c)(2), action between an entity located in the (B) to expand the West Coast Electric
the Administrator shall develop and imple- United States and an entity located in a for- Highway between Canada, the United States,
ment a program that— eign country. and Mexico; and
(A) addresses noncompletion or reversal (2) ROLE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.— (C) to work with automakers to stand-
with respect to any greenhouse gas emis- Nothing in this section may be construed to ardize charging infrastructure;
sions that were not, or are no longer, seques- affect the role of the Secretary of State or (5) develop and implement coordinated for-
tered; and the responsibilities of the Secretary under est and land use strategies to further con-
(B) may include a mechanism to hold in re- section 622(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act tribute to emissions mitigation through the
serve a portion of the amount allocated for of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2382(c)). adoption of practices and policies that in-
projects to support the program. (f) INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITU- crease carbon sequestration in new and ex-
(8) EXTENSION OF ASSISTANCE.— TIONS.—The President shall direct the United isting forests and reduce emissions from for-
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may States representatives to the World Bank, est conversion to other land uses;
extend, for an additional 5 years, the period the International Monetary Fund, and other (6) strengthen resilience and equity among
during which assistance is authorized for ac- international financial institutions (as de- low-income and indigenous communities;
tivities supported by assistance under this fined in section 1701(c) of the International and
section, if the Administrator determines Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 262r(c)) (7) engage international partners in an ex-
that— to prioritize efforts to combat deforestation. isting multilateral forum or, if necessary, es-
(i) the country in which the activities are TITLE V—BILATERAL AND REGIONAL tablish a new multilateral forum to improve
conducted is making substantial progress to- MULTILATERAL CLIMATE DIPLOMACY global cooperation by—
ward adopting and implementing a program AND COOPERATION (A) encouraging the adoption of an emis-
to achieve reductions in deforestation meas- sions reduction target by the International
ured against a national baseline; SEC. 501. NORTH AMERICAN STRATEGY. Maritime Organization; and
(ii) the greenhouse gas emissions reduc- (a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall de- (B) collaborating with the International
tions achieved as a result of the activities velop a strategy to seek opportunities for Civil Aviation Organization to establish a
are not resulting in significant leakage; trilateral cooperation between the United market-based measure to reduce aviation
(iii) such greenhouse gas emissions reduc- States, Mexico, and Canada— emissions.
tions are being appropriately discounted to (1) to support increased ambition on reduc- SEC. 502. ACCOUNTABILITY AND COOPERATION
account for any leakage that is occurring; ing greenhouse gas emissions among these WITH CHINA.
and countries; and It is the sense of Congress that—
(iv) such extension would further advance (2) to advance collaboration on the devel- (1) successful mitigation of global green-
or ensure achievement of the objectives of opment and promotion of shared climate ac- house gas emissions to sufficiently avoid the
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the activities. tion goals and interests within multilateral worst forecasted effects of climate change
(B) ASSISTANCE FOR SUBNATIONAL DEFOR- bodies and conferences, including aligning, requires global cooperation and coordination
ESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION REDUC- to the extent possible, the voices, votes, and of efforts;
TION ACTIVITIES.— influence, consistent with the broad foreign (2) all other countries look towards the
(i) IN GENERAL.—If the Administrator ex- policy goals of the United States, to address United States and China, as the world’s larg-
tends the period during which assistance is issues related to climate change and clean est emitters and largest economies, for lead-
authorized for activities under subparagraph energy development. ership by example to effectively mitigate
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S2030 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
greenhouse gas emissions, develop and de- commodities that are produced in a manner (A) the European Union Strategy on Con-
ploy energy generation technologies, and in- that does not contribute to deforestation. necting Europe and Asia;
tegrate sustainable adaptation solutions to SEC. 503. UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN UNION (B) the Three Seas Initiative;
the inevitable effects of climate change; COOPERATION ON CLIMATE FI- (C) the Blue Dot Network among the
(3) given the volume of China’s greenhouse NANCE FOR DEVELOPING COUN- United States, Japan, and Australia;
TRIES. (D) a European Union-Japan initiative that
gas emissions and the scientific imperative
to swiftly reduce global greenhouse gas (a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section has leveraged $65,000,000,000 for infrastruc-
is— ture projects and emphasizes transparency
emissions to net-zero emissions around 2050,
(1) to restore the historic alliance between standards; and
China should—
the United States and countries of the Euro- (E) efforts to address the Government of
(A) revise its long-term pledge;
pean Union on climate action; and the People’s Republic of China’s use of the
(B) seek to immediately peak its emis-
(2) to renew the United States’ commit- United Nations to advance the Belt and Road
sions;
ment to advancing global cooperation on ad- Initiative, including the proliferation of
(C) begin reducing its greenhouse gas emis-
dressing climate change and achieving the memoranda of understanding between the
sions significantly to meet a more ambitious
goals of the Paris Agreement. People’s Republic of China and United Na-
long-term 2050 reductions target; and (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE
(D) update its nationally determined con- tions funds and programs on the implemen-
UNITED STATES-EUROPEAN UNION SECURITY
tribution along a trajectory that aligns with tation of the Belt and Road Initiative.
AND DEVELOPMENT DIALOGUE.—It is the sense
achieving a more ambitious net-zero by 2050 (4) CO-FINANCING OF INFRASTRUCTURE
of Congress that the United States should re-
emissions target; PROJECTS.—
start the United States–European Union Se-
(4) it is in the United States’ national in- curity and Development Dialogue to focus (A) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
terest to prioritize climate change in its bi- specifically on climate action, climate secu- Subject to subparagraph (B), there are au-
lateral engagement with China, as global cli- rity, and clean energy cooperation, includ- thorized to be appropriated such sums as
mate risks cannot be mitigated without a ing— may be necessary to co-finance infrastruc-
significant reduction in Chinese domestic (1) partnering and formulating strategies ture projects that could otherwise be in-
and overseas emissions; to counter efforts to weaken or change crit- cluded within China’s Belt and Road Initia-
(5) the United States and China, to the ex- ical elements of the implementation of the tive.
tent practicable, should coordinate on mak- Paris Agreement that would disadvantage (B) CONDITIONS.—Amounts appropriated
ing and delivering ambitious pledges to re- the United States or the European Union; pursuant to subparagraph (A) may not be ex-
duce greenhouse gas emissions, with aspira- (2) building coalitions of like-minded par- pended unless—
tions towards achieving net zero greenhouse ties committed to achieving large reductions (i) the United States can leverage existing
gas emissions by 2050; in greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris and future projects that have entered into
(6) the United States and its allies should Agreement and putting pressure on all par- contracts with the Belt and Road Initiative
work together, using diplomatic and eco- ties to do the same; to further promote transparency and debt
nomic tools, to hold China accountable for (3) coordination on joint strategies to pro- sustainability; and
any failure by China— mote climate action by the People’s Repub- (ii) the projects to be financed—
(A) to increase ambition in its 2030 nation- lic of China, and deter Chinese domestic and (I) promote the public good;
ally determined contribution, in line with international investment in high carbon in- (II) will not promote the use of fossil fuels;
net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 be- frastructure; and
fore the 26th Conference of the Parties to the (4) finding opportunities to engage and fa- (III) will have substantially lower green-
UNFCCC scheduled for November 2021 and cilitate private sector collaboration regard- house gas intensity than the proposed Belt
meeting a more ambitious nationally deter- ing clean energy and innovations on green- and Road Initiative alternative.
mined contribution; house gas emissions reductions; (d) SUPPORT FOR EASTERN EUROPEAN DE-
(B) to work faithfully to uphold the prin- (5) exploring the creation of United States– MOCRACY ACT.—Section 2 of the Support for
ciples, goals, and rules of the Paris Agree- European Union clean energy and climate Eastern European Democracy Act (22 U.S.C.
ment; adaptation, development, and finance mech- 5401) is amended—
(C) to avoid and prohibit efforts to under- anisms to support and leverage private sec- (1) in subsection (b)(2)—
mine or devolve the Paris Agreement’s rule tor investment in projects and activities to (A) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘and’’
or underlying framework, particularly with- improve developing countries’ resilience ca- at the end;
in areas of accountability transparency, and pacities, ability to adapt and thrive in the (B) in subparagraph (I), by adding ‘‘and’’ at
shared responsibility among all parties; face of the effects of climate change and the end; and
(D) to eliminate greenhouse gas intensive clean energy development; (C) by adding at the end the following:
projects from China’s Belt and Road Initia- (6) scientific research, modeling, fore- ‘‘(J) helping workers and communities in
tive and other overseas investments, includ- casting, and data collaboration to improve countries most dependent on fossil fuel en-
ing— global understanding and preparation for the ergy that may be vulnerable to socio-
(i) working with allies and partners of the compounding effects of climate change; and economic changes due to the European
United States to eliminate support for coal (7) intelligence sharing. Union’s transition to net zero greenhouse
power production projects in China’s Belt (c) DEVELOPMENT FINANCE COOPERATION.— gas emissions.’’; and
and Road Initiative; (1) IN GENERAL.—The President should seek (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end
(ii) providing financing and project support opportunities to partner with European De- the following:
for cleaner and less risky alternatives; and velopment Finance Institutions to develop ‘‘(26) JUST TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.—Assist-
(iii) undertaking ‘‘parallel initiatives’’ to financing tools based on shared development ance to support workers and communities in
enhance capacity building programs and finance criteria and mechanisms to support countries most dependent on fossil fuel en-
overseas sustainable investment criteria, in- investments in developing countries that ergy and most vulnerable to socioeconomic
cluding in areas such as integrated energy support low carbon economic development changes due to the European Union’s transi-
planning, power sector reform, just transi- and promote climate change resiliency and tion to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.’’.
tion, distributed generation, procurement, adaptation SEC. 504. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CLEAN EN-
transparency, and standards to support low- (2) PARTNERSHIP FUND.—The Chief Execu- ERGY COOPERATION WITH INDIA.
emissions growth in developing countries; tive Officer of the United States Inter- It is the sense of Congress that—
and national Development Finance Corporation (1) the United States should support efforts
(E) to phase out existing coal power plants should partner with the European Bank for to strengthen India’s resilience capacities
and reduce net coal power production; Reconstruction and Development to create a that ensure people, households, commu-
(7) the United States should pursue con- fund or multilateral financing mechanism to nities, institutions, and systems can assess,
fidence-building opportunities for the United support clean energy development and cli- anticipate, prevent, adapt to, cope with, and
States and China to undertake ‘‘parallel ini- mate change adaptation and resilience ac- recover from shocks and stresses associated
tiatives’’ on clean energy research, develop- tivities in developing countries. with the effects of climate change;
ment, finance, and deployment, including (3) RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF (2) the United States, through the Bureau
through economic and stimulus measures CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE.—The of Energy Resources of the Department of
with clear, mutually agreed upon rules and President shall work with European counter- State, the United States Agency for Inter-
policies to protect intellectual property, en- parts to establish a formal United States-Eu- national Development, the United States
sure equitable, nonpunitive provision of sup- ropean Commission Working Group to de- International Development Finance Corpora-
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port, and verify implementation, which velop a comprehensive strategy to respond to tion, the Department of Energy, the Export-
would provide catalytic progress towards de- the Belt and Road Initiative established by Import Bank of the United States, and the
livering a global clean energy trans- the Government of the People’s Republic of International Trade Administration, should
formation that benefits all people; and China. United States participants in this encourage private sector investment in, and
(8) the United States should pursue cooper- proposed working group shall seek to inte- financing for, the development and deploy-
ative initiatives to shift toward the import grate existing efforts into the strategy, in- ment of clean energy and climate mitigation
and consummation of forest and agricultural cluding— technologies in India;
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2031
(3) robust cooperation between the United $750,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021, (8) The ongoing domestic economic crisis
States and India to develop and deploy clean 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to provide assistance and political turmoil in Venezuela has forced
energy technologies, including private sector in accordance with subsection (a) and section the Government of Venezuela to retract its
cooperation, should be a top bilateral energy 3.’’; commitments to the Petrocaribe oil alliance
diplomacy priority and the top priority in (4) in section 7(a)— and step away as a regional power. Only
the countries’ energy diplomacy and should (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), Cuba still receives preferential Petrocaribe
include— by inserting ‘‘and every 2 years thereafter,’’ pricing on fuel exports from Venezuela,
(A) clean energy; after ‘‘Act,’’; and while other Petrocaribe member countries
(B) electric vehicles and expansive charg- (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘power are experiencing a destabilized flow of oil.
ing station networks; generation’’ each place such term appears (9) China has spent more than
(C) next-generation refrigeration equip- and inserting ‘‘renewable energy genera- $244,000,000,000 on energy projects worldwide
ment and refrigerants; and tion’’; and since 2000, 25 percent of which was spent in
(D) other technologies and chemicals that (5) by adding at the end the following: Latin America and the Caribbean. Although
are in the interest of United States industry ‘‘SEC. 8. COORDINATOR FOR POWER AFRICA. the majority of this spending was for oil,
leaders in the refrigeration and chemical ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days gas, and coal, China has also been the largest
coolant industries that are compliant with after the date of the enactment of the United investor in clean energy globally for almost
the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Pro- States Climate Leadership in International a decade.
tocol; Mitigation, Adaptation, and Technology En- (10) The World Bank estimates that the
(4) the collaboration between the United hancement Act of 2021, the Administrator for
Caribbean will need $12,000,000,000 in power
States and India on the development and de- the United States Agency for International
investments through 2035.
ployment of clean energy technologies has Development, under the direction of the Sec-
retary of State, shall appoint a Coordinator (11) Renewable energy technology costs
resulted in innovative new technologies that have decreased dramatically in recent years,
have helped significantly lower the carbon for Power Africa, who shall serve in the Bu-
reau Economic Growth, Education, and the offering a more viable economic alternative
emissions of the power sector in India; and for energy production. Solar energy prices
(5) since demand for energy in India will Environment of the United States Agency
for International Development. have fallen by 80 percent since 2008, causing
increase with the expansion of the economy significant market growth, and according to
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Coordinator for Power
and middle class of India, it is in the interest data released by the International Renew-
Africa shall—
of United States national security and global able Energy Agency, 1/3 of global power ca-
‘‘(1) be primarily located at a mission in
security for the United States to support sub-Saharan Africa; pacity is based in renewable energy.
India in growing the energy sector of India ‘‘(2) lead— (12) In 2016, the International Monetary
in environmentally and socially responsible ‘‘(A) the execution of the Power Africa Ini- Fund estimated that transportation ac-
ways that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions tiative in accordance with the purpose and counted for 36 percent of the total primary
and improve the climate security of India. policies set forth in sections 2 and 3; and energy consumed in the Caribbean subregion.
SEC. 505. POWER AFRICA. ‘‘(B) the development and execution of the (13) According to the United Nations Envi-
The Electrify Africa Act of 2015 (Public strategy established under section 4; ronment Programme, Latin America and the
Law 114–121; 22 U.S.C. 2293 note) is amended— ‘‘(3) coordinate the Interagency Working Caribbean could achieve annual savings of
(1) in section 3— Group established under section 4(c); $621,000,000,000 and a reduction of 1,100,000,000
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘mitigate ‘‘(4) manage the funding appropriated for tons of CO2 by 2050 if the region’s energy and
and lower carbon emissions from energy pro- the Power Africa Initiative by Congress; and transport sectors reach net zero emissions.
duction,’’ after ‘‘development,’’; ‘‘(5) execute the directives described in sec- (14) The Caribbean has an abundance of on-
(B) in paragraph (7), by adding ‘‘and’’ at tions 5 and 6.’’. shore and offshore resources needed for re-
the end; SEC. 506. CARIBBEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE. newable energy, including sun, wind, geo-
(C) by striking paragraph (8); and (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- thermal, and some hydropower production
(D) by redesignating paragraph (9) as para- lowing findings: capacity.
graph (8); (1) The countries of the Caribbean are (15) The United States Government is deep-
(2) in section 4— heavily reliant upon imported oil to provide ly engaged in providing technical and policy
(A) in subsection (a)— for approximately 90 percent of their energy assistance to countries of the Caribbean on
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘an appro- production. energy issues through—
priate mix of power solutions to provide ac- (2) The level of dependence is even higher (A) the Energy and Climate Partnership of
cess to sufficient reliable, affordable, and including— the Americas;
sustainable power in order to reduce pov- (A) Jamaica, which relies on oil for 95.9 (B) Connecting the Americas 2022; and
erty’’ and inserting ‘‘power solutions to pro- percent of its electricity; (C) bilateral assistance programs.
vide access to sufficient, reliable, affordable, (B) Barbados, which relies on oil for 96 per- (16) On February 19, 2014, at the North
and sustainable power in order to reduce cent of its electricity; American Leaders’ Summit, President
poverty and energy sector carbon emis- (C) The Virgin Islands, which relies on oil Barack Obama, Prime Minister Stephen Har-
sions’’; and for nearly 100 percent of its electricity; and per of Canada, and President Enrique Peña
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and tech- (D) St. Lucia, which relies on oil for 100 Nieto of Mexico reaffirmed their commit-
nological’’ and inserting ‘‘, advances a coun- percent of its electricity. ment to bring affordable, reliable, and in-
try’s mitigation commitments (or condi- (3) Overreliance on imported fossil fuels creasingly renewable power to the Carib-
tional mitigation commitments) in accord- has had a detrimental effect on economic de- bean, while opening wider markets for clean
ance with a country’s nationally determined velopment, growth, and competitiveness in energy and green technology.
contribution, and supports technological’’; the Caribbean. (17) On June 19, 2015, President Barack
(B) in subsection (b)— (4) Since 1970, more than 80 percent of Car- Obama announced the Caribbean Energy Se-
(i) in paragraph (2)— ibbean coral reefs have been lost due to curity Initiative, which would partner with
(I) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘and’’ coastal development and pollution. Soot par- individual countries—
at the end; ticulates and climate change caused by burn- (A) to transform its energy sector;
(II) in subparagraph (G), by striking the ing fossil fuels have seriously damaged coral (B) to work to increase access to finance,
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and reefs, which are a significant source of tour- good governance, and diversification; and
(III) by adding at the end the following: ism dollars, fishing, biodiversity, and nat- (C) to maximize the impact of existing
‘‘(H) reduce carbon emissions from the en- ural beauty. donor effects.
ergy sector.’’; (5) Air pollution caused by burning oil for (18) On May 4, 2016, at the United States-
(ii) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘the use of electricity— Caribbean-Central American Energy Sum-
a broad power mix, including fossil fuel (A) has serious health impacts in the form mit, the energy security task force formally
and’’; of higher rates of asthma and other lung ail- launched the Caribbean Sustainable Energy
(3) in section 5— ments; and Roadmap and Strategy (C-SERMS) as a
(A) in subsection (a)— (B) can also exacerbate climate change. mechanism to manage regional coordination
(i) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘and’’ at (6) The Caribbean region is particularly and action on energy security and agreed to
the end; vulnerable to sea level rise and stronger expand the regional market and trans-
(ii) by redesignating paragraph (7) as para- storms mission system.
graph (8); and (7) Between 2005 and 2018, the dependence (19) The United States has an important
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(iii) by inserting after paragraph (6) the of the countries of the Caribbean on oil was opportunity—
following: perpetuated by the Venezuelan-led (A) to deepen this engagement;
‘‘(7) deploying renewable energy; and’’; and Petrocaribe oil alliance, which— (B) to work as a partner with Caribbean
(B) by amending subsection (d) to read as (A) offered preferential terms for oil sales; countries on a more regional and coordi-
follows: and nated basis;
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— (B) supplies some countries with up to 40 (C) to help ease the region’s dependence on
There is authorized to be appropriated percent of their energy production needs. imported oil; and
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S2032 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(D) to promote affordable alternative (ii) affordable access by third party inves- (3) The Amazon River has long been recog-
sources of energy. tors to its electrical grid with minimal regu- nized as an important repository of biodiver-
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: latory interference; sity and natural resources, not only for local
(1) CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES.—The term ‘‘Car- (iii) effective energy efficiency and energy peoples and indigenous communities, but
ibbean countries’’ means countries in the conservation; also for the rest of the world due to—
Caribbean region, but does not including (iv) programs to address technical and non- (A) its fresh water, which provides count-
Cuba or Venezuela. technical issues; less services for humans in the form of water
(2) CARIBBEAN GOVERNMENTS.—The term (v) a plan to eliminate major market dis- agriculture, transportation, and food and
‘‘Caribbean governments’’ means the na- tortions; serves as an important habitat for countless
tional governments of the Caribbean coun- (vi) cost-reflective tariffs; and species, including over 2,500 species of fish
tries. (vii) no tariffs or other taxes on clean en- and river dolphins;
(c) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United ergy solutions; and (B) its medicinal plants, which are contin-
States to help Caribbean countries— (D) recommendations for how United ually used by local peoples to treat tradi-
(1) achieve greater energy security and im- States policy, technical, and economic as- tional diseases, including malaria (one of the
prove domestic energy resource mobiliza- sistance can be used in the Caribbean re- most lethal diseases in the tropics), and
tion; gion— which constitute 70 percent of the plant spe-
(2) lower their dependence on imported (i) to advance renewable energy develop- cies in the world found to have anti-cancer
fuels; ment and the incorporation of renewable properties;
(3) eliminate the use of diesel, heavy fuel technologies into existing energy grids and
(C) its important role as an oxygen source,
oil, other petroleum products, and coal for the development and deployment of micro-
producing 20 percent of the Earth’s oxygen
the generation of electricity; grids where appropriate and feasible to boost
and earning the Amazon forest the nickname
(4) increase production of renewable en- energy security and reliability, particularly
‘‘lungs of our Earth’’ for its role in taking in
to underserved communities;
ergy; and enormous amounts of the carbon dioxide
(ii) to increase the generation of clean en-
(5) meet the greenhouse gas mitigation emitted by human activity and the burning
ergy sufficiently to replace and allow for the
goals of their national determined contribu- of fossil fuels and replacing it with the oxy-
retirement of obsolete fossil fuel energy gen-
tions to the Paris Agreement. gen we breathe through the process of photo-
eration units in Caribbean countries;
(d) STRATEGY.— (iii) to create regional financing opportuni- synthesis;
(1) SUBMISSION.—Not later than 120 days ties to allow for lower cost energy entrepre- (D) its food supply, which is associated
after the date of the enactment of this Act, neurship; with rainforests, including coffee, rice, choc-
the Secretary of State shall submit a multi- (iv) to deploy transaction advisors in the olate, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, black
year strategy to the Committee on Foreign region to help attract private investment pepper, pineapples, and corn;
Relations of the Senate and the Committee and break down any market or regulatory (E) its role in climate control caused by its
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Represent- barriers; and exchange of enormous quantities of water
atives that describes how the Department of (v) to establish a mechanism for each host and energy with the surrounding atmos-
State will promote regional cooperation government to have access to independent phere, which is estimated as being respon-
with Caribbean countries— legal advice— sible for creating 75 percent of its own rain-
(A) to lower dependence on imported fuels, (I) to speed the development of energy-re- fall, which feeds the nearby rivers through
grow domestic clean energy production in lated contracts; and evapotranspiration before flowing directly
the region, strengthen regional energy secu- (II) to better protect the interests of Carib- into the ocean and influencing the currents
rity, and lower energy sector greenhouse gas bean governments and citizens. that impact the climate; and
emissions; (3) CONSULTATION.—In devising the strat- (F) ecotourism, which produces annual
(B) to decrease dependence on oil in the egy under this subsection, the Secretary of profits of more than $11,600,000, which bene-
transportation sector; State shall work with the Secretary of En- fits the local economy, enhances the quality
(C) to increase energy efficiency, energy ergy and shall consult with— of living through securing more jobs, and
conservation, and investment in alternatives (A) the Secretary of the Interior; educates global citizens regarding the impor-
to imported fuels; (B) the Secretary of Commerce; tance of maintaining the world’s natural
(D) to improve grid reliability and mod- (C) the Secretary of the Treasury; spaces.
ernize electricity transmission networks; (D) the Board of Directors of the Export- (4) Public opinion research, conducted by
(E) to advance deployment of innovative Import Bank of the United States; the Brazilian polling firm Datafolha in 2020,
solutions to expand community and individ- (E) the Board of Directors of the Develop- found that—
uals’ access to electricity; ment Finance Corporation; (A) 87 percent of the respondents felt
(F) to help reform energy markets to en- (F) the Administrator of the United States strongly that conservation of the Amazon is
courage good regulatory governance and to Agency for International Development; very important;
promote a climate of private sector invest- (G) the Caribbean governments; (B) 73 percent of the respondents are con-
ment; and (H) the Inter-American Development Bank; cerned with the rate of increased deforest-
(G) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions (I) the World Bank Group; and ation in the Amazon basin;
from the energy and transportation sector. (J) the Caribbean Electric Utility Services (C) 77 percent of the respondents believed
(2) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required Corporation. strongly that the conduct and policies of the
under subsection (a) shall include— SEC. 507. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CONSERVA- ministries responsible for management and
(A) a thorough review and inventory of TION OF THE AMAZON RIVER BASIN. conservation of the Amazon have contrib-
United States Government activities that (a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the fol- uted to deforestation in the Amazon;
are being carried out bilaterally, regionally, lowing findings: (D) 92.5 percent of the respondents believe
and in coordination with multilateral insti- (1) The Amazon River basin and the Ama- Brazil should prioritize the pursuit of eco-
tutions— zon rainforest, often referred to as nomic activities in the Amazon basin that do
(i) to promote energy and climate security Amazonia— not contribute to deforestation; and
in the Caribbean region; and (A) covers more than 2,670,000 square miles (E) only 5.6 percent of the respondents
(ii) to reduce the region’s reliance on oil in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, think that forests need to be cut down to
for electricity generation; French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, promote economic growth in the region.
(B) opportunities for marshaling regional and Venezuela; and (5) The recent 8,850 square kilometer reduc-
cooperation— (B) is home to more species of plants and tion of the Amazon forest, exacerbated by
(i) to overcome market barriers resulting animals than any other terrestrial eco- climate change, has resulted in a significant
from the small size of Caribbean energy mar- system on the planet, housing nearly 30 per- decrease in the ample benefits described in
kets; cent of the world’s species, which apart from paragraph (3), in addition to the displace-
(ii) to address the high transportation and their intrinsic value as living organisms, ment of many indigenous peoples due to the
infrastructure costs faced by Caribbean have potential value in the form of medicine, lessened economic opportunity.
countries; research, textiles, food, and other products (6) Clear cutting has disrupted the habitat
(iii) to ensure greater donor coordination for the region’s population. for plants and animals in the region, frac-
between governments, multilateral institu- (2) Tens of millions of people depend on turing the fragile forest ecology by causing
tions, multilateral banks, and private inves- services afforded by the Amazon forest, in- species to migrate and sometimes disappear.
tors; and cluding— (7) As of September 2020, Brazil’s National
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(iv) to expand regional financing opportu- (A) the use of rivers for transportation; Institute for Space Research reported that
nities to allow for lower cost energy entre- (B) reliance on logging and collection of 45,067 fires have burned in the Amazon River
preneurship; non-timber forest products as major indus- basin and more than 63,000 fires have burned
(C) measures to ensure that each Caribbean tries for employment; and in all of Brazil in 2020.
government has— (C) the cultivation of nutrients in flood- (8) The removal of trees from the Amazon
(i) an independent utility regulator or plain areas for agriculture and areas for River basin has decreased water and nutrient
equivalent; which the Amazon Basin is a watershed. uptake, while increasing runoff with greater
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2033
loads of both nitrogen and phosphorus con- (A) amplifying the Brazilian people’s con- (7) renewing support for programs that
centrations, deteriorating the quality of cerns— support Amazonian nations, civil society,
fresh water, and putting the environment at (i) about climate change and seeking op- and local leaders, including indigenous com-
greater risk for disasters like flooding and portunities for cooperative climate action munities, in maintaining critically impor-
landslides. through the United States-Brazil bilateral tant conservation efforts to protect and re-
(9) The Government of Brazil has histori- relationship; and store the Amazon River basin ecosystem;
cally recognized the negative repercussions (ii) with Brazil’s management and land use and
of deforestation via processes like clear cut- conversion policies affecting the Amazon (8) supporting efforts by subnational gov-
ting, which had facilitated Brazil’s establish- River basin; ernments and the private sector to advance
ment and maintenance of numerous success- (B) reinforcing United States’ support for sustainable development and reduce defor-
ful conservation policies and payments for the important role civil society is playing to estation in the Amazon region.
environmental service programs, such as— keep the public informed about the impor-
SEC. 508. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING RE-
(A) Reducing Emissions from Deforestation tance of Amazon conservation, particularly NEWABLE ENERGY IN INDONESIA.
and Forest Degradation projects, such as the as it relates to regulating carbon in the
Earth’s atmosphere; and It is the sense of Congress that—
Juma project in Amazonas and the Surui
(C) offering support for efforts to combat (1) cooperation on the development and de-
project in Acre and subnational-scale pro-
fires in the Amazon River basin that are ex- ployment of renewable energy technologies
gram in Acre and Mato Grosso, which seek
acerbating Brazil’s environmental crisis; and should be a priority in relations between the
to reduce global warming by stopping emis-
(3) the Secretary of the Treasury should United States and Indonesia and the top pri-
sions related to deforestation;
provide financial and technical assistance to ority in the countries’ energy diplomacy;
(B) jurisdictional programs involving the
combat wildfires burning across the Brazil, (2) it is in the interest of United States to
collaboration of several groups, including
including in the Amazon River basin. support the growth of Indonesia’s renewable
farmers, government officials, businesses,
(c) POLICY STATEMENT.—The Secretary of energy sector in environmentally and so-
and nongovernmental organizations, to
State shall elevate bilateral engagements cially responsible ways that—
achieve consensus on sustainability mile-
around cooperation and peer-to-peer ac- (A) reduce reliance on fossil fuels in ways
stones;
countability on Brazil’s climate action com- that do not increase pressure on the land
(C) the Amazon Fund, which is primarily
mitments by— sector or increase land-based emissions;
funded by the Government of Norway to im-
(1) supporting the efforts of the Govern- (B) mitigate greenhouse gas emissions;
plement payments for forest conservation
ment of Brazil to increase sustainable devel- (C) provide economic opportunities; and
activities; and
opment of the Amazon region, including by (D) improve the climate security of Indo-
(D) the Bolsa Floresta program in the Bra-
strengthening environmental enforcement nesia;
zilian state of Amazonas, which pays land-
and ending illegal deforestation; (3) the United States, through the Bureau
owners and communities to help protect for-
(2) encouraging the Government of Brazil of Energy Resources of the Department of
est areas.
to enforce its conservation laws, which in- State, the United States International De-
(10) United States and multilateral co- clude— velopment Finance Corporation, the Depart-
operation efforts to protect and restore the (A) restoring the responsibility of man- ment of Energy, the Export-Import Bank of
Amazon have yielded significant beneficial aging indigenous reserves and the demarca- the United States, the International Trade
impacts, such as— tion of lands back to indigenous peoples; Administration, and the United States Agen-
(A) the reduction of deforestation by more (B) deescalating violence against indige- cy for International Development, should en-
than 80 percent; and nous peoples, prosecuting individuals and en- courage private sector investment in and fi-
(B) the World Bank’s establishment of tities that threaten or harm indigenous peo- nancing for the development and deployment
more than 25 percent of the areas protected ples or communities, and maintain the Na- of renewable power sources in Indonesia;
from correspondence. tional Indian Foundation; (4) the United States should—
(11) The UNESCO World Heritage site (C) addressing activities that increase de- (A) support and encourage Indonesia to
verifies the importance of the Amazon River forestation rates in the Amazon basin, which pursue ambitious growth from solar and
basin being one of the richest areas in the include— wind sources of energy generation; and
planet in terms of biodiversity, ecological (i) curtailing indigenous people’s land (B) provide technical assistance to the
and biological processes. Deforestation and rights; and Government of Indonesia and subnational
potential new policies could harmfully limit (ii) unsustainable cattle ranching, soy bean authorities on regulatory reforms and ad-
its natural resources if their benefits are not farming, mining, hydropower dam construc- dressing other barriers to deployment of re-
taken into serious consideration. tion, and highway construction activities; newable energy; and
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of (D) threatening to degrade Brazil’s carbon (5) it is in the interest of United States re-
Congress that— emissions reductions commitments that are frigeration and refrigerant production indus-
(1) the President should— heavily based upon the conservation of Bra- tries to help serve Indonesia’s increased de-
(A) engage with the Government of Brazil, zil’s rainforests; and mand for refrigeration and air conditioning,
through bilateral and multilateral efforts, on (E) addressing challenges for civil society and the adoption of the Kigali Amendment
its Amazon development and deforestation to operate, oversee, and advocate for the to the Montreal Protocol, is driving innova-
policies, in support of the Brazilian people’s continued conservation and restoration of tion and investments in next-generation re-
and the private sector’s interest in con- the Amazon River basin; frigeration equipment and refrigerants in In-
serving the Amazon rainforest; (3) encouraging, to the maximum extent donesia.
(B) promote stewardship and conservation practicable, the Government of Brazil to de-
policies that support sustainable economic velop and deliver ambitious pledges to re- TITLE VI—WOMEN AND CLIMATE CHANGE
growth activities in the Amazon River basin; duce greenhouse gas emissions under the ACT
(C) consider the Government of Brazil’s Paris Agreement, while holding Brazil ac- SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.
management and land use conversion of the countable for delivering on its commit- This title may be cited as the ‘‘Women and
Amazon River basin policies when assessing, ments; Climate Change Act’’.
negotiating, or developing new bilateral (4) supporting the voice of Brazilian civil
agreements with Brazil, including trade society and the role civil society plays in ad- SEC. 602. FINDINGS.
agreements, or engaging in relevant inter- vancing civil society’s efforts to protect Bra- Congress makes the following findings:
national forums; zil’s natural resources and helping ensure (1) Women in the United States and around
(D) in the spirit of Brazil’s leadership civil society’s abilities to operate, oversee, the world are—
hosting the 1992 Rio Summit, which led to and advocate for the continued conservation (A) the linchpin of families and commu-
the establishment of the UNFCCC, urge the and restoration of the Amazon River basin; nities; and
Government of Brazil to enhance the ambi- (5) advancing the rights and protections of (B) often the first to feel the immediate
tion of Brazil’s efforts to mitigate green- indigenous peoples whose communities, well- and adverse effects of social, environmental,
house gas emissions; and being, and opportunities for economic and economic stresses on their families and
(E) encourage the Government of Brazil, growth are frequently put at risk by defor- communities.
through bilateral and multilateral efforts, to estation, extractive industries, commercial (2) The United Nations has recognized, as a
immediately work proactively to address cli- scale agriculture, and hydropower dam con- central organizing principle for its work,
mate change and to promote low carbon and struction; that ‘‘no enduring solution to society’s most
sustainable economic development; (6) listening to and engaging with the peo- threatening social, economic and political
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(2) the United States Ambassador to Brazil ple of Brazil on their country’s commitments problems can be found without the full par-
should immediately engage with the Govern- to advancing conservation efforts in the ticipation, and the full empowerment, of the
ment of Brazil to support improvements to Amazon River basin that allow for sustain- world’s women.’’.
stewardship efforts of the Amazon rainforest able economic growth, while protecting the (3) The United Nations Development Pro-
and to assist with urgent efforts to combat Amazon rainforest and Amazon River basin’s gramme’s Human Development Report 2013
fires burning across the Amazon River basin important and unique resources despite the predicted that the number of people living in
by— proposed changes; extreme poverty could increase by up to
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S2034 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
3,000,000,000 by 2050 unless environmental dis- (C) access to financial resources, edu- Change to prevent and respond to the effects
asters are averted by coordinated global ac- cation, family planning, and reproductive of climate change on women globally; and
tion. healthcare services; and (2) implementing a coordinated, inte-
(4) Climate change is already forcing the (D) quality tools, equipment, and tech- grated, evidence-based, and comprehensive
most vulnerable communities and popu- nology that support economic opportunity strategy on women and climate change
lations in developing countries to face un- and independence. through United States policies.
precedented climate stress, including— (14) Despite having unique capabilities and SEC. 605. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY WORKING
(A) slow onset effects of climate change, knowledge to promote, plan, and execute ac- GROUP ON WOMEN AND CLIMATE
such as sea level rise, increasing tempera- tivities to enhance communities’ climate CHANGE.
tures, water scarcity, and drought; and change adaption and resilience capacities, (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established
(B) severe weather events and floods, which women often have insufficient resources, are in the Department of State the Federal
can lead to reduced agricultural produc- not empowered to take such actions, and are Interagency Working Group on Women and
tivity, food insecurity, and increased disease. often excluded from leadership and decision- Climate Change.
(5) Climate change— making processes. (b) CHAIRPERSON.—The Ambassador-at-
(A) exacerbates issues of resource scarcity (15) Women have a multiplier effect be- Large, or the Special Coordinator, shall
and lack of accessibility to primary natural cause women use their income and resources, serve as the chairperson of the Working
resources, forest resources, and arable land when given the necessary tools, to increase Group.
for food production; the well-being of their children and families, (c) MEMBERSHIP.—
(B) contributes to increased tension and in- playing a critical role in reducing food inse- (1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall
stability, particularly in countries and re- curity, poverty, and socioeconomic effects of be composed of a senior-level representative
gions with poor or weak governance systems; climate change. from each of the Federal agencies and bu-
and (16) Women are often underrepresented in reaus and offices of the Department of State
(C) increases the workload and stresses on the development and formulation of policy described in paragraph (2), as selected by the
women farmers, who are estimated to regarding mitigation and adaptation to cli- head of the respective agency or subagency.
produce nearly 50 percent of the food con- mate change, even though women are often (2) FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Federal agen-
sumed in most developing countries, which in the best position to provide and consult cies and bureaus and offices of the Depart-
exacerbates food insecurity. on adaptive strategies. ment of State described in this paragraph
(6) Women will disproportionately face SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS. are—
harmful impacts from climate change, par-
In this title: (A) the Department of State, including—
ticularly in poor and developing countries in
(1) AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE.—The term (i) the Office of Global Women’s Issues;
which women regularly assume increased re-
‘‘Ambassador-at-Large’’ means the Ambas- (ii) the Office of Civil Rights;
sponsibility for—
sador-at-Large for the Office of Global Wom- (iii) the Bureau of Oceans and Inter-
(A) growing the family’s food;
en’s Issues of the Department of State. national Environmental and Scientific Af-
(B) collecting water, fuel, and other re-
sources; (2) CLIMATE-DISPLACED PERSON.—The term fairs;
(C) earning money; and ‘‘climate-displaced person’’ means any per- (iv) the Bureau of Population, Refugees,
(D) sending remittances. son who, for reasons of sudden or progressive and Migration;
(7) Epidemics, such as malaria and Zika, change in the environment that adversely af- (v) the Bureau of Democracy, Human
are expected to worsen and spread due to fects his or her life or living conditions— Rights, and Labor; and
variations in climate, putting women and (A) is obliged to leave his or her habitual (vi) the Bureau of International Organiza-
girls (especially those who are pregnant, who home, either within his or her country of na- tion Affairs;
are lactating, or who hope to become preg- tionality or in another country; (B) the United States Agency for Inter-
nant) and children without access to preven- (B) is in need of a durable resettlement so- national Development;
tion and medical services at risk. lution; and (C) the Centers for Disease Control and
(8) The direct and indirect effects of cli- (C) whose government cannot or will not Prevention;
mate change have a disproportionate impact provide such durable resettlement solution. (D) the Environmental Protection Agency;
on marginalized women, including refugees, (3) DISPARATE IMPACT.—The term ‘‘dis- (E) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
displaced persons, migrants, religious, ra- parate impact’’ refers to the historical and Administration;
cial, or ethnic minorities, adolescent girls, ongoing impacts of the pattern and practice (F) the National Institutes of Health;
lesbian and trans women, women living in of discrimination in employment, education, (G) the National Science Foundation;
poverty, and women and girls with disabil- housing, banking, health, and nearly every (H) the Council on Environmental Quality;
ities and those infected with HIV. other aspect of life in the economy, society, and
(9) Conflict has a disproportionate impact or culture that have an adverse impact on (I) the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
on the most vulnerable communities and minorities, women, or other protected (3) REPRESENTATIVES OF ADDITIONAL AGEN-
populations, including women, and can be ex- groups, regardless of whether such practices CIES.—The Ambassador-at-Large, or the Spe-
acerbated in regions of the world with chang- were motivated by discriminatory intent. cial Coordinator, may request the participa-
ing or harsher climates, leading to migra- (4) ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS.—The term tion of representatives of other relevant
tion, forced displacement, and conflicts over ‘‘environmental disasters’’ means specific agencies or departments on a limited-time
scarce natural resources, including land and events caused by human activity that result basis.
water. in seriously negative effects on the environ- (d) FUNCTIONS.—The Working Group shall—
(10) Internally displaced, refugee, and ment. (1) coordinate and integrate the develop-
stateless women and girls face extreme vio- (5) SPECIAL COORDINATOR.—The term ‘‘Spe- ment of all policies and activities of the Fed-
lence and threats, including— cial Coordinator’’ means the senior coordi- eral Government relating to—
(A) being forced to exchange sex for food nator appointed pursuant to section 607(c). (A) combating the effects of climate
and humanitarian supplies; (6) WORKING GROUP.—The term ‘‘Working change on women in the national and inter-
(B) being at increased risk of gender-based Group’’ means the Federal Interagency national sphere; and
violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse; Working Group on Women and Climate (B) improving the response and strategy of
(C) reduced access to services and care; and Change established under section 605. the Federal Government to fight climate
(D) increased risk for contracting HIV or SEC. 604. STATEMENT OF POLICY. change for the security of the United States
sexually-transmitted infections, having an (a) IN GENERAL.—It is the policy of the and the international community;
unplanned pregnancy, and experiencing poor United States, in partnership with affected (2) allow each member of the Working
reproductive health countries, donor country governments, inter- Group to act as a representative for the
(11) Climate change is predicted to lead to national financial institutions, international Working Group within the Federal depart-
increasing frequency and intensity of ex- nongovernmental organizations, multilat- ment or agency of such member to facilitate
treme weather conditions, precipitating the eral organizations, and civil society groups, implementation of the Working Group poli-
occurrence of natural disasters around the especially those led by women— cies within such department or agency;
globe. (1) to combat the leading causes of climate (3) ensure that all relevant Federal depart-
(12) The relocation and death of women as change; ments and agencies comply with appropriate
a result of climate change-related disasters (2) to mitigate the effects of climate guidelines, policies, and directives from the
often has devastating impacts on social sup- change on women and girls; and Working Group pertaining to issues and re-
port networks, family ties, and the coping (3) to elevate the participation of women in sponsibilities related to climate change and
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
capacity of families and communities. policy, program, and community decision- women;
(13) The ability of women to adapt to cli- making processes with respect to climate (4) ensure that Federal departments or
mate change is constrained by underlying change. agencies, State governments, and relevant
gender inequality, including a lack of— (b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The policy described congressional committees, in consultation
(A) economic freedoms; in subsection (a) shall be carried out by— with nongovernmental organizations and
(B) property, land tenure, and inheritance (1) establishing the Federal Interagency policy experts in the field and State and
rights; Working Group on Women and Climate local government officials who administer or
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2035
direct policy for programs relating to cli- (4) implementing balanced gender partici- (a), the Senior Coordinator shall submit an
mate change and women— pation to avoid reinforcing binary roles, es- implementation plan and budget for the
(A) have access to, receive, and appro- pecially among individuals from the commu- strategy to the appropriate congressional
priately disseminate best practices in the ad- nities most impacted, in climate change ad- committees.
ministration of such programs; aptation and mitigation efforts, including in (e) ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION.—The
(B) have adequate resources to maximize governance and diplomatic positions within Senior Coordinator shall assist and provide
the public awareness of such programs; the United States Government; consultation to the Secretary of State in
(C) increase the reach of such programs; (5) working at the local, national, and preventing and responding to the effects of
(D) collect and share relevant data, includ- international levels, including with individ- climate change on women globally.
ing sex and age disaggregated data; and uals, families, and communities, to prevent (f) UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOP-
(E) issue relevant guidance; and and respond to the effects of climate change MENT GOALS THROUGH AND BEYOND 2030.—The
(5) identify and disseminate best practices on women; United Nations Sustainable Development
to each relevant Federal department and (6) systematically integrating and coordi- Goals listed in this subsection are—
agency regarding how to improve the collec- nating efforts to prevent and respond to the (1) ending poverty in all its forms every-
tion of data relevant to the disparate impact effects of climate change on women inter- where;
of climate change on women (especially nationally into United States foreign policy (2) ending hunger, achieving food security
marginalized women), including— and foreign assistance programs; and improved nutrition, and promoting sus-
(A) unpaid and paid care work; (7) investing in research on climate change tainable agriculture;
(B) access to decent work opportunities; through appropriate Federal departments or (3) ensuring healthy lives and promoting
(C) community advocacy, activism, and agencies and funding of university and inde- well-being for all and at all ages;
representation; pendent research groups on the various (4) ensuring inclusive, equitable, and qual-
(D) access to education for women and causes and effects of climate change; ity education and promoting lifelong learn-
girls; (8) developing and implementing gender- ing opportunities for all;
(E) access to comprehensive health care, sensitive frameworks in policies to address (5) achieving gender equality and empow-
including reproductive health and rights; climate change that account for the specific ering all women and girls;
(F) participation in professional trades, in- impacts of climate change on women; (6) ensuring the availability and sustain-
cluding agriculture; (9) developing policies to support women able management of water and sanitation for
(G) rights and access to resources, such as who are particularly vulnerable to the im- all;
land, financial services and credit, training, pacts of climate change to prepare for, build (7) ensuring access to affordable, reliable,
and tools and equipment; their resilience to, and adapt to such im- sustainable, and modern energy for all;
(H) abilities to achieve durable solutions to pacts, including a commitment to increase (8) promoting sustained, inclusive, and sus-
displacement, including integration, return, education and training opportunities for tainable economic growth, full and produc-
or resettlement; women to develop local resilience plans to
tive employment, and decent work for all;
(I) food insecurity and desertification; address the effects of climate change;
(9) building resilient infrastructure, pro-
(J) community infrastructure, multilevel (10) developing and investing in programs,
moting inclusive and sustainable industrial-
government adaptability, and climate resil- in coordination with the diplomatic missions
ization, and fostering innovation;
ience; of other countries, that—
(10) reducing inequality within and among
(K) climate and weather-related crisis re- (A) educate and empower women and girls
countries;
sponse, including safety from gender-based in the United States and around the world;
(11) making cities and human settlements
violence; and (B) gather information on how climate
inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable;
(L) women’s involvement and leadership in change is affecting their lives; and
(12) ensuring sustainable consumption and
the development of frameworks and policies (C) provide guidance on the needs of their
production patterns;
for climate resilience. families and communities in the face of cli-
(e) CONSULTATION.—The Working Group (13) taking urgent action to combat cli-
mate change;
may consult and obtain recommendations mate change and its impacts;
(11) consulting with representatives of civil
from such independent nongovernmental pol- (14) conserving and sustainably using the
society, including nongovernmental organi-
icy experts, State and local government offi- oceans, seas, and marine resources for sus-
zations, community and faith-based organi-
cials, independent groups and organizations, tainable development;
zations, multilateral organizations, local and
or other groups or organizations as the Am- (15) protecting, restoring, and promoting
international civil society groups, and local
bassador-at-Large, or the Special Coordi- sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
climate change organizations and their bene-
nator, determines will assist in carrying out sustainably managing forests, combating
ficiaries, that have demonstrated experience
the mission of the Working Group. desertification, and halting and reversing
in preventing and responding to the effects
(f) FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS.—The Working land degradation and biodiversity loss;
of climate change on women;
Group shall meet not less frequently than (16) promoting peaceful and inclusive soci-
(12) supporting and building local capacity
quarterly to discuss and develop policies, eties for sustainable development, providing
in developing countries, including in govern-
projects, and programs referred to in sub- access to justice for all, and building effec-
ments at all levels and in nongovernmental
section (d). tive, accountable and inclusive institutions
organizations (especially women-led organi-
SEC. 606. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION at all levels; and
OF STRATEGY AND POLICIES TO
zations), to prevent and respond to the ef-
(17) strengthening the means of policy im-
PREVENT AND RESPOND TO THE EF- fects of climate change on women;
plementation and revitalizing the global
FECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON (13) developing programs to empower
partnership for sustainable development.
WOMEN GLOBALLY. women in communities to meaningfully en-
gage in the planning, design, implementa- SEC. 607. CLIMATE CHANGE WITHIN THE OFFICE
(a) INITIAL STRATEGY REQUIRED.—Not later
OF GLOBAL WOMEN’S ISSUES.
than 180 days after the date of the enactment tion, and evaluation of strategies to address
of this Act, the Ambassador-at-Large, or the climate change while taking into account (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Ambassador-at-
Special Coordinator, in consultation with their roles and resources; Large for the Office of Global Women’s
the Working Group, shall develop and submit (14) including women in economic develop- Issues of the Department of State shall chair
to the appropriate congressional committees ment planning, policies, and practices that the Federal Interagency Working Group on
a United States National and International directly improve conditions that result from Women and Climate Change.
Strategy to prevent and respond to the ef- climate change; (b) FUNCTIONS.—The Ambassador-at-Large
fects of climate change on women. (15) integrating gender analysis in all poli- shall—
(b) CONTENTS.—The strategy submitted cies and programs in the United States that (1) direct the activities, policies, programs,
under subsection (a) shall include— are globally related to climate change; and and funding of the Department of State re-
(1) recognizing the disparate impacts of cli- (16) ensuring that such policies and pro- lating to the effects of climate change on
mate change on women and the efforts of grams support women globally to prepare women, including with respect to efforts to
women globally to address climate change; for, build resilience for, and adapt to, cli- prevent and respond to those effects;
(2) taking effective action— mate change. (2) coordinate closely with the Climate Se-
(A) to prevent and respond to climate (c) UPDATES.—The Ambassador-at-Large, curity Coordinator appointed pursuant to
change and mitigate the effects of climate or the Special Coordinator, shall— section 1(g) of the State Department Basic
change on women around the world; and (1) consult with the Working Group to col- Authorities Act of 1956, as added by section
(B) to promote gender equality, economic lect information and feedback; and 102, regarding matters related to climate
growth, public health, racial justice, prin- (2) update the strategy and programs to change’s effects on women and related secu-
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cipled humanitarian access, and human prevent and respond to the effects of climate rity and diplomatic matters and engage-
rights; change on women globally, as the Ambas- ments;
(3) implementing the United Nations Sus- sador-at-Large, or the Special Coordinator, (3) advise the Secretary of State, the rel-
tainable Development Goals listed in sub- considers appropriate. evant heads of other Federal departments
section (f) through and beyond 2030 to pre- (d) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND BUDGET RE- and independent agencies, and other entities
vent and respond to the effects of climate QUIRED.—Not later than 60 days after the within the Executive Office of the President,
change on women globally; submission of the strategy under subsection regarding the establishment of—
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S2036 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(A) policies, goals, objectives, and prior- through established neighborhoods and I would like to thank my colleagues
ities for addressing and combating the ef- cities also had a detrimental impact on who have joined me by cosponsoring
fects of climate change on women; and the people who called those places the Reconnecting Communities Act. In
(B) mechanisms to improve the effective- home. particular, I am appreciative of the
ness, coordination, impact, and outcomes of
Blocks of homes were torn down and leadership of the junior senator from
programs relating to addressing and com-
bating the effects of climate change on
vibrant commercial streets razed to Maryland, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, who helped
women, in coordination with experts in the make way for new highway construc- to bring this issue to the attention of
field, nongovernmental organizations, and tion, often without any input from the the Environment and Public Works
foreign governments; and people who actually lived, worked, and Committee last Congress.
(4) identify and assist in the resolution of owned businesses there. Many of these I hope that all of my colleagues will
any disputes that arise between Federal neighborhoods never fully recovered, join us to advance this important legis-
agencies relating to policies and programs to and the highways divided cities, mak-
address and combat the effects of climate
lation, which I will be working to in-
ing it difficult to get from one side to clude in our comprehensive surface
change on women or other matters within
the other. This stifled economic devel- transportation reauthorization bill this
the responsibility of the Office of Global
Women’s Issues. opment and opportunity for those who year.
(c) SPECIAL COORDINATOR.—The Ambas- were left behind.
sador-at-Large may appoint a senior coordi- In the 1950s and 60s, the construction By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr.
nator as the designee responsible for car- of I–95 through Wilmington, Delaware CRAPO, and Mr. CORNYN):
rying out the functions described in sub- resulted in the demolition of homes, S. 1206. A bill to limit the authority
section (b). churches, and businesses, and cut off of the Secretary of Labor to modify the
(d) BRIEFING AND REPORT.—Not later than neighbors from each other. The ability
180 days after the date of the enactment of pandemic unemployment assistance
to easily walk to the store or to program, and for other purposes; to the
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Am-
church, or to have a sense of commu- Committee on Finance.
bassador-at-Large shall—
(1) brief the appropriate congressional nity that living in a vibrant city Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask
committees regarding— brings, was destroyed for many people unanimous consent that the text of the
(A) the effects of climate change on who lived near that path of the inter- bill be printed in the RECORD.
women; and state. And this is not unique to Wil- There being no objection, the text of
(B) the prevention and response strategies, mington. From Baltimore to New Orle- the bill was ordered to be printed in
programming, and associated outcomes with ans, cities across the country are grap-
respect to climate change; and the RECORD, as follows:
pling with what to do with aging inter-
(2) submit an assessment of the human and S. 1206
states blighting their neighborhoods.
financial resources necessary to carry out The Reconnecting Communities Act Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
this title to the appropriate congressional resentatives of the United States of America in
is designed to address this legacy of
committees. Congress assembled,
our highway system by funding
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
By Mr. CARPER (for himself, Mr. projects that would remove or re-
imagine infrastructure barriers, includ- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘PUA Eligi-
VAN HOLLEN, Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. bility Clarification Act of 2021’’.
GILLIBRAND, Mr. PADILLA, Mr. ing elevated highway overpasses and
SEC. 2. PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
WARNOCK, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. highways that were built below grade.
(a) AMENDMENTS.—Section 2102(a)(3) of the
SCHUMER, and Mr. COONS): The bill would authorize $15 billion
CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9021(a)(3)) is amend-
S. 1202. A bill to establish a program over the next five years to establish a ed—
to improve community connectivity by new federal grant program at the De- (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)—
identifying and removing or mitigating partment of Transportation to help (A) in item (ii), by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end;
infrastructural barriers that create ob- States and local entities with planning, and
stacles to mobility or economic devel- construction and local capacity build- (B) by striking item (kk); and
ing. Specifically, it would do the fol- (2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking
opment or expose the community to ‘‘through (kk)’’ and inserting ‘‘through (jj)’’.
pollution and other health and safety lowing:
First, the bill would provide grants (b) REPEAL OF GUIDANCE.—
risks, and for other purposes; to the (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Labor
to local and Tribal governments, Met-
Committee on Environment and Public shall rescind the guidance entitled, Ex-
ropolitan Planning Organizations and
Works. panded Eligibility Provisions for the Pan-
non-profits, to help foster a greater ca- demic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Pro-
Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I want
pacity for local communities to par- gram, issued on February 25, 2021.
to share with my colleagues some in-
ticipate in the planning and decision- (2) REPAYMENT NOT REQUIRED.—
formation regarding the Reconnecting
making process for transportation and (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
Communities Act, a bill that I have in-
economic development projects. This subparagraph (B), in the case of an indi-
troduced today along with my col- vidual who received pandemic unemploy-
would help to ensure that new projects
leagues Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. CARDIN, ment assistance amounts pursuant to the
meet local needs.
Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Mr. PADILLA, Mr. Second, it would provide grants for guidance described in paragraph (1) before
WARNOCK, Mr. SCHUMER and Mr. COONS. planning and feasibility studies, in- the date of enactment of this Act, the indi-
This legislation would address the leg- vidual shall not be required to repay the
cluding studies to look at the effect of amounts.
acy of highway construction built a project on traffic and congestion, ac-
through communities, especially (B) EXCEPTION.—Subparagraph (A) shall
cessibility and equity. not apply to any individual who, as of the
through low-income communities and Third, it would provide grants to date of enactment of this Act, was approved
communities of color, which divided carry out construction projects that to receive compensation amounts pursuant
neighborhoods and erected barriers to would either remove a highway infra- to the guidance described in paragraph (1)(A)
mobility and opportunity. This legisla- structure barrier, or re-envision or ret- but had not yet received the amounts.
tion implements a central piece of rofit the existing structure to improve
President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, mobility across it. This includes cap- By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and
which calls for new Federal funding to ping a highway like I–95 in Wil- Ms. DUCKWORTH):
address the need to remove infrastruc- mington. or transforming a highway S. 1211. A bill to establish the
ture barriers in communities that have into an at-grade roadway as has been Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture
been historically disadvantaged and envisioned in other States. National Historic Park in Collinsville,
disconnected. As communities across the Nation Illinois, Monroe, Madison, and St. Clair
The construction of our interstate are beginning to reimagine their down- Counties, Illinois, and St. Louis City
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with SENATE
highway system throughout the 20th towns to provide more sustainable and County, Missouri, and for other pur-
Century had many positive aspects. It equitable access, this bill will support poses; to the Committee on Energy and
facilitated commerce and travel from local efforts to reconnect and revitalize Natural Resources.
coast to coast and connected our areas that were harmed by the con- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask
urban, suburban and rural areas. How- struction of the Interstate Highway unanimous consent that the text of the
ever, the construction of highways System. bill be printed in the RECORD.
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April 19, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2037
There being no objection, the text of (ii) chapters 1003 and 3201 of title 54, United (4) The COVID–19 pandemic has accelerated
the bill was ordered to be printed in States Code. trends in automation, with 43 percent of
the RECORD, as follows: (2) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— businesses in the World Economic Forum’s
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may enter Future of Jobs survey indicating they plan
S. 1211
into cooperative agreements with the States to reduce their workforce as a result of tech-
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- and political subdivisions of the States, in- nology integration.
resentatives of the United States of America in stitutions of higher education, nonprofit or- (5) Strong Federal investment in expanding
Congress assembled, ganizations, Indian Tribes, and individuals— training services for workers whose jobs may
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (i) to identify, interpret, and restore na- be lost due to automation could prepare the
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cahokia tionally significant historical or cultural United States workforce to better adapt to
Mounds Mississippian Culture National His- and natural resources relating to the life of changes in the labor market and enter into
torical Park Act’’. the Mississippian Culture within the bound- skilled positions in technologically oriented
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. aries of the historical park, subject to the occupations and industries.
In this Act: condition that such an agreement shall pro- (6) A focus on preparing the workforce of
(1) HISTORICAL PARK.—The term ‘‘historical vide for reasonable public access; and the United States for jobs that utilize ad-
park’’ means the Cahokia Mounds Mississip- (ii) to conduct research relating to the vanced technologies could grow wages, in-
pian Culture National Historical Park estab- Mississippian Culture. crease economic productivity, and boost the
lished by section 3(a). (B) COST-SHARING.— competitiveness of the United States.
(2) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map (i) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
entitled ‘‘Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Cul- the total cost of any activity carried out In this Act:
ture National Historical Park, Boundary’’, under this paragraph shall be not more than (1) AUTOMATION.—The term ‘‘automation’’
numbered CMMC–NHP–107, and dated 05–31– 50 percent. means a device, process, or system that func-
2019. (ii) FORM OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The tions without continuous input from an op-
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ erator, including—
non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out
means the Secretary of the Interior. (A) advanced technologies, such as—
an activity under this paragraph may be in
(4) STATES.—The term ‘‘States’’ means the (i) data collection, classification proc-
the form of—
States of Illinois and Missouri. essing, and analytics; and
(I) in-kind contributions; or
SEC. 3. CAHOKIA MOUNDS MISSISSIPPIAN CUL- (ii) 3–D printing, digital design and simula-
TURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK,
(II) goods or services fairly valued.
(e) GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN.— tion, and digital manufacturing;
ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI.
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years (B) robotics, including collaborative robot-
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
after the date on which funds are made avail- ics, and worker augmentation technology;
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2),
able to carry out this section, the Secretary (C) autonomous vehicle technology; or
in order to preserve and interpret for the
shall prepare a general management plan for (D) autonomous machinery technology.
benefit of present and future generations the
the historical park in accordance with sec- (2) DISLOCATED WORKER.—The term ‘‘dis-
historical, cultural, and natural resources
tion 100502 of title 54, United States Code. located worker’’ has the meaning given the
associated with the life of the Mississippian
(2) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the gen- term in section 3 of the Workforce Innova-
Culture and to preserve access for Native
eral management plan under paragraph (1), tion and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
American spiritual practices and expres-
the Secretary shall consult with— (3) IN-DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTOR OR OCCUPA-
sions, there is established, as a unit of the
(A) the States and political subdivisions of TION.—The term ‘‘in-demand industry sector
National Park System, the Cahokia Mounds
the States; or occupation’’ has the meaning given the
Mississippian Culture National Historical
(B) institutions of higher education; term in section 3 of that Act.
Park in—
(C) nonprofit organizations; (4) INTEGRATED EDUCATION AND TRAINING.—
(A) Collinsville, Illinois;
(D) Indian Tribes; and The term ‘‘integrated education and train-
(B) Monroe, Madison, and St. Clair Coun-
(E) other affected individuals and entities, ing’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
ties, Illinois; and
including— tion 203 of that Act (29 U.S.C. 3272).
(C) St. Louis City County, Missouri.
(i) the Illinois Department of Natural Re- (5) ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘‘eli-
(2) DETERMINATION BY SECRETARY.—The
sources; gible partnership’’ means an industry or sec-
historical park shall not be established until
(ii) the Osage Tribe; and tor partnership, as defined in section 3 of
the date on which the Secretary determines
(iii) the HeartLands Conservancy. that Act, except that—
that a sufficient quantity of land, or inter-
--- (A) for purposes of applying paragraph
ests in land, has been acquired in accordance
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. (26)(A)(iii) of that section, the term ‘‘institu-
with subsection (c) to constitute a manage-
tion of higher education’’ has the meaning
able unit. WARNOCK, and Ms. CORTEZ
given the term in section 101 of the Higher
(3) NOTICE.—Not later than 30 days after MASTO): Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); and
the date on which the Secretary acquires S. 1212. A bill to address the needs of (B) the partnership shall include, in addi-
sufficient land under subsection (c) to workers in industries likely to be im- tion to the representatives described in
achieve compliance with paragraph (2), the pacted by rapidly evolving tech- clauses (i) through (iii) of paragraph (26)(A)
Secretary shall publish in the Federal Reg-
nologies; to the Committee on Health, of that section, representatives of—
ister a notice of the establishment of the his-
torical park. Education, Labor, and Pensions. (i) a State workforce development board or
(4) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map shall Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask a local workforce development board; and
be on file and available for public inspection unanimous consent that the text of the (ii) an economic development organization.
in the appropriate offices of the National bill be printed in the RECORD. (6) GAO STUDY ON AUTOMATION.—The term
Park Service. There being no objection, the text of ‘‘GAO study on automation’’ means the
(b) BOUNDARY.—The boundary of the his- the bill was ordered to be printed in study on automation conducted by the
torical park shall be the boundary as de- Comptroller General of the United States, as
the RECORD, as follows:
picted on the map. directed in House Report 116–450 (incor-
S. 1212 porated in the explanatory statement re-
(c) LAND ACQUISITION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- garding the Consolidated Appropriations
the Secretary may acquire land and interests resentatives of the United States of America in Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260) in accordance
in land within the boundary of the historical Congress assembled, with section 4 of such Act).
park by— SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (7) LOCAL AND STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOP-
(A) donation; This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Investing in MENT BOARDS.—The terms ‘‘local workforce
(B) purchase from a willing seller with do- Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2021’’. development board’’ and ‘‘State workforce
nated or appropriated funds; or SEC. 2. FINDINGS. development board’’ have the meanings
(C) exchange. Congress makes the following findings: given the terms ‘‘local board’’ and ‘‘State
(2) LIMITATION.—Any land owned by the (1) In 2014, the United States spent just 0.1 board’’, respectively, in section 3 of the
States or a political subdivision of 1 of the percent of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Prod- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
States may be acquired only by donation. uct on labor market policies, less than half (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(d) ADMINISTRATION.— of what the United States spent on labor (8) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ad- market policies 30 years ago. means the Secretary of Labor.
minister the historical park in accordance (2) The number of workers receiving feder- (9) TRAINING SERVICES.—The term ‘‘train-
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with— ally supported training has declined in the ing services’’ means training services de-
(A) this section; and past 3 decades as advances in technology scribed in section 134(c)(3)(D) of that Act (29
(B) the laws generally applicable to units have simultaneously shifted labor market U.S.C. 3174(c)(3)(D)).
of the National Park System, including— demand over time. SEC. 4. GRANTS TO IMPROVE TRAINING FOR
(i) sections 100101(a), 100751(a), 100752, (3) Job losses from automation are more WORKERS IMPACTED BY AUTOMA-
100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States likely to impact women, people of color, and TION.
Code; and workers making less than $40,000 annually. (a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—
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S2038 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 19, 2021
(1) IN GENERAL.—From the amounts appro- (4) eligible partnerships with a plan to de- (2) in clause (xii), by striking the period
priated under subsection (g) and beginning velop a shared training curriculum that can and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
after the earlier of the date of submission of be used across local and regional networks of (3) by adding at the end the following:
the GAO study on automation or October 1, employers and training providers. ‘‘(xiii) training programs for individuals
2022, the Secretary of Labor shall award (d) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible partnership who are, or are likely to become, dislocated
grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible that receives a grant under this section shall workers as a result of automation, including
partnerships to support demonstration and use the grant funds for 1 or more of the fol- activities that prepare the individuals for oc-
pilot projects relating to the training needs lowing: cupations in the technology sector.’’.
of workers who are, or are likely to become, (1) Providing training services under the (b) NATIONAL DISLOCATED WORKER
dislocated workers as a result of automation. demonstration or pilot project, which may GRANTS.—Section 170 of the Workforce Inno-
(2) DURATION.—A grant awarded under this include training services that prepare work- vation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3225) is
section shall be for a period not to exceed 4 ers for in-demand industry sectors or occupa- amended—
years. tions. (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ‘‘ad-
(3) USE OF REPORT.—The Secretary shall (2) Providing assistance for employers in vances in automation technology,’’ before
use the GAO study on automation to inform developing a staff position for an individual ‘‘plant closures,’’; and
the grant program carried out under this who will be responsible for supporting train- (2) by adding at the end the following:
section. ing services provided under the grant. ‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(3) Purchasing equipment or technology In addition to any funds reserved under sec-
(b) APPLICATIONS.—
necessary for training services provided tion 132(a)(2)(A) to carry out this section,
(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a
under paragraph (1). there are authorized to be appropriated to
grant under this section, an eligible partner-
(4) Providing job search and other transi- carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of
ship shall submit an application to the Sec-
tional assistance to workers in industries fiscal years 2022 through 2026.’’.
retary at such time, in such manner, and
with high rates of job loss.
containing such information as the Sec- f
(5) Providing a training stipend to workers
retary shall reasonably require.
for training services. SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
(2) CONTENTS.—Each application submitted
(6) Providing integrated education and
under paragraph (1) shall include a descrip- training. ---
tion of the demonstration or pilot project to (e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after an
be completed with the grant funds, which de- eligible partnership’s completion of a dem- SENATE RESOLUTION 164—EX-
scription shall include— onstration or pilot project supported under PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE
(A) a description of the members of the eli- this section, the eligible partnership shall SENATE THAT THE NUMBER OF
gible partnership who will be involved in the prepare and submit to the Secretary a report JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME
demonstration or pilot program and the regarding— COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
services each member will provide; (1) the number of workers who received
(B) a description of the training services SHOULD REMAIN AT 9
training services through the demonstration
that will be available to individuals partici- or pilot project, disaggregated by type of Mr. DAINES (for himself, Mr.
pating in the demonstration or pilot project, training service and the age, gender, and LANKFORD, and Mr. RUBIO) submitted
which may include— race of the workers; the following resolution; which was re-
(i) a plan to train dislocated workers from (2) the number of such workers who suc- ferred to the Committee on the Judici-
industries likely to be impacted by automa- cessfully transitioned into a new position
tion and transition the workers into region- following completion of the training serv-
ary:
ally in-demand industry sectors or occupa- ices; S. RES. 164
tions; and (3) the number of individuals who success- Whereas the first section of the Act enti-
(ii) a plan to partner with local businesses fully transitioned into an in-demand indus- tled ‘‘An Act to amend the Judicial System
to retrain, upskill, and re-deploy workers try sector or occupation following comple- of the United States’’, approved April 10, 1869
within an industry as an alternative to lay- tion of the training services; (commonly known as the ‘‘Judiciary Act of
offs; (4) annual earnings data for individuals 1869’’) (16 Stat. 44; chapter 22), states that
(C) a plan to provide workers with tech- who have completed training services ‘‘the Supreme Court of the United States
nology-based skills training, which may in- through the demonstration or pilot project; shall hereafter consist of the Chief Justice of
clude training to provide skills related to (5) the percentage of individuals described the United States and eight associate jus-
coding, systems engineering, or information in paragraph (4) who are in education or tices’’;
technology security, in addition to other training activities, or in employment, during Whereas the Supreme Court of the United
skills; and the second quarter after exit from the train- States has consisted of a Chief Justice and 8
(D) a description of the goals that the eli- ing services; associate Justices for 152 years;
gible partnership intends to achieve to (6) the percentage of individuals described Whereas previous attempts to increase the
upskill workers and prepare them for in-de- in paragraph (4) who are in education or number of justices on the Supreme Court of
mand industry sectors or occupations. training activities, or in employment, during the United States have been rejected and
(c) PRIORITIES.—In awarding grants under the fourth quarter after exit from the train- widely condemned by individuals of both po-
this section, the Secretary shall give pri- ing services; and litical parties;
ority to— (7) any practices used by the partnership Whereas, in 1937, when former President
(1) eligible partnerships that are located in that should be considered best practices with Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed the Ju-
an area with a high concentration of— respect to training workers in industries dicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, a bill
(A) industries with a higher likelihood of that have, or are expected to have, high that sought to expand the number of justices
being impacted by automation; or rates of job loss as a result of automation. on the Supreme Court of the United States
(B) industries included in in-demand indus- (f) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.—An eligible from 9 justices to 15 Justices, he was harshly
try sectors, as determined under subpara- partnership that receives a grant under this criticized by both parties and his own Vice
graphs (A)(i) and (B) of section 3(23) of the section shall use the grant funds in a manner President, John Nance Garner;
that is consistent with the labor standards
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Whereas, the 1937 Senate Judiciary Com-
and protections described in section 181 of
(29 U.S.C. 3102(23)); mittee report, in response to the Court-pack-
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
(2) eligible partnerships— ing plan by President Roosevelt, decried the
Act (29 U.S.C. 3241) and nondiscrimination
(A) with a plan to provide incumbent work- plan as ‘‘a needless, futile, and utterly dan-
provisions described in section 188 of such
er training— Act (29 U.S.C. 3248). gerous abandonment of constitutional prin-
(i) to assist workers in obtaining the skills (g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— ciple’’, that ‘‘[i]ts ultimate operation would
necessary to retain employment or avert There are authorized to be appropriated to be to make this government one of men rath-
layoffs; or carry out this section such sums as may be er than one of law’’ and that it was ‘‘a meas-
(ii) that allows a worker working for an necessary for the first 5 full fiscal years be- ure, which should be so emphatically re-
employer to acquire new skills that allow ginning after the earlier of the date of sub- jected that its parallel will never again be
the worker to obtain a higher-skilled or mission of the GAO study on automation or presented to the free representatives of the
higher-paid position with such employer; and October 1, 2022. free people of America’’;
(B) that partner with local employers that SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF WORKER TRAINING SERV- Whereas, during the Trump Administra-
intend to backfill the pre-training positions ICES. tion, Democrats have refused to recognize
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of the incumbent workers by hiring new (a) ADULT AND DISLOCATED WORKER EM- the legitimacy of nominations made by
workers to fill those positions; PLOYMENT AND TRAINING.—Section President Trump to the Supreme Court of
(3) eligible partnerships that will provide 134(d)(1)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and the United States and have advocated for
workers with a transportation stipend, paid Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3174(d)(1)(A)) is packing the Court with additional justices
sick leave, paid family and medical leave, ac- amended— appointed by a future Democrat president;
cess to child care services, or other employ- (1) in clause (xi), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the Whereas, in 1983 during a Senate Judiciary
ment benefits; or end; Committee hearing, then-Senator Joe Biden
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