Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, E1359: Omnibus Bill, Richard Miller (December 27, 2022)
Summary
Pages E1359 and E1360 of the Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, dated December 27, 2022, carry statements by several members. Ron Estes of Kansas opposes the omnibus bill but praises SECURE 2.0 and an unclaimed savings bonds provision, citing approximately $29.7 billion in savings bonds that have reached final maturity. Bobby Scott of Virginia honors the retirement of Richard Miller as Director of Labor Policy for the Committee on Education and Labor. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon supports the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, citing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and a permanent Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program.
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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, E1359: Omnibus Bill, Richard Miller (December 27, 2022).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-12-27-crec-2022-12-27-pt1-pge1359-3-3667715bcb/
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December 27, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1359
EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION This crucial information is necessary, and Virginia, which is home to the Nation’s largest
OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO Congress overwhelmingly intended for Treas- private shipyard, the Committee pressed the
HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE ury to provide it. I would like to make it clear Occupational Safety and Health Administration
AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRI- that it is the intent of Congress that, where (OSHA) to expand a proposed beryllium rule
CULTURE, RURAL DEVELOP- possible, states should be able to access the to include protections for shipyard workers-
MENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMIN- serial numbers of unclaimed savings bonds. particularly those around abrasive blasting.
ISTRATION, AND RELATED Inclusion of this provision is a positive step, Richard led the Committee’s effort, in conjunc-
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS but Americans won’t see the full benefit until tion with the Steelworkers union, to ultimately
ACT, 2023; RELATING TO CONSID- Treasury stops playing games with the sav- secure enforceable protections for our nation’s
ERATION OF SENATE AMEND- ings bond program. maritime workers from exposure to this ultra-
MENT TO H.R. 4373, FURTHER AD- I would briefly like to touch on the under- toxic element.
DITIONAL CONTINUING APPRO- lying Omnibus bill. It is a shame that good leg- Beginning in 2007, Richard joined on the
PRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS islation supported by Republicans and Demo- Committee on Energy and Commerce, inves-
ACT, 2023; RELATING TO CONSID- crats like SECURE 2.0 has been tucked into tigating regulatory gaps in energy futures and
ERATION OF SENATE AMEND- a 4,000–plus-page bill that nobody has read in derivatives markets; the Department of Ener-
MENTS TO H.R. 1082, SAMI’S LAW; total. It contains highly partisan and reckless gy’s (DOE) program to reprocess spent nu-
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES spending throughout, which I fundamentally clear fuel; price manipulation schemes in pro-
oppose. pane markets; crude oil pipeline safety; and
SPEECH OF
I believe that last-minute legislation like this DOE’s sole-source contracting and nuclear
HON. RON ESTES is a terrible way to run the greatest country in non-proliferation programs.
OF KANSAS the world and I urge my colleagues to vote no. In 2009, Richard came to the Committee on
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f Education and Labor under then Chairman
Friday, December 23, 2022 George Miller (no relation) and worked under
HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF my leadership for nearly eight years. Richard
Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to RICHARD MILLER FROM THE conducted investigations on the Upper Big
thank Leader BRADY and Chairman NEAL for COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND Branch coal mine disaster; the performance of
their yeoman-like work on SECURE 2.0. This LABOR the Chemical Safety Board’s investigations;
has been a truly bipartisan and bicameral ef- contested case backlogs before the Federal
fort that will assist all Americans save more for HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT Mine Safety & Health Review Commission;
their retirement for longer throughout their mismanaged state OSHA programs; the De-
OF VIRGINIA
lives. partment of Labor’s Whistleblower Protection
When SECURE 2.0 passed the House with IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Program and Black Lung Benefits program,
overwhelming bipartisan support, it had mul- Tuesday, December 27, 2022 and administration proposals to cut federal
tiple provisions I helped introduce, including Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I workers’ compensation benefits.
an increase in RMD age, retirement matching rise to thank Richard Miller and honor his pub- Richard maintained a focus on international
for student loan repayment, and enhancing
lic service as the Director of Labor Policy for labor rights by supporting the Speaker’s Con-
403(b) plans.
the Committee on Education and Labor. gressional Monitoring Group on the U.S.-Co-
As the House and Senate went through ne-
gotiations on this package, I was pleased to When people describe Richard, the senti- lombia Labor Action Plan and the bi-cameral
see that Unclaimed Savings Bonds was in- ments range from ‘‘true and tireless champion working group on safety and labor rights in
cluded, something that I have been working of working people’’, ‘‘an expert on any topic Bangladesh. Fallowing the repeated fires and
on since before I have been in Congress. relating to workers’’, to ‘‘unparalleled knowl- industrial disasters killing workers in that coun-
The U.S. Treasury is sitting on potentially edge of the issues impacting workers’’. Folks try’s garment industry, and a government
billions of dollars in bonds which haven’t been have called him charismatic, meticulous, dedi- largely unresponsive to labor rights violations,
claimed—mostly because people don’t know cated, committed. Richard led Committee efforts to enact funding
they or their parents or grandparents even Prior to working for Congress, he helped for global labor rights programs and to elevate
own bonds. If given access to federal records workers organize for labor rights and battle labor rights as a priority for U.S. diplomacy
and the dormant bonds, most states would be union busting campaigns from coast to coast with Bangladesh, while assisting Bangladeshi
able to make it easy for people to look up if and from north to south. Through his work for labor rights advocates in communicating their
they own lost bonds and to reclaim ownership. the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers Inter- concerns to Congress.
Approximately $29.7 billion in savings bonds national Union, and its successor Paper, Al- As part of his work for the Committee, he
have reached final maturity and ceased to pay lied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers has drafted bills to strengthen the Occupa-
interest. While Treasury claims that only one Union, he led advocacy efforts to enact an oc- tional Safety & Health Act, the Federal Mine
percent of all matured savings bonds have not cupational illness compensation program for Safety and Health Act, the Black Lung Bene-
been redeemed, it’s much more. defense nuclear workers (Energy Employees fits Act, the Federal Employees’ Compensa-
States already have programs in place to Occupational Illness Compensation Program tion Act (FECA). As a corollary, he led efforts
help their residents find lost or forgotten as- ACt (EEOICPA); protect union rights and pen- to beat back three-efforts over six years to cut
sets. It’s a program that I’m passionate about, sion security; fund hazardous waste worker FECA benefit levels. As part of the American
as I helped connect Kansans with their money training programs; enact a defense nuclear Rescue Plan Act, Richard led Committee ef-
and assets as Kansas State Treasurer for 6 worker ‘‘conversion’’ and medical screening forts to ensure front-line workers in VA hos-
years, fighting the U.S. Treasury tooth-and-nail law; secure a moratorium on the sale of radio- pitals, airports, post offices, law enforcement
the entire way. actively contaminated metals into unrestricted and meat plant inspectors were able to secure
While my standalone unclaimed savings commerce; and authorize and secure funding workers’ compensation for COVID–19 without
bond bill required Treasury to provide states for U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Inves- having to meet an insurmountable burden of
with the names, addresses, and serial num- tigations Board (CSB). proof.
bers—the best way to make sure Americans Since its enactment in 2000, EEOICP A has He has worked to stabilize the black lung
are reconnected with their rightful property— provided benefits to approximately 100,000 benefits program by extending the black lung
nuclear weapons complex workers (or their excise tax, reducing backlogs in adjudicating
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
the provision in this bill makes Treasury’s pro-
viding of serial numbers optional. survivors) for diseases arising from exposure claims, driving reforms in coal operator self-in-
I believe that this deliberate change is due to radiation, beryllium and silica. As the Rep- surance, and rebuilding the black lung clinics
to Treasury’s failure to keep accurate records. resentative of the 3rd Congressional District of program to ensure miners receive pulmonary
∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.
Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.
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E1360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 27, 2022
rehabilitation and claims assistance they need. ers from being discriminated against in the stressors on our ocean and coastal resources
Richard even managed to convince me to go workplace. and expand competitive research grants to
several thousand feet underground to visit a This legislation includes several bills and in- study threats to ocean health. Although the bill
coal mine and assess its safety features. And vestments I have fought for this Congress. does not include specific investments in blue
in typical fashion, Richard was quick to ensure The bill establishes a permanent, nationwide carbon ecosystems, I will continue to advocate
the invitation of one of my Republican col- Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) for natural climate solutions and appreciate
leagues to join in this venture. program to address food insecurity among the investments in improving the resilience of
The Committee on Education & Labor will children when school is out. As the Chair of such ecosystems included in the Inflation Re-
miss his wealth of knowledge and his enthu- Education and Labor Committee’s Civil Rights duction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure law.
siasm for finding ways to improve the life of and Human Services Subcommittee, I have The Pacific Northwest must also be ready
those workers who lack a voice but need one. been working on needed updates to our fed- for a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone
We can always count on him to offer what he eral child nutrition programs. This is an impor- earthquake and related tsunami, so I appre-
would call ‘‘an observation, not a criticism.’’ tant victory that builds on the successes of the ciate that this legislation contains funding for
In conclusion, Richard has led his profes- Pandemic-EBT program and it will help pre- NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Centers and for the
sional life doing the ‘‘good trouble, necessary vent summer hunger. I have also been fighting National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program
trouble’’ that Congressman John Lewis has for increases in funding to nutrition programs (NTHMP) to help prepare vulnerable commu-
called us to do. I know that I speak for the for seniors through the Older Americans Act, nities in the event of a tsunami. Additionally,
Committee in thanking him for his service to and I am grateful that this year’s bill responds harnessing energy from waves, currents, and
this House and the American People and wish to increasing need amid growing demand and tides is an exciting frontier in the clean power
him well in his retirement. rising costs by including more funding for OAA sector, and I am pleased that this legislation
f Title III nutrition programs. includes funding for the Department of Ener-
My Retirement Savings Lost and Found Act gy’s Water Power Technologies Office, which
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION is enacted under this omnibus funding bill. supports investments in hydropower, marine,
OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT TO These provisions will create an Office of the and hydrokinetic energy technologies, includ-
HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE Retirement Savings Lost and Found to provide ing research at the Pacific Marine Energy
AMENDMENT TO H.R. 2617, AGRI- workers with tools to locate and manage ac- Center in Oregon.
CULTURE, RURAL DEVELOP- counts after leaving an employer. Tracking re- Education is one of the best investments
MENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMIN- tirement savings accounts after leaving an em- our country can make. Every student in our
ISTRATION, AND RELATED ployer can be extremely difficult, and many country deserves access to a high-quality,
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS people lose access completely. The Retire- well-rounded education, and this legislation
ACT, 2023; RELATING TO CONSID- ment Savings Lost and Found Act will give makes investments in many important pro-
ERATION OF SENATE AMEND- workers tools to access and preserve their grams. I’m pleased that the omnibus legisla-
MENT TO H.R. 4373, FURTHER AD- hard-earned savings. tion includes a more than $70 million for the
DITIONAL CONTINUING APPRO- Economic inflation caused by increased Institute of Education Sciences and encour-
PRIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS consumer demand, global supply chain disrup- ages the pursuit of quick turnaround, high-re-
ACT, 2023; RELATING TO CONSID- tions, and the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine ward projects to improve student achievement
ERATION OF SENATE AMEND- by Russia have shifted global markets and af- and advance education equity—language
MENTS TO H.R. 1082, SAMI’S LAW; fected everyday costs. Higher prices are based on bipartisan legislation I introduced
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES straining household budgets and depriving this year. Additionally, the legislation’s $1.38
--- workers of the full benefits of our growing billion investment in Title IV–A of the Every
SPEECH OF economy. I am pleased that this legislation in- Student Succeeds Act will provide students
HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI cludes a nearly $2 billion increase for the with greater opportunities to receive an engag-
OF OREGON Child Care and Development Block Grant pro- ing, well-rounded education and support the
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
gram and an almost $1 billion increase for development of safe, healthy, welcoming
Head Start. These long overdue investments learning environments. I am also grateful that
Friday, December 23, 2022 follow my continued calls to improve the care this year’s federal budget continues the long,
Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in economy for families and care workers, includ- bipartisan recognition of the importance of the
support of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Ap- ing in two letters I led that were signed by arts and humanities by providing $207 million
propriations Bill. more than half of the Democratic Caucus. Ad- each for the National Endowment for the Arts
One of the most basic and important re- ditionally, this legislation will help families with (NEA) and the National Endowment for the
sponsibilities of Congress is to keep the gov- rising energy costs by providing $5 billion for Humanities (NEH). The NEA was instrumental
ernment funded and operating, and it is our the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance in supporting local arts organizations during
obligation to spend taxpayer money wisely. A Program and expanding who can access the the height of the pandemic, and this additional
budget is a statement of values and priorities, services of Community Action Agencies. Al- funding will allow it to foster greater creativity
and this budget focuses on helping hard- though these are needed investments to ad- and promote equity in the arts around the
working families get ahead, supporting vulner- dress housing affordability and childcare ac- country.
able populations at home and abroad, and cess, there is still much more we need to do, Additionally, I secured more than $35 million
growing the economy. including extending the powerful, enhanced in Community Project Funding for 15 projects
This bipartisan bill invests in affordable child Child Tax Credit that House Democrats in- in NW Oregon that will make our communities
care, helps to address the climate crisis, in- cluded in the American Rescue Plan and up- stronger and create new opportunities for fam-
creases the maximum Pell Grant award by dating the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to ilies and workers. Addressing the climate crisis
$500, provides $47 billion for the National In- remove barriers to housing development. and expanding access to affordable housing
stitutes of Health to help develop treatments Ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms are top priorities in my work, and these
and cures for chronic diseases, secures fund- (HABs), and are hypoxia are significant threats projects reflect my commitment to putting for-
ing for manufacturing jobs created by the his- to coastal communities, industries, and Tribes ward real solutions to address the challenges
toric bipartisan Creating Helpful Incentives to across the United States. The ocean is resil- we face. These projects will bolster the econ-
Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and ient, but we cannot afford to wait to take ac- omy in Oregon by building more affordable
Science Act, serves veterans exposed to tion. I am pleased that this legislation invests housing, making our roads safer and more
harmful chemicals by providing $5 billion in in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- sustainable, supporting small businesses, en-
mandatory funding under the Honoring our ministration’s (NOAA) Integrated Ocean Acidi- hancing workforce development to provide
Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics fication Program to expand scientific research people the skills needed for advanced manu-
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with REMARKS
(PACT) Act, and includes nearly $45 billion in and monitoring of ocean acidification to iden- facturing and a good job, and promoting equity
emergency and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. tify risks and inform vulnerable communities, in foster care:
The FY23 omnibus bill also includes the Preg- industries, and coastal and ocean managers Notably missing from this end-of-year pack-
nant Workers Fairness Act, which requires of ways to prepare. The bill also includes age is comprehensive immigration reform. Fur-
employers to give pregnant workers basic ac- harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research and ther inaction harms our communities and
commodations like an extra bathroom break monitoring investments through NOAA to economy. Dreamers, essential workers like
and stool to sit on, preventing pregnant work- strengthen research about environmental farmworkers, educators, and nurses, and
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