The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning John Kennedy was published in the Senate section on pages S2488-S2490 on May 12.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Rubio, and Ms. Duckworth):
S. 1581. A bill to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to carry out a pilot program to enhance the mapping of urban flooding and associated property damage and the availability of that mapped data to homeowners, businesses, and localities to help understand and mitigate the risk of such flooding, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1581
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. FLOOD MAPPING MODERNIZATION AND HOMEOWNER EMPOWERMENT
PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2) Coastal.--The term ``coastal'' means, with respect to a unit of general local government, that the unit borders a body of water that--
(A) is more than 2,000 square miles in size; and
(B) is not a river.
(3) Pelagic.--The term ``pelagic'' means, with respect to a unit of general local government, that--
(A) the unit is a coastal unit; and
(B) the body of water that the unit borders is--
(i) an ocean; or
(ii) a large, open body of water, including a bay or a gulf, that empties into an ocean.
(4) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the pilot program carried out by the Administrator under this section.
(5) Urban flooding.--The term ``urban flooding''--
(A) means the inundation, by water, of property in a built environment, particularly in a densely populated area, that--
(i) is caused by falling rain--
(I) collecting on an impervious surface; or
(II) increasing the level of a body of water that is located near that built environment; and
(ii) overwhelms the capacity of drainage systems in the built environment, such as storm sewers;
(B) includes--
(i) a situation in which stormwater enters a building through a window, door, or other opening;
(ii) the backup of water through a sewer pipe, shower, toilet, sink, or floor drain;
(iii) the seepage of water through a wall or a floor;
(iv) the accumulation of water on property or a public right-of-way; and
(v) the overflow from a body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean; and
(C) does not include flooding in an undeveloped or agricultural area.
(6) Urbanized area.--The term ``urbanized area'' means an area that has been defined and designated as an urbanized area by the Bureau of the Census during the most recently completed decennial census.
(b) Establishment.--The Administrator shall carry out a pilot program to make grants to units of local government to--
(1) enhance the production of maps relating to urban flooding and associated property damage; and
(2) increase the availability of the maps described in paragraph (1) to homeowners, businesses, and units of local government to enable those entities to minimize the risk of urban flooding.
(c) Objectives.--Amounts from grants made under the pilot program may be used only to carry out activities that meet the following objectives:
(1) Developing a methodology for assessing the risk of urban flooding through the deployment of technology-based mapping tools that--
(A) are easily understandable by the public; and
(B) effectively convey information regarding the level of flood risk.
(2) Providing structure-specific projections of annual chance flood frequency.
(3) Providing structure-based flood risk assessments.
(4) Providing program design for the mitigation of the risk of urban flooding.
(5) Incorporating information regarding climate trends into urban flooding risk assessments.
(6) Making the information described in this subsection publicly available on the internet through a web-based portal so as to increase transparency regarding homeowner flood risks.
(d) Eligible Recipients.--
(1) In general.--A grant under the pilot program may be made only to--
(A) a unit of general local government that is located in an urbanized area with a population of more than 50,000 individuals; or
(B) a stormwater management authority of a unit of general local government described in subparagraph (A).
(2) One-time grants.--A grant under the pilot program may not be made to--
(A) any unit of general local governmental, or the stormwater management authority of a unit of general local government, that previously received a grant under the pilot program;
(B) any unit of general local government if the stormwater management agency for that unit previously received a grant under the pilot program; or
(C) any stormwater management agency of a unit of general local government if that unit previously received a grant under the pilot program.
(3) Treatment of certain stormwater management authorities.--
(A) In general.--In the case of a stormwater management authority that operates with respect to more than 1 unit of general local government, the application of that authority shall be considered for purposes of paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsections (f), (g), and (h)(1) to be made for the largest unit of general local government with respect to which that authority operates.
(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in subparagraph (A) may be construed to limit the ability of a stormwater management authority described in that subparagraph to carry out activities under a demonstration project in any other jurisdiction in, or with respect to any other unit of local government with, which that authority operates.
(e) Applications.--To be eligible for a grant under the pilot program, a unit of general local government or a stormwater management agency shall submit to the Administrator an application in such form and containing such information as the Administrator shall require.
(f) Selection of Recipients.--
(1) Annual selection.--Subject to paragraph (2), and to the submission of approvable applications, in each fiscal year for which amounts are made available for grants under the pilot program, the Administrator shall select, from among applications submitted under subsection (e) for that fiscal year, 3 units of general government or stormwater management authorities to receive grants under the pilot program.
(2) Aggregate limit.--Subject only to the submission of approvable applications, the Administrator shall select, in the aggregate over the entire duration of the pilot program, 12 units of general government or stormwater management authorities to receive grants under the pilot program, as follows:
(A) Tier 1.--Three of the applicants selected shall be units of general local government, or stormwater management authorities for those units, each of which has a population of more than 800,000 individuals, as follows:
(i) Pelagic coastal city.--One shall be--
(I) a unit of general local government that is a pelagic unit; or
(II) a stormwater authority for a unit described in subclause (I).
(ii) Non-pelagic coastal city.--One shall be--
(I) a unit of general local government that--
(aa) is a coastal unit; and
(bb) is not a pelagic unit; or
(II) a stormwater authority for a unit described in subclause (I).
(iii) Non-coastal city.--One shall be--
(I) a unit of general local government that is not a coastal unit; or
(II) a stormwater authority for a unit described in subclause (I).
(B) Tier 2.--Six of the applicants selected shall be units of general local government, or stormwater management authorities for those units, each of which has a population of more than 200,000 individuals and not more than 800,000 individuals, as follows:
(i) Coastal cities.--Three shall be--
(I) units of general local government that are coastal units; or
(II) stormwater management authorities for units described in subclause (I).
(ii) Non-coastal cities.--Three shall be--
(I) units of general local government that are not coastal units; or
(II) stormwater management authorities for units described in subclause (I).
(C) Tier 3.--Three of the applicants selected shall be--
(i) units of general local government, each of which has a population of more than 50,000 individuals and not more than 200,000 individuals; or
(ii) stormwater management authorities for units described in clause (i).
(g) Priority.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall select applicants for grants under the pilot program based on the extent to which the applications of those applicants shall achieve the objectives described in subsection (c).
(2) Tiers 2 and 3.--In selecting applicants to receive grants under the pilot program under subparagraphs (B) and
(C) of subsection (f)(2), the Administrator shall give priority to applicants--
(A) that are highly vulnerable to sea level rise;
(B) within which are located a military installation or another facility relating to national security concerns; or
(C) that have--
(i) populations that are highly vulnerable to urban flooding; and
(ii) an uneven capacity for flood mitigation and response efforts resulting from socioeconomic factors.
(h) Amount.--
(1) Considerations.--In determining the amount of a grant under the pilot program, the Administrator shall consider the population of the grant recipient, which may be considered in terms of the tier under subsection (f)(2) with respect to the recipient.
(2) Federal share.--The amount of a grant under the pilot program may not exceed 75 percent of the total cost incurred in carrying out the activities described in subsection (c).
(i) Duration.--The Administrator shall require each recipient of a grant under the pilot program to complete the activities described in subsection (c), which shall be, subject to subsection (h)(2), carried out using the grant amounts, not later than 18 months after the date on which the recipient initially receives the grant amounts under the pilot program.
(j) Use of Census Data.--The Administrator shall make all determinations regarding population under the pilot program by using data from the most recently completed decennial census by the Bureau of the Census.
(k) Grantee Reports to FEMA.--Each recipient of a grant under the pilot program shall, not later than 30 months after the date on which the recipient initially receives the grant amounts, submit to the Administrator a report that describes--
(1) the activities carried out with the grant amounts;
(2) how the activities carried out with the grant amounts have met the objectives described in subsection (c);
(3) any lessons learned in carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2); and
(4) any recommendations for future mapping modernization efforts by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(l) Biennial Reports by FEMA.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than once every 2 years thereafter until the date on which all activities carried out with amounts from grants under the pilot program are completed, the Administrator shall submit to Congress and make available to the public on an internet website a report that--
(1) describes--
(A) the progress of the activities carried out with amounts from those grants; and
(B) the effectiveness of technology-based mapping tools used in carrying out the activities described in subparagraph
(A); and
(2) with respect to the final report that the Administrator is required to submit under this subsection, includes recommendations to Congress and the executive branch of the Federal Government for implementing strategies, practices, and technologies to mitigate the effects of urban flooding.
(m) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, because the pilot program is limited with respect to scope and resources, communities that participate in the pilot program should acknowledge that the most successful efforts to mitigate the effects of urban flooding--
(1) take a structural-based mitigation approach with respect to construction, which includes--
(A) recognizing any post-storm damage that may occur; and
(B) pursuing designs that proactively minimize future flood damage;
(2) make individuals in the community aware, through any cost-effective and available means of education, of the best approaches regarding the construction of properties that are able to survive floods, which reduces the cost of future repairs; and
(3) encourage home and property owners to consider the measures described in paragraphs (1) and (2), which are the most cost- effective and prudent ways to reduce the impact of flooding, when constructing or renovating building components.
(n) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under the pilot program--
(1) $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
(2) $4,300,000 for fiscal year 2023, to remain available through fiscal year 2025.
______
By Mr. TUBERVILLE (for himself, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. Rounds):
S. 1582. A bill to provide for enhanced Federal enforcement of, and State and local assistance in the enforcement of, the immigration laws of the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I join my colleagues today during Police Week to honor the work of our Nation's law enforcement officers.
Being a law enforcement officer is one of the toughest jobs that there is, but it is also foundational to a functioning society. We rely on these brave men and women to protect and serve our country every day.
Unfortunately, many officers are being driven out by a wave of anti-
police rhetoric on the heels of bad actors who operated outside of their training. We need to have trust between law enforcement and citizens. Without it, our society frays and decays.
Over the course of this week, my colleagues are sharing many stories of law enforcement officers stepping up to help their fellow citizens in times of need and build trust with the communities that they serve.
We are lucky to have many brave and honorable officers in Alabama and around this country.
I think about Officer Jonathan Espino from the Decatur Police Department. Last year, Officer Espino responded to a medical call. A man was trying to bring his mom back to life, trying to perform CPR. Officer Espino took over for the man after he arrived and began CPR. Just before medical personnel arrived, the woman's heart started beating again, and she was gasping for air. He saved her life.
I think of Officer Wesley Harrison from the Abbeville Police Department. Officer Harrison received a call that a woman was in a burning building. Officer Harrison arrived on the scene minutes later and was able to carry the elderly woman out of the structure, with the help of another investigator.
These police officers went above and beyond the call of duty, and lives were saved because of their heroism. But we know such an important job comes with great risk. Just last week, Alabama honored the 11 law enforcement officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice the last 2 years. In the last 2 days alone across the United States of America, four law enforcement officers have been killed. We are forever grateful to each of these officers who have laid down their lives in service for their community.
How would you like to every day wake up, put a uniform on, a badge on your chest, a gun on your side, leave your family, walk out the door, knowing it might be the last time you ever walk into that home or see your family? That is what happens to these law enforcement officers every day of their career, which is why I firmly believe we need more support for law enforcement, not less.
They need more training so they can be better at handling difficult situations. This is especially true as we see an uptick in mental health issues all across this country. They need targeted resources so they can recruit the best and brightest for these important roles in the community and across our country. Let's invest in the resources that they can ensure all law enforcement officers are a true force for good for all people across their State and across this country.
Part of keeping communities safe is making sure our law enforcement officers have the authority they need to enforce compliance with our current laws. This is especially necessary as we see a flood of immigrants coming into our country illegally.
Right now, unless State and local law enforcement agencies have an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, if an officer encounters an illegal alien in the course of performing their normal duties in their hometowns, they cannot arrest or detain that individual for immigration purposes.
Right now, ICE arrests are low, even while illegal border crossings are historically high. Under President Biden's enforcement of our immigration laws, which has fallen dramatically, arrests by ICE for the last 4 months have fallen 66 percent. Under the Biden administration, ICE has released at least 3,700 inmates. Alarmingly, 1,800 of those were charged or convicted of crimes including homicide, rape, assault, child abuse, and more. Secretary Mayorkas recently limited the places where ICE and CBP can enforce the law. Many Federal law enforcement officers fear that the Biden administration will further restrict where they can do their jobs.
If the Federal Government will not enforce the immigration laws, our State and local law enforcement should be empowered to do so. That is why today I introduced the Empowering Law Enforcement Act, which grants inherent authority to State and local officials to enforce our Nation's immigration laws.
Additionally, my bill will give Federal authorities the flexibility to extend the amount of time they can detain criminal aliens. If a State or local law enforcement entity is detaining an alien, this bill would require Homeland Security to take that illegal alien into custody upon request from that entity.
The bill ensures that State and local authorities can get reimbursed for the cost related to the incarceration and transportation of the alien.
The Empowering Law Enforcement Act is about common sense. If the Biden administration won't enforce the law, let's empower those who will. I urge my colleagues to support this practical solution to a very real and very serious problem.
______
By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Ms. Sinema):
S. 1585. A bill to add suicide prevention resources to school identification cards; considered and passed.
S. 1585
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act''.
SEC. 2. ADDING SUICIDE PREVENTION CONTACT INFORMATION TO
SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.
(a) In General.--Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(30)(A) In the case of an institution that creates and distributes identification cards for students at any time after the date of enactment of this paragraph, such institution shall include phone contact information on each such card for the following organizations:
``(i) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
``(ii) Crisis Text Line.
``(iii) A campus mental health center or program, as determined by the institution.
``(B) In the case of an institution that does not create and distribute identification cards for students at any time after the date of enactment of this paragraph, such institution shall publish the suicide prevention contact information specified in subparagraph (A) on the website of such institution.
``(C) If an organization in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) ceases to exist, the Secretary may designate a different entity with a similar purpose to be included on the identification card.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect beginning on the day that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
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