Category: US Senate

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a business meeting to consider one pending nomination and pending legislation.  

The motion to report Mr. David Crane’s nomination to be Under Secretary of Energy for Infrastructure at the U.S. Department of Energy resulted in a 13-6 roll call vote. The nomination will now move to the Senate floor for full consideration. 

The Committee considered 19 public lands, recreation and energy bills, including Chairman Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 that was passed out of the Committee by a voice vote. 

During the business meeting, Chairman Manchin highlighted the bipartisan support behind America’s Outdoor Recreation Act.

“For years, many Senators have been working on outdoor recreation legislation and just on our committee, alongside myself and Ranking Member Barrasso, Senators Wyden, Heinrich, Risch, Cortez Masto, King, Hickenlooper, Daines, Cantwell, and Murkowski all have introduced bills focused on increasing opportunities related to outdoor recreation. All of these efforts are reflected in the bipartisan outdoor recreation package that we will be voting on shortly. The last time outdoor recreation legislation of this size and scale was enacted was in 1963. I’m very proud of this package and the good I believe it is going to do. To keep up with the record-breaking levels of demand, innovative approaches are needed to make our public lands more accessible, improve our recreation infrastructure and make it easier for businesses to locate in rural areas and thrive,” said Chairman Manchin. 

Chairman Manchin also highlighted the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, a bipartisan bill that would establish a nuclear fuel program with the purpose of onshoring nuclear fuel production.

“We must sever our reliance on Russian nuclear fuel. Russia dominates the global uranium enrichment market as they are willing to sell uranium below market value to achieve their geopolitical objectives. Due to this, the United States has become dependent on Russian enriched uranium to meet our commercial nuclear generation requirements. Ranking Member Barrasso and I, with this amendment, provide a complete approach to deal with our dependence on Russian nuclear fuel. The amendment supplements the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, which would establish a nuclear fuel security program at the Department of Energy to ensure we can meet the domestic demand of our current and future nuclear fleet, while also sanctioning Russian entities to ensure the market is not undercut by state subsidized Russian fuel. This approach will ensure our economic and energy security while simultaneously cutting off our reliance on Russian fuel,” said Chairman Manchin.

Below is the full list of legislation considered today.

• S. 92, A bill to designate the outdoor amphitheater at the Blue Ridge Music Center in Galax, Virginia, as the “Rick Boucher Amphitheater”
• S. 162, Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act
• S. 199, Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023
• S. 440, Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act
• S. 452, Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023
• S. 534, Buffalo Tract Protection Act
• S. 535, Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act
• S. 593, Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act
• S. 612, Lake Tahoe Restoration Reauthorization Act
• S. 623, A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives from being used to determine eligibility for certain programs, and for other purposes
• S. 683, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act
• S. 706, Ruby Mountains Protection Act
• S. 736, Chiricahua National Park Act
• S. 776, M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act
• S. 843, A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to authorize the use of funds for certain additional Carey Act projects, and for other purposes
• S. 873, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023
• S. 1260, University of Utah Research Park Act
• S. 1466, A bill to adjust the boundary of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to include the Rim of the Valley Corridor, and for other purposes
• S. 1540, A bill to amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide for circumstances under which reinitiation of consultation is not required under a land and resource management plan or land use plan under those Acts, and for other purposes

A list of amendments considered today can be viewed here.

To watch the business meeting in full, please click here.

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Tim Scott (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, reintroduced the Credit Access and Inclusion Act to responsibly expand credit access for millions of Americans with limited or non-existent credit histories. This bipartisan legislation would permit property owners and utility and telecom providers to report payments data to credit reporting agencies, allowing consumers with an established track record of paying their bills on time the opportunity to develop a positive credit history.

“Good credit is a gatekeeper to the American dream. However, our current system denies many individuals who pay their bills on time the opportunity to establish a credit score,” said Senator Manchin. “This bipartisan legislation would remove regulatory barriers and allow additional data, such as utility and rental payments, to be used to build credit. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense bill and help the millions of people in West Virginia and across the country who are ‘credit invisible.’”

“If you pay your bills on time, your credit score should reflect it,” said Ranking Member Scott. “Americans shouldn’t be held back from purchasing a home, financing their education, or pursuing their dreams simply because their on-time payments don’t happen to count towards their credit scores. This bill will remove needless barriers and help hardworking Americans gain access to credit.”

Approximately 26 million Americans are “credit invisible,” meaning they lack credit records or a history of traditional payments, such as student loans, car loans or mortgage payments. Having no credit or thin credit makes economic mobility difficult and hampers an individual’s ability to purchase a home, take out student loans, buy a car or even get a job.

The Credit Access and Inclusion Act allows credit bureaus to collect payments data for services not traditionally factored into credit reporting, such as rent, internet, phone, electricity and utility payments. Factoring these payments into credit reporting would expand credit histories and generate credit scores for consumers who were previously “unscoreable.”

Senator Manchin and Ranking Member Scott were joined by Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Katie Britt (R-AL). Representative French Hill (R-AR) introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives today, along with Representatives Tom Emmer (R-MN), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Michelle Steel (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Byron Donalds (R-FL).

The bill text can be found here.

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) wrote to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the Department to issue a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan. TPS is designated for countries that are deemed unsafe for their citizens to return due to extraordinary circumstances such as war or natural disaster, allowing those countries’ nationals that are already in the U.S. to live and work here on a temporary basis. Sudan has an active TPS designation that is set to expire on October 19, 2023. In their letter, the Senators call on the Biden Administration to renew the designation amid ongoing armed conflict and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Maryland is home to a large Sudanese diaspora, with more than 2,000 people of Sudanese descent living in our state.

“Sudan faced record levels of humanitarian need before the current conflict, which exacerbated those needs and created new ones. Since the fighting began in April, U.S. and international reports document mounting casualties, increasing scarcity of essential goods and services, and a breakdown of law and order affecting as many as ten million people. There are concerns that the conflict could devolve into a full-blown civil war,” the Senators wrote.

“TPS provides life-saving protection from deportation and permission to work. Without it, Sudanese TPS recipients in Maryland and nationwide face a looming threat of forced return to a country facing ongoing violence and instability, and separation from their families and communities. Re-designating Sudan’s TPS status, which has been in effect since 1997, would provide much-needed clarity to current Sudanese TPS holders and protect Sudanese nationals who recently arrived in the U.S.,” the Senators concluded.

Full text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Secretary Mayorkas:

We are writing to urge you to issue a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan. Last week, State Department and Agency for International Development (USAID) officials testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the crisis unfolding in Sudan as a result of the extraordinary armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Re-designation of TPS for Sudan would safeguard Sudanese in the U.S. from a return to these dangerous conditions and uphold the United States’ commitment to human rights and international stability.

Sudan faced record levels of humanitarian need before the current conflict, which exacerbated those needs and created new ones. Since the fighting began in April, U.S. and international reports document mounting casualties, increasing scarcity of essential goods and services, and a breakdown of law and order affecting as many as ten million people. There are concerns that the conflict could devolve into a full-blown civil war. On April 22, 2023, the State Department suspended the operations of the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, ordered the departure of U.S. diplomats, and provided convoy assistance for American civilians who wished to leave the country due to the continued threat of armed conflict. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told Congress on May 4 that the fighting in Sudan is “likely to be protracted” as both sides believe they can win militarily and are unlikely to negotiate.

While we commend the Biden Administration for its prompt implementation of TPS protections for people from war-ravaged nations, including Sudan’s 2022 re-designation, we are concerned about the impending expiration of the current TPS designation for Sudan on October 19, 2023. TPS provides life-saving protection from deportation and permission to work. Without it, Sudanese TPS recipients in Maryland and nationwide face a looming threat of forced return to a country facing ongoing violence and instability, and separation from their families and communities. Re-designating Sudan’s TPS status, which has been in effect since 1997, would provide much-needed clarity to current Sudanese TPS holders and protect Sudanese nationals who recently arrived in the U.S.

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) applauded the Biden Administration’s launch of a new workforce hub in Baltimore to train workers to step into good-paying jobs and build out our region’s skilled workforce as its clean energy and infrastructure industries grow. This announcement stems from the lawmakers’ efforts to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act to catalyze investments in American infrastructure and clean energy in the region. 

With the launch of this new workforce hub, Baltimoreans will have equitable access to high-quality training, apprenticeship programs, technical education programs, and supportive services that can provide paths to good careers in their community, particularly for underrepresented students and workers.

“Providing Marylanders access to critical skills training and good-paying, union job opportunities is key to supporting our workers and growing our economy. That’s why we fought to pass the infrastructure modernization bill, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Now these investments are heading to Baltimore. This announcement is a win-win for our workers and employers alike as we continue to modernize our state’s infrastructure, build out our offshore wind industry, and so much more,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“To keep up the momentum of our historic infrastructure investments, we need a diverse and deep talent pool,” said Senator Cardin. “By recognizing Baltimore as one of these premiere places and populations, the Biden administration is expanding pathways to successful and fulfilling careers. Baltimore is ready to set the tone and fill in labor gaps.”

“The policies we are advancing in Washington are helping to rebuild Baltimore’s aging infrastructure, reduce its carbon footprint and lower the costs of goods – and they also create an untold number of quality jobs for Baltimoreans,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Projects like constructing new rail tunnels and manufacturing wind turbines remind us that our best days are ahead. This designation will ensure we have the local workforce in place to take advantage of the unlimited opportunities already coming our way thanks to these investments.” 

“Maryland is well positioned to take the lead in rebuilding our nation’s rail infrastructure and advancing our clean energy economy. As we recognize Infrastructure Week, this announcement delivers on the historic legislation we worked to pass with President Biden and invests in our state’s workforce,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “Creating new good-paying jobs and expanding access to training programs will build a better future for Maryland and our country.”

“It is an honor to be selected by the White House for this opportunity, because it puts Baltimore in the unique position of leading America on historic legislative priorities for the nation. We thank the President and Vice President for recognizing our leadership ability. It is another once-in-a-lifetime chance for us,” said Congressman Mfume. 

“I am thrilled that the City of Baltimore was chosen as one of five Workforce Hubs in the country, and I am a proud supporter of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to level the playing field for American workers from all backgrounds and income levels when it comes to quality employment opportunities. Access to high-paying jobs is paramount in that work, and that is how we are closing the wealth gap in our city and across our country. Through President Biden’s Investing in American agenda, we are able to equitably position our residents to thrive and establish wealth for themselves and their families. It is great to have an Administration that believes in Baltimore,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.

The Baltimore region is at the forefront of new clean-energy developments and infrastructure modernization efforts. Baltimore’s position in the Northeast Corridor makes it essential to upgrade and improve the nation’s rail service. The replacement of the 150-year-old Frederick Douglass Tunnel is estimated to create 30,000 jobs that will be built with a project-labor agreement between Amtrak and local building trades unions. The Baltimore region also has a burgeoning offshore wind industry, and the Maryland Department of Labor won a Good Jobs Challenge award to support the industry’s growth by implementing a new apprenticeship model in partnership with multiple employers and seven unions. The city is also using $30 million in American Rescue Plan funds to expand many workforce efforts, including credential programs to help workers get jobs in in-demand fields.

Baltimore was selected as one of five locations for a workforce hub in addition to Phoenix, Columbus, Augusta, and Pittsburgh.

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) announced $24,671,056 to help six Maryland-based community financial institutions spur economic growth and create job opportunities. The awards, allocated through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution Equitable Recovery Program (CDFI ERP), will help underserved communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic gain access to credit and capital. The lawmakers fought to increase emergency funding for CDFIs throughout the pandemic, including by creating the CDFI Equitable Recovery Program through the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

“This funding will spur new investments in our state’s underserved areas – especially communities that suffered the worst of the economic harm from the COVID-19 pandemic. These financial institutions will help launch accessible financing to create new business opportunities and support our communities’ growth and prosperity. We fought to secure these funds to bolster the power of community lenders like these as they invest in improving our neighborhoods and driving our economy forward,” said the lawmakers.

The six Maryland-headquartered Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDI) receiving funds are:

• Harbor Bankshares Corporation in Baltimore City – $6,197,097
• Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. in Baltimore City – $4,957,678
• Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund, Inc. in Baltimore City – $4,957,678
• Charter Schools Development Corporation in Hanover – $3,718,258
• Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore, Incorporated dba MECU in Baltimore City – $3,718,258
• Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. in Baltimore City – $1,122,087

Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Inc in Columbia also received $3,718,258 from the CDFI Equitable Recovery Program. These funds will be used to support similar initiatives throughout the region.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are community-based banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital providers that expand access to financial services in low-income or underserved communities. CDFIs use their financial resources to foster economic opportunity in neighborhoods that have historically lacked investment. CDFIs are supported through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s CDFI Fund, which has awarded more than $7.4 billion to CDFIs, community development organizations, and financial institutions since its creation in 1994.

The one-time CDFI Equitable Recovery Program (CDFI ERP) awarded $1.75 billion in funding to help CDFIs expand lending, grant making, and investment activity in low- or moderate-income communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In September 2022, members of the Maryland delegation announced $86 million in federal funding for Maryland-based community financial institutions to help low-income and minority borrowers.