Titus Amendment
Will Help States Turn Schools Green
Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District spoke on the House floor
today (May 13, 2009)
on an amendment she introduced with Congresswoman Betsy Markey of Colorado to
H.R. 2187, the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School
Facilities Act. The amendment establishes an advisory council to recommend
federal policies that will help states make schools green, and passed with broad
bipartisan support by a vote of 270 to 160. Below are Titus’ remarks as
delivered.
“This
amendment, which I am offering with my friend and colleague from Colorado, Ms.
Markey, will establish an advisory council to the Secretary of Education on
green, high-performing schools.
“The council will advise the Secretary on the impact of
green, high-performing schools on several
outcomes including teaching and learning, health effects, energy costs, and
environment impacts. The council will also work with the Secretary to identify
federal policies that are barriers to helping states make schools green and
high-performing and it will recommend federal policies to increase the number of
such schools. Additionally, the council will provide technical assistance to
states and school districts.
“The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public
School Facilities Act is an important bill that will provide our students with a
healthy, safe learning environment, will create jobs, and will promote
environmental responsibility. At the same time, it is moving us closer to the
clean energy economy of the future. Our amendment will provide the Secretary
with the tools he needs to ensure the opportunities outlined in this important
bill are available to as many schools as possible. It will also ensure that the
upgrades made to school facilities meet the highest standards of quality and
that the Secretary is always getting feedback about how to improve upon the
program.”
Background Summary of H.R. 2187
The legislation will provide the nation’s public schools
with funding for much-needed repair, renovation, and modernization projects,
while breathing new life into local economies. The 21st Century
Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act would create an estimated
136,000 new jobs nationwide, while boosting student achievement by creating
healthier, safer, and energy-efficient learning environments. Studies show
there is a correlation between facility quality and student achievement.
Congress has already endorsed these principles by making green school
modernization, renovation, and repair part of an allowable use of funds under
the state fiscal stabilization funds in H.R. 1, the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act.
Supplemental
Provides for Our Troops and Refocuses Efforts in Afghanistan
Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted in support of H.R.
2346, the War Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2009, which provides
funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, pandemic flu response, and aid
to the Afghanistan and Pakistan governments to promote stability and security in
the region.
The
Supplemental Appropriations bill also includes $743 million to retroactively
provide servicemembers and veterans $500 for every month they served under
stop-loss orders, forcing them to remain on active duty longer than planned,
since 2001.
“This
legislation provides our troops in harm’s way with the resources and equipment
they need to achieve success in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Congresswoman Titus
said. “And by giving our veterans and servicemembers pay for their stop-loss
service, we are recognizing the hardship placed on them and their families and
rewarding their brave service to our country.”
The
legislation also provides $5.1 billion for Afghanistan, including $3.6 billion
for training Afghan security forces and police and $980 million for economic
development and expanding the rule of law. Pakistan will receive $2.3 billion
under this bill, including $400 million to help train and equip security forces
for counterinsurgency. The President will be required to report to Congress by
February 2010 on the performance of the Afghan and Pakistani government in key
areas.
“Our
current mission in Afghanistan is critical to our efforts to defeat al Qaeda and
root out terrorism in order to make our nation safer. These funds will help
move toward the goal of a strong and stable Afghanistan that can meet its own
security needs. The men and women in our Armed Services face serious challenges
each and every day overseas, and it is my duty as a Member of Congress to ensure
they have the support they need to complete their mission,” Titus added.
The
Supplemental provides $2 billion for pandemic flu response that will be used to
expand the federal stockpiles of anti-viral drugs, develop and purchase
vaccines, assist state and local responses, and support global efforts to track
and contain the spread of a pandemic.
“Today’s
unemployment numbers provide a small glimmer of hope that we are getting close
to the bottom of this recession,” Congresswoman Titus said. “But with more than
half a million jobs lost last month and Nevada still facing record unemployment,
our work is far from done. Creating jobs in Southern Nevada remains one of my
top priorities and this Congress must continue to take bold action to address
this economic crisis.”
