On the recordJune 7, 2018
I thank Mr. Simpson and Ms. Kaptur for working to try to put forward a bill and to recognize the unfortunate addition of riders, which we would hope that we could pass these kinds of bills in the appropriate manner. But I thank them for their work, and I thank the Rules Committee for making this amendment in order. This is an important part of the Energy and Water legislation in Appropriations, and that is the Department of Energy's departmental work that it does with environmental justice. My amendment would ask for an additional $1 million to be placed in that program under the administrative office's responsibilities, and to do so because it is an essential tool in the effort to improve the lives of low-income and minority communities as well as the environment at large. Many of my Members here have worked on this issue, in particular, Jim Clyburn and the Congressional Black Caucus, over the years. I add to their work by making sure that this is a focus of the Department of Energy. Maintaining funds for environmental justice that go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, minority-serving institutions, Tribal colleges, and other organizations is imperative to protecting sustainability and growth of the community and environment.…
