STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

On 2026-07-16, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) delivered a floor speech titled "STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS" in the Senate.

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 116 (Thursday, July 16, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S4139-S4140] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Fetterman, and Mrs. Fischer): S. 5015. A bill to require the Federal Communications Commission to review and evaluate the processes for updating maps that depict the extent of the availability of broadband internet access service in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Mr. Thune. 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. 5015 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 ``Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers Act of 2026'' or the ``Broadband MAP Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. MAPPING PROCESS REVIEW AND EVALUATION. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Broadband internet access service.--The term ``broadband internet access service'' has the meaning given the term in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (2) Broadband maps.--The term ``broadband maps'' means the maps created under section 802(c)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 642(c)(1)). (3) Broadband serviceable location.--The term ``broadband serviceable location'' means an area in the United States where a provider of broadband internet access service provides, or could provide, broadband internet access service. (4) Challenge process.--The term ``challenge process'' means the challenge process established pursuant to section 802(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 642(b)(5)). (5) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal Communications Commission. (b) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall initiate a rulemaking to review and evaluate the processes for updating the broadband maps, including the challenge process. (c) Considerations.--In the rulemaking initiated under subsection (b), the Commission shall consider-- (1) the relative equities and burdens of any proposed changes to the broadband maps; (2) the impact of any proposed changes with respect to the use of the broadband maps when making funding decisions; (3) the impact of any changes proposed in that rulemaking on providers of broadband internet access service; and (4) ongoing Commission efforts relating to broadband mapping, the restoration of broadband serviceable locations, and the challenge process. ______ By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse): S. 5018. A bill to approve certain requests for a major disaster declaration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Disaster Relief Fairness Act, along with Senator Whitehouse. This bill would approve major disaster declarations requested under the Trump administration for incidents that meet or exceed FEMA's damage thresholds. I wish that this bill was not needed, but it is because President Trump has chosen to block disaster assistance based on political partisanship. According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from States that voted for President Trump in 2024 have been approved under this administration, compared to just 42 percent from States that voted for Kamala Harris. Further, POLITOCO reported that Republican-led States have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states. This winter, Rhode Island was struck by the largest blizzard in State history. Over 3 feet of snow fell on the State in a 24-hour period--the highest 1-day snowfall on record for Rhode Island. The storm hit Rhode Island with the [[Page S4140]] intensity of a category 2 hurricane, with heavy winds up to 74 miles per hour. It caused widespread power outages and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. Local businesses faced prolonged closures due to disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services across the State. Following the storm, the State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a preliminary damage assessment of the storm's impact. The assessment found over $19 million in damages, amounting to more than nine times the threshold required for a major disaster declaration. Under any other administration, this disaster declaration would have been approved on the merits, given its historic nature and FEMA's own damage assessment. However, after months of waiting, on July 2, 2026, President Trump denied the request from Rhode Island with no explanation. On the same day Trump denied Rhode Island's request, he also denied requests from New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts that all reportedly exceeded FEMA's damage thresholds. Yet, that same week, he approved disaster aid for six Republican-led States. Disaster aid and helping communities recover from deadly storms should never be political. Yet President Trump's record proves that he cannot be trusted to adjudicate disaster money fairly without invoking his own partisan biases. The Disaster Relief Fairness Act would address that problem by granting all disaster declarations requested between January 20, 2025 and January 20, 2029 that meet the Federal requirements and thresholds for assistance. This will help ensure that States and Tribes get the relief they need--regardless of who they voted for--and allow them to fully recover from disasters. I urge my colleagues to join Senator Whitehouse and me in supporting this legislation. ______ By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mr. Cassidy): S. 5020. A bill to require a study on manufactured homes in areas at high risk of natural hazards and weather extremes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of my legislation to require a study on how to improve the resiliency of manufactured homes in areas that are at high risk of natural hazards and weather extremes, which I introduced today. More than 22 million Americans, most of whom earn less than the median national income, call manufactured housing home. These homes are significantly less expensive than traditional site-built homes and will play a key part in how we address our country's affordable housing crisis and increase home ownership. I was proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes provisions to increase the supply of America's manufactured housing. Yet manufactured housing is disproportionately located in areas that are the most exposed to climate hazards. As we continue to see a pattern of increased extreme climate events, we need all our housing to be resilient in areas at high risk of natural hazards and weather extremes. Congress should be aware of what strategies industry leaders are currently employing and understand potential options to increase the performance of manufactured homes in high-risk areas. I want to thank my colleague Senator Cassidy for introducing this bill with me. I hope our colleagues will join us in taking a step towards improving the resiliency of our nation's housing stock. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S5015, S5015, S5018, S5020