[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 122 (Thursday, July 2, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4224-S4230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Boozman):
  S. 4155. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing an 
additional vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to 
certain eligible persons; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

[[Page S4225]]

  

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to be joined by my 
colleague from West Virginia, Senator Joe Manchin, in introducing the 
Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans Act. Our 
bill, known as the AUTO Act, would lessen the financial burden for 
severely disabled veterans who require special adaptive equipment to 
drive a motor vehicle by increasing the access to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs automobile grant program.
  The VA is currently authorized to provide eligible veterans with a 
one-time grant of approximately $21,400 to be used to purchase a new or 
used automobile and necessary adaptive equipment, such as specialized 
pedals or switches. This grant is often used together with the VA 
special adaptive equipment grants, which help veterans purchase 
adaptive equipment, such as powered lifts, for an existing automobile 
or van to make it safe for a veteran's use.
  Although veterans can receive multiple special adaptive equipment 
grants over the course of their lives, they are, for some reason, 
limited to a single grant for the vehicle. The current limitation fails 
to take into account that a disabled veteran will need more than one 
vehicle in his or her lifetime. In fact, the Department of 
Transportation reports that the average useful life of a vehicle is 
11.5 years, and a vehicle that has been modified structurally tends to 
have a shorter useful life.
  According to the VA Independent Budget prepared by the Disabled 
American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars, the average cost to replace modified vehicles ranges from 
$40,000 to $65,000 when the vehicle is new and $21,000 to $35,000 when 
the vehicle is used. These are significant costs for a severely 
disabled veteran to bear to replace his or her primary mode of 
transportation. That is why veterans should be eligible to receive an 
automobile grant once every 10 years. Our bipartisan bill would do 
exactly that.
  One disabled veteran in Maine, Neal Williams, from Shirley, used a VA 
automobile grant in 1999 to purchase an adapted vehicle--a Ford 
Econoline van. He has had to purchase several adaptive vehicles since 
1999, with each one lasting 250,000 miles, until they were no longer 
roadworthy. Two hundred and fifty thousand miles is a lot of miles, 
particularly over Maine's roads and highways. Neal's current vehicle 
now has over 100,000 miles, and he probably only has a short time 
before he will need a new one. He told me that purchasing a new van, 
which he uses for his wheelchair, and then he transfers to the driver's 
seat--he is such an extraordinary person in what he is able to do, but 
he has told me that new van will cost him well over $50,000, which is 
more than he paid for his home in rural Maine.
  This is an enormous burden on veterans like Neal who need to purchase 
expensive adaptive vehicles in order to drive safely and, also, in 
order to maintain their independence.
  Our Nation owes American veterans our deepest gratitude. We must 
continue to honor that commitment to our veterans by supporting their 
needs, including the needs of disabled veterans who need adaptive 
technology for their vehicles long after they are discharged or retired 
from Active Duty. The AUTO for Veterans Act is an important step in 
helping those who have served our Nation so honorably and have 
sacrificed so much for our freedom.
  I urge all of our colleagues to join Senator Manchin and me in 
honoring and supporting our Nation's disabled veterans.
  I send the bill to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill will be received and appropriately 
referred
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Young):
  S. 4159. A bill to amend the Electronic Signatures in Global and 
National Commerce Act to accommodate emerging technologies; 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. 4159

       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 ``E-SIGN Modernization Act of 
     2020''.

     SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURES.

       (a) In General.--Title I of the Electronic Signatures in 
     Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.) is 
     amended--
       (1) in section 101(c) (15 U.S.C. 7001(c))--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(C) the consumer, prior to consenting, is provided with a 
     statement of the hardware and software requirements for 
     access to and retention of the electronic records; and
       ``(D) after the consent of a consumer in accordance with 
     subparagraph (A), if a change in the hardware or software 
     requirements needed to access or retain electronic records 
     creates a material risk that the consumer will not be able to 
     access or retain a subsequent electronic record that was the 
     subject of the consent, the person providing the electronic 
     record provides the consumer with a statement of--
       ``(i) the revised hardware and software requirements for 
     access to and retention of the electronic records; and
       ``(ii) the right to withdraw consent without the imposition 
     of any fees for such withdrawal and without the imposition of 
     any condition or consequence that was not disclosed under 
     subparagraph (B)(i).'';
       (B) by striking paragraph (3); and
       (C) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as 
     paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and
       (2) by striking section 105 (15 U.S.C. 7005).
       (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the 
     amendments made by this section, may be construed as 
     affecting the consent provided by any consumer under section 
     101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National 
     Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001(c)) before the date of enactment 
     of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Portman, Ms. 
        Baldwin, Mrs. Capito, and Mr. Cardin):
  S. 4160. A bill to enable certain hospitals that were participating 
in or applied for the drug discount program under section 340B of the 
Public Health Service Act prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency 
to temporarily maintain eligibility for such program, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  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. 4160

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY EXCEPTION FOR THE DRUG DISCOUNT 
                   PROGRAM DUE TO THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH 
                   EMERGENCY.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, a hospital described in subsection (b) that, for an 
     applicable calendar quarter, otherwise meets the requirements 
     for being a covered entity under subparagraph (L), (M), or 
     (O) of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)) but that, for such calendar quarter, 
     does not meet the applicable requirement for the 
     disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in 
     subsection (c), shall be deemed a covered entity under such 
     respective subparagraph for such applicable calendar quarter.
       (b) Hospitals.--A hospital described in this subsection 
     is--
       (1) an entity that, on the day before the first day of the 
     COVID-19 public health emergency, was a covered entity 
     described in subparagraph (L), (M), or (O) of subsection 
     (a)(4) of section 340B of the Public Health Service Act 
     participating in the drug discount program under such 
     section; or
       (2) an entity that--
       (A) prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency, 
     submitted an application for participation in such program as 
     a covered entity described in subparagraph (L), (M), or (O) 
     of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act;
       (B) prior to or during such emergency, was approved for 
     such participation; and
       (C) during such emergency, began participating in such 
     program.
       (c) Applicable Requirement for Disproportionate Share 
     Adjustment Percentage.--The applicable requirement for the 
     disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in 
     this subsection is--
       (1) in the case of a hospital described in subsection (a) 
     that otherwise meets the requirements under subparagraph (L) 
     or (M) of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service 
     Act, the requirement under subparagraph (L)(ii) of such 
     section; and
       (2) in the case of a hospital described in subsection (a) 
     that otherwise meets the requirements under subparagraph (O) 
     of such

[[Page S4226]]

     section 340B(a)(4), the requirement with respect to the 
     disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in 
     such subparagraph (O).
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Applicable calendar quarter.--The term ``applicable 
     calendar quarter'' means a calendar quarter for which 
     eligibility for the drug discount program under section 340B 
     of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b) is based on 
     a cost reporting period for which the COVID-19 public health 
     emergency is in effect for all or part of such cost reporting 
     period.
       (2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 340B(a)(4) of the Public 
     Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)).
       (3) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term ``COVID-19 
     public health emergency'' means the public health emergency 
     declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 
     section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) 
     on January 31, 2020, with respect to COVID-19.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Hassan):
  S. 4173. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide 
a credit to small employers for covering military spouses under 
retirement plans; to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. President, I rise today, along with my colleague Senator Hassan, 
to introduce the Military Spouses Retirement Security Act. This 
bipartisan bill would help spouses of active duty service members save 
for retirement by expanding access to employer-sponsored retirement 
plans.
  According to the Employee Benefits Research Institute, American 
households face a retirement savings gap of $3.7 trillion. The Center 
for Retirement Research estimates an even larger gap of $7.1 trillion. 
When asked about their retirement preparedness, only 57 percent of 
Americans believe they will be able to live comfortably in retirement.
  There are many reasons why American households struggle to save for 
retirement, including the shift away from employer-based ``defined 
benefit'' plans and rising health care and long-term care costs. Longer 
life spans increase the risk of outliving retirement savings. The 
economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis are also posing a 
threat to retirement security.
  Spouses of active duty service members face an additional hurdle to 
saving for retirement. According to the Department of Defense, about 
one-third of military service members experience a permanent change of 
station move every year. When a service member moves, their spouse 
often relocates with them, putting their own career on hold.
  Following a move, a military spouse may face periods of unemployment, 
where they are not able to participate in an employer-sponsored 
retirement plan. A 2017 survey found that the unemployment rate for 
active duty military spouses was 24 percent, more than five times the 
rate for the U.S. population as a whole at that time.
  When military spouses find a new job, they often work part-time, 
despite preferring full-time work, or are only able to spend a few 
years with their employer before moving again. Their limited hours and 
short tenure often preclude them from being eligible to receive 
employer contributions to their retirement plan or from being fully 
vested in their plan.
  Increasing access to employer-sponsored retirement plans would 
improve the financial security of many military spouses. The bill I am 
introducing today would help address this need by providing a tax 
credit to small employers who provide military spouses with accelerated 
eligibility for retirement plan participation, employer contributions, 
and vesting.
  My bill would allow small employers--those with up to 100 employees--
to claim a tax credit of up to $500 per year per military spouse. The 
credit would be available for three years per military spouse. The 
amount of the credit would be equal to $200 per military spouse, plus 
100 percent of all employer contributions for that spouse, up to $300.
  To receive the tax credit, small employers must make a military 
spouse immediately eligible for retirement plan participation within 
two months of hire. Upon plan eligibility, a military spouse must be 
eligible for any matching or non-elective contribution available to a 
similarly situated employee with at least two years of service, and 
must be 100 percent immediately vested in all employer contributions.
  Military spouses are the unsung heroes of our country's national 
defense. They often put their professional lives on hold, threatening 
their long-term retirement security. The Military Spouses Retirement 
Security Act would help by encouraging small employers to provide 
military spouses with accelerated access to retirement plans and 
employer contributions. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Daines, Mr. 
        Jones, and Mr. Tester):
  S. 4174. A bill to provide emergency appropriations to the United 
States Postal Service to cover losses related to the COVID-19 crisis 
and to direct the Board of Governors of the United States Postal 
Service to develop a plan for ensuring the long term solvency of the 
Postal Service; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs.
  Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Postal Service Emergency 
Assistance Act. I am pleased to be joined by my colleague, Senator 
Feinstein, in sponsoring this legislation that would ensure the United 
States Postal Service survives the COVID-19 pandemic and advance the 
conversation needed to put it on a path to long-term solvency. I would 
also like to recognize Senators Daines, Jones, and Tester, who have 
joined as original cosponsors.
  Throughout its 245-year history, the United States Postal Service has 
played a vital role in bringing our country together and moving our 
economy forward. The Postal Service allows us to remain connected with 
family and friends and helps small businesses reach their customers 
around the country.
  The Postal Service is also the linchpin of a $1.6 trillion mailing 
industry that employs more than 7.3 million people. These jobs are as 
varied as paper manufacturers, publishing, printing, catalog companies, 
online retailers, and transportation providers.
  The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives in fundamental 
ways, and the Postal Service is needed now more than ever. USPS is a 
lifeline for Americans across the country, particularly seniors and 
others living in rural areas. In a Harris poll conducted in May, 
Americans ranked the USPS as the most ``essential'' company amid the 
pandemic.
  The agency's dedicated employees, like the rural letter carrier in 
Columbia Falls, go to work each day, facing increased risk as they 
continue to ensure reliable delivery of needed prescriptions, safety-
net benefits, and other critical services that might otherwise be 
unavailable.
  While COVID-19 has underscored the essential nature of the Postal 
Service, it has also caused significant declines in first-class and 
marketing mail revenues and increased costs, as the Postal Service has 
taken additional steps to protect its employees and the public from the 
virus.
  Even with substantial increases in package volumes during the first 
phase of the pandemic, USPS estimates that COVID-19 will increase net 
losses and accelerate its cash crisis. If Congress does not act, the 
Postal Service warns it could run out of money for payroll within the 
next year. This would threaten its ability to continue providing 
essential services to the public, as well as support its 630,000 
employees, including 3,300 in Maine.
  I am committed to ensuring this vital institution survives the COVID-
19 crisis and is positioned to support economic recovery. The 
legislation we are introducing today would provide the Postal Service 
with up to $25 billion in emergency funding to cover COVID-19- related 
losses and other operational expenses.
  The legislation also includes several safeguards to ensure these 
funds are used only for their intended purpose. The funds would be 
appropriated to a separate ``Postal Service COVID-19 Emergency Fund'' 
rather than the general Postal Service Fund, and these funds would only 
be available until September 30, 2022. Prior to accessing these funds, 
the Postal Service would be required to certify in its quarterly and 
annual reports to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the expenditure 
of any such funds is necessary to cover losses or expenses resulting 
from

[[Page S4227]]

the COVID-19 pandemic. The Postal Service would also be required to 
prioritize the purchase of personal protective equipment for its 
employees and conduct additional cleaning and sanitizing of its 
facilities and delivery vehicles.
  In addition to providing emergency relief, this legislation would 
clarify the terms and conditions of the $10 billion loan that Congress 
provided to the Postal Service as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, 
and Economic Security or CARES Act.
  Although the COVID-19 emergency is contributing to the Postal 
Service's financing challenges, it did not cause all of its financial 
problems. According to the Government Accountability Office, USPS lost 
about $78 billion from fiscal year 2007 through 2019. This is why the 
legislation we are introducing today would also require the new 
Postmaster General and the Board of Governors to present to Congress a 
plan to ensure the long-term solvency of the Postal Service.
  Growing up in Aroostook County, I experienced the essential nature of 
the United States Postal Service every day. As Chairman of the Senate 
Aging Committee, I've also seen the indispensable role that the Postal 
Service plays for our nation's seniors. The Postal Service Emergency 
Assistance Act would ensure the Postal Service is able to continue 
fulfilling its essential mission, while also providing for responsible 
stewardship of taxpayer funds and laying the groundwork to put the 
Postal Service on a path to long-term viability. I urge my colleagues 
to support this bill.
  Thank you, Mr. President.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Booker, Mr. Blumenthal, 
        Mr. Udall, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Warren, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. 
        Heinrich, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Hirono, 
        and Mr. Markey):
  S. 4181. A bill to establish a Library Stabilization Fund to respond 
to and accelerate the recovery from coronavirus; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, to help libraries respond to and recover 
from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue providing communities with 
needed services, resources, technology, and broadband access, I am 
introducing the Library Stabilization Fund Act along with Senators 
Brown, Booker, Blumenthal, Udall, Cardin, Warren, Whitehouse, Heinrich, 
Van Hollen, Menendez, Wyden, Hirano, and Markey. Our bill would provide 
the $2 billion the American Library Association has estimated is 
necessary for a library stabilization fund under the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
  COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our daily lives. 
Libraries, which anchor our local communities, are no exception. Local 
budget shortfalls have left libraries to grapple with severe cuts, 
furloughs of staff, and reduced operations just when communities need 
their services the most. In addition to providing additional resources 
to enable schools to reopen safely, close the homework gap, and 
strengthen the social safety net, we need to invest in libraries to 
help our communities recover.
  Libraries are a critical piece of our education, economic 
development, and social infrastructure. Although many libraries remain 
closed or have limited hours, libraries are meeting urgent community 
needs by increasing technology access (including boosting WIFI and 
lending hotspots, tablets, and computers), offering digital content, 
providing books and materials for delivery or pick-up, and hosting 
online story times, classes, and discussion groups. In this way, 
libraries are providing enrichment to our young people, ensuring 
students can connect to remote and summer learning, enabling those with 
jobs to telework, helping job seekers find employment and receive 
training, and offering a lifeline to vulnerable adults and seniors who 
need health information, a portal to government services, and ways to 
avoid social isolation.
  To strengthen the ability of libraries to serve communities affected 
by COVID-19, our bill would provide funding to states on a formula 
basis, with a minimum allotment of $10 million; to tribes; and on a 
competitive basis. The funding could be used to support general 
operations, including paying staff and ensuring the safe handling of 
library materials; to offer greater access to technology, including 
expanding digital networks and enabling the purchase and lending of 
hotspots, laptops, and digital resources; to strengthen services and 
resources, including those relating to literacy, distance learning, 
adult education, workforce and economic development, and health 
information; and to link patrons to government, community, and cultural 
resources.
  This legislation will help ensure libraries can continue to find new 
ways to bridge the digital divide and safely provide information, 
programming, and services that people of all ages need to stay engaged 
and informed. This smart investment in our libraries will keep people 
and communities connected and contribute to our economic recovery.
  I thank the supporters of the bill, including the American Library 
Association; Association for Rural & Small Libraries; Association of 
Research Libraries; Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; Common 
Sense Media: International Dyslexia Association; National Association 
of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary 
School Principals; National Coalition for Literacy; National Digital 
Inclusion Alliance; National Humanities Alliance; National League of 
Cities; Reach Out and Read; Reading Is Fundamental; and Urban Libraries 
Council. Companion legislation is being introduced on a bipartisan 
basis in the other body by Congressman Andy Levin.
  I urge our colleagues to join us in pressing for the inclusion of the 
Library Stabilization Fund Act in the next COVID-19 response package.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
  S. 4189. A bill to provide for drought preparedness and improved 
water supply reliability; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Water for 
Agriculture and Conservation Act to help expand critical water 
conservation infrastructure that helps improve water use efficiency, 
fish and wildlife habitat, and agriculture productivity.
  Throughout the West, communities are experiencing high levels of 
drought that are hurting agriculture and conservation efforts. The 
Water for Conservation and Farming Act aims to help communities better 
plan and prepare for the increased demand for clean water by funding 
projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds, and 
benefit agricultural and urban water users.
  States, Tribes, and local communities are working diligently to 
upgrade crumbling water infrastructure but have lacked the critical 
resources to make meaningful improvements that last. The Water for 
Conservation and Farming Act would provide $120,000,000 over three 
years for disadvantaged communities to increase environmental 
protections, support agriculture, and make significant steps to improve 
the water supply for their communities.
  The Water for Conservation and Farming Act would create a Bureau of 
Reclamation fund of $300 million to support water recycling projects, 
water-use efficiency projects and dam safety projects, as well as 
expanding existing programs, like WaterSMART, to get more bang for the 
conservation buck.
  The bill would establish several new programs at the Bureau of 
Reclamation, which are designed to help disadvantaged communities plan 
and implement water conservation projects, a program to help farmers 
improve migratory bird habitat, and programs to implement aquatic 
ecosystem restoration projects.
  At a time when the nation is suffering increased droughts, when 
farmers and ranchers are asked to do more with less, and critical 
habitats are suffering from less and less water, this bill will make 
needed investments in water conservation infrastructure that reduces 
demand for water, improves biodiversity, and helps farmers and ranchers 
plan and prepare for droughts. I look forward to getting this bill 
across the finish line.

[[Page S4228]]

  

                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. 
        Daines, Ms. Collins, Ms. Ernst, Ms. McSally, Mr. Braun, Mrs. 
        Hyde-Smith, and Ms. Murkowski):
  S. 4199. A bill to amend titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social 
Security Act to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and 
Medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical 
prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to 
ensure accountability to taxpayers, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Finance.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020. This is a bill that I 
have been working on for the past 18 months. I made lowering 
prescription drug costs one of my top priorities as I resumed the role 
of Chairman of the Finance Committee at the beginning of this Congress.
  I made it my priority as it's a top concern for Iowans and all 
Americans. My constituents throughout the state voice concern about 
being able to afford their prescription medications. I hear about this 
issue as much as any other. Poll after poll shows that the concern I 
hear in Iowa is shared across the Nation. The need for Congress to act 
to provide patients with much-needed relief is also a common takeaway 
from these polls and from talking to my colleagues. Iowans want action. 
Americans want action.
  Lowering prescription drug costs and providing relief to patients is 
actually what this bill does.
  For the vast majority of my time working on the bill, the Senator 
from Oregon, Ranking Member Wyden, has been my partner. All of the 
policies in this bill, which improve Medicare and Medicaid and bring 
much needed transparency across the supply chain, were co-authored by 
the Ranking Member. The Finance Committee reported the initial version 
of this robust bill in July 2019 by a vote of 19-9. I worked with 
Ranking Member Wyden and others to make bipartisan improvements to the 
bill. These improvements have made an already good bill better. I'm 
introducing this updated version today. It remains a truly bipartisan 
bill.
  It's a bipartisan bill that helps patients and reduces government 
spending. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the 
bill would save seniors and Americans with disabilities $72 billion in 
out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D and reduce premiums by $1 
billion. The entire bill would save taxpayers nearly $100 billion--a 
rare source of bipartisan budget savings in an era of trillion dollar 
deficits. Even Americans in the commercial market would see savings.
  It's a bipartisan bill that helps patients, reduces Federal spending, 
and lowers commercial costs. That's a rare feat. It's something of 
which we should all be proud.
  So why is the bill only being introduced with Republicans as co-
sponsors?
  The reason, unfortunately, is that the Democrats recently walked away 
from the bill. They walked away from the good faith negotiations that 
produced this bipartisan product. They did so for political reasons. 
They put politics, and their drive for power, ahead of patients. From 
conversations I have had with colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle, this was a leadership-driven decision. Maybe the thinking is 
that they'll block Senate Republicans from securing a win, or that 
they'll be able to say that President Trump hasn't followed through.
  They can say that, but it doesn't make it true. The introduction of 
this bill, with a number of my Republican colleagues, shows that 
Republicans are the ones on the side of patients. And to question the 
commitment of President Trump to lowering prescription drug prices is 
outlandish.
  President Trump campaigned on expanding prescription drug 
affordability and fairness. He released a comprehensive plan that 
included numerous policy ideas. He and his Administration have taken 
bold regulatory action. Some of those actions are being fought in the 
courts by stakeholders that support the status quo. Some have been 
opposed by Congressional Democrats.
  As the Administration's ability to act through regulation can only 
take us so far, President Trump called on Congress to pass an overhaul 
of the drug pricing system. In fact, he mentioned my work on this 
specific bill in his State of the Union address earlier this year, and 
he called on Congress to send a bipartisan bill to his desk.
  We should be celebrating the introduction of this bill today as 
another key step closer to responding to President Trump's call for 
bipartisan action. While it remains the most prominent reform bill that 
contains bipartisan policy solutions, today's introduction reveals that 
Democrats are more interested in positioning for elections than 
producing results. This is disappointing to me. But it makes clear to 
the American people that they can count on Republicans to take action 
on the issues that are important to them.
  President Trump has worked harder to lower prescription drug prices 
than any President in memory. He has stood up to special interests. I, 
along with my colleagues cosponsoring this bill, and other Republicans, 
stand with him. I only wish my colleagues on the other side of the 
aisle were as committed. I urge that they stop the political posturing 
and work in a bipartisan way to deliver the relief that Iowans and all 
Americans deserve.
  I yield the floor.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Ms. Duckworth):
  S. 4202. A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand 
online benefit redemption options under the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  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. 4202

       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 ``Expanding SNAP Options Act 
     of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. ONLINE PORTAL FOR SNAP BENEFIT REDEMPTION.

       Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Subject to 
     subparagraph (B), the'' and inserting ``The''; and
       (2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(B) EBT online redemption portal.--
       ``(i) Purpose.--The purpose of this subparagraph is to 
     expand options for and access to food for eligible households 
     by making the online redemption of program benefits, 
     including the acceptance of EBT cards, more widely available 
     to grocery stores, small retailers, and farmers who face 
     barriers in implementing their own online payment portals.
       ``(ii) Contracts.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 2020, the 
     Secretary shall award on a competitive basis 1 or more 
     contracts to 1 or more eligible entities described in clause 
     (iii) to develop an online portal, to be known as the `EBT 
     Online Redemption Portal'--

       ``(I) to allow program participants to use online or mobile 
     electronic benefits transactions, including through the 
     acceptance of EBT cards, to purchase program foods from, and 
     make online payments to, authorized program retailers under 
     the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
       ``(II) to facilitate food purchase delivery for program 
     participants using the transactions described in subclause 
     (I).

       ``(iii) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity referred to in 
     clause (ii) is any for-profit or nonprofit entity with 
     demonstrable expertise in the development, operation, or 
     maintenance of electronic payment systems (including systems 
     with advanced security protocols), which may include 
     expertise in benefits management or administration of State 
     systems, as determined by the Secretary.
       ``(iv) Application; portal features.--

       ``(I) Application.--An eligible entity shall submit to the 
     Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including--

       ``(aa) a description of how the eligible entity plans to 
     implement the requirements described in clause (v); and
       ``(bb) a beta plan that has been user-tested.

       ``(II) Portal features.--In awarding a contract to an 
     eligible entity under clause (ii), the Secretary shall give 
     preference to an eligible entity that demonstrates an ability 
     to implement the following features of an EBT Online 
     Redemption Portal:

       ``(aa) Client-facing technology with a primary preference 
     for mobile device or smartphone application.
       ``(bb) Fail-safe systems to maintain privacy and online 
     security of data.
       ``(cc) Ability to redirect a consumer to an existing online 
     platform of a vendor, if applicable.
       ``(dd) Ability to update as technologies evolve.

[[Page S4229]]

       ``(ee) Ease of operation for program participants, 
     including multilingual functionality.
       ``(ff) Interoperability with delivery technologies and 
     interfaces.
       ``(gg) Identification of participating retailers within 
     geographic proximity to the user.
       ``(hh) Ability to perform single transactions using mixed 
     tender, including a single transaction for eligible food 
     items using an EBT card and noneligible items using another 
     form of payment.
       ``(ii) Adherence to a comprehensive business continuity and 
     disaster recovery plan--
       ``(AA) to allow the portal to recover from any interruption 
     of service; and
       ``(BB) that includes sufficient back-up systems, equipment, 
     facilities, and trained personnel to implement the plan.
       ``(v) Requirements.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Online EBT Redemption Portal 
     developed by the eligible entity awarded the contract under 
     clause (ii) shall--

       ``(aa) enable the integrated processing of an online EBT 
     transaction by providing a platform and facilitating the 
     purchasing interaction between the consumer, retailer, third-
     party processors (for EBT card processing and the secure 
     online entry of a personal identification number), and 
     delivery vendor, as applicable;
       ``(bb) to deter fraud, have in place for program 
     participants privacy and security protections, similar to 
     protections provided under existing electronic benefit 
     transfer methods, including entry of a personal 
     identification number in a manner that complies with the 
     guidelines of leading national consensus standards 
     organizations, as determined by the Secretary, for encrypting 
     personal identification number entry;
       ``(cc) be secure and operate in a manner that maintains 
     program integrity, including food item eligibility;
       ``(dd) be available in an initial or beta version not later 
     than 120 days after the date on which the eligible entity is 
     awarded the contract;
       ``(ee) be ready to be fully deployed in all States not 
     later than 180 days after the date described in item (dd);
       ``(ff) be available for use by any retail food store or 
     wholesale food concern authorized under section 9 to accept 
     and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
     assistance program--
       ``(AA) at no charge beyond a nominal fee that is not more 
     than reasonably necessary to support maintenance of the 
     portal and subject to the approval of the Secretary; and
       ``(BB) on an application-based and browser-based platform 
     for smartphones and a browser-based online platform for 
     tablets and computers;
       ``(gg) adhere to commercial standards for service level 
     availability to ensure the viability of the portal and the 
     use of the portal by retail food stores and wholesale food 
     concerns authorized under section 9 to accept and redeem 
     benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; 
     and
       ``(hh) perform ongoing maintenance services and retailer 
     enrollment and termination of enrollment activities to ensure 
     continuous operability of the portal.

       ``(II) Evaluation of beta version.--The Secretary shall 
     conduct a review of the initial or beta version of the Online 
     EBT Redemption Portal under subclause (I)(dd), including by 
     soliciting feedback from program participants.

       ``(vi) Report to congress.--Not later than 240 days after 
     the date of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 
     2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     status of activities carried out under this subparagraph.
       ``(vii) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
     appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury 
     not otherwise appropriated, $25,000,000 to provide under the 
     contract described in clause (ii).''.

     SEC. 3. BROAD ACCEPTANCE OF SNAP BENEFITS THROUGH ONLINE 
                   TRANSACTIONS.

       Section 7(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
     U.S.C. 2016(k)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``on-line'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``online'';
       (2) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4), the'' and 
     inserting ``The''; and
       (B) by inserting ``in any State'' after ``stores''; and
       (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Technical assistance.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means a 
     public or private nonprofit entity.
       ``(ii) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a 
     retail food store or wholesale food concern authorized under 
     section 9 to accept and redeem benefits under the 
     supplemental nutrition assistance program.
       ``(B) Technical assistance center.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service, 
     shall, on a competitive basis, award 1 or more grants to, or 
     enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements with, 1 or more 
     covered entities to establish a technical assistance center, 
     to be known as the `SNAP Online Purchasing Technical 
     Assistance Center', to provide--
       ``(i) to State agencies, eligible entities, and program 
     participants information on and technical assistance with, as 
     applicable--

       ``(I) accepting program benefits through online 
     transactions;
       ``(II) using the EBT Online Redemption Portal described in 
     subsection (h)(14)(B);
       ``(III) in the case of State agencies, conducting outreach 
     to eligible entities to ensure that those eligible entities 
     are informed of the technical assistance provided by the 
     center;
       ``(IV) research, training, and best practices relating to 
     redeeming program benefits through online transactions; and
       ``(V) facilitating communication between eligible entities, 
     applicable State agencies, and the Department of Agriculture; 
     and

       ``(ii) to eligible entities direct grants to defray the 
     technological costs of carrying out the activities described 
     in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i).
       ``(C) Qualifications.--At least 1 covered entity that 
     receives a grant or enters into a cooperative agreement under 
     subparagraph (B) shall have expertise in providing technical 
     assistance to food retailers operating under a Federal 
     nutrition program.
       ``(D) Technical assistance priority.--In providing 
     technical assistance to eligible entities, the SNAP Online 
     Purchasing Technical Assistance Center shall give priority to 
     eligible entities that are small and limited-resource 
     retailers.
       ``(E) Funding.--There is appropriated to the Secretary, out 
     of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
     $75,000,000 to carry out this paragraph, to remain available 
     until expended, of which not more than 3 percent may be used 
     by the Secretary for administrative expenses.
       ``(5) Publication of online vendors.--The Secretary shall 
     maintain on the website of the Department of Agriculture a 
     publicly available listing, organized and searchable by 
     region, locality, and State, of all approved retail food 
     stores accepting benefits from recipients of supplemental 
     nutrition assistance, including through online 
     transactions.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. DURBIN:
  S. 4205. A bill to establish the Homeland Security Higher Education 
Advisory Council; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental 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. 4205

       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 ``Homeland Security Higher 
     Education Advisory Council Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on 
     Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on 
     the Judiciary, and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
     Technology of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Homeland 
     Security Higher Education Advisory Council established under 
     section 3.
       (3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).
       (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Homeland Security.

     SEC. 3. HOMELAND SECURITY HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a council 
     to be known as the ``Homeland Security Higher Education 
     Advisory Council''.
       (b) Duties of Council.--The Council shall provide advice 
     and recommendations to the Secretary on matters concerning 
     homeland security and the academic community relating to the 
     following:
       (1) The threat of malign foreign influence and interference 
     in the United States.
       (2) Proposed regulatory changes impacting institutions of 
     higher education.
       (3) Promoting the openness of academic research and the 
     exchange of ideas between institutions of higher education 
     and the Federal Government.
       (4) Promoting campus resilience resources to address a 
     range of threats or hazards affecting institutions of higher 
     education.
       (5) Homeland security academic and research programs.
       (6) Student and recent graduate recruitment to Federal 
     Government employment.
       (7) Issues relating to international students, including--
       (A) obtaining and maintaining a visa; and
       (B) processing visas and Optional Practical Training.
       (8) Cybersecurity.
       (9) Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The Council shall be composed of not fewer 
     than 21 members appointed by the Secretary, of whom 9 shall 
     be from governmental positions specified in paragraph (2), 
     and not fewer than 12 members shall be from non-governmental 
     positions specified in paragraph (3).

[[Page S4230]]

       (2) Governmental positions.--Governmental positions 
     specified in this paragraph are the following:
       (A) The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of 
     State.
       (B) The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the 
     Department of State.
       (C) U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
       (D) The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the 
     Department of Homeland Security.
       (E) The Science and Technology Directorate of the 
     Department of Homeland Security.
       (F) The Office of Science and Technology Cooperation of the 
     Department of State.
       (G) The Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the 
     Department of Homeland Security.
       (H) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
       (I) Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services 
     Ombudsman.
       (J) Homeland Security Investigations of the U.S. 
     Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
       (K) The Department of Justice.
       (L) The intelligence community, as defined in section 3(4) 
     of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       (3) Non-governmental positions.--Non-governmental positions 
     specified in this paragraph are the following:
       (A) Twelve presidents or chancellors of a university, with 
     a distribution of such universities being private, public, 
     and regionally diverse.
       (B) Senior leaders of relevant higher education 
     associations.
       (4) Timing of appointments.--Appointments to the Council 
     shall be made not later than 4 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (5) Terms.--
       (A) In general.--Each member of the Council shall be 
     appointed for a term of 2 years.
       (B) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy 
     occurring before the expiration of the term for which the 
     member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only 
     for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the 
     expiration of that term until a successor has been appointed.
       (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Chairperson and 
     Vice Chairperson of the Council shall be designated by the 
     Secretary at the time of the appointment of the members 
     pursuant to paragraph (4), and when a vacancy of the 
     Chairperson or Vice Chairperson occurs, as the case may be.
       (d) Meeting.--
       (1) Initial meeting.--The Council shall hold its initial 
     meeting not later than 30 days after the final appointment of 
     all members under subsection (c)(4).
       (2) Meetings.--The Council shall meet not fewer than 3 
     times each year at the call of the Chairperson or Vice 
     Chairperson.
       (3) Quorum.--Sixteen members of the Council, of whom 8 
     members shall be appointed from governmental positions and 8 
     members shall be appointed from non-governmental positions, 
     shall constitute a quorum.
       (e) Compensation.--
       (1) Prohibition of compensation.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (2), members of the Council may not receive 
     additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their 
     service on the Council.
       (2) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
     accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of 
     chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of 
     the Council, the Secretary shall provide to the Council, on a 
     reimbursable basis, the administrative support services 
     necessary for the Council to carry out its responsibilities 
     under this Act.
       (g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on 
     which the Council holds its initial meeting under subsection 
     (d) and annually thereafter, the Council shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees a report containing a 
     detailed statement of the advice and recommendations of the 
     Council pursuant to subsection (b).
       (h) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. 
        Grassley, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Carper, Mr. Lankford, Mr. 
        Casey, Mr. Perdue, Ms. Hassan, Mrs. Loeffler, Mr. Cardin, Ms. 
        Ernst, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Daines, Mr. King, Mr. Cramer, Mr. 
        Booker, Mr. Graham, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Blumenthal, 
        Mr. Romney, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Warner, Mr. Reed, and Ms. 
        Klobuchar):
  S. 4209. A bill to amend title IX of the Social Security Act to 
improve emergency unemployment relief for governmental entities and 
nonprofit organizations; considered and passed.

                                S. 4209

       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 ``Protecting Nonprofits from 
     Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. IMPROVING EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF FOR 
                   GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND NONPROFIT 
                   ORGANIZATIONS.

       (a) In General.--Section 903(i)(1) of the Social Security 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 1103(i)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``during'' and 
     inserting ``with respect to'';
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``3309(a)(1)'' and 
     inserting ``3309(a)''; and
       (3) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds 
     transferred to the account of a State under subparagraph (A) 
     shall be used exclusively to reduce the amounts required to 
     be paid in lieu of contributions into the State unemployment 
     fund pursuant to such section by governmental entities and 
     other organizations described in section 3309(a) of such 
     Code.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments 
     made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in 
     the enactment of section 2103 of the Relief for Workers 
     Affected by Coronavirus Act (contained in subtitle A of title 
     II of division A of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)).
       (2) Application to weeks prior to enactment.--For weeks of 
     unemployment that occurred after March 12, 2020, and prior to 
     the date of enactment of this section, States may--
       (A) issue reimbursements in accordance with section 
     903(i)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act, as in effect prior 
     to the date of enactment of this section; or
       (B) reduce the amounts required to be paid in accordance 
     with such section 903(i)(1)(C), as amended by subsection (a).

                          ____________________