[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).
____________________