[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H3990-H3992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CARE IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ACT
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 5547) to amend the Public Works and Economic
Development Act of 1965 to require eligible recipients of certain
grants to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy that
directly or indirectly increases the accessibility of affordable,
quality care-based services, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5547
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 ``Care is an Economic
Development Strategy Act'' or the ``CEDS Act''.
[[Page H3991]]
SEC. 2. COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.
(a) In General.--Section 302(a)(3)(A) of the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3162(a)(3)(A)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' before ``balances resources''; and
(2) by inserting ``, and directly or indirectly increases
the accessibility of affordable, quality care-based services,
including child care, early childhood education, disability
and long-term care, and elder care'' after ``sound management
of development''.
(b) Guidance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall issue
guidance on implementing the amendments made by subsection
(a), to include how to increase access to the affordable,
quality care-based services described in section 302(a)(3)(A)
of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3162(a)(3)(A)) in a comprehensive economic development
strategy developed under section 302 of such Act.
(2) Existing comprehensive economic development
strategies.--In issuing the guidance under paragraph (1),
with respect to a grant recipient whose comprehensive
economic development strategy has been approved under section
302 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965
(42 U.S.C. 3162) before the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall ensure that such grant recipient is only
required to update such comprehensive economic development
strategy to comply with the amendments made by this Act when
a regularly scheduled update to such comprehensive economic
development strategy is required.
SEC. 3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION CARES ACT
FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Not more than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the inspector general of the
Department of Commerce shall submit to Congress a report on
the activities and outcomes of economic adjustment assistance
funding provided by the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136).
(b) Contents.--The report required under subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) each recipient that received economic adjustment
assistance funding from such Act; and
(2) the corresponding project that received economic
adjustment assistance funding from the CARES Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Georgia (Ms. Williams) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Webster)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Georgia.
General Leave
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5547, as
amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support the Care
is an Economic Development Strategy Act.
I would like to start by honoring my coauthor of this bill, who
recently passed away unexpectedly, Congressman Don Young, the longest-
serving Member of this body, the dean of the House. As my partner on
this bill, I got to see his dedication to serving the people up close.
Even though he is no longer with us in this Chamber, I know that
Congressman Young would be proud that the full House is considering the
bill we worked so hard on together to help our kids and our
communities.
We authored this legislation with a simple idea in mind: Investing in
care will help get people back to work, create good-paying jobs, and
create a stronger economy for everyone.
I know this firsthand as the working mom of my 6-year-old son, my
Carter Cakes. My ability to be standing before you today is dependent
on making sure that my Carter Cakes is safe and cared for. Let me tell
you all, it can even be difficult for families like mine.
When I was pregnant with Carter, we struggled to find childcare that
was affordable and accessible. Today, it is up to my husband, Leslie,
and me to make sure that Carter continues to be cared for so I can
serve the people.
Just this month, my husband had to take a day off from his job so
that I could make a last-minute trip to D.C. when school was closed for
a teacher workday. Later that same week, it was my turn. It became
``Bring Carter to Work Day.'' So, in Atlanta, Leslie traveled to do his
job, and I was home with Carter as he attended many Zoom sessions in
Congress.
We have made it work, but unfortunately, during this pandemic, not
everyone has been as lucky as my family.
Earlier this week, I visited Our House, a childcare center in my
district that serves some of the most marginalized families, families
experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. One of the providers
told me that, during the height of the pandemic, a parent told her that
she had to reopen because: ``Corona may kill me, but poverty definitely
will if I can't go to work and provide for my family.''
{time} 1245
Care is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. Women, especially women of
color, have been forced to drop out of the labor market at record rates
during the COVID pandemic. This impacts the prosperity of our families
and our economy at large.
Care is an economic development strategy, and it is time that we
treated it like one. My CEDS Act will ensure care accessibility is
prioritized for all communities and all constituents.
Currently, economic development districts must consider
transportation access, workforce development, technology use, and
environmental protection when creating their comprehensive economic
development strategies. Right now, there is no mention of considering
quality, affordable care-based services. The CEDS Act would simply add
this as a consideration.
This bill will treat childcare, early childhood education,
disability, long-term care, and eldercare as essential to communities'
economic development. When we do this, we can help folks return to
work, provide for their families, and invigorate our economy while
knowing that their loved ones are in good hands.
I bring this bill before you today for every caregiver who has been
forced to leave the workforce, for every working parent who has given
up on finding a solution that works, for every person who feels forced
to choose between their loved ones and their livelihoods. It doesn't
have to be this way, y'all.
Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, for
our children, our seniors, and our families nationwide.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, March 7, 2022.
Hon. Peter DeFazio,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning H.R. 5547, the
``Care is an Economic Development Strategy Act.'' In order to
permit H.R. 5547 to proceed expeditiously to the House Floor,
I agree to forgo formal consideration of the bill.
The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to
forego formal consideration of H.R. 5547 in light of our
mutual understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration
of H.R. 5547 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction
over the subject matter contained in this or similar
legislation, and that our Committee will be appropriately
consulted and involved as this or similar legislation moves
forward with regard to any matters in the Committee's
jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the right to seek
appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any
House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation
that involves the Committee's jurisdiction and request your
support for any such request.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming this understanding, and I would ask that a copy of
our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during Floor consideration of H.R. 5547.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington DC, March 7, 2022.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Waters: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 5547, the Care is an Economic Development Strategy Act.
I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation.
I acknowledge that by foregoing formal consideration on
H.R. 5547, the Committee on Financial Services does not waive
any future jurisdictional claims to provisions in this or
similar legislation, and that your Committee will be
consulted and involved on any matters in your Committee's
jurisdiction should this legislation move forward. In
addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I
would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number
[[Page H3992]]
of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving
provisions within this legislation on which the Committee on
Financial Services has a valid jurisdictional claim.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation,
and I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R.
5547.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio,
Chair.
Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 5547, the Care is an Economic Development
Strategy Act, will ensure that recipients of Economic Development
Administration grants consider the availability of childcare, early
childhood education, disability, and eldercare in their comprehensive
economic development strategy.
This helps ensure that the children, the elderly, and those with
disabilities who live in rural and distressed communities are
rightfully included in economic development planning.
Our friend and colleague from Alaska, the late Don Young, cosponsored
this legislation as the Republican champion for this bill. It is an
example of the commitment he had to bipartisanship and to supporting
efforts to help distressed communities not only in Alaska, but
throughout the Nation.
Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, in closing, H.R. 5547 ensures childcare and early
childhood education, as well as disability and eldercare are components
of local comprehensive economic development strategies.
I thank the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for championing this
issue on our side of the aisle and note our deepest appreciation for
his work.
Madam Speaker, I urge support of this important legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WILLIAMS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
support this legislation as care is an economic development strategy.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Chu). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Williams) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5547, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________