[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3358-S3359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



             Unanimous Consent Request--Executive Calendar

  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, today, I rise in support of the nomination 
of Rita Landgraf for the position of Assistant Secretary for Aging and 
Administrator of the Administration for Community Living at the 
Department of Health and Human Services. I have been privileged to know 
Rita Landgraf for over two decades and to have worked with her when I 
was Governor of Delaware and in the years since then.
  She is a longtime Delaware community leader who previously served as 
cabinet secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social 
Services, which may be the most challenging job of any cabinet 
secretary in the State government of Delaware. There, she oversaw State 
implementation of the Older Americans Act, Medicaid, home- and 
community-based services, and disability services as well. She also had 
leadership roles with the State offices of AARP, the ARC, and the 
National Alliance on Mental Illness, which are key national partners 
for initiatives within the Administration for Community Living.
  Rita's career has been inspired by her relationships with the elderly 
and those with disabilities, including her stepson. In addition to her 
extensive expertise, she will bring a personal passion to her work as 
Assistant Secretary. Rita's experience in leading organizations focused 
on advocating for people with disabilities and seniors, along with her 
time in State government, makes her an excellent--an excellent--choice 
to serve as Assistant Secretary of Aging. I applaud President Biden for 
nominating her to serve in this role.
  The Administration for Community Living does critically important 
work ensuring older Americans of all ages with disabilities are able to 
live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the 
ability to participate fully in their communities. The Administration 
for Community Living works through community-based organizations and 
invests in research, education, and innovation that help make this 
priority a reality for millions of older Americans and people with 
disabilities.
  Rita Landgraf is the right person for this job. As secretary of 
Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services, Rita Landgraf 
successfully led one of the State's largest cabinet agencies and 
expanded community-based services aimed at helping older Americans age 
in place and people with disabilities live, work, and participate in 
their communities--exactly the type of work the Administration for 
Community Living supports.
  Rita is a powerful advocate and a convener of stakeholders and 
partners. She will bring partners together to further the mission of 
the Administration for Community Living and bring new and innovative 
insight to address priorities on aging that we can all agree upon.
  Rita wants older Americans to age in place. She believes in the 
strength and value of home- and community-based services for both the 
elderly and the disabled, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
For Americans with mental health and special needs, Rita Landgraf has 
prioritized keeping folks in their homes and expanding employment 
opportunities for them--steps we can take to ensure that these 
vulnerable populations can be full participants in their communities.

[[Page S3359]]

  I want to thank our chair, Chair Murray, and Ranking Member Burr for 
supporting Rita Landgraf's nomination out of the Senate HELP Committee 
with strong bipartisan support.
  I urge my colleagues today to join me in confirming Rita Landgraf to 
serve as Assistant Secretary of Aging and Administrator of the 
Administration for Community Living.
  With that, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the 
following nomination: Calendar No. 966, Rita M. Landgraf, to be 
Assistant Secretary for Aging, Department of Health and Human Services; 
that the Senate vote on the nomination without intervening action or 
debate and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid 
upon the table; and that any statements related to the nomination be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  The Senator from Tennessee.
  Mr. HAGERTY. Mr. President, reserving the right to object.
  As I mentioned a moment ago, I have been asking for a commitment from 
my Democratic colleagues that any future reconciliation legislation in 
this Congress will not incorporate policies that will reduce access to 
care in my home State of Tennessee. Reiterating, my concern is that the 
reconciliation legislation that the House passed last fall included 
provisions that cut DSH payments and uncompensated care pool payments 
for nonexpansion States which would result in less healthcare for 
vulnerable populations in my State, accelerate hospital closures, and 
disadvantage rural communities. These are places and populations for 
which we are trying to secure more quality healthcare, not less.
  Because I have still not received confirmation that these provisions 
will not be included in any future reconciliation bill, I cannot 
consent to expediting confirmation of this nominee, and I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  The Senator from Delaware.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, if I could speak momentarily, I had an 
opportunity to speak briefly with our colleague from Tennessee with 
respect to his concerns and the reasons that led him to object to what 
I think--and he may agree--is actually quite an excellent nomination. 
And my hope is to better understand those objections that he has voiced 
and to see if they can be objected to in a way that would allow us to 
go forward with the nomination of Rita Landgraf to serve as Assistant 
Secretary for Aging for the Department of Health and Human Services.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Markey). The Senator from Rhode Island.