[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.