[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1498-S1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
______
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Baldwin):
S. 830. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize
the program relating to lifespan respite care, and for other purposes;
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation
with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, to reauthorize the
Lifespan Respite Care Program.
Every day, an estimated 53 million family caregivers attend to loved
ones across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions.
Respite care gives these full-time caregivers a much-needed opportunity
to take a temporary break from their important responsibilities.
Caregivers help their loved ones remain at home, and the decision to
assume these responsibilities full time often delays the need for
nursing home care. While many of these individuals care for an older
adult, almost one-third of caregivers attend to family members under
the age of 50. The value of their efforts is tremendous, amounting to
more than $600 billion in uncompensated care each year.
This compassionate task, however, can take a tremendous toll.
Caregivers experience higher mortality rates and are more likely to
acquire acute and chronic health conditions themselves.
Respite care helps reduce mental stress and physical health problems
that they may experience, thus helping to keep caregivers healthy and
families intact. Yet almost 85 percent of America's caregivers have
never received any respite services.
As a Senator representing the State with the oldest median age in the
Nation, the well-being of our older citizens and their caregivers is
among my top priorities.
Since the Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, 38 States
and the District of Columbia have received grants to increase the
availability and quality of respite services. Our legislation would
extend this programming for another 5 years, through fiscal year 2030.
In Maine, there are approximately 166,000 family caregivers who
provide 155 million hours of care to loved ones each year. The Maine
Department of Health highlighted the importance of respite care in a
report released earlier this year that evaluates the Maine State
Respite Care Program. Participants shared how assistance made available
through this program has enabled them to take much-needed breaks,
reduce their anxiety, and even reenergize their enthusiasm for
caregiving.
One Mainer shared that access to respite care has meant that she has
been able to truly visit with her parents when she spends time with
them instead of using all of that time just to do their chores, their
yard work, and other tasks. She says that it has been wonderful to have
someone help her parents with their chores and shopping for their
needs, and it has meant that she, herself, is far less tired.
Stories such as these emphasize the importance of respite care, of a
break for these caregivers who are giving so much to their family
members.
Although most caregivers are adults, there are also more than 5
million young people in our country who provide care for grandparents,
parents, or siblings with disabilities. Studies have found that
approximately one in five young adults who dropped out of school did so
to care for a family member. These children often choose to give up
activities that other teens should enjoy, such as extracurricular
activities--sports, outside activities--and they may experience
depression or anxiety. Our legislation would clarify that young people
who are caregivers, including those who are under age 18, are also able
to access respite care services.
There is a large gap between caregivers who need respite services,
who need a break from the 24-hour care of their loved ones, and those
who actually receive this kind of assistance. Our bill would help close
that gap by reauthorizing funding for this program that has helped
States establish or strengthen respite services. This funding can be
used to assist caregivers in finding available respite services, to
train and recruit volunteers to provide temporary caregiving, and to
provide financial support through vouchers so that caregivers can
better afford respite services.
Our bill is widely supported by leading caregiver and respite
organizations, including the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource
Center, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Alzheimer's Impact
Movement.
Our bipartisan legislation will provide the necessary resources to
ensure that more caregivers have access to the respite services they
need. I urge all of our colleagues to support this important,
bipartisan legislation. It will make a real difference for the
caregivers, the family caregivers, in our States.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin.
Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today, I rise to reaffirm my partnership
with Senator Susan Collins in the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization
Act of 2025.
Senator Collins and I recognize the challenges that family caregivers
face. We have worked together over many years to advance legislation to
support the essential role that caregivers play in our communities. We
were successful in passing legislation that establishes a national
strategy to support family caregivers, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act,
and we are committed to reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program
that supports the health and well-being of family caregivers.
Every day, family caregivers in Wisconsin and across our country tend
to the needs of their loved ones. Although this work can be very, very
rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging.
After serving as my grandmother's primary caregiver as she got older,
I know firsthand the time, the dedication, and the sacrifice involved
to keep our aging, disabled, or sick loved ones safe and well.
Caregiving can be a 24/7 job, and too often, family caregivers
compromise their own health to ensure that their loved ones are not
left in limbo.
Respite care offers family caregivers a necessary break to focus on
their own mental health and well-being. That is why I was proud to
reintroduce our bipartisan legislation so that our family caregivers
can access the support and the relief they need. This bill would
support family caregivers by reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care
Program, which allows full-time caregivers to take a temporary break
from their responsibilities caring for aging or disabled loved ones.
Across the country, there are over 53 million Americans who currently
provide uncompensated care for their families, which provides an
estimated $600 billion in uncompensated care each year. Let that sink
in.
By protecting the health of caregivers, respite care decreases the
need for professional long-term care and allows individuals who require
care to remain at home.
I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Collins to advance
this important legislation in the 119th Congress.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Grassley):
S. 835. A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to
establish a voluntary program to reduce food loss and waste, 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. 835
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 ``Reduce Food Loss and Waste
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
Subtitle A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 210B. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Apparently wholesome food.--The term `apparently
wholesome food' has the meaning given the term in subsection
(b) of
[[Page S1499]]
the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C.
1791(b)).
``(2) Certified participant.--The term `certified
participant' means an eligible participant that has been
certified under subsection (d).
``(3) Eligible participant.--The term `eligible
participant' means--
``(A) a contractor that has entered into a contract with an
executive agency, the Senate, or the House of Representatives
for the provision, service, or sale of food in the United
States;
``(B) a State, local, municipal, or Tribal government;
``(C) a corporation, partnership, organization, or
association;
``(D) a farm or a food producer, manufacturer, processor,
holder, or packer;
``(E) a retail grocer;
``(F) a restaurant or similar food service establishment;
``(G) an institution of higher education or a consortium of
those institutions; or
``(H) a primary or secondary school or a consortium of
those institutions.
``(4) Excess.--The term `excess', with respect to food,
means that the food would otherwise be discarded.
``(5) Food.--The term `food' means food (as defined in
section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 321)) that is intended for human consumption.
``(6) Program.--The term `program' means the Food Loss and
Waste Reduction Certification Program established under
subsection (b).
``(7) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
voluntary program, to be known as the `Food Loss and Waste
Reduction Certification Program'--
``(1) to certify eligible participants in accordance with
subsection (d); and
``(2) to promote certified participants in accordance with
subsection (e).
``(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are--
``(1) to reduce food loss and waste;
``(2) to increase donations of excess, apparently wholesome
food to nonprofit organizations that provide food assistance
to individuals in need; and
``(3) to increase the use of alternative disposal methods
for food, such as redirection to animal feed, anaerobic
digestion, and composting.
``(d) Certification.--
``(1) Criteria.--
``(A) In general.--
``(i) Establishment and publication.--Not later than 18
months after the date of enactment of the Reduce Food Loss
and Waste Act of 2025, the Secretary shall establish and
publish in the Federal Register criteria for the
certification of an eligible participant under the program.
``(ii) Inclusions.--Criteria described in clause (i) shall
include the submission to a third-party certifier accredited
under paragraph (3) of documentation from 12 consecutive
months on the quantity of food that the eligible
participant--
``(I) has donated to nonprofit organizations that provide
food assistance for individuals in need; or
``(II) has sent to be disposed of.
``(B) Stakeholder input.--The Secretary shall solicit
comments from interested parties prior to the establishment
or revision of the criteria described in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Revisions.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall revise the criteria
described in subparagraph (A) on a periodic basis.
``(ii) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register criteria revised under clause (i) not later
than 270 days before the effective date of the revised
criteria, including an explanation of the revisions.
``(2) Accreditation bodies.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025,
the Secretary shall establish a process to recognize
accreditation bodies to accredit third-party certifiers under
paragraph (3)(A).
``(B) Standards.--The Secretary shall recognize an
accreditation body under subparagraph (A) if the
accreditation body meets such standards as the Secretary
shall establish.
``(3) Third-party certifiers.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of the Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025,
the Secretary shall establish a process for accreditation
bodies recognized under paragraph (2) to accredit third-party
certifiers to review and certify eligible participants under
the program.
``(B) Standards.--An accreditation body recognized under
paragraph (2) shall accredit a third-party certifier under
subparagraph (A) if the third-party certifier meets such
standards as the Secretary shall establish.
``(C) Preference.--In accrediting third-party certifiers
under subparagraph (A), an accreditation body recognized
under paragraph (2) shall give preference to institutions of
higher education that have expertise in food loss and waste
reduction.
``(D) Certification.--A third-party certifier accredited
under subparagraph (A) shall review and certify an eligible
participant under the program if the eligible participant
meets the criteria established under paragraph (1).
``(4) Publication.--The Secretary shall maintain on a
publicly available website of the Department of Agriculture--
``(A) a list of accreditation bodies recognized under
paragraph (2); and
``(B) a list of third-party certifiers accredited under
paragraph (3).
``(e) Promotion.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall promote a certified
participant under the program, including through--
``(A) voluntary labeling established under paragraph (2);
and
``(B) such other communications as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate relating to the products, buildings,
practices, and policies of the certified participant, such
as--
``(i) publication on the website of the Department of
Agriculture of information relating to the certified
participant; and
``(ii) holding events to promote the certified participant
or otherwise relating to the program.
``(2) Voluntary labeling.--The Secretary shall establish 1
or more voluntary labels that indicate that a certified
participant is certified under the program.
``(f) Interagency Coordination.--The Secretary shall carry
out this section in coordination with the Commissioner of
Food and Drugs and the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, in accordance with the memorandum of
understanding revised under section 3 of the Reduce Food Loss
and Waste Act of 2025.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section, including for
the hiring of additional personnel, $3,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until
expended.''.
SEC. 3. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
The Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Food and
Drugs, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency shall revise, in accordance with section 210B of the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 2),
the agreement signed on December 17, 2020, relating to
cooperation and coordination on food loss and waste.
______
By Mrs. BRITT (for herself, Mr. Kaine, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. King,
and Mrs. Gillibrand):
S. 846. A bill to implement or strengthen programs that increase the
supply of quality child care services by enhancing the wages of child
care workers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
______
By Mrs. BRITT (for herself, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Ernst, Mrs. Shaheen,
Mr. Curtis, Mr. King, Ms. Collins, Mrs. Gillibrand, and Mrs.
Capito):
S. 847. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand
the employer-provided child care credit and the dependent care
assistance exclusion; to the Committee on Finance.
Mrs. BRITT. Mr. President on November 5, President Donald J. Trump
was elected to a second term on the back of a big-tent coalition. In
2024, this election showed us that we needed to put the finishing
touches on a shift that we have seen occurring in our party and our
Nation.
The Republican Party is the party of parents, we are the party of
families, and we are the party of hard-working Americans. We have an
opportunity to prove it, starting with addressing our country's
childcare crisis.
Anyone who has kids can attest to this: It is incredibly difficult to
find affordable, accessible, high-quality childcare.
When I was a student in Tuscaloosa--I had gone back to school with
essentially a newborn and an 11-month-old; decided, why not? Law school
sounds good. I joked that on the scale of bad ideas I have had in my
life--and I have had a few--that one is without a doubt No. 1.
In the midst of trying to figure out my 1L year, I also had to figure
out childcare, and it was challenging for me to find a place where I
could get both of my kids in. So at the very beginning, there I was,
taking one child to one place and one child to another, all hoping to
show up at torts on time and then get back before you get fined,
picking them both up and hoping traffic didn't keep me from being late.
When my husband and I had the opportunity to move to Birmingham,
where he began his new career and I had 1 more year of law school left,
we got them immediately--both of our kids--into one childcare facility.
But the check that we wrote--wow--it felt like I was writing a check
for college tuition and not a check for a 3- and 4-year-old to be cared
for and loved and educated during the day.
Well, I will tell you what. The problem--that was, what, 13 years
ago--has
[[Page S1500]]
only gotten worse. Childcare costs have been increasing. They have
actually increased 36 percent over the last 10 years, actually
outpacing inflation. It has gotten to the point where parents, on
average, are spending 22 percent of their income on childcare. The
median annual price of childcare in this country is about $15,600. The
cost is crushing for so many parents. It is also prohibitive.
Ask yourself this: How many married couples, do you think, think
about having another child; they want to, and they start looking at the
dollars and cents and feel like they can't financially afford it?
To my fellow Republicans: Don't we want to incentivize rather than
deter parents from starting their families? And how can we, as the
party of life and the party of families and the party of parents and
the party of workers, neglect to make that easier? If our goal is
creating a comprehensive culture of life--and that should absolutely be
our goal--then we have a role to play in the childcare space.
But families are not the only ones that are affected by the current
state of childcare in this country. The amount of money that the
American economy loses annually because of childcare, the challenges
that we face as a result of the affordability and accessibility, are
staggering. Our economy loses $122 billion a year, and 74 percent of
mothers and 66 percent of fathers either have to leave work early,
arrive late, or be absent because of last-minute changes in childcare.
Also, 59 percent of part-time or nonworking parents say they would go
back to work--they want to go back to work--but, unfortunately, they
don't have access to quality childcare at a reasonable cost. That isn't
good for the broader economy, and it isn't good for American workers.
President Trump has made it clear he wants America to be a place that
builds things once again. He wants to unleash a golden era for made-in-
America excellence, where the skill, hard work, and ingenuity of our
people accomplish the impossible and changes the world. To accomplish
that goal, which I wholeheartedly agree with, we need to tackle the
childcare affordability crisis.
Ultimately, this is a workforce crisis as well. That is where the
two-pronged approach that I have introduced today, alongside a number
of my colleagues, comes into play. With the Child Care Workforce Act
and the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act, it consists of
targeted investments in families and small businesses. It modernizes
our existing tax credits so that our policy reflects our current
economic reality. It is a good example of commonsense policymaking.
We are not creating or growing another entitlement. We are letting
Americans keep more of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars in a manner
that grows our economy and gives people an opportunity for their
American dream. And we are offering job creators an incentive to invest
directly into hard-working people with childcare-related benefits.
We will help couples who want to have more children. We will help
parents be able to reenter the workforce after having kids. And we will
help our job creators--especially small businesses--recruit and retain
workers.
This legislation is pro-family. It is pro-Main Street. It is pro-
growth.
For the first time in years, the Republican Party controls both
Chambers of Congress and the White House. We have an opportunity we
can't afford to waste. If we truly are the party of parents and
families and hard-working Americans, we have an opportunity to prove
it. Let's address the childcare crisis in this year's tax package. I
think America will be better for it.
____________________