The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S6145-S6146 on Sept. 12, 2018.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
______
SENATE RESOLUTION 625--DESIGNATING THE WEEK BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 9,
2018, AS ``NATIONAL DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK''
Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Ms. Collins, Mr. King, Mr. Brown, Mr. Markey, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Warren, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Jones, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Casey, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Donnelly) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:
S. Res. 625
Whereas direct support professionals, including direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and paraprofessionals, are key to providing publicly funded, long-term support and services for millions of individuals with disabilities;
Whereas direct support professionals provide essential support that ensures that individuals with disabilities are--
(1) included as a valued part of the community of the individual;
(2) supported at home, at work, and in the communities of the United States; and
(3) empowered to live with the dignity that all people of the United States deserve;
Whereas all communities have a stake in ensuring that individuals with disabilities thrive through the connections of the individuals to their families, friends, and communities, fostered by the direct support professionals of those individuals, so as to avoid more costly institutional care;
Whereas direct support professionals support individuals with disabilities by helping those individuals make person-centered choices that lead to meaningful, productive lives;
Whereas direct support professionals must build close, respectful, and trusting relationships with individuals with disabilities;
Whereas direct support professionals provide a broad range of individualized support to individuals with disabilities, including--
(1) assisting with the preparation of meals;
(2) helping with medication;
(3) assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of daily living;
(4) assisting with access to the environment of the individuals;
(5) providing transportation to school, work, religious, and recreational activities; and
(6) helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal interests;
Whereas there is a documented critical and increasing shortage of direct support professionals throughout the United States;
Whereas direct support professionals are a critical element in supporting--
(1) individuals who are receiving health care services for severe chronic health conditions and individuals with functional limitations; and
(2) the successful transition of individuals from medical events to post-acute care and long-term support and services;
Whereas many direct support professionals are the primary financial providers for their families;
Whereas direct support professionals are hardworking, taxpaying citizens who provide an important service to people with disabilities in the United States, yet many continue to earn low wages, receive inadequate benefits, and have limited opportunities for advancement, resulting in high turnover and vacancy rates that adversely affect the quality of support, safety, and health of individuals with disabilities;
Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States, in Olmstead v. L.C. by Zimring, 527 U.S. 581 (June 22, 1999)--
(1) recognized the importance of the deinstitutionalization of, and community-based services for, individuals with disabilities; and
(2) held that, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S. 12101 et seq.), a State must provide community-based services to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities if--
(A) the community-based services are appropriate;
(B) the affected person does not oppose receiving the community-based services; and
(C) the community-based services can be reasonably accommodated after the community has taken into account the resources available to the State and the needs of other individuals with disabilities in the State; and
Whereas, in 2018, the majority of direct support professionals are employed in home- and community-based settings and that trend will increase over the next decade: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates the week beginning September 9, 2018, as
``National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week'';
(2) recognizes the dedication and vital role of direct support professionals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities of all ages;
(3) appreciates the contribution of direct support professionals in supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in the United States;
(4) commends direct support professionals for being integral to the provision of long-term support and services for individuals with disabilities;
(5) encourages the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor to collect data specific to direct support professionals; and
(6) finds that the successful implementation of the public policies affecting individuals with disabilities in the United States depends on the dedication of direct support professionals.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senators Collins, King, Brown, Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar, Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones, Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly to recognize the week beginning September 9th, 2018 as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week. Direct Support Professionals are an invaluable part of our Nation's health care system, caring for the most vulnerable Americans, including the chronically ill, seniors, and those living with a disability. With the help of Direct Support Professionals, these individuals can perform daily activities that many people take for granted, such as eating, bathing, dressing, and leaving the house. The work of Direct Support Professionals ensures that these individuals can be active participants in their communities.
Let me share with you the experience of Euricka Stevens, a direct support professional who was recognized this year for her incredible work and dedication when she was given Maryland's Direct Support Professional, DSP, of the Year Award by the American Network of Community Options and Resources, ANCOR. It was said of Euricka that she, ``doesn't see limitations or disabilities. She sees a person for their distinctive collection of traits and strengths and frailties and meets them there. She listens to the person and has an uncanny knack for unearthing what makes them remarkable.''
For example, there was an instance where a non-verbal individual was experiencing distress. Euricka was able to patiently determine that he was bothered by noise and calmed by sitting in a recliner. Because of her efforts, this individual is now able to participate in the life of the center, and have his needs taken care of if he is showing signs of discomfort.
As Euricka's story demonstrates, the job of a direct support professional is not easy. The hours are often long, and the wages are low. The job can be physically laborious, as well as emotionally draining. The reward for direct support professionals, however, is that they are able to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and help fulfill the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act by making it possible for these Americans to participate in their communities to the fullest extent possible.
In our Nation, we are incredibly fortunate to have millions of service-oriented individuals who are willing to rise to the task of becoming a Direct Support Professional. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of DSPs is projected to grow by an average of 26 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to a 7 percent average growth rate for all occupations during that period. Unfortunately, direct support professionals are often forced to leave the jobs they love due to low wages and excessive, difficult, work hours. Many Direct Support Professionals rely on public benefits, and some must work multiple jobs in order to provide for themselves and their families. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we work to ensure that these hard-working individuals have the income and emotional support they need and deserve.
I urge my colleagues to join me and Senators Collins, King, Brown, Markey, Murphy, Menendez, Warren, Klobuchar, Blumenthal, Hassan, Jones, Van Hollen, Casey, Baldwin, and Donnelly in expressing our appreciation for the critically important work of our country's Direct Support Professionals, in thanking them for their commitment and dedication, and in supporting the resolution designating the week beginning September 9, 2018, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week.
____________________
