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.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S4224-S4230 on July 2, 2020.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTION
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mr. Manchin, and Mr. Boozman):
S. 4155. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide or assist in providing an additional vehicle adapted for operation by disabled individuals to certain eligible persons; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today, I am pleased to be joined by my colleague from West Virginia, Senator Joe Manchin, in introducing the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans Act. Our bill, known as the AUTO Act, would lessen the financial burden for severely disabled veterans who require special adaptive equipment to drive a motor vehicle by increasing the access to the Department of Veterans Affairs automobile grant program.
The VA is currently authorized to provide eligible veterans with a one-time grant of approximately $21,400 to be used to purchase a new or used automobile and necessary adaptive equipment, such as specialized pedals or switches. This grant is often used together with the VA special adaptive equipment grants, which help veterans purchase adaptive equipment, such as powered lifts, for an existing automobile or van to make it safe for a veteran's use.
Although veterans can receive multiple special adaptive equipment grants over the course of their lives, they are, for some reason, limited to a single grant for the vehicle. The current limitation fails to take into account that a disabled veteran will need more than one vehicle in his or her lifetime. In fact, the Department of Transportation reports that the average useful life of a vehicle is 11.5 years, and a vehicle that has been modified structurally tends to have a shorter useful life.
According to the VA Independent Budget prepared by the Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the average cost to replace modified vehicles ranges from
$40,000 to $65,000 when the vehicle is new and $21,000 to $35,000 when the vehicle is used. These are significant costs for a severely disabled veteran to bear to replace his or her primary mode of transportation. That is why veterans should be eligible to receive an automobile grant once every 10 years. Our bipartisan bill would do exactly that.
One disabled veteran in Maine, Neal Williams, from Shirley, used a VA automobile grant in 1999 to purchase an adapted vehicle--a Ford Econoline van. He has had to purchase several adaptive vehicles since 1999, with each one lasting 250,000 miles, until they were no longer roadworthy. Two hundred and fifty thousand miles is a lot of miles, particularly over Maine's roads and highways. Neal's current vehicle now has over 100,000 miles, and he probably only has a short time before he will need a new one. He told me that purchasing a new van, which he uses for his wheelchair, and then he transfers to the driver's seat--he is such an extraordinary person in what he is able to do, but he has told me that new van will cost him well over $50,000, which is more than he paid for his home in rural Maine.
This is an enormous burden on veterans like Neal who need to purchase expensive adaptive vehicles in order to drive safely and, also, in order to maintain their independence.
Our Nation owes American veterans our deepest gratitude. We must continue to honor that commitment to our veterans by supporting their needs, including the needs of disabled veterans who need adaptive technology for their vehicles long after they are discharged or retired from Active Duty. The AUTO for Veterans Act is an important step in helping those who have served our Nation so honorably and have sacrificed so much for our freedom.
I urge all of our colleagues to join Senator Manchin and me in honoring and supporting our Nation's disabled veterans.
I send the bill to the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill will be received and appropriately referred
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Young):
S. 4159. A bill to amend the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act to accommodate emerging technologies; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mr. THUNE. 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. 4159
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 ``E-SIGN Modernization Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC DISCLOSURES.
(a) In General.--Title I of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 101(c) (15 U.S.C. 7001(c))--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following:
``(C) the consumer, prior to consenting, is provided with a statement of the hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of the electronic records; and
``(D) after the consent of a consumer in accordance with subparagraph (A), if a change in the hardware or software requirements needed to access or retain electronic records creates a material risk that the consumer will not be able to access or retain a subsequent electronic record that was the subject of the consent, the person providing the electronic record provides the consumer with a statement of--
``(i) the revised hardware and software requirements for access to and retention of the electronic records; and
``(ii) the right to withdraw consent without the imposition of any fees for such withdrawal and without the imposition of any condition or consequence that was not disclosed under subparagraph (B)(i).'';
(B) by striking paragraph (3); and
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and
(2) by striking section 105 (15 U.S.C. 7005).
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, may be construed as affecting the consent provided by any consumer under section 101(c) of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. 7001(c)) before the date of enactment of this Act.
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Portman, Ms.
Baldwin, Mrs. Capito, and Mr. Cardin):
S. 4160. A bill to enable certain hospitals that were participating in or applied for the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency to temporarily maintain eligibility for such program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. THUNE. 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. 4160
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY EXCEPTION FOR THE DRUG DISCOUNT
PROGRAM DUE TO THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH
EMERGENCY.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a hospital described in subsection (b) that, for an applicable calendar quarter, otherwise meets the requirements for being a covered entity under subparagraph (L), (M), or
(O) of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)) but that, for such calendar quarter, does not meet the applicable requirement for the disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in subsection (c), shall be deemed a covered entity under such respective subparagraph for such applicable calendar quarter.
(b) Hospitals.--A hospital described in this subsection is--
(1) an entity that, on the day before the first day of the COVID-19 public health emergency, was a covered entity described in subparagraph (L), (M), or (O) of subsection
(a)(4) of section 340B of the Public Health Service Act participating in the drug discount program under such section; or
(2) an entity that--
(A) prior to the COVID-19 public health emergency, submitted an application for participation in such program as a covered entity described in subparagraph (L), (M), or (O) of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act;
(B) prior to or during such emergency, was approved for such participation; and
(C) during such emergency, began participating in such program.
(c) Applicable Requirement for Disproportionate Share Adjustment Percentage.--The applicable requirement for the disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in this subsection is--
(1) in the case of a hospital described in subsection (a) that otherwise meets the requirements under subparagraph (L) or (M) of section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act, the requirement under subparagraph (L)(ii) of such section; and
(2) in the case of a hospital described in subsection (a) that otherwise meets the requirements under subparagraph (O) of such section 340B(a)(4), the requirement with respect to the disproportionate share adjustment percentage described in such subparagraph (O).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applicable calendar quarter.--The term ``applicable calendar quarter'' means a calendar quarter for which eligibility for the drug discount program under section 340B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b) is based on a cost reporting period for which the COVID-19 public health emergency is in effect for all or part of such cost reporting period.
(2) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' has the meaning given such term in section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)).
(3) COVID-19 public health emergency.--The term ``COVID-19 public health emergency'' means the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) on January 31, 2020, with respect to COVID-19.
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By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Hassan):
S. 4173. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a credit to small employers for covering military spouses under retirement plans; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. President, I rise today, along with my colleague Senator Hassan, to introduce the Military Spouses Retirement Security Act. This bipartisan bill would help spouses of active duty service members save for retirement by expanding access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.
According to the Employee Benefits Research Institute, American households face a retirement savings gap of $3.7 trillion. The Center for Retirement Research estimates an even larger gap of $7.1 trillion. When asked about their retirement preparedness, only 57 percent of Americans believe they will be able to live comfortably in retirement.
There are many reasons why American households struggle to save for retirement, including the shift away from employer-based ``defined benefit'' plans and rising health care and long-term care costs. Longer life spans increase the risk of outliving retirement savings. The economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis are also posing a threat to retirement security.
Spouses of active duty service members face an additional hurdle to saving for retirement. According to the Department of Defense, about one-third of military service members experience a permanent change of station move every year. When a service member moves, their spouse often relocates with them, putting their own career on hold.
Following a move, a military spouse may face periods of unemployment, where they are not able to participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan. A 2017 survey found that the unemployment rate for active duty military spouses was 24 percent, more than five times the rate for the U.S. population as a whole at that time.
When military spouses find a new job, they often work part-time, despite preferring full-time work, or are only able to spend a few years with their employer before moving again. Their limited hours and short tenure often preclude them from being eligible to receive employer contributions to their retirement plan or from being fully vested in their plan.
Increasing access to employer-sponsored retirement plans would improve the financial security of many military spouses. The bill I am introducing today would help address this need by providing a tax credit to small employers who provide military spouses with accelerated eligibility for retirement plan participation, employer contributions, and vesting.
My bill would allow small employers--those with up to 100 employees--
to claim a tax credit of up to $500 per year per military spouse. The credit would be available for three years per military spouse. The amount of the credit would be equal to $200 per military spouse, plus 100 percent of all employer contributions for that spouse, up to $300.
To receive the tax credit, small employers must make a military spouse immediately eligible for retirement plan participation within two months of hire. Upon plan eligibility, a military spouse must be eligible for any matching or non-elective contribution available to a similarly situated employee with at least two years of service, and must be 100 percent immediately vested in all employer contributions.
Military spouses are the unsung heroes of our country's national defense. They often put their professional lives on hold, threatening their long-term retirement security. The Military Spouses Retirement Security Act would help by encouraging small employers to provide military spouses with accelerated access to retirement plans and employer contributions. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Thank you, Mr. President.
______
By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Daines, Mr.
Jones, and Mr. Tester):
S. 4174. A bill to provide emergency appropriations to the United States Postal Service to cover losses related to the COVID-19 crisis and to direct the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service to develop a plan for ensuring the long term solvency of the Postal Service; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act. I am pleased to be joined by my colleague, Senator Feinstein, in sponsoring this legislation that would ensure the United States Postal Service survives the COVID-19 pandemic and advance the conversation needed to put it on a path to long-term solvency. I would also like to recognize Senators Daines, Jones, and Tester, who have joined as original cosponsors.
Throughout its 245-year history, the United States Postal Service has played a vital role in bringing our country together and moving our economy forward. The Postal Service allows us to remain connected with family and friends and helps small businesses reach their customers around the country.
The Postal Service is also the linchpin of a $1.6 trillion mailing industry that employs more than 7.3 million people. These jobs are as varied as paper manufacturers, publishing, printing, catalog companies, online retailers, and transportation providers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our daily lives in fundamental ways, and the Postal Service is needed now more than ever. USPS is a lifeline for Americans across the country, particularly seniors and others living in rural areas. In a Harris poll conducted in May, Americans ranked the USPS as the most ``essential'' company amid the pandemic.
The agency's dedicated employees, like the rural letter carrier in Columbia Falls, go to work each day, facing increased risk as they continue to ensure reliable delivery of needed prescriptions, safety-
net benefits, and other critical services that might otherwise be unavailable.
While COVID-19 has underscored the essential nature of the Postal Service, it has also caused significant declines in first-class and marketing mail revenues and increased costs, as the Postal Service has taken additional steps to protect its employees and the public from the virus.
Even with substantial increases in package volumes during the first phase of the pandemic, USPS estimates that COVID-19 will increase net losses and accelerate its cash crisis. If Congress does not act, the Postal Service warns it could run out of money for payroll within the next year. This would threaten its ability to continue providing essential services to the public, as well as support its 630,000 employees, including 3,300 in Maine.
I am committed to ensuring this vital institution survives the COVID-
19 crisis and is positioned to support economic recovery. The legislation we are introducing today would provide the Postal Service with up to $25 billion in emergency funding to cover COVID-19- related losses and other operational expenses.
The legislation also includes several safeguards to ensure these funds are used only for their intended purpose. The funds would be appropriated to a separate ``Postal Service COVID-19 Emergency Fund'' rather than the general Postal Service Fund, and these funds would only be available until September 30, 2022. Prior to accessing these funds, the Postal Service would be required to certify in its quarterly and annual reports to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the expenditure of any such funds is necessary to cover losses or expenses resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Postal Service would also be required to prioritize the purchase of personal protective equipment for its employees and conduct additional cleaning and sanitizing of its facilities and delivery vehicles.
In addition to providing emergency relief, this legislation would clarify the terms and conditions of the $10 billion loan that Congress provided to the Postal Service as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act.
Although the COVID-19 emergency is contributing to the Postal Service's financing challenges, it did not cause all of its financial problems. According to the Government Accountability Office, USPS lost about $78 billion from fiscal year 2007 through 2019. This is why the legislation we are introducing today would also require the new Postmaster General and the Board of Governors to present to Congress a plan to ensure the long-term solvency of the Postal Service.
Growing up in Aroostook County, I experienced the essential nature of the United States Postal Service every day. As Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee, I've also seen the indispensable role that the Postal Service plays for our nation's seniors. The Postal Service Emergency Assistance Act would ensure the Postal Service is able to continue fulfilling its essential mission, while also providing for responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds and laying the groundwork to put the Postal Service on a path to long-term viability. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr. Booker, Mr. Blumenthal,
Mr. Udall, Mr. Cardin, Ms. Warren, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr.
Heinrich, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. Markey):
S. 4181. A bill to establish a Library Stabilization Fund to respond to and accelerate the recovery from coronavirus; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, to help libraries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue providing communities with needed services, resources, technology, and broadband access, I am introducing the Library Stabilization Fund Act along with Senators Brown, Booker, Blumenthal, Udall, Cardin, Warren, Whitehouse, Heinrich, Van Hollen, Menendez, Wyden, Hirano, and Markey. Our bill would provide the $2 billion the American Library Association has estimated is necessary for a library stabilization fund under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our daily lives. Libraries, which anchor our local communities, are no exception. Local budget shortfalls have left libraries to grapple with severe cuts, furloughs of staff, and reduced operations just when communities need their services the most. In addition to providing additional resources to enable schools to reopen safely, close the homework gap, and strengthen the social safety net, we need to invest in libraries to help our communities recover.
Libraries are a critical piece of our education, economic development, and social infrastructure. Although many libraries remain closed or have limited hours, libraries are meeting urgent community needs by increasing technology access (including boosting WIFI and lending hotspots, tablets, and computers), offering digital content, providing books and materials for delivery or pick-up, and hosting online story times, classes, and discussion groups. In this way, libraries are providing enrichment to our young people, ensuring students can connect to remote and summer learning, enabling those with jobs to telework, helping job seekers find employment and receive training, and offering a lifeline to vulnerable adults and seniors who need health information, a portal to government services, and ways to avoid social isolation.
To strengthen the ability of libraries to serve communities affected by COVID-19, our bill would provide funding to states on a formula basis, with a minimum allotment of $10 million; to tribes; and on a competitive basis. The funding could be used to support general operations, including paying staff and ensuring the safe handling of library materials; to offer greater access to technology, including expanding digital networks and enabling the purchase and lending of hotspots, laptops, and digital resources; to strengthen services and resources, including those relating to literacy, distance learning, adult education, workforce and economic development, and health information; and to link patrons to government, community, and cultural resources.
This legislation will help ensure libraries can continue to find new ways to bridge the digital divide and safely provide information, programming, and services that people of all ages need to stay engaged and informed. This smart investment in our libraries will keep people and communities connected and contribute to our economic recovery.
I thank the supporters of the bill, including the American Library Association; Association for Rural & Small Libraries; Association of Research Libraries; Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; Common Sense Media: International Dyslexia Association; National Association of Elementary School Principals; National Association of Secondary School Principals; National Coalition for Literacy; National Digital Inclusion Alliance; National Humanities Alliance; National League of Cities; Reach Out and Read; Reading Is Fundamental; and Urban Libraries Council. Companion legislation is being introduced on a bipartisan basis in the other body by Congressman Andy Levin.
I urge our colleagues to join us in pressing for the inclusion of the Library Stabilization Fund Act in the next COVID-19 response package.
______
By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Merkley):
S. 4189. A bill to provide for drought preparedness and improved water supply reliability; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Water for Agriculture and Conservation Act to help expand critical water conservation infrastructure that helps improve water use efficiency, fish and wildlife habitat, and agriculture productivity.
Throughout the West, communities are experiencing high levels of drought that are hurting agriculture and conservation efforts. The Water for Conservation and Farming Act aims to help communities better plan and prepare for the increased demand for clean water by funding projects that improve dam safety, create more resilient watersheds, and benefit agricultural and urban water users.
States, Tribes, and local communities are working diligently to upgrade crumbling water infrastructure but have lacked the critical resources to make meaningful improvements that last. The Water for Conservation and Farming Act would provide $120,000,000 over three years for disadvantaged communities to increase environmental protections, support agriculture, and make significant steps to improve the water supply for their communities.
The Water for Conservation and Farming Act would create a Bureau of Reclamation fund of $300 million to support water recycling projects, water-use efficiency projects and dam safety projects, as well as expanding existing programs, like WaterSMART, to get more bang for the conservation buck.
The bill would establish several new programs at the Bureau of Reclamation, which are designed to help disadvantaged communities plan and implement water conservation projects, a program to help farmers improve migratory bird habitat, and programs to implement aquatic ecosystem restoration projects.
At a time when the nation is suffering increased droughts, when farmers and ranchers are asked to do more with less, and critical habitats are suffering from less and less water, this bill will make needed investments in water conservation infrastructure that reduces demand for water, improves biodiversity, and helps farmers and ranchers plan and prepare for droughts. I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.
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By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Portman, Mr. Cassidy, Mr.
Daines, Ms. Collins, Ms. Ernst, Ms. McSally, Mr. Braun, Mrs.
Hyde-Smith, and Ms. Murkowski):
S. 4199. A bill to amend titles XI, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act to lower prescription drug prices in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, to improve transparency related to pharmaceutical prices and transactions, to lower patients' out-of-pocket costs, and to ensure accountability to taxpayers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2020. This is a bill that I have been working on for the past 18 months. I made lowering prescription drug costs one of my top priorities as I resumed the role of Chairman of the Finance Committee at the beginning of this Congress.
I made it my priority as it's a top concern for Iowans and all Americans. My constituents throughout the state voice concern about being able to afford their prescription medications. I hear about this issue as much as any other. Poll after poll shows that the concern I hear in Iowa is shared across the Nation. The need for Congress to act to provide patients with much-needed relief is also a common takeaway from these polls and from talking to my colleagues. Iowans want action. Americans want action.
Lowering prescription drug costs and providing relief to patients is actually what this bill does.
For the vast majority of my time working on the bill, the Senator from Oregon, Ranking Member Wyden, has been my partner. All of the policies in this bill, which improve Medicare and Medicaid and bring much needed transparency across the supply chain, were co-authored by the Ranking Member. The Finance Committee reported the initial version of this robust bill in July 2019 by a vote of 19-9. I worked with Ranking Member Wyden and others to make bipartisan improvements to the bill. These improvements have made an already good bill better. I'm introducing this updated version today. It remains a truly bipartisan bill.
It's a bipartisan bill that helps patients and reduces government spending. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill would save seniors and Americans with disabilities $72 billion in out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D and reduce premiums by $1 billion. The entire bill would save taxpayers nearly $100 billion--a rare source of bipartisan budget savings in an era of trillion dollar deficits. Even Americans in the commercial market would see savings.
It's a bipartisan bill that helps patients, reduces Federal spending, and lowers commercial costs. That's a rare feat. It's something of which we should all be proud.
So why is the bill only being introduced with Republicans as co-
sponsors?
The reason, unfortunately, is that the Democrats recently walked away from the bill. They walked away from the good faith negotiations that produced this bipartisan product. They did so for political reasons. They put politics, and their drive for power, ahead of patients. From conversations I have had with colleagues on the other side of the aisle, this was a leadership-driven decision. Maybe the thinking is that they'll block Senate Republicans from securing a win, or that they'll be able to say that President Trump hasn't followed through.
They can say that, but it doesn't make it true. The introduction of this bill, with a number of my Republican colleagues, shows that Republicans are the ones on the side of patients. And to question the commitment of President Trump to lowering prescription drug prices is outlandish.
President Trump campaigned on expanding prescription drug affordability and fairness. He released a comprehensive plan that included numerous policy ideas. He and his Administration have taken bold regulatory action. Some of those actions are being fought in the courts by stakeholders that support the status quo. Some have been opposed by Congressional Democrats.
As the Administration's ability to act through regulation can only take us so far, President Trump called on Congress to pass an overhaul of the drug pricing system. In fact, he mentioned my work on this specific bill in his State of the Union address earlier this year, and he called on Congress to send a bipartisan bill to his desk.
We should be celebrating the introduction of this bill today as another key step closer to responding to President Trump's call for bipartisan action. While it remains the most prominent reform bill that contains bipartisan policy solutions, today's introduction reveals that Democrats are more interested in positioning for elections than producing results. This is disappointing to me. But it makes clear to the American people that they can count on Republicans to take action on the issues that are important to them.
President Trump has worked harder to lower prescription drug prices than any President in memory. He has stood up to special interests. I, along with my colleagues cosponsoring this bill, and other Republicans, stand with him. I only wish my colleagues on the other side of the aisle were as committed. I urge that they stop the political posturing and work in a bipartisan way to deliver the relief that Iowans and all Americans deserve.
I yield the floor.
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By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Ms. Duckworth):
S. 4202. A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand online benefit redemption options under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, 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. 4202
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 ``Expanding SNAP Options Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. ONLINE PORTAL FOR SNAP BENEFIT REDEMPTION.
Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Subject to subparagraph (B), the'' and inserting ``The''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
``(B) EBT online redemption portal.--
``(i) Purpose.--The purpose of this subparagraph is to expand options for and access to food for eligible households by making the online redemption of program benefits, including the acceptance of EBT cards, more widely available to grocery stores, small retailers, and farmers who face barriers in implementing their own online payment portals.
``(ii) Contracts.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 2020, the Secretary shall award on a competitive basis 1 or more contracts to 1 or more eligible entities described in clause
(iii) to develop an online portal, to be known as the `EBT Online Redemption Portal'--
``(I) to allow program participants to use online or mobile electronic benefits transactions, including through the acceptance of EBT cards, to purchase program foods from, and make online payments to, authorized program retailers under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
``(II) to facilitate food purchase delivery for program participants using the transactions described in subclause
(I).
``(iii) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity referred to in clause (ii) is any for-profit or nonprofit entity with demonstrable expertise in the development, operation, or maintenance of electronic payment systems (including systems with advanced security protocols), which may include expertise in benefits management or administration of State systems, as determined by the Secretary.
``(iv) Application; portal features.--
``(I) Application.--An eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including--
``(aa) a description of how the eligible entity plans to implement the requirements described in clause (v); and
``(bb) a beta plan that has been user-tested.
``(II) Portal features.--In awarding a contract to an eligible entity under clause (ii), the Secretary shall give preference to an eligible entity that demonstrates an ability to implement the following features of an EBT Online Redemption Portal:
``(aa) Client-facing technology with a primary preference for mobile device or smartphone application.
``(bb) Fail-safe systems to maintain privacy and online security of data.
``(cc) Ability to redirect a consumer to an existing online platform of a vendor, if applicable.
``(dd) Ability to update as technologies evolve.
``(ee) Ease of operation for program participants, including multilingual functionality.
``(ff) Interoperability with delivery technologies and interfaces.
``(gg) Identification of participating retailers within geographic proximity to the user.
``(hh) Ability to perform single transactions using mixed tender, including a single transaction for eligible food items using an EBT card and noneligible items using another form of payment.
``(ii) Adherence to a comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plan--
``(AA) to allow the portal to recover from any interruption of service; and
``(BB) that includes sufficient back-up systems, equipment, facilities, and trained personnel to implement the plan.
``(v) Requirements.--
``(I) In general.--The Online EBT Redemption Portal developed by the eligible entity awarded the contract under clause (ii) shall--
``(aa) enable the integrated processing of an online EBT transaction by providing a platform and facilitating the purchasing interaction between the consumer, retailer, third-party processors (for EBT card processing and the secure online entry of a personal identification number), and delivery vendor, as applicable;
``(bb) to deter fraud, have in place for program participants privacy and security protections, similar to protections provided under existing electronic benefit transfer methods, including entry of a personal identification number in a manner that complies with the guidelines of leading national consensus standards organizations, as determined by the Secretary, for encrypting personal identification number entry;
``(cc) be secure and operate in a manner that maintains program integrity, including food item eligibility;
``(dd) be available in an initial or beta version not later than 120 days after the date on which the eligible entity is awarded the contract;
``(ee) be ready to be fully deployed in all States not later than 180 days after the date described in item (dd);
``(ff) be available for use by any retail food store or wholesale food concern authorized under section 9 to accept and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program--
``(AA) at no charge beyond a nominal fee that is not more than reasonably necessary to support maintenance of the portal and subject to the approval of the Secretary; and
``(BB) on an application-based and browser-based platform for smartphones and a browser-based online platform for tablets and computers;
``(gg) adhere to commercial standards for service level availability to ensure the viability of the portal and the use of the portal by retail food stores and wholesale food concerns authorized under section 9 to accept and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
``(hh) perform ongoing maintenance services and retailer enrollment and termination of enrollment activities to ensure continuous operability of the portal.
``(II) Evaluation of beta version.--The Secretary shall conduct a review of the initial or beta version of the Online EBT Redemption Portal under subclause (I)(dd), including by soliciting feedback from program participants.
``(vi) Report to congress.--Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of the Expanding SNAP Options Act of 2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of activities carried out under this subparagraph.
``(vii) Authorization of appropriations.--There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $25,000,000 to provide under the contract described in clause (ii).''.
SEC. 3. BROAD ACCEPTANCE OF SNAP BENEFITS THROUGH ONLINE
TRANSACTIONS.
Section 7(k) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(k)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``on-line'' each place it appears and inserting ``online'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4), the'' and inserting ``The''; and
(B) by inserting ``in any State'' after ``stores''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) Technical assistance.--
``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
``(i) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means a public or private nonprofit entity.
``(ii) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a retail food store or wholesale food concern authorized under section 9 to accept and redeem benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
``(B) Technical assistance center.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service, shall, on a competitive basis, award 1 or more grants to, or enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements with, 1 or more covered entities to establish a technical assistance center, to be known as the `SNAP Online Purchasing Technical Assistance Center', to provide--
``(i) to State agencies, eligible entities, and program participants information on and technical assistance with, as applicable--
``(I) accepting program benefits through online transactions;
``(II) using the EBT Online Redemption Portal described in subsection (h)(14)(B);
``(III) in the case of State agencies, conducting outreach to eligible entities to ensure that those eligible entities are informed of the technical assistance provided by the center;
``(IV) research, training, and best practices relating to redeeming program benefits through online transactions; and
``(V) facilitating communication between eligible entities, applicable State agencies, and the Department of Agriculture; and
``(ii) to eligible entities direct grants to defray the technological costs of carrying out the activities described in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i).
``(C) Qualifications.--At least 1 covered entity that receives a grant or enters into a cooperative agreement under subparagraph (B) shall have expertise in providing technical assistance to food retailers operating under a Federal nutrition program.
``(D) Technical assistance priority.--In providing technical assistance to eligible entities, the SNAP Online Purchasing Technical Assistance Center shall give priority to eligible entities that are small and limited-resource retailers.
``(E) Funding.--There is appropriated to the Secretary, out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
$75,000,000 to carry out this paragraph, to remain available until expended, of which not more than 3 percent may be used by the Secretary for administrative expenses.
``(5) Publication of online vendors.--The Secretary shall maintain on the website of the Department of Agriculture a publicly available listing, organized and searchable by region, locality, and State, of all approved retail food stores accepting benefits from recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance, including through online transactions.''.
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By Mr. DURBIN:
S. 4205. A bill to establish the Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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. 4205
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 ``Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council established under section 3.
(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland Security.
SEC. 3. HOMELAND SECURITY HIGHER EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a council to be known as the ``Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council''.
(b) Duties of Council.--The Council shall provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matters concerning homeland security and the academic community relating to the following:
(1) The threat of malign foreign influence and interference in the United States.
(2) Proposed regulatory changes impacting institutions of higher education.
(3) Promoting the openness of academic research and the exchange of ideas between institutions of higher education and the Federal Government.
(4) Promoting campus resilience resources to address a range of threats or hazards affecting institutions of higher education.
(5) Homeland security academic and research programs.
(6) Student and recent graduate recruitment to Federal Government employment.
(7) Issues relating to international students, including--
(A) obtaining and maintaining a visa; and
(B) processing visas and Optional Practical Training.
(8) Cybersecurity.
(9) Any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Council shall be composed of not fewer than 21 members appointed by the Secretary, of whom 9 shall be from governmental positions specified in paragraph (2), and not fewer than 12 members shall be from non-governmental positions specified in paragraph (3).
(2) Governmental positions.--Governmental positions specified in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State.
(B) The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State.
(C) U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
(D) The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security.
(E) The Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security.
(F) The Office of Science and Technology Cooperation of the Department of State.
(G) The Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the Department of Homeland Security.
(H) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
(I) Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.
(J) Homeland Security Investigations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
(K) The Department of Justice.
(L) The intelligence community, as defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
(3) Non-governmental positions.--Non-governmental positions specified in this paragraph are the following:
(A) Twelve presidents or chancellors of a university, with a distribution of such universities being private, public, and regionally diverse.
(B) Senior leaders of relevant higher education associations.
(4) Timing of appointments.--Appointments to the Council shall be made not later than 4 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(5) Terms.--
(A) In general.--Each member of the Council shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.
(B) Vacancies.--Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that term until a successor has been appointed.
(6) Chairperson and vice chairperson.--The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Council shall be designated by the Secretary at the time of the appointment of the members pursuant to paragraph (4), and when a vacancy of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson occurs, as the case may be.
(d) Meeting.--
(1) Initial meeting.--The Council shall hold its initial meeting not later than 30 days after the final appointment of all members under subsection (c)(4).
(2) Meetings.--The Council shall meet not fewer than 3 times each year at the call of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson.
(3) Quorum.--Sixteen members of the Council, of whom 8 members shall be appointed from governmental positions and 8 members shall be appointed from non-governmental positions, shall constitute a quorum.
(e) Compensation.--
(1) Prohibition of compensation.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), members of the Council may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Council.
(2) Travel expenses.--Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(f) Administrative Support Services.--Upon the request of the Council, the Secretary shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Council to carry out its responsibilities under this Act.
(g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Council holds its initial meeting under subsection
(d) and annually thereafter, the Council shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing a detailed statement of the advice and recommendations of the Council pursuant to subsection (b).
(h) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.
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By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Brown, Mr.
Grassley, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Carper, Mr. Lankford, Mr.
Casey, Mr. Perdue, Ms. Hassan, Mrs. Loeffler, Mr. Cardin, Ms.
Ernst, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Daines, Mr. King, Mr. Cramer, Mr.
Booker, Mr. Graham, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Blumenthal,
Mr. Romney, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Warner, Mr. Reed, and Ms.
Klobuchar):
S. 4209. A bill to amend title IX of the Social Security Act to improve emergency unemployment relief for governmental entities and nonprofit organizations; considered and passed.
S. 4209
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 ``Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act of 2020''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVING EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF FOR
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 903(i)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103(i)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``during'' and inserting ``with respect to'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``3309(a)(1)'' and inserting ``3309(a)''; and
(3) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds transferred to the account of a State under subparagraph (A) shall be used exclusively to reduce the amounts required to be paid in lieu of contributions into the State unemployment fund pursuant to such section by governmental entities and other organizations described in section 3309(a) of such Code.''.
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 2103 of the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus Act (contained in subtitle A of title II of division A of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)).
(2) Application to weeks prior to enactment.--For weeks of unemployment that occurred after March 12, 2020, and prior to the date of enactment of this section, States may--
(A) issue reimbursements in accordance with section 903(i)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act, as in effect prior to the date of enactment of this section; or
(B) reduce the amounts required to be paid in accordance with such section 903(i)(1)(C), as amended by subsection (a).
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