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 RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S2094-S2097 on April 7.
The State Department is responsibly for international relations with a budget of more than $50 billion. Tenure at the State Dept. is increasingly tenuous and it's seen as an extension of the President's will, ambitions and flaws.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Booker):
S. 4025. A bill to require additional disclosures with respect to nominees to serve as chiefs of missions, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, the United States places special trust and confidence in the integrity, judgement, and abilities of those men and women chosen to represent the United States abroad as an Ambassador. The Constitution balances the President's need to have officials overseas able to execute U.S. foreign policy as directed by the President, with Congress' interest in ensuring that these officials will serve honorably and ably in the positions for which they are nominated. Apart from the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the Ambassador nomination process has changed very little since our Nation was founded. However, it is fair to say that Presidents of all parties have on occasion appointed individuals Ambassadors whose profiles indicate political closeness with the President more than deep substantive experience in a particular foreign country.
Historically, the majority of Ambassadors are selected from the career ranks of the State Department. Roughly 30 percent of Ambassadors are typically selected outside of those ranks, including from among political supporters of the President. This is not categorically problematic--Ambassadors who are not professional diplomats have long served our country admirably, from Benjamin Franklin in France to former Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield in Japan. A foreign country may benefit from having a U.S. Ambassador who has a close relationship with the President and the ability to elevate issues to the highest levels or the independent gravitas to bring substantial public attention to that country's needs. That said, I do believe it is appropriate to ask Presidents and their Secretaries of State to explain their rationale for choosing Ambassador nominees outside of the Foreign and Civil Services so that the public can understand the rationale for these appointments. This would give both the U.S. public and foreign publics the assurance that the White House is not merely doling out political sinecures but is devoting meaningful thought to these selections.
The legislation I am introducing today with Senator Booker would not constrain the President's discretion to choose appointees but would require him or her to justify these selections and explain to Congress why someone from outside the State Department is the optimal choice to represent America's interests abroad. I am proud to introduce this bill to ensure that U.S. foreign policy and our national security interests are advanced by the most qualified Americans, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that this legislation is swiftly considered by the Senate.
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By Mr. THUNE (for himself, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Cardin):
S. 4039. A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide guidance to States regarding Federal reimbursement for furnishing behavioral health services and treatment under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program using telehealth services, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
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. 4039
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 ``Medicaid Ensuring Necessary Telehealth is Available Long-term Health for Kids and Underserved Act'' or the ``MENTAL Health for Kids and Underserved Act''.
SEC. 2. GUIDANCE TO STATES ON FURNISHING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
SERVICES VIA TELEHEALTH UNDER MEDICAID AND
CHIP.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall issue guidance to States on the following:
(1) State options for Federal reimbursement of expenditures under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for furnishing clinically appropriate services and treatment for behavioral health needs, including assessment, counseling, and medication management, using telehealth services. Such options shall include, to the extent appropriate, options for States to receive Federal reimbursement for such expenditures without the need for approval of a State plan amendment or waiver. Such guidance shall also include guidance on furnishing services and treatments that address the needs of high-risk individuals, including racial and ethnic minorities, such as American Indians and Alaska Natives.
(2) State options for Federal reimbursement of expenditures under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program for furnishing clinically appropriate behavioral health services and treatment to school-aged youth and teens enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program using telehealth services. Such options shall include, to the extent appropriate, options for States to receive Federal reimbursement for such expenditures without the need for approval of a State plan amendment or waiver.
(3) Best practices for integrating clinically appropriate behavioral health provided via telehealth services covered by a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such a plan) or a State plan for child health assistance under title XXI of such Act
(or a waiver of such a plan) into school-based settings, including full-service community schools. Such best practices shall include resources and information specifically for educators and other school-based staff on how to recognize signs of distress in high-risk students and make appropriate referrals for school-based behavioral health services.
(4) Best practices for evaluating how utilizing clinically appropriate telehealth services for behavioral health services and treatment affects outcomes, as well as costs.
(5) Best practices for monitoring fraud, waste, and abuse that may occur during behavioral health services furnished through telehealth services covered under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
UNDER MEDICAID AND CHIP.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report on the impact of telehealth on access, cost, and quality of behavioral health services offered to beneficiaries under the Medicaid program and the Children's Health Insurance Program, including specific information on the impact of telehealth on access to and the quality of behavioral health services in schools.
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By Mr. REED (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse):
S. 4040. A bill to amend subtitle IV of title 46, United States Code, with respect to ship agents, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Ship Agent Licensure Act along with my colleague Senator Whitehouse. This legislation seeks to improve supply chain efficiencies and port safety and security by creating a Federal standard and licensure for independent ship agent companies, just as we already do for transportation intermediaries like Freight Forwarders and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, NVOCCs.
Ship agents are one of the most important yet least understood stakeholders in the international marine trade supply chain, but in the United States, there is no Federal licensing for these essential players.
A ship agent can best be understood as the general contractor of the port call, tasked by ship owners and charterers with managing thousands of vendors to ensure a safe, secure, and cost efficient port call. This includes coordinating critical Federal Government clearances and inspections for Agencies that include the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, the EPA, USDA, and others. Government officials rely on ship agents to fulfill their critical role of facilitating commerce, and protecting life, property, and the environment. More than any other stakeholder, the ship agent facilitates efficiencies at the Nation's ports of entry, the frontline of the supply chain.
While the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has established minimum international standards for ship agent competency, quality, and fiduciary responsibility, there is no requirement for independent ship agent companies to abide by these, or any set of standards in the United States. Many domestic independent ship agent companies voluntarily certify through third-party accreditation associations in accordance with these international standards, but not all do. When ship agents are not properly trained and do not carry the appropriate bond and insurance, it creates delays and inefficiencies during vessel calls, jeopardizes port entry and clearance, and increases risk for Federal Agencies.
That is why it is critical to require Federal licensing for independent ship agent companies. Indeed, such a licensing requirement represents a unique opportunity for the United States to adopt its own uniform nationwide standards, consistent with the existing international standards, to ensure that ship agents have the knowledge, experience, and skills needed to manage these high stakes vessel calls and help our government agencies fulfill their responsibilities.
I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this commonsense legislation.
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By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Merkley):
S. 4041. A bill to promote environmental literacy; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, I am introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation with Senator Collins and Senator Merkley and Congressman Sarbanes that targets the fundamental goal of public education, which is to equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and experiences to understand the world around them and their ability to shape it. In the face of a global climate crisis, it is essential that all students graduate with environmental literacy skills to secure and sustain their future. The No Child Left Inside Act will ensure that our students will have the opportunity to develop environmental literacy.
Environmental education provides broad benefits. It has been shown to enhance student achievement in science and other core subjects and to increase student engagement and critical thinking skills. Moreover, it promotes healthy lifestyles by encouraging kids to get outside.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how vital understanding the environment is to our own health, well-being, and ability to carry out our daily activities. As the pandemic took hold, Rhode Island's environmental educators sprung into action, creating outdoor learning support opportunities and virtual programs for students as they did school from home. We need this to work on a national level for all students.
The No Child Left Inside Act authorizes $150 million annually to supports States in the development and implementation of environmental literacy plans to integrate environmental education and field experiences into the core academic program in public schools, with an emphasis on professional development in environmental education for teachers. With this funding, States will provide grants for partnerships between school districts and parks, natural resource management agencies, educator preparation programs, museums or other organizations with expertise in engaging young people with real world examples of environmental and scientific concepts. The legislation also establishes a pilot program for outdoor school education programs that offer intensive, hands-on learning experiences, such as residential programs and summer camps.
The No Child Left Inside Act will also help coordinate the Federal efforts on environmental education. It requires the Secretary of Education to establish environmental literacy advisory panel to coordinate and report on environmental literacy activities across Federal Agencies. It also will prove easy access to environmental education resources through the Department of Education's website.
The No Child Left Inside Act has the support of nearly 100 organizations, representing educators, parks, museums, environmental organizations, and community-based organizations at the national, State, and local levels. They stand ready and willing to partner with schools across the Nation. The Federal Government should be a partner too. That is why I urge my colleagues to join me in cosponsoring the No Child Left Inside Act.
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By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr.
Merkley):
S. 4060. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for inflation rebates, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Food and Fuel Family Savings Act, FFFSA, along with Senator Whitehouse, Senator Feinstein, and Senator Merkley. Price increases, particularly for basic necessities like food and gas, are weakening household buying power and cutting family budgets across the country. Americans are struggling, and it is critically important that we both address the long-term factors driving inflation and support the millions of families facing higher prices right now. That is why we are introducing this legislation, which would provide eligible individuals and families with debit cards to cover higher food and fuel prices in the short term and help tame inflation in the medium and long term.
A number of factors are driving our current bout of inflation. Pandemic-driven supply chain snarls, a surge and shift in demand towards goods, and corporate consolidation have created an imbalance between supply and demand. Energy prices have risen particularly quickly, as OPEC limits output and oil companies refuse to invest in domestic production to meet growing demand. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also decreased global oil, fertilizer, and wheat supplies, moving prices higher for food and energy. These wide-ranging pressures pushed the Consumer Price Index up 7.9 percent in February--its fastest increase in 40 years.
Hard-working Americans are not at fault for these global price pressures. Yet, these households, which often put a large share of their income towards basic necessities, are being forced to bear the burden of higher costs. Indeed, U.S. grocery prices rose 8.6 percent in February, the largest annual increase in over 40 years, and U.S. gas prices were up a whopping 38 percent. While the wealthiest Americans can afford more expensive everyday goods, higher prices erode working families' buying power and can force them to delay or reduce critically needed purchases. We need to help them.
Our bill would take the burden off the shoulders of working Americans by providing targeted relief to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. It would provide eligible households with debit cards loaded with $600 per family member that work exclusively at grocery stores and gas pumps. The average American household would receive
$1,500. Using estimates from Bloomberg economists, this payment should cover the additional $183 the average family will spend each month on food and fuel for the rest of 2022. In other words, our legislation would ensure households can put food on the table and gas in the car this year.
Importantly, this fiscally responsible legislation is fully paid for. In fact, offsets would pay for the cost of the debit cards and slash the deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars. More than that, it would tamp down inflation in the medium and long term. Indeed, this bill would help families weather today's inflation while cooling price increases in the years ahead.
Congress must continue working on other measures to foster a stronger, more resilient postpandemic economy. Our legislation would aid these long-term efforts while providing Americans the financial help they need right now.
I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this important legislation.
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By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr.
Heinrich, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Murphy, and Ms.
Rosen):
S. 4068. A bill to promote and support collaboration between Hispanic-serving institutions and local educational agencies with high enrollments of Hispanic or Latino students, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act of 2022, which I introduced today.
Hispanic-serving institutions provide incredible opportunities for millions of low-income and first-generation students. I am proud that my State of California is home to 174 HSls and 51 emerging HSls, the most in the country. That is why I launched the first-ever Senate HSI Caucus with my colleague, Senator Menendez--to spotlight and advocate for the 559 HSIs across our country. These critical institutions educate our future leaders and help to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Over the last 2 years, the number of HSls in our country declined for the first time in two decades. A decrease in higher education enrollment among Latino students during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the decrease in the number of HSls, illustrating the need to invest in Latino youth. That is why I am introducing the HERE Act.
If enacted, this bill would support Latino students throughout secondary and postsecondary education. Specifically, the HERE Act would provide $150 million for grants to create partnerships between HSls and K-12 school districts that serve large populations of Latino students.
Schools could use this funding to provide academic support that better prepares students for postsecondary education. They could create new programs to foster a college-going culture by exposing students and their families to postsecondary opportunities. And they could better support students through the college application and transition process. Additionally, schools could use grants to address non-academic needs that serve as barriers to college enrollment and completion--such as childcare, food insecurity, financial hardship, and more.
Latinos are the largest, youngest, and second fastest growing minority population in the United States. While making up 18 percent of our country's population, Latinos comprise 26 percent of prekindergarten through grade 12 enrollment. Latino students are going to college more than ever before, but they still face lower educational outcomes, including lower grades, lower scores on standardized tests, and higher dropout rates.
As a Senator representing one of the most diverse States in the country, I am proud to work with my leagues to ensure the American dream is a reality for every student.
I want to thank Congressman Joaquin Castro for introducing this bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in support of this effort to empower Latino youth.
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