House Record, July 29, 2020 — Congressional Record
Summary
Page H3897 of the House section of the Congressional Record for July 29, 2020. Debate on a rule urges Members to support the rule and the underlying legislation, and says Congress should continue to provide leadership. The page prints the text of a bill with appropriations, including under the Department of Health and Human Services an additional amount of $50,000,000,000 for Payments to States for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, available until September 30, 2021, for the Child Care Stabilization Fund grants program. Lowey calls up the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act pursuant to House Resolution 1053.
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“House Record, July 29, 2020 — Congressional Record.”
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3897
the other side will not accept. Unfortu- get annual and emergency funding H.R. 7027
nately, that is what is being done here. moving to help put people back to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
So I regret that. I hope my friends at work, to reinvigorate our public health resentatives of the United States of America in
some point will decide to come back system, to rebuild our aging roads and Congress assembled,
and bargain. I suspect they will. They bridges, and to put an important check The following sums in this Act are appro-
usually do. But we are wasting pre- priated, out of any money in the Treasury not
on this administration. This rule also otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year end-
cious time now. We could have com- is about whether we should debate hun- ing September 30, 2020, and for other purposes,
pleted all these bills. dreds and hundreds of amendments namely:
Frankly, I will chastise the Senate from Democrats and Republicans. TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
here, too, because they are not moving Mr. Speaker, this is ultimately about HUMAN SERVICES
very fast on the basic necessity of whether we fulfill one of our most fun- ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
these bills. They have a tougher proc- damental responsibilities. I urge all of PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR THE CHILD CARE AND
ess. They can’t just get a majority and my colleagues to come together in sup- DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
ram things through the way my friends port of this rule and the underlying
have the ability to do when they are in For an additional amount for ‘‘Payments to
legislation. Let’s ensure this Congress States for the Child Care and Development
the majority and we have the ability to continues to provide the leadership the Block Grant’’, $50,000,000,000, to remain avail-
do when we are in the majority. It is a American people are demanding. able until September 30, 2021, for necessary ex-
little bit different in the Senate of the The material previously preferred to penses to carry out the Child Care Stabilization
United States. I recognize that. by Mr. COLE is as follows: Fund grants program, as authorized by section
But we should make a contribution. 1 of this Act: Provided, That such funds shall be
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE RESOLUTION 1067
We should have stuck to our agree- available without regard to the requirements in
ment. We need emergency spending, At the end of the resolution, add the fol- subparagraphs (C) through (E) of section
lowing: 658E(c)(3) or section 658G of the Child Care and
which I think we do. That should come
SEC. 6. Immediately upon adoption of this Development Block Grant Act: Provided further,
outside the confines of this legislation resolution, the House shall proceed to the That funds appropriated under this heading in
in standalone, emergency legislation consideration in the House of the bill (S. 939) this Act may be made available to restore
agreed to by both sides negotiating in to establish limitations regarding Confucius amounts, either directly or through reimburse-
good faith. We have done that four Institutes, and for other purposes. All points ment, for obligations incurred prior to the date
times this year already. We are pretty of order against consideration of the bill are of enactment of this Act for the purposes pro-
good at it. If we would do it again for waived. The bill shall be considered as read. vided herein: Provided further, That such
a fifth—and they are trying to do it All points of order against provisions in the amount is designated by the Congress as being
now in the Senate—then I think we bill are waived. The previous question shall for an emergency requirement pursuant to sec-
be considered as ordered on the bill and on tion 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
could deal with those other items that any amendment thereto to final passage
are in these bills that, quite frankly, Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and shall
without intervening motion except: (1) one be available only if the President subsequently
belong in a standalone supplemental hour of debate equally divided and controlled so designates such amount and transmits such
dealing with coronavirus. by the chair and ranking minority member designation to the Congress.
So, with that, I want to thank my of the Committee on Education and Labor; CHILD CARE STABILIZATION FUND
friend for the time, and I want to and (2) one motion to commit.
SEC. 1. (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
thank him for the debate. As always, I SEC. 7. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not
(1) CCDBG TERMS.—The terms ‘‘eligible child
look forward to working with him; but, apply to the consideration of S. 939.
care provider’’, ‘‘Indian tribe’’, ‘‘lead agency’’,
for the moment, I urge the rejection of Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield ‘‘tribal organization’’, ‘‘Secretary’’, and ‘‘State’’
the rule and urge the rejection of the back the balance of my time, and I have the meanings given the terms in section
underlying legislation. move the previous question on the res- 658P of the Child Care and Development Block
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance olution. Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n) except as
of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The otherwise provided in this section.
Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I yield (2) COVID–19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.—
question is on ordering the previous The term ‘‘COVID–19 public health emergency’’
myself the balance of my time. question. means the public health emergency declared by
Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thank- The question was taken; and the the Secretary of Health and Human Services
ing the Rules Committee staff and Speaker pro tempore announced that under section 319 of the Public Health Service
members for all of their incredible the ayes appeared to have it. Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) on January 31, 2020, with
work during the last few weeks. We Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, on that I de- respect to COVID–19, including any renewal of
have processed thousands of amend- mand the yeas and nays. the declaration.
ments. We have had hours and hours (b) GRANTS.—From the amounts appropriated
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
and hours of hearings. We have listened to carry out this section and under the author-
ant to section 3 of House Resolution ity of section 658O of the Child Care and Devel-
to countless Members testify, and we 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. opment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
were able to get through it all. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- 9858m) and this section, the Secretary shall
But, again, I want people to appre- ther proceedings on this question are award child care stabilization grants to the lead
ciate especially the work of the staff. I postponed. agency of each State (as defined in that section
say that in a bipartisan way that the 658O), territory described in subsection (a)(1) of
Democratic staff and the Republican f such section, Indian tribe, and tribal organiza-
staff of the Rules Committee worked CHILD CARE IS ESSENTIAL ACT tion from allotments and payments made under
incredibly hard. I don’t think most subsection (c)(2), not later than 30 days after
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, pursu- the date of enactment of this Act.
people even know it, but they ought to
ant to House Resolution 1053, I call up (c) SECRETARIAL RESERVATION AND ALLOT-
know it because this is a lot of work.
I say to the gentleman from Okla- the bill (H.R. 7027) making additional MENTS.—
supplemental appropriations for dis- (1) RESERVATION.—The Secretary shall reserve
homa who is my friend, we don’t al- not more than 1 percent of the funds appro-
ways agree on everything, but I am aster relief requirements for the fiscal
priated to carry out this section for the Federal
very fortunate to have him as a rank- year ending September 30, 2020, and for
administration of grants described in subsection
ing member because I think he respects other purposes, and ask for its imme- (b).
this institution and he fights very hard diate consideration in the House. (2) ALLOTMENTS.—The Secretary shall use the
for his beliefs. I fight hard for my be- The Clerk read the title of the bill. remainder of the funds appropriated to carry
liefs. But even when we disagree, it is The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. out this section to award allotments to States, as
MCGOVERN). Pursuant to House Resolu- defined in section 658O of the Child Care Devel-
not in a personal way. We can disagree opment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
without being disagreeable, and I ap- tion 1053, an amendment in the nature
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of a substitute consisting of the text of 9858m), and payments to territories, Indian
preciate him for that, and my other tribes, and tribal organizations in accordance
colleagues as well. Rules Committee Print 116–58 is adopt-
with paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a),
ed and the bill, as amended, is consid- and subsection (b), of section 658O of the Child
b 1115 ered read. Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990
Mr. Speaker, this rule is about mov- The text of the bill, as amended, is as (42 U.S.C. 9858m).
ing forward to consider a measure to follows: (d) STATE RESERVATIONS AND SUBGRANTS.—
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H3898 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
(1) RESERVATION.—A lead agency for a State the implementation of new practices related to (bb) children enrolled as of March 1, 2020, will
that receives a child care stabilization grant sanitization, group size limits, and social maintain their slots, unless their families choose
pursuant to subsection (b) shall reserve not more distancing; to disenroll the children;
than 10 percent of such grant funds— (iii) be adjusted for payments or reimburse- (cc) for the duration of the provider’s closure
(A) to administer subgrants made to qualified ments made to an eligible child care provider to due to the COVID–19 public health emergency,
child care providers under paragraph (2), in- carry out the Child Care and Development the provider will provide relief from copayments
cluding to carry out data systems building and Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and tuition payments for the families enrolled in
other activities that enable the disbursement of or the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); the provider’s program and prioritize such relief
payments of such subgrants; and for families struggling to make either type of
(B) to provide technical assistance and sup- (iv) be adjusted for payments or reimburse- payments; and
port in applying for and accessing the subgrant ments made to an eligible child care provider (dd) the provider will resume operations when
opportunity under paragraph (2), to eligible through the Paycheck Protection Program set the provider is able to safely implement policies
child care providers (including to family child forth in section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business in line with guidance from the Centers for Dis-
care providers, group home child care providers, Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36)), as added by section ease Control and Prevention and the cor-
and other non-center-based child care providers 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Eco- responding State and local authorities, and in
and providers with limited administrative capac- nomic Security Act (Public Law 116–136). accordance with State and local orders;
ity), either directly or through resource and re- (D) APPLICATION.— (IV) information about the child care pro-
ferral agencies or staffed family child care net- (i) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a vider’s—
works; subgrant under this paragraph, a child care (aa) program characteristics sufficient to
(C) to publicize the availability of subgrants provider shall submit an application to a lead allow the lead agency to establish the child care
under this section and conduct widespread out- agency at such time and in such manner as the provider’s priority status, as described in sub-
reach to eligible child care providers, including lead agency may require. Such application shall paragraph (F);
family child care providers, group home child include— (bb) program operational status on the date of
care providers, and other non-center-based child (I) a good-faith certification that the ongoing submission of the application;
care providers and providers with limited ad- operations of the child care provider have been (cc) type of program, including whether the
ministrative capacity, either directly or through impacted as a result of the COVID–19 public program is a center-based child care, family
resource and referral agencies or staffed family health emergency; child care, group home child care, or other non-
child care networks, to ensure eligible child care (II) for a provider described in subparagraph center-based child care type program;
providers are aware of the subgrants available (dd) total enrollment on the date of submis-
(B)(ii)(I), an assurance that, for the duration of
under this section; sion of the application and total capacity as al-
the COVID–19 public health emergency—
(D) to carry out the reporting requirements lowed by the State; and
(aa) the provider will give priority for avail-
described in subsection (f); and (ee) receipt of assistance, and amount of as-
able slots (including slots that are only tempo-
(E) to carry out activities to improve the sup- sistance, through a payment or reimbursement
rarily available) to—
ply and qualify of child care during and after described in subparagraph (C)(iv), and the time
(AA) children of essential workers (such as
the COVID–19 public health emergency, such as period for which the assistance was made;
health care sector employees, emergency re-
conducting community needs assessments, car- (V) information necessary to determine the
sponders, sanitation workers, farmworkers,
rying out child care cost modeling, making im- amount of the subgrant, such as information
child care employees, and other workers deter-
provements to child care facilities, increasing about the provider’s stated average operating
mined to be essential during the response to
access to licensure or participation in the State’s expenses over the period before March 1, 2020,
coronavirus by public officials), children of
tiered quality rating system, and carrying out described in subparagraph (C)(i); and
workers whose places of employment require (VI) such other limited information as the
other activities described in section 658G(b) of their attendance, children experiencing home-
the Child Care and Development Block Grant lead agency shall determine to be necessary to
lessness, children with disabilities, children at make subgrants to qualified child care pro-
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858e(b)), to the extent risk of child abuse or neglect, and children in
that the lead agency can carry out activities de- viders.
foster care, in States where stay-at-home or re- (ii) FREQUENCY.—The lead agency shall ac-
scribed in this subparagraph without preventing lated orders are in effect; or
the lead agency from fully conducting the ac- cept and process applications submitted under
(BB) children of workers whose places of em- this subparagraph on a rolling basis.
tivities described in subparagraphs (A) through
ployment require their attendance, children ex- (iii) UPDATES.—The lead agency shall—
(D).
periencing homelessness, children with disabil- (I) at least once a month, verify by obtaining
(2) SUBGRANTS TO QUALIFIED CHILD CARE PRO-
ities, children at risk of child abuse or neglect, a self-attestation from each qualified child care
VIDERS.—
children in foster care, and children whose par- provider that received such a subgrant from the
(A) IN GENERAL.—The lead agency shall use
ents are in school or a training program, in agency, whether the provider is open and avail-
the remainder of the grant funds awarded pur-
States where stay-at-home or related orders are able to provide child care services or is closed
suant to subsection (b) to make subgrants to
not in effect; due to the COVID–19 public health emergency;
qualified child care providers described in sub-
(bb) the provider will implement policies in (II) allow the qualified child care provider to
paragraph (B), to support the stability of the
line with guidance from the Centers for Disease update the information provided in a prior ap-
child care sector during and after the COVID–
Control and Prevention and the corresponding plication; and
19 public health emergency. The lead agency
State and local authorities, and in accordance (III) adjust the qualified child care provider’s
shall provide the subgrant funds in advance of
with State and local orders, for child care pro- subgrant award as necessary, based on changes
provider expenditures for costs described in sub-
viders that remain open, including guidance on to the application information, including
section (e), except as provided in subsection
sanitization practices, group size limits, and so- changes to the provider’s operational status.
(e)(2).
(B) QUALIFIED CHILD CARE PROVIDER.—To be cial distancing; (iv) EXISTING APPLICATIONS.—If a lead agency
qualified to receive a subgrant under this para- (cc) for each employee, the provider will pay has established and implemented a grant pro-
graph, a provider shall be an eligible child care the full compensation described in subsection gram for child care providers that is in effect on
provider that— (e)(1)(C), including any benefits, that was pro- the date of enactment of this Act, and an eligi-
(i) was providing child care services on or be- vided to the employee as of March 1, 2020 (re- ble child care provider has already submitted an
fore March 1, 2020; and ferred to in this clause as ‘‘full compensation’’), application for such a grant to the lead agency
(ii) on the date of submission of an applica- and will not take any action that reduces the containing the information specified in clause
tion for the subgrant, was either— weekly amount of the employee’s compensation (i), the lead agency shall treat that application
(I) open and available to provide child care below the weekly amount of full compensation, as an application submitted under this subpara-
services; or or that reduces the employee’s rate of compensa- graph. If an eligible child care provider has al-
(II) closed due to the COVID–19 public health tion below the rate of full compensation; and ready submitted such an application containing
emergency. (dd) the provider will provide relief from co- part of the information specified in clause (i),
(C) SUBGRANT AMOUNT.—The lead agency payments and tuition payments for the families the provider may submit to the lead agency an
shall make subgrants, from amounts awarded enrolled in the provider’s program and prioritize abbreviated application that contains the re-
pursuant to subsection (b), to qualified child such relief for families struggling to make either maining information, and the lead agency shall
care providers, and the amount of such a type of payments; treat the 2 applications as an application sub-
subgrant to such a provider shall— (III) for a provider described in subparagraph mitted under this subparagraph.
(i) be based on the provider’s stated average (B)(ii)(II), an assurance that— (E) MATERIALS.—
operating expenses during the period (of not (aa) for the duration of the provider’s closure (i) IN GENERAL.—The lead agency shall pro-
longer than 6 months) before March 1, 2020 and due to the COVID–19 public health emergency, vide the materials and other resources related to
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at minimum cover such operating expenses for for each employee, the provider will pay full such subgrants, including a notification of
the intended length of the subgrant; compensation, and will not take any action that subgrant opportunities and application mate-
(ii) account for increased costs of providing or reduces the weekly amount of the employee’s rials, to qualified child care providers in the
preparing to provide child care as a result of the compensation below the weekly amount of full most commonly spoken languages in the State.
COVID–19 public health emergency, such as compensation, or that reduces the employee’s (ii) APPLICATION.—The application shall be
provider and employee compensation and exist- rate of compensation below the rate of full com- accessible on the website of the lead agency
ing benefits (existing as of March 1, 2020) and pensation; within 30 days after the lead agency receives
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3899
grant funds awarded pursuant to subsection (b) burse the provider for sums obligated or ex- care, family child care, group home child care,
and shall be accessible to all eligible child care pended before the date of enactment of this Act or other non-center-based child care provider);
providers, including family child care providers, for the cost of a good or service described in (E) the percentages of the child care providers
group home child care providers, and other non- paragraph (1) to respond to the COVID–19 pub- that received such a subgrant, that, on or before
center-based child care providers and providers lic health emergency. March 1, 2020—
with limited administrative capacity. (f) REPORTING.— (i) provided child care during nontraditional
(F) PRIORITY.—In making subgrants under (1) INITIAL REPORT.—A lead agency receiving hours;
this section, the lead agency shall give priority a grant under this section shall, within 60 days (ii) served dual language learners, children
to qualified child care providers that, prior to or after making the agency’s first subgrant under with disabilities, children experiencing home-
on March 1, 2020— subsection (d)(2) to a qualified child care pro- lessness, children in foster care, children from
(i) provided child care during nontraditional vider, submit a report to the Secretary that in- low-income families, or infants and toddlers;
hours; cludes— (iii) served a high proportion of children
(ii) served dual language learners, children (A) data on qualified child care providers that whose families received subsidies under the
with disabilities, children experiencing home- applied for subgrants and qualified child care Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of
lessness, children in foster care, children from providers that received such subgrants, includ- 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) for the child care;
low-income families, or infants and toddlers; ing— and
(iii) served a high proportion of children (i) the number of such applicants and the (iv) operated in communities, including rural
whose families received subsidies under the number of such recipients; communities, with a low supply of child care;
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of (ii) the number and proportion of such appli- (F) the number of children served by the child
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) for the child care; or cants and recipients that received priority and care providers that received such a subgrant, for
(iv) operated in communities, including rural the characteristic or characteristics of such ap- the duration of the subgrant;
communities, with a low supply of child care. plicants and recipients associated with the pri- (G) the percentages, of the child care pro-
(G) PROVIDERS RECEIVING OTHER ASSIST- ority; viders that received such a subgrant, that are—
ANCE.—The lead agency, in determining wheth- (iii) the number and proportion of such appli- (i) center-based child care providers;
er a provider is a qualified child care provider, (ii) family child care providers;
cants and recipients that are—
shall not take into consideration receipt of a (iii) group home child care providers; or
(I) center-based child care providers;
payment or reimbursement described in subpara- (iv) other non-center-based child care pro-
(II) family child care providers;
graph (C)(iii) or subparagraph (C)(iv). viders;
(III) group home child care providers; or (H) the percentages, of the child care pro-
(H) AWARDS.—The lead agency shall equitably (IV) other non-center-based child care pro-
make subgrants under this paragraph to center- viders listed in subparagraph (G) that are, on
viders; and
based child care providers, family child care the date of submission of the application—
(iv) within each of the groups listed in clause (i) open and available to provide child care
providers, group home child care providers, and (iii), the number of such applicants and recipi- services; or
other non-center-based child care providers, ents that are, on the date of submission of the (ii) closed due to the COVID–19 public health
such that qualified child care providers are able application— emergency;
to access the subgrant opportunity under this (I) open and available to provide child care (I) information about how child care providers
paragraph regardless of the providers’ setting, services; or used the funds received under such a subgrant;
size, or administrative capacity. (II) closed due to the COVID–19 public health (J) information about how the lead agency
(I) OBLIGATION.—The lead agency shall obli- emergency; used funds reserved under subsection (d)(1); and
gate at least 50 percent of funds available to (B) the total capacity of child care providers (K) information about how the subgrants
carry out this section for subgrants described in that are licensed, regulated, or registered in the helped to stabilize the child care sector.
this paragraph, by December 31, 2020. State on the date of the submission of the re- (4) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—
(e) USES OF FUNDS.— port; (A) FINDINGS FROM INITIAL REPORTS.—Not
(1) IN GENERAL.—A qualified child care pro- (C) a description of— later than 60 days after receiving all reports re-
vider that receives funds through such a (i) the efforts of the lead agency to publicize quired to be submitted under paragraph (1), the
subgrant may use the funds for the costs of— the availability of subgrants under this section Secretary shall provide a report to the Com-
(A) payroll; and conduct widespread outreach to eligible mittee on Education and Labor of the House of
(B) employee benefits, including group health child care providers about such subgrants, in- Representatives, to the Committee on Health,
plan benefits during periods of paid sick, med- cluding efforts to make materials available in Education, Labor and Pensions of the Senate,
ical, or family leave, and insurance premiums; languages other than English; and to the Committees on Appropriations of the
(C) employee salaries or similar compensation,
(ii) the lead agency’s methodology for deter- House of Representatives and the Senate, sum-
including any income or other compensation to
mining amounts of subgrants under subsection marizing the findings from the reports received
a sole proprietor or independent contractor that
(d)(2); under paragraph (1).
is a wage, commission, income, net earnings (iii) the lead agency’s timeline for disbursing (B) FINDINGS FROM FINAL REPORTS.—Not later
from self-employment, or similar compensation; the subgrant funds; and than 36 months after the date of enactment of
(D) payment on any mortgage obligation;
(iv) the lead agency’s plan for ensuring that this Act, the Secretary shall provide a report to
(E) rent (including rent under a lease agree-
qualified child care providers that receive fund- the Committee on Education and Labor of the
ment);
(F) utilities; ing through such a subgrant comply with assur- House of Representatives, to the Committee on
(G) insurance; ances described in subsection (d)(2)(D) and use Health, Education, Labor and Pensions of the
(H) providing premium pay for child care pro- funds in compliance with subsection (e); and Senate, and to the Committees on Appropria-
viders and other employees who provide services (D) such other limited information as the Sec- tions of the House of Representatives and the
during the COVID–19 public health emergency; retary may require. Senate, summarizing the findings from the re-
(I) sanitization and other costs associated (2) QUARTERLY REPORT.—The lead agency ports received under paragraph (3).
with cleaning; shall, following the submission of such initial (g) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Amounts
(J) personal protective equipment and other report, submit to the Secretary a report that made available to carry out this section shall be
equipment necessary to carry out the functions contains the information described in subpara- used to supplement and not supplant other Fed-
of the child care provider; graphs (A), (B), and (D) of paragraph (1) once eral, State, and local public funds expended to
(K) training and professional development re- a quarter until all funds allotted for activities provide child care services for eligible individ-
lated to health and safety practices, including authorized under this section are expended. uals, including funds provided under the Child
the proper implementation of policies in line (3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 60 days Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990
with guidance from the Centers for Disease Con- after a lead agency receiving a grant under this (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) and State child care pro-
trol and Prevention and the corresponding State section has obligated all of the grant funds (in- grams.
and local authorities, and in accordance with cluding funds received under subsection (h)), (h) REALLOTMENT OF UNOBLIGATED FUNDS.—
State and local orders; the lead agency shall submit a report to the Sec- (1) UNOBLIGATED FUNDS.—A State, Indian
(L) modifications to child care services as a re- retary, in such manner as the Secretary may re- tribe, or tribal organization shall return to the
sult of the COVID–19 public health emergency, quire, that includes— Secretary any grant funds received under this
such as limiting group sizes, adjusting staff-to- (A) the total number of eligible child care pro- section that the State, Indian tribe, or tribal or-
child ratios, and implementing other heightened viders who were providing child care services on ganization does not obligate by September 30,
health and safety measures; or before March 1, 2020, in the State and the 2021.
(M) mental health supports for children and number of such providers that submitted an ap- (2) REALLOTMENT.—The Secretary shall award
employees; and plication under subsection (d)(2)(D); new allotments and payments, in accordance
(N) other goods and services necessary to (B) the number of qualified child care pro- with subsection (c)(2), to covered States, Indian
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
maintain or resume operation of the child care viders in the State that received funds through tribes, or tribal organizations from funds that
program, or to maintain the viability of the the grant; are returned under paragraph (1) within 60
child care provider as a going concern during (C) the lead agency’s methodology for deter- days of receiving such funds. Funds made avail-
and after the COVID–19 public health emer- mining amounts of subgrants under subsection able through the new allotments and payments
gency. (d)(2); shall remain available to each covered State, In-
(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—The qualified child care (D) the average and range of the subgrant dian tribe, or tribal organization until Sep-
provider may use the subgrant funds to reim- amounts by provider type (center-based child tember 30, 2022.
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H3900 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
(3) COVERED STATE, INDIAN TRIBE, OR TRIBAL sis for many workers and companies We need to save the childcare indus-
ORGANIZATION.—For purposes of paragraph (2), that is hindering the economic recov- try. It is a matter of values, of right
a covered State, Indian tribe, or tribal organiza- ery, disproportionately harming and wrong, and it is a matter of the
tion is a State, Indian tribe, or tribal organiza-
women and threatening to leave deep values of who we believe needs to be
tion that received an allotment or payment
under this section and was not required to re- scars for years to come.’’ protected: Our children? Our families?
turn grant funds under paragraph (1). The Labor, Health and Human Serv- Or special interests?
(i) EXCEPTIONS.—The Child Care and Devel- ices and Education Appropriations It is a matter of economic security
opment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 Subcommittee has been central to our for women and families, and lack of
et seq.), excluding requirements in subpara- response to this pandemic and has pro- childcare has been cited as a reason
graphs (C) through (E) of section 658E(c)(3), vided much-needed funding to deal why women are still highly reflected in
section 658G, and section 658J(c) of such Act (42 with the crisis—providing $3.5 billion the unemployment rolls.
U.S.C. 9858c(c)(3), 9858e, 9858h(c)), shall apply Small businesses are concerned. One
for childcare in the CARES Act, and $7
to child care services provided under this section half of all essential workers in this
to the extent the application of such Act does billion in the House-passed HEROES
not conflict with the provisions of this section. Act. country are women. Who are the essen-
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require But, to be frank, $7 billion in the HE- tial workers? Grocery store workers,
a State to submit an application, other than the ROES Act is not enough to save the public transport, cleaning and sanita-
application described in section 658E or 658O(c) childcare sector. It could take at least tion, healthcare, retail workers. They
of the Child Care and Development Block Grant $9.6 billion per month to keep current have to go to work. Where do they put
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c, 9858m(c)), to receive childcare providers in business. This is their kids?
a grant under this Act. a crisis. More than half of childcare And it is a matter of addressing ra-
(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.— cial disparities, which this virus has
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be ap- programs could close if we do not act
propriated to carry out this Act $50,000,000,000 quickly. further exposed, particularly when pro-
for fiscal year 2020. The biggest worry of the providers in viders in communities of color con-
(2) APPLICATION.—In carrying out the Child my State of Connecticut are the loss of tinue to struggle to access small busi-
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 revenue, how to pay non-payroll busi- ness loans, like those through the PPP
with funds other than the funds appropriated ness expenses, and they are concerned because of systemic discrimination in
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall cal- banking practices, the wealth gap,
that families will not return after the
culate the amounts of appropriated funds de- higher debt. We must help now.
scribed in subsections (a) and (b) of section 658O public health emergency. Affordable
childcare was a significant and a severe Mr. Speaker, to my colleagues on
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 9858m) by excluding both sides of the aisle, I say: Let us
funds appropriated under paragraph (1). issue before the pandemic and will be
SEC. 2. Each amount appropriated or made after this pandemic is over. move boldly in this historic moment
available by this Act is in addition to any This is not about going back to nor- for women, for families, for children,
amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal mal. We cannot afford to do that ei- for small businesses, for communities
year involved. ther. If we cannot make families feel of color. Let us stabilize the childcare
SEC. 3. Unless otherwise provided for by this sector. Childcare is essential. There is
Act, the additional amounts appropriated by
safe that their kids are going to be in
a safe and secure environment, we are no reopening of our economy without
this Act to appropriations accounts shall be it. So let us provide that $50 billion
available under the authorities and conditions not going to get our economy back on
applicable to such appropriations accounts for track. Parents are not going to send today.
fiscal year 2020. their children to unsafe places or they Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child Care Is my time.
have no place to send them.
Essential Act’’. Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield
Mr. Speaker, the Childcare Is Essen-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The bill, myself such time as I may consume.
tial Act creates a $50 billion childcare
as amended, shall be debatable for 1 Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposi-
stabilization fund within the existing tion of H.R. 7027. As the country navi-
hour, equally divided among and con- Childcare and Development Block
trolled by the chair and ranking minor- gates the ongoing reality of the
Grant Program. The bill provides grant coronavirus pandemic, childcare is one
ity member of the Committee on Ap- funding to childcare providers to sta-
propriations and the chair and ranking of the most important issues we have
bilize the sector and support providers to resolve. Congress must put childcare
minority member of the Committee on so that they can be safely reopening
Education and Labor. solutions in place to help working fam-
and running. ilies address their needs, but this bill
The gentlewoman from Connecticut This legislation helps childcare pro-
(Ms. DELAURO), the gentlewoman from before us is not the answer.
viders and working families by: This bill would appropriate $50 bil-
Texas (Ms. GRANGER), the gentleman Ensuring that the grants adequately
from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT), and the gen- lion for the childcare industry—more
support providers’ operating expenses
tlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. than its entire annual revenue. Overly
and funding gets to them quickly;
FOXX) each will control 15 minutes. burdensome and complicated applica-
Requires that providers continue to
The Chair recognizes the gentle- tion requirements would accompany
pay their staff;
woman from Connecticut (Ms. Providing tuition and copayment re- those funds. This means providers
DELAURO). lief for working families; would spend their time on applications
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield Promote health and safety through and reporting requirements rather
myself such time as I may consume. compliance with public health guid- than caring for the children and keep-
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in sup- ance; ing them safe. The bill creates unnec-
port of my bill to save the childcare in- Prioritize providers that serve under- essary confusion by requiring providers
dustry: The Child Care Is Essential served populations; to follow CDC guidance and that of
Act. Ensuring grants are awarded equi- their State and local governments even
Let me recognize my colleagues who tably across childcare settings; and when those requirements may conflict.
join me here this morning, especially Conducting oversight through robust The Committee on Appropriations
the Chair of the Committee on Edu- reporting requirements. has had no hearings or markups to con-
cation and Labor, Chairman BOBBY Mr. Speaker, we bailed out the air- sider this bill. There has been no input
SCOTT. lines—almost $60 billion—and we from the minority, and there is no op-
To make clear our fight and our pur- thought that that was necessary to do portunity today for amendments. Un-
pose, I quote The Washington Post for our economy. fortunately, the majority has yet again
from July 4. Corporations have received $522 bil- used this crisis as an opportunity to
The title of the piece: ‘‘Lack of lion for PPP loans, and we knew that push through partisan policy proposals
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childcare slowing recovery. Working that was important to undergird our instead of working together to address
Parents Swamped At Home. Produc- economy. the very real challenges we face. We
tivity slump pinned on school, center Hedge fund managers and real estate can and we must do better than the
closures.’’ developers got a $135 billion tax break bills we are considering today.
‘‘The childcare crunch triggered by completely unrelated to the pandemic. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
the pandemic has rapidly become a cri- We did not need that. of my time.
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3901
GENERAL LEAVE counterparts have not. They attribute are currently open and operating.
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I ask for this to the burden of childcare that Without help from the Federal Govern-
unanimous consent that all Members rests on women without access to ment, our childcare centers will have
have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- childcare services. to close, and our essential workers will
tend their remarks and include extra- b 1130 be unable to serve our communities.
neous material on the measure under That is why I urge my colleagues to
consideration. Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I re- vote for the Child Care Is Essential
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there serve the balance of my time. Act, because, with these grants to
objection to the request of the gentle- Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 childcare providers, they can stay open
woman from Connecticut? minutes to the gentlewoman from Vir- and safely operate during this pan-
There was no objection. ginia (Ms. WEXTON). demic but also play a critical part in
Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 Ms. WEXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in our Nation’s rebuilding and recovery.
minutes to the gentlewoman from New strong support today for the Child Care Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I re-
Jersey (Ms. SHERRILL). Is Essential Act. serve the balance of my time.
Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I thank As a working mom, I know that find- Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, can I in-
Chairwoman DELAURO for yielding. ing quality, affordable childcare is not quire about the amount of time re-
Mr. Speaker, I am here today not easy even under the best of cir- maining?
just as a representative of New Jersey’s cumstances, but the strain of COVID–19 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
11th District, but also as a working has pushed the childcare industry to tlewoman from Connecticut has 5 min-
mom with four children—a mom who the brink of collapse. utes remaining. The gentlewoman from
knows how important childcare is for Nearly half of all childcare providers Texas has 131⁄2 minutes remaining.
our families, our businesses, and our have closed at some point during this Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield
communities. pandemic, and those that have re- myself such time as I may consume.
opened are facing increased costs to Mr. Speaker, this is an extraordinary
I have long said it is critical to have
implement new safety measures, in- time in our Nation’s history. We are
women serving in Congress to legislate
cluding reduced capacity, intense and watching families today who are in the
on these important issues, and it has
frequent disinfecting and cleaning, and most serious economic and healthcare
been my own experience—as I try to
the purchase of PPE for providers. crises of their lives. What this pan-
ensure that my children are doing their
Without immediate financial support, demic has exposed are the serious, seri-
schoolwork while I am attending Zoom
ous inequities that exist, the racial in-
meetings, conference calls, and work- many are at risk of closing perma-
equities that exist.
ing to serve the families throughout nently.
What is becoming clear, from my col-
the 11th District—that has led me to Congress and this administration
leagues on the other side of the aisle, is
call experts to discuss the challenges must recognize there cannot be a that there are two classes of people. We
to providing safe childcare during the strong and full economic recovery have essential workers, who I pointed
pandemic. without access to quality, affordable out are the grocery workers, the tran-
It is my experience now, as I try to childcare for working families. sit workers, the sanitation people, the
piece together childcare between my This important bill will create a $50
retail workers who clock in and out
husband and my two sisters and my- billion childcare stabilization fund and
every single day and who have to be on
self, and trying to come down to Wash- invest in childcare across our country
the job, and they have been told if they
ington to vote, that informs my under- to ensure that providers have the re-
don’t show up, they don’t get paid. But
standing of what is going on across the sources they need to safely reopen. The
they have kids; they have families.
Nation. Child Care Is Essential Act would bring What is the main responsibility of a
Before the pandemic, 5 million chil- an estimated $985 million to my home parent? The pride you take in making
dren and their families relied on State of Virginia to keep childcare pro- sure that your children are safe, that
childcare. How we address this viders open and their employees on they are secure, that you are doing all
childcare crisis will have deep rever- payroll. you can for them to be able to survive.
berations throughout our economy and Parents simply cannot return to So, what is your choice? Leave your
on the health and safety of our families work if they can’t find childcare. We kid by themselves? You can’t take
and our workers. Without the proper are facing a crisis, and Congress must them to work. You know, I had a
support for childcare to open safely and take decisive action on behalf of the lengthy conversation, almost 2 hours,
effectively, there will be no real re- working families and parents in Amer- on the phone with farmworkers in our
opening for much of the workforce. ica. country. Know what they do without
Without proper childcare options, I urge my colleagues on both sides of access to childcare? They leave their
that means childcare facilities that the aisle to support the Child Care Is kids home alone, or they take them to
have the money to implement health Essential Act. the fields.
and safety precautions necessary to Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I re- Who are we? This is the United
protect children and workers, women serve the balance of my time. States of America. Where are our val-
will be forced to choose between stay- Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 ues? What do we care most about?
ing home or going back to work. If minutes to the gentleman from Cali- Let me just tell you about that $135
childcare is scarce or feels unsafe, fornia (Mr. PANETTA). billion that is in the CARES bill. I will
moms will be staying home in the vast Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise just say that the Democrats took it out
majority of cases. today in support of the Child Care Is in the HEROES bill. But as I see the
In fact, an economist at North- Essential Act, a bill that will help bill that our Republicans colleagues
western University who studies the childcare centers stay open through put forward in the last 24 hours, it is
gendered impact of the pandemic, this pandemic and help us reopen our still in there. It is a tax break for 43,000
noted that 19 million children live in economy. people in this country, and they get a
single-parent households, 70 percent of For almost 5 months now, families $1.6 million tax cut. They claw back to
which are led by single moms. If have struggled to balance work and 2018, 2019. No one knew the word
women have to leave the workforce or childcare. Meanwhile, essential work- ‘‘coronavirus’’ in 2018 and 2019. It has
cut back hours, these decisions will ers, including farmworkers, healthcare nothing to do with this pandemic.
have long-lasting impacts on the future workers, police, and firefighters, rely I will mention those essential work-
of their careers, salary, promotions, eq- on childcare for their families and for ers again to you today because there
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uitable pay, and the economic security them to do their jobs. are 17.9 million children under the age
of their families. But as this pandemic continues, it of 13. Their parents are frontline work-
I have heard from leaders in research gets more difficult for childcare pro- ers, as I have laid out.
institutions who have said that while viders to keep their doors open. Just 29 I will also add, in full disclosure, that
men are submitting research papers at percent of childcare and education cen- two-thirds of these children do not re-
a faster clip than ever, their female ters in Monterey County in my district quire emergency care because they
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H3902 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
have another parent. They have a fam- don’t even come close. We have been of a sudden I am essential—really? This
ily member or an adult caregiver avail- thinking incrementally. We have to is what we say: People are essential.
able to them. But this implies that we think transformatively. We have to treat them as if they are es-
have 6 million kids who need emer- Even little children know. In our sential.
gency care at 45 hours per week. community, we have T-shirts, ‘‘Chil- Traci from Pennsylvania says: We
There are 6 million children who need dren Learning, Parents Earning,’’ the are a nonprofit center, mainly funded
to be in childcare. The providers that direct connection between quality by families who pay out of pocket. We
remain open are providing emergency childcare, where children are given a need a way to maintain payroll of staff
care to these workers, and they are in- good start on where they are going. so that they can be ready to return
curring costs, including paid premiums I rise during this devastating time when we are allowed to reopen. We
for staff, substitute workers for staff for America, as the health and eco- need help paying our rent and health
who are out on paid sick or family nomic crisis of COVID–19 hurtles fur- insurance costs. We will need help un-
leave, higher prices for food and mate- ther out of control. Ten weeks ago, the derstanding how to stay open safely
rials, including recommended personal Democrats delivered a solution by de- and how to adjust to new regulations,
protective and sanitation equipment feating the virus and safely opening how to afford related training, and
and supplies. the economy with the HEROES Act—it what to do if our families can’t afford
You know, public safety demands was actually 10 weeks ago today—sup- to return.
that each center or home-based pro- porting our heroes, crushing the virus, And Mary in New York says: Since
vider serves fewer children than they and putting money in America’s pock- COVID, my childcare center has gone
normally do. Why? For safety reasons. et. Yet, for 10 weeks, we haven’t had from 89 percent to about 10 percent.
Understand, people want to talk the action that we need on that. Fifteen employees will lose their jobs.
about the economy reopening. Are par- So, here we are. For all the state- We are the only center in a 1-mile ra-
ents going to send their kids to—first ments that were made over time about dius in a very low-income area. We are
of all, we are talking about schools need for childcare, this virus has really the only voice for our parents and chil-
where the CDC has said that the worst shown a bright spotlight on why it is so dren. Please help us be heard.
situation is 5-day, in-person. Yet, what important. Parents know; children And so action is needed now, which is
my colleagues on the other side of the know; we all know. But this virus has why I am proud to support two bills
aisle want to do is to tie their edu- been an instructor, because if parents that will be a lifeline for childcare
cation funds to whether they do that, are forced to go to work as essential workers and for the economy, while
which is outrageous to begin with, and workers, who is going to take care of keeping our children safe and helping
now they do not want to provide any the children if their schools cannot them and helping parents go back to
funding for childcare providers. open actually and some are virtual? work:
In the HEROES bill, it is $5 million Again, when I ran for Congress, over H.R. 7027, the Child Care Is Essential
and $10 million in grants. The National 30 years ago, people said to me: ‘‘Who Act, creating a $50 billion childcare
Women’s Law Center has told us it will is taking care of your children?’’ My stabilization fund to provide funding to
be about $9.6 billion a month to deal children were big. Four of them were childcare providers over the next 6
with this issue. already in college and one a senior in months and helping them safely reopen
Mr. Speaker, it is unconscionable. All and operate during and after the
high school. But that was the question:
I can say is, if we can bail out the air- COVID–19 crisis; and
Who is taking care of the children? And
lines, if we can bail out the business H.R. 7327, the Child Care for Eco-
that is a question for our Nation: Who
community, we should be done with nomic Recovery Act, expanding access
is taking care of the children?
the $135 billion. Let’s move forward: $50 In order for us to succeed with this, to quality childcare to help workers
billion for childcare legislation today. we have to meet the needs of the chil- safely return to their jobs and stimu-
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. PA- late the economy with Federal invest-
dren, their families, and childcare
NETTA.) The time of the gentlewoman
workers. Our childcare workers are the ments and tax subsidies.
has expired. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman
Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield workforce behind the workforce, risk-
ing their health and safety on the front NITA LOWEY, a maestro of the legisla-
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The lines to ensure that parents can go to tive process, who has advanced im-
time of the Committee on Appropria- work. measurable progress for generations of
tions has expired. But they face a devastating situa- Americans.
The gentleman from Virginia (Mr. tion. The childcare system needs at I thank RICHARD NEAL for his leader-
SCOTT) and the gentlewoman from least $50 billion in the next 6 months in ship on the tax credit and Federal in-
North Carolina (Ms. FOXX) each will order to survive. Just one in five vestments work.
control 15 minutes. childcare programs believes that they Mr. Speaker, I salute Congresswoman
The gentleman from Virginia is rec- can stay open for more than a year ROSA DELAURO, chair of the House Ap-
ognized. without Federal support. propriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, This is essential. An estimated Health and Human Services, and the
I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman 326,000 workers, nearly one-third of the godmother of much of the work for
from California (Ms. PELOSI), the dis- sector nationwide, have lost their jobs families and children that we do in this
tinguished Speaker of the House of since February—326,000 since February. Congress.
Representatives. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Chairman
b 1145 BOBBY SCOTT and Senator PATTY MUR-
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in
strong support for this legislation. Half of the providers have closed, and RAY, ranking member of the Senate
I salute Congresswoman DELAURO for those that are open to serve children of Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
her leadership over the years, constant, essential workers are risking their sions Committee, for their leadership
persistent, dissatisfied, and relentless, health, too often without PPE, and on this bill. Thank you, Mr. SCOTT, for
in terms of looking out for our chil- parents are paying the price. We can’t every day reminding us and leading us
dren. get people back to work until we have on how we can help our children.
I thank the distinguished gentleman widespread access to safe, quality, and And I thank and recognize the out-
from Virginia, the chair of the Edu- affordable childcare. side organizers who have been relent-
cation and Labor Committee, for his Here is the situation in the childcare less, persistent, and dissatisfied, as is
leadership throughout all of this. I workers’ own words. Terry from Wis- Rosa, as they have fought for the
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think he knows this issue, chapter and consin said: I have gone from 81 kids a strong investments in the childcare
verse, over the years, and so I am so day to two. I can’t stay open with two, sector that our children and workers
happy that we are coming to the floor we are considered essential, but how need.
for this. can I stay open without the help need- When people ask me, ‘‘What are the
In our community, there is such a ed? I love my kids, staff, and families, three most important issues facing the
need for childcare. It is endless. We but to ask me to go under because all Congress?’’ I always say the same thing
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3903
and have for over 30 years. The three ing a recurring theme in Speaker as churches and public recreation
most important issues facing the Con- PELOSI’s House of Representatives. camps who are licensed-exempt, oper-
gress are our children, our children, The fact that Chairman SCOTT al- ating legally in a State, and meeting
our children: their health, their edu- lowed Speaker PELOSI to make the all State and local requirements.
cation, the economic security of their opening comments on this bill is a fur- H.R. 7027 fails to address the barriers
families, a safe environment in which ther indication that this is Speaker many new providers face, an issue that
they can thrive, a world at peace in PELOSI’s bill. The blatant disregard for can increase cost and limit slots for
which they can reach their fulfillment, congressional precedent and proper children.
and my motivation for even coming to way of doing our job is appalling. Too Mr. Speaker, the no care for children
Congress was one in five children in many pieces of legislation are being act will drive up costs substantially,
America who lives in poverty. written behind closed doors in the tie many providers’ hands unneces-
But it isn’t only families in poverty Speaker’s office. This type of back- sarily, and shift the focus away from
who are affected by this childcare room horse trading is not how the Na- serving children and supporting par-
issue; it is our entire society and entire tion’s deliberative body should operate. ents returning to work.
economy, and that is why we have to On top of this, House Democrats are It is worth repeating that Repub-
think transformatively about this. casting votes and conducting legisla- licans and Democrats wholeheartedly
As we observe the 100th anniversary tive business from the comfort of their agree on the overarching goal of this
of women having the right to vote, as own homes or, in some cases, their debate we are having today. A lack of
we observe the fact that we have over fishing boat, and bringing partisan childcare options could seriously delay
100 women in Congress, many of them messaging bills to the House floor our Nation’s economic recovery. That
moms of small children, we do have to without going through the legislative is why it is extremely disappointing
recognize that, for our economy to process, all while collecting a tax- that we are spending our time debating
thrive, we have to have the full partici- payer-funded paycheck. another partisan messaging bill from
pation and leadership of women, be- We have gone from a representative House Democrats rather than focusing
cause we do believe, when women suc- Republic to an autocracy. Members of on common ground and working in a
ceed, America succeeds, for that to Congress were elected to represent bipartisan fashion to solve our dif-
happen. And dads have this responsi- Americans here in Washington, yet ferences on this issue and deliver for
bility, too, so we want them to succeed Speaker PELOSI seems set on silencing American families.
as well. those voices. This is downright shame- Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge a ‘‘no’’
But for all of that to happen, we have ful and indicative of Speaker PELOSI’s vote on H.R. 7027, and I reserve the bal-
to make sure that we know who is tak- out-of-touch politics-over-progress ance of my time.
ing care of the children, and the role agenda. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
that we play is to facilitate all of that Back to the flawed legislation at I yield myself such time as I may con-
to make sure it is of the highest qual- hand. sume.
ity and safety for the children and en- We all agree that Congress should Mr. Speaker, I would remind the dis-
sure that they are served by the legis- help childcare providers reopen safely; tinguished ranking member that we did
lation that we are considering. however, we cannot spend taxpayer have a hearing in February and, actu-
For the sake of the children, their dollars recklessly while layering on ad- ally, a briefing in May that the minor-
health, their safety, and our children’s ditional burdens when childcare pro- ity party decided not to participate in.
future, as we recover from COVID but viders on the ground are already facing And insofar as the Speaker, she was
learn from it, I urge our colleagues to burdensome red tape. here. If I had opened, she would have
support this important legislation. The Democrats’ flawed, one-sided bill had to listen to me and to you and
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. appropriates $50 billion, which is high- would have been here waiting all that
Speaker, I yield myself such time as I er than the entire annual revenue of time. The Speaker is busy, so I called
may consume. the childcare industry and substan- on the Speaker so she could speak and
Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to tially more than Democrats felt was return to her busy schedule.
H.R. 7027, Democrats’ partisan Child necessary to include in their so-called Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the
Care Is Essential Act, which, based off HEROES Act. gentlewoman from Georgia (Mrs.
its troublesome provisions, would be We know the Democrats preferred so- MCBATH), a distinguished member of
better titled as the no care for children lution for any problem is to throw the Committee on Education and
act. more taxpayer money at it, but the Bi- Labor.
Republicans and Democrats agree partisan Policy Center estimated that Mrs. MCBATH. Mr. Speaker, the
that there is a critical need that exists the industry would need about half of childcare industry has suffered tremen-
in our country today: the need to help the amount included in H.R. 7027 to re- dous losses since the start of this pan-
childcare providers reopen their busi- cover. demic. Centers are facing increased op-
nesses safely. Additionally, H.R. 7027 places burden- erating costs and are working overtime
Childcare is the cornerstone of the some requirements on childcare pro- to provide adequate PPE and sanita-
American workforce. If parents do not viders, which could lead to providers tion materials to keep our children
have a safe place to send their children, spending more time and money apply- safe.
they cannot work. If our Nation is ing for and reporting on the funds rath- Countless American families rely on
going to recover swiftly and success- er than doing what is most important: the childcare industry, and we must
fully from the COVID–19 pandemic, serving children. provide them with the materials and
childcare providers must be an integral Providers already have to figure out equipment that they need to give our
part of the solution to getting America how to implement new and necessary children the best possible care. To help
reopened and back to work. health and safety rules, from social small businesses grow, support hard-
Unfortunately, the bill we are consid- distancing and limits on group size to working Georgians, and uplift our
ering today, H.R. 7027, is just another increased cleaning protocols. As if this economy, parents must have a safe
messaging bill for House Democrats, isn’t already weighing heavily on place to send their children.
who are more interested in political childcare professionals, Democrats now
posturing than enacting meaningful so- want to enact even more cumbersome b 1200
lutions. requirements for them to deal with. Truly, the childcare industry helps
Before I get into the lowlights of this This legislation also tries to dictate give our kids the foundation for their
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legislation, I would like to point out from the Federal level how providers future, and it needs our help.
that childcare falls under the jurisdic- run their businesses, which can hamper Hardworking families deserve our
tion of the House Education and Labor their ability to reopen safely and stay support, and the Child Care Is Essen-
Committee. However, our committee open. tial Act would give providers the fund-
did not hold a single hearing or a single This ill-advised bill also denies sup- ing and resources they need to nurture
markup on today’s bill. This is becom- port for certain eligible providers, such the next generation.
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H3904 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
I thank Representative DELAURO for higher costs, if they are open at all. Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I am dis-
her leadership and Chairman SCOTT for This situation is not sustainable. appointed that, rather than finding
his leadership. Every month more centers are closing common ground, my colleagues across
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. as costs exceed revenues. Some esti- the aisle are moving forward with a bill
Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- mates predict that we may lose as that will only hurt families who want
tleman from Alabama (Mr. BYRNE). many as 4.5 million slots nationwide to return to work and need access to
Mr. BYRNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in unless Congress acts and acts fast. childcare.
opposition to the Child Care Is Essen- Mr. Speaker, our Nation has long un- I urge my colleagues to oppose this
tial Act. dervalued the role that childcare plays bill, and let’s all go back to the draw-
Everyone in this Chamber can agree in enabling our workforce, and the ing board so that we can find support
that access to childcare will be vital to COVID–19 pandemic has exposed that for our working families.
the continued reopening of our econ- deplorable lack of investment. Making Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
omy, especially as more and more par- sure the childcare industry survives, as I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman
ents return to work. However, this leg- the Chamber testified, will shorten the from Oregon (Ms. BONAMICI), the chair
islation is not the answer. It would recession by getting parents back to of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights
cost an astronomical $50 billion, an work. and Human Resources.
amount higher than the total revenue Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise
of the childcare industry in the United and neighbor, ROSA DELAURO and today in strong support of the Child
States, and twice as high as the Bipar- Chairman SCOTT for their work on this Care Is Essential Act.
tisan Policy Center reports that bill and I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote. Childcare is one of the most urgent
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. and stressful issues facing families dur-
childcare providers actually need.
Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gen- ing this pandemic and stabilizing it
Further, this legislation places so
tleman from Georgia (Mr. ALLEN). will be a key factor in opening our
many reporting requirements on agen- Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, as our Na-
cies that $5 billion of that money, a communities safely.
tion continues to respond, recover, and I recently spoke about this issue with
whopping 10 percent, will go to admin- reopen our economy following the out-
istrative expenses, rather than helping Oregonians who are struggling, par-
break of COVID–19, we can all agree ents, early child educators, and small
children get the care that they need. that childcare is necessary in getting
This is not where the red tape is, by business owners. I released a report
Americans back to work. urging support for the childcare indus-
the way. The bill places additional and No parent will return to work if they
unneeded regulatory burdens on try. As one mom told me: ‘‘if childcare
do not have a safe place for their child, crumbles, if it even gets a fraction
childcare centers that would increase which is another reason why schools
their costs and require them to follow more difficult to find, then our collec-
safely reopening should be a priority of tive ability to work crumbles too.’’
State and CDC guidelines on oper- my Democratic colleagues. The childcare crisis disproportion-
ations, even when those guidelines may However, Democrats are pushing a ately affects women, who, because of
directly contradict each other. The partisan proposal that carelessly over-
entrenched gender roles, continue to
Child Care Is Essential Act also un- spends taxpayer dollars and further
take on the majority of childcare and
fairly limits access to these funds. Li- burdens our childcare providers, who
household responsibilities.
censed-exempt facilities like at many already face bureaucratic red tape, A lack of affordable childcare reduces
churches will be prohibited from ac- with more mandates, like overly exten-
the ability of women to work outside
cessing these funds. sive application requirements that will
the home and extends the gender pay
Childcare is essential as parents cost them more time and money when
gap. This is also an issue of racial jus-
begin returning to the workplace, how- their time is better spent caring for
tice. Many childcare workers are
ever, this bill spends too much tax- our children.
These mandates will prevent new women of color.
payer money and places an undue and I am grateful for previous stimulus
unworkable regulatory burden on fa- providers from entering the industry,
ultimately increasing costs and lim- efforts, but it is not enough. The Child
cilities, Federal agencies, and yes, on Care Is Essential Act will provide im-
families. iting the amount of available slots for
children. mediate relief through $50 billion,
I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘no’’ on which I will note is less than the
this legislation, and I ask my Demo- This again is a one-size-fits-all, top-
down government program. How much amount that went to the Nation’s air-
cratic colleagues to actually come to lines in coronavirus legislation. This is
the table on a bipartisan solution to of this money will actually get there to
take care of a child? in direct grant funding to help
this issue. childcare providers cover operating ex-
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 7027 appropriates $50 billion,
which is higher than the entire annual penses, purchase PPE and cleaning sup-
I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from plies, pay providers through the pan-
revenue of the childcare industry—
Connecticut (Mr. COURTNEY), a distin- demic and beyond, and importantly,
think about that—and twice the
guished member of the Committee on
amount that the Bipartisan Policy give parents the relief they need from
Education and Labor.
Center estimated the industry would high copayments and tuition.
Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise Investing in our children now has
need. Is it going to cost another $25 bil-
in strong support of the Child Care Is long-term benefits for our families, for
lion to administrate this thing for all
Essential Act. This bill is badly needed our communities, and for our economy.
the burdensome red tape that goes
to clear a massive roadblock on our I thank Congresswoman DELAURO
along with it?
Nation’s path to economic recovery. Once again, the Democrats’ solution and Chairman SCOTT for their leader-
The choice is clear. Without assistance, is more government control, more reg- ship, and I urge all my colleagues to
only 18 percent of existing childcare ulation, and more taxpayer dollars support this bill.
programs will remain open a year from wasted with burdensome strings at- Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr.
today. tached. When are the American people Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
Last month, the U.S. Chamber of going to wake up? time.
Commerce, not known as a strong sup- It denies support for certain eligible Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
porter of social services, announced its providers, such as churches and public could you advise me how much time is
support for emergency aid for childcare recreation camps, who are license-ex- remaining on both sides?
providers, declaring that ‘‘for millions empt and operating legally in a State The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
of Americans, returning to work is not that meet all State and local require- tleman from Virginia has 10 minutes
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just contingent on the lifting of stay- ments. remaining. The gentlewoman from
at-home orders . . . but on securing The SPEAKER pro tempore. The North Carolina has 41⁄4 minutes remain-
care for their children.’’ This aid is time of the gentleman has expired. ing.
critical because childcare providers are Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
small businesses and have been oper- Speaker, I yield the gentleman from I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman
ating at reduced capacity and much Georgia an additional 15 seconds. from Washington (Ms. SCHRIER).
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3905
Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Speaker, parents Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
can’t go back to earning until their my time. I yield the gentlewoman from Con-
children can go back to learning. The Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, necticut an additional 30 seconds.
topic of reopening schools has been top I yield 1 minute to gentlewoman from Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, that is
of mind in recent weeks. We also need Illinois (Ms. UNDERWOOD), a distin- why I am excited to be here today with
safe care for our young ones though, guished member of the Committee on my colleagues, voting on legislation
because their parents need to work, Education and Labor. that will provide immediate relief to
too. Ms. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I community providers and inject sta-
Childcare is essential, for parents and rise today in strong support of H.R. bility into the childcare industry.
children. Many childcare providers 7027, the Child Care Is Essential Act. This bill would keep the workers that
have closed during this pandemic, some Failing to solve this childcare crisis help our children learn, grow, and
for safety, some for financial reasons. will set women back in the workforce thrive employed. It would keep small
But childcare isn’t just about par- for generations. businesses afloat and respond to the
ents’ jobs. High quality early childhood We know that if we let our childcare crisis at hand.
education is the single best way to industry collapse, the burden will fall Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to
close the opportunity gap and give dis- heavily on women. support the Child Care Is Essential Act
I saw firsthand the challenges
advantaged children a strong start. and put their money where their
childcare providers face when I visited
Every dollar invested in early child- mouths are.
the Building Blocks Learning Academy
hood education pays back $7 down the Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr.
in Batavia, Illinois earlier this month.
road, and that is a phenomenal invest- Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds.
They are doing heroic work, but they
ment. Mr. Speaker, we need more childcare
need support.
The Child Care Is Essential Act pro- If Congress doesn’t act, thousands of slots, but rather than opening more
vides financial assistance so providers childcare providers will close, and mil- doors, H.R. 7027 denies support for cer-
can reopen safely. lions of childcare slots will disappear. tain eligible providers such as churches
By passing this bill, we support chil- I am proud that Illinois has been a and public recreation camps who are
dren, working families, and childcare model for how States can respond to operating legally, and fails to address
providers; all worthy of our invest- support childcare providers, but they the barriers to entry new providers
ment. still need the Federal help that this face, an issue that can increase costs
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. bill delivers, and we must pass it and limit slots for children.
Speaker, I yield myself such time as I today. Given the capacity issue of existing
may consume. Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. centers, legislative proposals should
Mr. Speaker, Politico wrote recently, Speaker, I reserve the balance of my allow for more slots and reduce the
‘‘A lack of safe and affordable childcare time. barriers to entry for new providers.
amid the coronavirus pandemic is Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, This bill does the opposite.
keeping many working parents from I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of
returning to the office as more compa- from Connecticut (Mrs. HAYES), a dis- my time.
nies call employees back to their jobs, tinguished member of the Committee Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
threatening to extend the economic on Education and Labor. I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gentlewoman
crisis and erode decades of gains for Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in from Michigan (Ms. STEVENS), a distin-
women in the workplace.’’ strong support of the Child Care Is Es- guished member of the Committee on
In fact, the Bipartisan Policy Center sential Act. Education and Labor.
found that at the height of the COVID– From the beginning, this pandemic Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, we have
19 outbreak, 60 percent of childcare has exacerbated the existing inequities a childcare crisis in America.
centers closed, and one-third of the in society and revealed the cracks that In Michigan, when our auto manufac-
childcare workforce lost their jobs. we have always known existed in our turers had to stop producing to address
The topic of today’s debate is an childcare system. the impacts of COVID–19 and we saw
issue that both Republicans and Demo- The stress on this economy has left it production orders go to zero, with that,
crats agree must be addressed. Unfor- teetering on the edge of total collapse. our daycare centers witnessed and ex-
tunately, the legislation being pushed The tone from parents and providers perienced a dramatic drop in participa-
by Democrats spends taxpayer dollars who call my office about this issue tion. Today, 40 percent of daycare pro-
recklessly and layers on additional have become increasingly more des- viders in Michigan are at risk of immi-
burdensome requirements. perate. nent closure.
That is why my Republican col- Providers in Connecticut tell me sto- We say, ‘‘Let’s get back to work. We
leagues have introduced the Back to ries about being behind on rent pay- are ready to get back to work. We want
Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020, ments, having to furlough workers, to get back to work safely,’’ but we
which is led by Senator ERNST and Sen- having to dip into their own savings to need our daycare centers. We need the
ator ALEXANDER in the Senate and Rep- stay solvent, and trying to figure out if Child Care Is Essential Act because of
resentative REED in the House. there is a way to safely open without the very fact that childcare is essential
Unlike the Democrat bill we are con- continuing to mount debt. in America.
sidering today, the Back to Work Child We may lose over half of licensed
This is too much of an impediment
Care Grants Act will offer childcare childcare providers in my State.
Even before coronavirus, the for the hardworking people in Michigan
providers solutions and resources, not and across this country, and it is a long
childcare industry and families in Con-
burdensome red tape. The GOP-led ini- overdue and realized endeavor that we
necticut were struggling. We often hear
tiative would support childcare pro- must take on to address the
that there is dignity in work, and with-
viders by offering short-term financial out childcare, work can’t happen for coronavirus pandemic and what we
assistance, critical resources to reopen many people. need to do to get back to work safely
and stay open, all while holding pro- I am a working mother. I rely on be- in America.
viders accountable to State and local fore and aftercare, and right now, like Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr.
health and safety guidelines. many of my constituents, I am strug- Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
Regrettably, the Democrats’ gling. We live in a country where time.
childcare bill picks winners and losers women contribute to the economy, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
by denying help to many providers who where women contribute to societies, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
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are license-exempt and operating le- where families are struggling to go California (Mr. CISNEROS).
gally, such as churches and public back to work. Mr. CISNEROS. Mr. Speaker, I rise
recreation camps. The Back to Work today in support of the Child Care Is
Child Care Grants Act of 2020, on the b 1215 Essential Act.
other hand, ensures all providers in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Without additional Federal assist-
need of support have access to funding. time of the gentlewoman has expired. ance, half the childcare capacity in
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H3906 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
California and across the country is at me this 1 minute, and I congratulate agree needs to be addressed. Instead,
risk of disappearing. This bill would him on this legislation, also to Chair- we have more partisanship, more polit-
provide much-needed relief for these fa- woman LOWEY on a related bill, and ical posturing, and more one-sided leg-
cilities in my State and support work- Chairwoman DELAURO. islation on the House floor absent of
ing families. I rise in support of the Child Care Is any committee consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Essential Act and the Child Care for Mr. Speaker, American families and
DELAURO for her leadership on this Economic Recovery Act. childcare providers across the Nation
issue and for working with my friend, Parents in our communities want deserve better than the legislation be-
Representative BACON, and me to in- and need quality, affordable childcare. fore us. I strongly urge a ‘‘no’’ vote on
clude language from our bill in this Since the Childcare and Development the Democrats’ no care for children
package. Block Grant’s enactment in 1990, the act, and I yield back the balance of my
My bipartisan bill ensures childcare program has been the largest source of time.
providers can pay for cleaning supplies financial assistance to families strug- Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker,
and safety equipment to protect chil- gling to afford childcare. I yield myself the balance of my time.
dren and childcare workers from the Today, the need for childcare assist- Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague
coronavirus. ance in this country has never been and friend, Congresswoman ROSA
According to a nationwide survey, 91 greater, and coronavirus has made the DELAURO, for her work in support of
percent of childcare centers are incur- situation so much worse. In Ohio, the children, families, and childcare pro-
ring additional costs for cleaning sup- average annual cost of infant care is viders.
plies. We must provide the necessary $9,697 a year. That is a staggering $808 Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the
resources to protect the health and a month, which is unattainable for the Child Care Is Essential Act.
safety of our children and childcare majority of families in Ohio. Access to affordable childcare is crit-
workers. With the ongoing pandemic, there ical to working families in helping our
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to could not be a better time for Congress economy recover from the COVID–19
join me in support of this bill to ensure to make investments in stabilizing the pandemic.
childcare facilities nationwide can con- childcare sector to support providers, Without childcare, parents cannot re-
tinue to serve our families. workers, and families they serve. turn to work, businesses cannot re-
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The open, and young children cannot access
Speaker, I am prepared to close when time of the gentlewoman has expired. invaluable early learning opportuni-
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, ties.
SCOTT) is prepared to close. I yield an additional 15 seconds to the At this moment, the childcare indus-
I reserve the balance of my time. gentlewoman from Ohio. try stands at the brink of collapse.
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank Childcare providers already struggled
I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman the gentleman for yielding me the ad- financially before the pandemic. Now,
from Oklahoma (Ms. KENDRA S. HORN). ditional time. dramatically low revenue and in-
Ms. KENDRA S. HORN of Oklahoma. The Child Care for Economic Recov- creased operating costs are pushing
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman SCOTT ery Act adds to and modifies tax provi- providers towards permanent closures.
for allowing me to speak on this crit- sions allowing for an increase and re- In fact, the COVID–19 pandemic has
ical issue. fundable child and dependent care tax already cost the jobs of roughly one in
I rise in strong support of the Child credit, allows employers payroll tax four childcare workers, and researchers
Care Is Essential Act and am grateful credits, while also increasing the gen- estimate that we could permanently
for the inclusion of my bill, the Chil- eral funding for childcare entitlement lose up to 4.5 million childcare slots.
dren’s Mental Health Care Access Act. under the Social Security Act. The pandemic has already impacted
Quality, affordable childcare is crit- Furthermore, the Child Care Is Es- the lives of parents, 13 percent of whom
ical, not only for children and families sential Act allows providers to use sta- have had to lower their work hours or
across the country, but investing in bilization grants to support personnel quit their jobs entirely due to difficul-
the physical health and safety of our pay and benefits, sanitization and PPE, ties in childcare.
children as well as the mental health of training and professional development, Our constituents are calling us to
our children is critical. and mental health services. According take action. A recent survey found
After months of social isolation, dis- to the Economic Policy Institute, in- that more than 8 in 10 voters across the
rupted schedules, and an environment vesting in children could increase eco- political spectrums favor a substantial
that has created stress, uncertainty, nomic recovery by $5.6 billion in new Federal investment in childcare. We
and anxiety for families, children are economic activity in Ohio alone. must save the childcare system, which
included in this. I introduced the Chil- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to is critical for working families, our
dren’s Mental Health Care Access Act support these important bills. economy, and the healthy development
to provide mental health services at Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, of our Nation’s children. We can do
childcare facilities through the Child may I inquire how much time remains that by voting in favor of this bill.
Care and Development Block Grant. on both sides. Mr. Speaker, I urge the House to pass
Before the COVID–19 pandemic, a 2019 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- this bill, and I yield back the balance
study showed that 16.5 percent of tleman from Virginia (Mr. SCOTT) has of my time.
American children experience mental 23⁄4 minutes remaining. The gentle- Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker,
health issues, and fewer than half re- woman from North Carolina (Ms. FOXX) today I rise in support of H.R. 7027, the Child
ceive treatment. My bill ensures that has 2 minutes remaining. Care is Essential Act, a critical effort that I
caregivers have a support system and Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, have proudly cosponsored, as child care pro-
are prepared with evidence-based and I am prepared to close. viders have been among the hardest hit by the
trauma-informed solutions to help our I reserve the balance of my time. economic turmoil caused by this public health
children. Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. emergency. At least half of all providers have
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful my bill is Speaker, I yield myself the balance of been forced to close at some point during this
included, and I urge support of the my time. pandemic, and almost a quarter of child care
Child Care Is Essential Act. Congress should provide childcare staff have lost their jobs.
Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Mr. centers nationwide with resources that The Child Care is Essential Act will estab-
Speaker, I continue to reserve the bal- will allow them to recover from the lish and provide $50 billion for the Child Care
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ance of my time. many challenges they have endured Stabilization Fund, so that grants can be
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, over the last few months. Unfortu- awarded to child care providers during and
I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman nately, this body has yet again missed after this COVID–19 pandemic. Child care pro-
from Ohio (Ms. KAPTUR). an opportunity to come together in a viders that are currently open or temporarily
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank bipartisan manner, solve our dif- closed due to this pandemic are eligible to re-
the able Chairman SCOTT for allowing ferences, and tackle an issue we all ceive this funding, which will be calculated by
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July 29, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3907
the provider’s operating costs before COVID– the families of such children and how to about adhering to new recommended
19 and adjusted for the increased costs of identify and report child abuse in light of sanitation and social distancing re-
providing child care now. These providers will new protocols for interacting with such chil- quirements—all critical—there was no
dren; discussion of keeping children safe
be able to use this stabilization funding for nu-
In section 1(d)(2)(F) of the bill,—
merous activities, including personnel costs, (1) insert ‘‘, or for new providers’’ after
from abuse, neglect, and violence. My
personal protection equipment, training for ‘‘2020’’, motion will ensure we are focused on
health and safety practices, mental health sup- (2) in clause (i) insert ‘‘, or plan to pro- recognizing and addressing child abuse
ports for children and staff, and fixed costs. vide,’’ after ‘‘provided’’, and neglect.
As a Congress, we must stabilize our critical (3) in clause (ii) insert ‘‘, or plan to serve,’’ Many of us in this Chamber have
child care infrastructure, as they play a critical after ‘‘served’’, raised the alarm that the stress, the
role in ensuring that our working families are (4) in clause (iii) insert ‘‘, or plan to serve,’’ isolation, the fear caused by COVID–19
after ‘‘served’’, and has increased the threat of abuse and
not forced to make difficult decisions regarding
(5) in clause (iv) insert ‘‘, or plan to oper- domestic violence. The numbers are
reduction in work hours or loss of employ- ate,’’ after ‘‘operated’’.
ment. For our nation to recover economically alarming.
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington (dur-
from this pandemic, we must strengthen the b 1230
child care providers that enable our economy ing the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask
unanimous consent to dispense with This amendment to the underlying
to function. bill requires anyone receiving funding
In Texas, our providers, families, and com- the reading.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there in this program to provide an assur-
munities deserve this federal support. The ance that all their employees have
Center for American Progress has estimated objection to the request of the gentle-
woman from Washington? completed education on safety proto-
that my state will lose 54% of its child care cols and know how to recognize child
supply and 483,632 licensed child care slots There was no objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- abuse.
without adequate federal assistance, and this Mr. Speaker, I am a mom of three
loss will be monumental in its impact. If this ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
school-aged kids, and this spring was
Congress can push the Child Care is Essential Washington (Mrs. RODGERS) is recog-
difficult for them and their mom and
Act into law, Texas will receive an estimated nized for 5 minutes in support of her dad. I am speaking every day with
amount of $5,372,096,736 from the $50 billion motion. hardworking men and women who want
Child Care Stabilization Fund through alloca- Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. to keep their families healthy, who are
tions to my state. Speaker, as we heard in the debate eager to get back to work and eager to
As representatives of Americans from all today, we all agree keeping children get their kids back in school and in
corners of our country, we have a responsi- safe and healthy is our top priority. daycare.
bility to protect the livelihood and well-being of For people to get back to work, par- There is a lot of fear about children
our families and communities, especially dur- ents need childcare; they need safe op- losing an entire year of their education
ing this moment of national upheaval caused tions and more flexibility for the care if we don’t get back on track. There
by this novel coronavirus. On behalf of my of their children. That is why Repub- are concerns about parents, parents in
home state of Texas, I urge my colleagues to licans have introduced sensible legisla- Pend Oreille County in my district,
support H.R. 7027. tion that supports all childcare pro- where 14,000 people live and work in in-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time viders so that we can expand access to dustries like mining, timber, tourism,
for debate has expired. childcare to pre-COVID levels and be- and healthcare. Even before
Pursuant to House Resolution 1053, yond. coronavirus hit, there was only one
the previous question is ordered on the However, unlike our solution, there childcare provider in the entire coun-
bill, as amended. are problems with the majority’s un- ty—just one.
The question is on the engrossment derlying bill that limits parents’ abil- While there have been less than 40
and third reading of the bill. ity to find care. cases of coronavirus in Pend Oreille,
The bill was ordered to be engrossed The underlying bill won’t help busi- they have been hit hard by economic
nesses start up new childcare options; shutdowns and stay-at-home orders.
and read a third time, and was read the
it won’t help smaller childcare pro- This community deserves every chance
third time.
viders, often women- and minority- to come back stronger than before.
MOTION TO RECOMMIT
owned businesses, reopen or finally ac- For counties like Pend Oreille, and
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. for places that have been hit hardest
complish their dream of starting their
Speaker, I have a motion to recommit by the virus, we can’t afford to be lim-
own business.
at the desk. iting parents’ choices. We need to give
As a result, this bill will prevent
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is the parents more control and the ability to
more providers from opening. That is a
gentlewoman opposed to the bill? navigate this new future, a future
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. serious problem, especially in places
where shutdowns and stay-home orders where we have the confidence to pro-
Speaker, I am in its current form. vide for our families and the courage to
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The force providers to permanently close.
That means parents will have nowhere dream again because our kids are safe,
Clerk will report the motion to recom- healthy, and learning.
mit. to turn if new options aren’t available,
For more options in child safety, this
The Clerk read as follows: if they want a smaller setting for
amendment should have been part of
Mrs. Rodgers of Washington moves to re- childcare, or if large childcare centers
the underlying bill. I ask the majority
commit the bill (H.R. 7027) to the Committee hit caps on enrollment.
to recognize that they missed this crit-
on Appropriations with instructions to re- To fix this, my motion helps a new
port the bill back to the House forthwith
ical issue. Now is the time to correct
childcare business start and increases
with the following amendment: them.
the number of available childcare slots I urge bipartisan support, and I yield
In section 1(d)(2)(B) of the bill, strike for children. It would amend the under-
‘‘that—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘(ii)’’ back the balance of my time.
lying text to ensure that all providers Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in
and insert ‘‘that’’, and redesignate subpara-
graphs (I) and (II) as clauses (i) and (ii). are able to access funding, including strong opposition to the motion to re-
In section 1(d)(2)(D)(i) of the bill, redesig- those that have recently opened to sup- commit.
nate subclauses (V) and (VI) as subclauses port working parents. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
(VI) and (VII), and insert the following after Republicans weren’t provided the tlewoman from Connecticut is recog-
subclause (IV): chance to debate adding these provi- nized for 5 minutes.
(V) an assurance the eligible provider will sions to the bill because the majority Mrs. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, let me
dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
provide professional development to new and seems to be more interested in scoring first start by saying that licensed pro-
returning employees on safety protocols, in-
political points these days than actu- viders already receive this training,
cluding any updates to protocols or best
practices due to the COVID-19 public health ally working together to solve prob- that licensed providers already are
emergency, that shall include educating such lems. equipped for identifying abuse and re-
staff on how to recognize social and emo- Another issue they didn’t address porting abuse. Now is not the time to
tional concerns of children in their care and today is child safety. While we talked focus on startups.
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H3908 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE July 29, 2020
Today, I ask my colleagues to sup- left behind. We all talk about the need tional supplemental appropriations for
port childcare providers who need help to reopen the economy, but that can’t disaster relief requirements for the fis-
now, to not allow these pillars in our happen without the necessary funding cal year ending September 30, 2020, and
community to go bankrupt, to prevent to ensure the sustainability of for other purposes, and ask for its im-
our most vulnerable children from be- childcare providers. mediate consideration in the House.
coming disconnected from their As the pandemic continues to race The Clerk read the title of the bill.
childcare providers and centers. through this country due to this ad- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms.
Every working parent in this room ministration’s failed response, parents PRESSLEY). Pursuant to House Resolu-
and around the country knows the feel- who are called back to work have to tion 1053, the bill is considered read.
ing of vulnerability that comes with make a difficult decision: either send The text of the bill is as follows:
trusting your children in the hands of their child back to a childcare center H.R. 7327
someone in order to support your fam- or stay home and lose wages or poten- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
ily. tially their jobs. resentatives of the United States of America in
Every working parent in this room Show me your budget, and I will Congress assembled,
and around the country knows the show you your values. That is some- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
sense of helplessness that comes when thing that I often say. If we will not This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child Care
that critical care is in jeopardy and make childcare resources a line item in for Economic Recovery Act’’.
your family is left scrambling for an our budget, we cannot claim it is our SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
alternative. That feeling of helpless- Except as expressly provided otherwise,
national priority. any reference to ‘‘this Act’’ contained in any
ness is what parents across the country My colleagues have a habit of saying
are facing right now in the middle of a division of this Act shall be treated as refer-
they agree with the Democratic pro- ring only to the provisions of that division.
global pandemic as childcare centers posal on the issue of childcare. But
have closed their doors, many of them DIVISION A—EMERGENCY CHILD CARE
when it is time to make any invest- SUPPORT APPROPRIATIONS
permanently. ments, they retreat. ‘‘It is not a good
Coronavirus has had a devastating ef- The following sums in this Act are appro-
use of taxpayer dollars,’’ is what they priated, out of any money in the Treasury
fect on childcare providers. Since
often say. not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal
March, almost a quarter of providers I remind you here today that the year ending September 30, 2020, and for other
have lost their jobs, and as many as purposes, namely:
American families who are asking for
two out of five centers have recently TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE
this help are the taxpayers.
indicated that they will go out of busi- TREASURY
In case there is any doubt here today,
ness without financial support. 4.5 mil- INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES
Republicans have made it abundantly
lion childcare slots are at risk of dis-
clear to the American people that they TAXPAYER SERVICES
appearing, including over 46,000 in my
would rather use taxpayer dollars to For an additional amount for ‘‘Taxpayer
own home State of Connecticut. That Services’’, $5,000,000, to remain available
bail out private industry than support
is 4.5 million working families who will until expended, for making grants under the
America’s working families and their
be left behind without childcare. Community Volunteer Income Tax Assist-
It is frustrating to see my colleagues children.
ance Matching Grants Program established
acting in such bad faith here today, at- House Democrats are here to work
under section 7526A of the Internal Revenue
tempting to sabotage a commonsense for the people, here today to address Code of 1986: Provided, That the matching
plan that would help Americans get the childcare crisis in this country, funds requirement in section 7526A(b)(2) shall
back to work, that would help working something that my colleagues should not apply to funds made available under this
parents and children in their States as get serious about fast. heading in this Act: Provided further, That
well as mine. I encourage you all to join us in in- such amount is designated by the Congress
vesting in high-quality childcare and as being for an emergency requirement pur-
Let us talk about what the bill actu- suant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Bal-
ally does. The Child Care Is Essential the industry that helps to make that
anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act provides $50 billion in grant fund- happen.
Act of 1985.
ing within CCDBG for providers to re- Even as a high school teacher, it was
TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
open and stay open safely. As part of always evident to me which students
HUMAN SERVICES
receiving these grants, the bill requires attended high-quality childcare cen-
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
all providers to commit to employ and ters. Their language, socialization
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
pay their employees at pre-COVID–19 skills, problem-solving skills, and in-
creased parental involvement were al- For an additional amount for ‘‘Social Serv-
levels and to provide families with re- ices Block Grant’’, $850,000,000, to remain
lief in the cost of care. ways evident. We have to support
available until September 30, 2021, for mak-
H.R. 7027 requires providers to follow childcare. It is essential. ing grants to States pursuant to section 2002
the CDC guidance and local authorities The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without of the Social Security Act: Provided, That
to keep children and staff safe. objection, the previous question is or- the amount made available under this head-
Yes, follow the science to keep chil- dered on the motion to recommit. ing in this Act shall be used for necessary ex-
dren safe. There was no objection. penses for family care for essential workers,
Childcare is not a partisan issue, or The SPEAKER pro tempore. The pursuant to section 409 of division B this
it should not be. Nine out of 10 Ameri- question is on the motion to recommit. Act: Provided further, That such amount is
The question was taken; and the designated by the Congress as being for an
cans support a relief package like the
emergency requirement pursuant to section
Child Care Is Essential Act. Our Speaker pro tempore announced that
251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and
childcare industry enables millions of the noes appeared to have it. Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Americans to go back to work and will Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND
help millions of parents fully return to Speaker, on that I demand the yeas
For an additional amount for ‘‘Child Care
the workforce when the pandemic and nays. and Development Fund’’, $10,000,000,000, to
passes. The SPEAKER Pro tempore. Pursu- remain available until September 30, 2024, for
We cannot calculate the revenue of ant to section 3 of House Resolution necessary expenses for infrastructure grants
this industry without considering the 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. to improve child care safety, including needs
impact it has on the total overall econ- Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- assessments, pursuant to section 418A of
omy. ther proceedings on this question are Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act,
As a body, and in a bipartisan way, postponed. as added by division B of this Act: Provided,
we supported $50 billion in relief to the That funds made available under this head-
f
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ing in this Act may be used for grants for the
airline industry. As a body, in a bipar-
CHILD CARE FOR ECONOMIC construction, alteration, or renovation of
tisan way, we supported $670 billion, non-federally owned facilities to improve
without restrictions, to the restaurant RECOVERY ACT
child care safety: Provided further, That all
industry to save those businesses. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, pur- construction, alteration, or renovation work,
In all of these relief packages, suant to House Resolution 1053, I call carried out in whole or in part with funds ap-
childcare workers and providers were up the bill (H.R. 7327) making addi- propriated under this heading in this Act,
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