Congressional Record, September 16, 2020 — House of Representatives
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, House, dated September 16, 2020, beginning at page H4444, in a long document. Ms. Foxx demands the yeas and nays on a motion, and the Speaker pro tempore postpones further proceedings. A speaker supports a motion directing title VI compliance coordinators to treat anti-Semitism as illegal discrimination, citing a synagogue shooting in October 2018 and the attack on a kosher deli. Under the heading Ensuring Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020, Ms. Bonamici moves to suspend the rules and pass the bill, which would provide technical assistance on preventing COVID-19 transmission in child care settings, and Mrs. McBath moves to pass S. 2683 to establish a task force on hiring staff.
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“Congressional Record, September 16, 2020 — House of Representatives.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-09-16-crec-2020-09-16-pt1-pgh4444-2-c8d106df19/
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H4444 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 16, 2020
If this House is going to radically re- Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam child care services while there is community
write title VI, as this bill does, we Speaker, on that I demand the yeas transmission of COVID-19. Such technical as-
should use this opportunity to show and nays. sistance shall include information about—
commitment to combating anti-Semi- (A) the prevention of COVID-19 trans-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
mission in child care provider settings, in-
tism. ant to section 3 of House Resolution cluding the use of face masks and other per-
With anti-Semitism on the rise 965, the yeas and the nays are ordered. sonal protective equipment in such settings,
around the world, the need for this Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- (B) training and professional development
amendment is clear. In fact, here in the ther proceedings on this question are on health and safety practices related to the
United States, we have seen horrific postponed. prevention of COVID-19 transmission in child
acts of violence against our Jewish care provider settings,
f
friends over the last few years. (C) the acquisition and use of personal pro-
In October 2018, 11 congregants lost ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER tective equipment, and
their lives at a synagogue in Pitts- PRO TEMPORE (D) modifications of child care provider
burgh, the worst killing of Jews in settings and services to prevent COVID-19
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- transmission, such as optimal staff-to-child
American history. In December of last ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair ratios across such settings and the use of
year, a gunman targeted a Jewish ko-
will postpone further proceedings mental health supports.
sher deli, leaving six dead. (2) MATERIALS.—As part of such technical
This motion does one simple thing. today on motions to suspend the rules
on which the yeas and nays are or- assistance efforts, the Secretary shall—
The underlying bill requires recipients (A) publish educational materials related
of funding from the Department of dered.
to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission
Education to designate title VI compli- The House will resume proceedings
in child care provider settings, including by
ance coordinators. My motion inserts on postponed questions at a later time. posting such materials on a website,
language into this provision directing f (B) update any such materials as necessary
such compliance coordinators to con- to reflect advancements in the science of
ENSURING CHILDREN AND CHILD COVID-19, and
sider anti-Semitism to be illegal dis- CARE WORKERS ARE SAFE ACT
crimination on the basis of race, color, (C) provide a mechanism through which
OF 2020 States may exchange best practices relating
or national origin under title VI. to the safe operation of child care providers.
Madam Speaker, we have an oppor- Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I
move to suspend the rules and pass the (b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILD CARE
tunity with this amendment to achieve PROVIDERS.—
an important goal. We can ensure that bill (H.R. 7909) to facilitate access to (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make
recipients of Federal education funding child care services safely and securely grants to lead agencies designated under sec-
are doing all they can to protect mem- during the COVID–19 pandemic, as tion 658D(a) of the Child Care and Develop-
bers of our communities from horrific amended. ment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
anti-Semitism. The Clerk read the title of the bill. 9858b(a)) to provide guidance, technical as-
I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote on my amend- The text of the bill is as follows: sistance, and support to child care providers,
ment, and I yield back the balance of H.R. 7909 either directly or through resource and refer-
my time. ral agencies or staffed family child care net-
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- works, regarding the safe operation of child
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam resentatives of the United States of America in care providers while there is community
Speaker, I rise in opposition to the mo- Congress assembled, transmission of COVID-19.
tion. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. (2) RESERVATION.—The Secretary shall re-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ensuring serve 2.75 percent of funds appropriated to
tleman from Virginia is recognized for Children and Child Care Workers Are Safe carry out this section to make payments to
5 minutes. Act of 2020’’. Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or con-
Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam SEC. 2. FINDINGS. sortia of Indian Tribes and Tribal organiza-
Speaker, anti-Semitism is religious Congress finds the following: tions.
discrimination. As the motion reflects, (1) Child care is an essential service that (3) ALLOTMENTS.—From amounts appro-
religion is not covered by title VI. It supports children’s early development and priated to carry out this section and not re-
covers discrimination based on race, allows parents to work. served under paragraph (2), the Secretary
color, or national origin. It doesn’t (2) At least 1 out of 2 child care providers shall allot to Guam, American Samoa, the
closed at some point during the COVID-19 Virgin Islands of the United States, and the
cover religion. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
While we are picking just one reli- pandemic, and 2 out of 5 face the possibility
of permanent closure. lands and to the remaining States amounts
gious kind of discrimination, anti-Sem- (3) The lack of access to child care services in accordance with subsections (a)(1) and
itism, what about the other religions? can prevent parents from returning to work subsection (b) of section 658O of the Child
Wouldn’t they deserve attention, too? and can prevent children from accessing crit- Care and Development Block Grant Act of
This is just a political attempt to in- ical services, including meals. 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m), except that none of
sert religion into title VI. That is con- (4) Ensuring the safe re-opening and oper- such remaining States shall receive an allot-
troversial. Might get support for that, ation of child care service settings during pe- ment of less than $10,000.
but that is not part of this bill. riods of community transmission of COVID- (4) REQUIREMENTS.—Each lead agency that
This motion just diverts attention 19 will require child care providers to adopt receives a grant under this section shall en-
from the core provision of the bill, and new measures and practices in order to re- sure that—
duce the likelihood of COVID-19 trans- (A) guidance, technical assistance, and
that is to open the courts so that those support are available to child care providers
mission.
who can prove discrimination can have regardless of such providers’ settings, sizes,
(5) Such measures and practices must en-
their day in court if their proof is sure the safety of children as well as child or administrative capacities, and
based on disparate impact. care workers, who may be at high risk of in- (B) guidance, technical assistance, and sup-
Now, let’s not divert attention away fection. port are available in the languages most
from that core idea that people who (6) Ensuring that working families have ac- commonly spoken in the State, Indian Tribe,
have been discriminated against ought cess to safe child care service options is crit- or Tribal organization.
to be able to get into court. Let’s let ical to supporting young children’s develop- (c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than
them have their day in court. Defeat ment and to returning the economy back to 60 days after funds are appropriated to carry
this motion and pass the bill. its pre-pandemic levels. out this Act, the Secretary shall provide to
I yield back the balance of my time. SEC. 3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON THE SAFE the Committee on Education and Labor of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without PROVISION OF CHILD CARE SERV- the House of Representatives and to the
ICES. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
objection, the previous question is or-
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(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO STATES.— Pensions of the Senate a report that in-
dered on the motion to recommit. (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health cludes—
There was no objection. and Human Services (in this Act referred to (1) recommendations for how to ensure the
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The as the Secretary), in consultation with the safe provision of child care services while
question is on the motion to recommit. Director of the Centers for Disease Control there is community transmission of COVID-
The question was taken; and the and Prevention, shall provide technical as- 19, including recommendations that address
Speaker pro tempore announced that sistance to States, Indian Tribes, and tribal each of the issues described in subparagraphs
the noes appeared to have it. organizations related to the safe provision of (A) through (D) of subsection (a)(1),
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September 16, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4445
(2) recommendations for how to ensure the viders to rebuild and to serve the num- State’s 2,200 licensed or certified
supply of child care services meets demand ber of children they need to childcare centers still haven’t re-
during periods when providers implement the sustainably run their business and sur- opened.
recommendations described in paragraph (1),
vive the pandemic. In order to reopen for families,
including whether it will be necessary to ex-
pand the number of child care providers to It is worth noting that even before childcare providers must follow certain
meet such demand and, if so, recommenda- the pandemic, this industry operated guidelines and modify their normal
tions for how to expand the number of child on razor-thin margins and faced major routines in order to create a safe envi-
care providers, and difficulties. ronment for children. Now more than
(3) the estimated cost of implementing the According to a recent report from the ever, childcare providers need assist-
recommendations described in paragraphs (1) American Institutes for Research and ance interpreting and implementing
and (2). Early Edge California, of the 278 Cali- CDC and State guidelines designed to
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. fornia childcare providers surveyed, 52 keep children safe.
The terms ‘‘State’’, ‘‘Indian Tribe’’, and percent reported that it was too dif- My bill, along with Representative
‘‘Tribal organization’’ have the meanings
given such terms in section 658P of the Child
ficult to understand or follow new re- FINKENAUER, H.R. 7909, requires the De-
Care and Development Block Grant Act of quirements during COVID–19, and 79 partment of Health and Human Serv-
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n). percent reported a significant need for ices to work with States to provide
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. guidance on how to implement new technical assistance for childcare pro-
There is authorized to be appropriated to COVID–19 health and safety protocols. viders as they reopen across the coun-
carry out this Act, $5,000,000 for fiscal year This important bipartisan bill before try.
2021. Funds appropriated to carry out this us today, introduced by my colleagues In a recent study on technical assist-
Act shall remain available until expended. Representative FINKENAUER and Rep- ance, the Government Accountability
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- resentative GUTHRIE, will help meet Office found that the current COVID–19
ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from this need by requiring the Department pandemic underscores the importance
Oregon (Ms. BONAMICI) and the gen- of Health and Human Services, in con- of Federal agencies providing technical
tleman from Kentucky (Mr. GUTHRIE) sultation with the Centers for Disease assistance to grantees to ensure the
each will control 20 minutes. Control and Prevention, to issue edu- continuity of operations of grant pro-
The Chair recognizes the gentle- cational materials and guidance on grams and the effective use of funding.
woman from Oregon. how to provide childcare services safe-
b 1115
GENERAL LEAVE ly during the pandemic.
Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I Critically, this bill authorizes fund- While it is common for Congress to
ask unanimous consent that all Mem- ing that will enable States to provide require technical assistance, it is crit-
bers may have 5 legislative days in direct outreach, technical assistance, ical that we tailor these directives
which to revise and extend their re- and support to childcare providers. carefully to ensure grantees are receiv-
marks and include extraneous material I urge my colleagues to support this ing necessary and timely support. We
on the measure under consideration. bill, and I reserve the balance of my in Congress hear the concerns of
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there time. childcare providers and are sending the
objection to the request of the gentle- Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I assistance they desperately need.
woman from Oregon? yield myself such time as I may con- Additionally, this bill authorizes $5
There was no objection. sume. million for 1 year for HHS to issue
Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I Madam Speaker, before I begin, I was grants to States so they can provide
yield myself such time as I may con- talking to my friend from Oregon ear- guidance and technical support to
sume. lier—and also, I know, your home childcare providers, and it requires
Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- State—and our thoughts and prayers HHS to provide recommendations to
port of H.R. 7909, the Ensuring Children are with everybody on the West Coast. Congress on how to ensure there is an
and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act. I know some of us have friends on the adequate supply of safe childcare dur-
Access to high-quality, affordable Gulf Coast. We have citizens of our ing COVID–19. It is critical, and not
childcare has always been fundamental country, Madam Speaker, that are only to children and childcare pro-
to the well-being of families and chil- going through some tough times, and viders, but also to families who need
dren, so it is not surprising that our thoughts and prayers are with access to childcare while they return
childcare has emerged as one of the them. to work.
most urgent issues facing families and Madam Speaker, I rise in support of Madam Speaker, I urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote
communities during this pandemic. H.R. 7909, the Ensuring Children and on H.R. 7909 so that we can help put
I have spoken with parents who are Child Care Workers Are Safe Act. It is our country on the path forward. I ap-
struggling with how you balance kids a bipartisan piece of legislation that I preciate working with my colleague
at home with work at home. I have introduced with my colleague, Rep- from Iowa, and I reserve the balance of
heard from business owners, economic resentative FINKENAUER from Iowa, my time.
development leaders, and local elected which will provide childcare providers Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I
officials who are worried about the resources and information on how to thank my friend and colleague, Mr.
workforce and the economy, and safely operate during the COVID–19 GUTHRIE, for his kind remarks.
childcare has always been an impor- pandemic. Madam Speaker, I yield as much
tant part of all of these conversations Without childcare options, parents time as she may consume to the gen-
because it is a key factor in reopening can’t return to work, which is a key tlewoman from Iowa (Ms. FINKENAUER),
our communities safely. component to our Nation’s economic the author of this important bipartisan
Many, and in some places most, recovery. Additionally, childcare bene- legislation.
childcare providers across the country fits and a child’s health and develop- Ms. FINKENAUER. Madam Speaker,
were closed during the early months of ment are critical to building a strong I rise today in support of my legisla-
the pandemic. But now, they are re- foundation for future success. tion, aptly called the Ensuring Chil-
opening and working hard to restore Childcare providers, however, are dren and Child Care Workers Are Safe
confidence and provide a safe place for currently grappling with safely reopen- Act. I introduced this commonsense bi-
the children in their care. ing and staying open. A recent article partisan bill to help ensure our
Unfortunately, providers have told us in U.S. News and World Report noted childcare providers have the informa-
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that they have received little direct tens of thousands of childcare pro- tion and resources they need to provide
guidance about how to modify their viders shuttered across the U.S., 4,500 a safe environment both for the kids
practices for COVID–19 to keep chil- in the Washington, D.C., area alone. they serve and also their caregivers
dren, families, and workers safe and In my home State of Kentucky, they employ amid the ongoing COVID–
that the guidance they have received thanks to the CARES Act, many of our 19 pandemic.
keeps changing and is oftentimes unre- childcare centers have been fortunate You see, parent and childcare pro-
alistic. This makes it difficult for pro- to reopen. However, one-third of the viders were having a tough time even
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H4446 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 16, 2020
before this pandemic hit our country. Thank you to the great group of bi- leadership on these issues. Thank you
In my district, for example, parents partisan colleagues who are joining me so very much for allowing me this
can’t find enough people to provide in tackling this problem and who time. As well, to the chairman of the
quality and affordable childcare, and worked with me to craft this bill. This committee, ranking member, and to
there is an overwhelming demand and includes my colead, Congressman Ms. FINKENAUER and the gentleman
just not enough care available. This is BRETT GUTHRIE of Kentucky. from Kentucky, let me thank them for
an industry struggling with a shrink- There is an understanding here that their leadership, and I thank the gen-
ing workforce, low wages, and razor- if parents don’t have access to quality tlewoman for the time.
thin margins. and affordable childcare, then they will Madam Speaker, let me indicate how
And for myself personally, growing start passing up economic opportuni- important this legislation is. Twelve
up in Iowa, I went to college in Iowa; ties. Sometimes it is turning down a Utah childcare students were infected
and I saw, after college and even after promotion or, in other cases, that with COVID–19. They infected another
high school, a lot of my friends move means leaving the workforce alto- 12; one of them was a parent who had
away and go to States where they gether. We see this far too often, espe- to go to a hospital.
could make more money and pay off cially in rural districts like mine. The Ensuring Children and Child
their student loan debt. It is clear that the childcare industry Care Workers Are Safe Act of 2020 is
Right now they are in their thirties, is critical to recovering from this pan- vital and long overdue. This bill re-
around my age, getting married, want- demic and the economic situation it quires the U.S. Department of Health
ing to have kids, wanting to move back created. Providing help and technical and Human Services to provide edu-
home, and one of the barriers to doing assistance now will take a burden off cational materials and technical as-
it is access to childcare. our providers amid the many chal- sistance to States related to the safe
So, again, this has been an issue that lenges, again, that they face during the provision of childcare services during
we have dealt with for a long time, be- pandemic. COVID–19.
fore this pandemic even hit. But now, This bipartisan bill before you today With this bill, childcare facilities not
on top of everything, we are asking our is common sense, and it is something only receive information on COVID–19
childcare providers to keep our kids that folks across the country are ask- prevention, but also professional devel-
safe during this pandemic. In my State, ing for. So I urge you to vote ‘‘yes’’ on opment for providers on health and
cases continue to rise, but many folks the Ensuring Children and Child Care safety, as well as guidance on the ac-
have no choice but to return to work. Workers Are Safe Act. quisition and use of personal protective
Right now, I am worried that we are Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I equipment.
headed in the wrong direction. Roughly We heard this a lot in my district: No
yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
60 percent of childcare providers have PPE.
Pennsylvania (Mr. KELLER), a member It also instructs HHS to recommend
actually closed their doors because of of the committee and a good friend. additional steps to Congress about en-
the pandemic, and there is a chance Mr. KELLER. Madam Speaker, I urge suring the safe provision and adequate
that up to half of those closures will my colleagues to join me in supporting supply of childcare during COVID–19,
actually be permanent. America’s childcare providers and the including whether and how to expand
Earlier this year, we passed legisla- essential services they provide to our the supply of childcare to meet de-
tion to create a $50 billion childcare Nation’s families. mand. There is a demand. It is crucial.
stabilization fund, which passed with As millions of families have learned In addition, according to The Wash-
bipartisan support. This will help ad- during the COVID–19 pandemic, ington Post, before the coronavirus
dress some of the intense financial childcare is a critical component of our pandemic, approximately one-third of
pressure facing our providers right national economy. In addition to the all children under age 5 attended a paid
now, but the problem is still more com- significant benefits that childcare pro- care facility, daycare center, pre-
plicated. We must give the providers vides for children’s social and emo- school, or prekindergarten. In 2019,
the guidance and also the support that tional development, access to reliable there were 15 million-plus children liv-
they need to protect the health and childcare continues to play a vital role ing with a single mother and approxi-
safety of our children, families, and in America’s economic recovery. mately 3 million children living with a
frontline workers. As parents return to work, they need single father.
That is where the Ensuring Children to be sure that their children will be This is crucial because, as things
and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act looked after and kept safe. The Ensur- open up, children and schools are all
comes in. We want to make sure ing Children and Child Care Workers going to be intermingling, and these
childcare providers are equipped to Are Safe Act of 2020, H.R. 7909, would childcare workers are vital to what we
keep kids safe and prevent the spread make these assurances to families by do and how we provide for these hard-
of COVID–19. We are going to do that equipping childcare providers with the working parents and to protect these
by ensuring there is practical safety resources they need to perform their children.
guidance and technical assistance from jobs safely and effectively. And now we know. It has been dis-
the U.S. Department of Health and This legislation would provide fund- abused that at any point children are
Human Services. ing for States to implement technical not infectious. That is no longer a fact.
We also want to make sure that this support and training programs to as- It is not a fact. It is not true. They are
guidance actually reaches childcare sist childcare providers in meeting infectious and they can transmit
providers and that providers get the safety guidelines and acquiring per- COVID–19.
help they need in implementing best sonal protective equipment. Let me take a moment to speak
practices. That is why our bill would Childcare providers have supported quickly to H.R. 2574, the Equity and In-
also create grants so States can reach millions of American families, pro- clusion Enforcement Act of 2019.
out to providers and provide the tech- viding an essential service during good That bill passed, but it restores the
nical support they need to succeed. times and bad. I urge my colleagues to power of students and parents to chal-
This bill recognizes the unprece- support H.R. 7909. lenge discriminatory policies and prac-
dented demands being put on our Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, tices in schools and other federally
childcare providers. We simply cannot may I please inquire how much time funded programs. We know what hap-
expect them to do this alone when they remains on each side. pened to this young man who wanted
are already up against so much. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- to wrestle. What a humiliating situa-
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When it comes to addressing the tlewoman from Oregon has 13 minutes tion when, on the wrestling floor, in
childcare crisis which existed, again, remaining. the competition, a coach had to cut his
well before COVID–19 hit our country, I Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I hair off.
am happy to say that I have found yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman I ask my colleagues to support H.R.
many partners on both sides of the from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). 7909.
aisle who are willing to tackle this Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I also rise to support H.R. 3659,
issue for hardworking families. I really thank the gentlewoman for her Danny’s Law, that deals with bullying,
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September 16, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE CORRECTION H4447
and, as well, H.R. 8162, 21st Century that childcare providers receive guid- requirements for child care staff mem-
Community Learning Centers ance and assistance to safely operate bers to improve child safety, as amend-
Coronavirus Relief Act. so that parents can return to work and ed.
Madam Speaker, I thank my col- our economy can continue to recover. I The Clerk read the title of the bill.
leagues and ask my colleagues to sup- think most of the people, when I am The text of the bill is as follows:
port the legislation. back home, are just looking to return S. 2683
Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor and to normal, and this moves that for- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
Founding Chair of the Congressional Chil- ward. resentatives of the United States of America in
dren’s Caucus, I rise in strong support of H.R. For these reasons, I strongly urge my Congress assembled,
7909, the ‘‘Ensuring Child and Child Care colleagues to vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 7909, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
Workers Are Safe Act of 2020,’’ which re- and I yield back the balance of my This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child Care
quires the U.S. Department of Health and time. Protection Improvement Act of 2020’’.
Human Services (HHS) to provide educational Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, I SEC. 2. TASK FORCE TO ASSIST IN IMPROVING
CHILD SAFETY.
materials and technical assistance to states yield myself the balance of my time.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a
related to the safe provision of child care serv- Madam Speaker, I wish to once again task force, to be known as the Interagency
ices during COVID–19. Despite their vital role thank Representatives FINKENAUER and Task Force for Child Safety (referred to in
during the pandemic, child care providers GUTHRIE for their leadership in crafting this section as the ‘‘Task Force’’) to iden-
have received insufficient actionable guidance this urgently needed bipartisan bill and tify, evaluate, and recommend best practices
on how to prevent the spread of COVID–19 all of my colleagues who have spoken and technical assistance to assist Federal
while providing high-quality care. in support of the Ensuring Children and State agencies in fully implementing the
With this bill, child care facilities not only re- and Child Care Workers Are Safe Act. requirements of section 658H(b) of the Child
ceive information on COVID–19 prevention but Care and Development Block Grant Act of
This is such an important issue.
also professional development for providers on 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858f(b)) for child care staff
Today’s children are tomorrow’s members.
health and safety as well as guidance on the leaders. This bill will help make sure (b) COMPOSITION.—Not later than 60 days
acquisition and use of personal protective that childcare providers who are en- after the date of enactment of this Act, the
equipment. It also instructs HHS to rec- trusted with the health, safety, and de- President shall appoint the members of the
ommend additional steps to Congress about velopment of our Nation’s very future Task Force, which shall—
ensuring the safe provision and adequate sup- have the support they need to succeed. (1) consist of only Federal officers and em-
ply of childcare during COVID–19, including I also want to note, as my colleague ployees; and
whether and how to expand the supply of child (2) include—
from Iowa noted, that the consider-
care to meet demand. (A) the Director of the Office of Child Care
ation of this bill comes after the House of the Department of Health and Human
As an increasing number of states open up passage of the Child Care is Essential Services (or the Director’s designee), the As-
and more individuals return to work, parents Act, which will provide $50 billion in sociate Commissioner of the Children’s Bu-
are relying on child care facilities once again, direct grant funding to help childcare reau of the Department of Health and
making the need for proper guidance to pre- providers cover operating expenses, Human Services (or the Associate Commis-
vent the spread of COVID–19 at child care purchase PPE and cleaning supplies, sioner’s designee), and the Director of the
services more essential than ever. As of this pay providers through the pandemic Federal Bureau of Investigation (or the Di-
morning, the United States has over 6,606,859 rector’s designee); and
and beyond, and, importantly, give
cases of coronavirus and over 195,961 related (B) such other Federal officers and employ-
struggling parents relief from high-cost ees (or their designees) as may be appointed
deaths. Adequate and updated information is copayments and tuition. by the President.
key to getting control over this disease, and This is a good investment in our chil- (c) CHAIRPERSON.—The chairperson of the
we must ensure that this guidance is easily dren, our families, our economy, and Task Force shall be the Assistant Secretary
and readily accessible to all. our future. I continue to urge Senator of the Administration for Children and Fam-
It is no secret that the child care sector pro- MCCONNELL and the full Senate to take ilies of the Department of Health and Human
vides an immense public value to our society up the Child Care is Essential Act, as Services.
and our economy. According to the Wash- (d) CONSULTATION.—The Task Force shall
well as this excellent bipartisan bill.
ington Post, before the coronavirus pandemic, consult with representatives from State
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my col- child care agencies, State child protective
approximately one-third of all children under leagues to support the legislation be- services, State criminal justice agencies,
age 5 attended a paid care facility, day-care fore us today, H.R. 7909, and I yield providers of child care services, including
center, preschool or prekindergarten. back the balance of my time. providers in the private sector, and other rel-
Child care plays a crucial role in the lives of The SPEAKER pro tempore. The evant stakeholders on identifying problems
working parents, especially in single parent question is on the motion offered by in implementing, and proposing solutions to
households. In 2019, there were about 15.76 the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. implement, the requirements of section
million children living with a single mother and 658H(b) of the Child Care and Development
BONAMICI) that the House suspend the
approximately 3.23 million children living with Block Grant Act of 1990, as described in that
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7909, as section. Such consultation shall include con-
a single father in the United States. We must amended. sultation with State agencies that are at dif-
never forget that child care is often a lifeline The question was taken. ferent stages of such implementation.
to single, working parents that allows them to The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the (e) TASK FORCE DUTIES.—The Task Force
balance both their parenting and professional opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being shall—
responsibilities. in the affirmative, the ayes have it. (1) develop recommendations for improving
I am proud to be a leader on this critical Ms. BONAMICI. Madam Speaker, on implementation of the requirements of sec-
piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues tion 658H(b) of the Child Care and Develop-
that I demand the yeas and nays.
from both parties to join me in voting to pass ment Block Grant Act of 1990, including rec-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ommendations about how the Task Force
H.R. 7909. ant to section 3 of House Resolution and member agencies will collaborate and
Mr. GUTHRIE. Madam Speaker, I 965, the yeas and nays are ordered. coordinate efforts to implement such re-
yield myself such time as I may con- Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- quirements, as described in that section; and
sume. ther proceedings on this motion are (2) develop recommendations in which the
Madam Speaker, in these challenging postponed. Task Force identifies best practices and
abonner on DSK9F5VC42PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE
times, childcare providers, especially evaluates technical assistance to assist rel-
those who run small operations, are at f evant Federal and State agencies in imple-
risk of shutting their doors. The call b 1130 menting section 658H(b) of the Child Care
for Congress to act is loud and clear. and Development Block Grant Act of 1990,
With the additional health and safety CHILD CARE PROTECTION which identification and evaluation shall in-
IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2020 clude—
requirements providers are expected to
(A) an analysis of available research and
navigate, it is important to help them Mrs. MCBATH. Madam Speaker, I information at the Federal and State levels
implement these requirements so the move to suspend the rules and pass the regarding the status of the interstate re-
children in their care remain safe and bill (S. 2683) to establish a task force to quirements of that section for child care
free from harm. H.R. 7909 will ensure assist States in implementing hiring staff members who have resided in one or
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