June 27, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 109 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages S4631-S4635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Booker, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
        Blumenthal, Mr. Brown, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Carper, Mr. Casey, Ms. 
        Duckworth, Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. 
        Harris, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Menendez, 
        Mr. Merkley, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Reed, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Sanders, Mr. 
        Schatz, Mrs. Shaheen, Ms. Sinema, Ms. Smith, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. 
        Van Hollen, Ms. Warren, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Wyden):
  S. 2008. A bill to prohibit, as an unfair or deceptive act or 
practice, commercial sexual orientation conversion therapy, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, half a century ago, members of the 
LGBTQIA+ community, who were tired of being accosted and abused and 
assaulted just because of who they were or whom they loved, took a 
stand to say ``enough is enough'' and pushed back against the forces of 
history that said they were anything less than.
  Thanks to the sacrifice of freedom fighters like Marsha P. Johnson, 
Sylvia Rivera, and so many others both named and unnamed who dared that 
day to live their entire truth, countless others today have been set 
free. Now, 50 years later, through dogged persistence and sacrifice, we 
have been able to pass laws and create policies that respect and 
protect members of the LGBTQIA+ community--from challenging hateful 
bans against lesbian and gay relationships, to securing landmark civil 
rights protections against hate crimes, to, finally, making marriage 
equality the law of our land.
  This year, as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall 
protests that sparked the modern movement for LGBTQ equality, I am very 
proud to stand here on the floor of the Senate as an unapologetic ally 
for this vibrant community.
  As we close out this month's annual celebration of Pride, I come to 
the floor today to reintroduce legislation to further protect gay, 
lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender 
nonconforming individuals from the dogma of our Nation's homophobic and 
transphobic past because, even as we reflect on the progress we have 
made, we have a lot more to do to achieve equality.
  In the Senate, I have been very proud to stand shoulder to shoulder 
with the community in Washington State and around the country in order 
to continue our progress and work to expand protections to help members 
of the community thrive, from our efforts to reduce bullying and 
harassment at colleges and universities through legislation named after 
Tyler Clementi--a student who tragically died by suicide in college--to 
reducing the epidemic of harassment and discrimination in workplaces 
through the Be HEARD Act, which is a bill I recently introduced that 
would hold businesses accountable for harassment and discrimination, 
give workers the resources and support they need to seek justice, and 
clarify that discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and 
gender identity are unlawful under the Civil Rights Act.
  I am very grateful to my colleague Senator Booker and our friend 
Representative Lieu for joining me today in reintroducing the 
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act--the first Federal ban on so-called 
conversion therapy--because, in 2019, we know that being a member of 
the LGBTQIA+ community isn't an affliction, a disease, or some chronic 
condition that requires medical treatment; rather, the politicians who 
say it is are on the wrong side of history.
  In fact, we know that conversion therapy is a painful and 
discriminatory practice. The American Psychological Association has 
said it ``is unlikely to be successful in changing someone's sexual 
orientation'' and would ``involve some risk of harm'' contrary to the 
claims of practitioners and advocates. It is also a practice that is 
especially harmful to LGBTQIA+ children, who we already know are 
vulnerable to increased harassment and discrimination because of who 
they are.
  I am proud that my home State of Washington has already banned 
conversion therapy, but that is not enough so long as any child or any 
person in our country can be harmed by this sham practice. That is why 
I am very proud to be here to reintroduce the Therapeutic Fraud 
Prevention Act and to remind all of our friends that we stand with them 
throughout history and throughout the future to make sure they are 
protected with their rights.
  The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is legislation that would 
classify conversion therapy as the fraudulent practice our communities 
and science know it is. It would clarify in our Nation's laws that 
providing or facilitating commercial conversion therapy or facilitating 
or advertising such services is an unfair and deceptive practice, and 
it would ensure that Federal regulators and State attorneys general 
have the ability and authority to enforce this ban.
  We have come far in our long battle for LGBTQIA+ equality, and I am 
ready to get to work to get this important legislation over the finish 
line because, after 50 years of struggle, as a nation, we have come to 
know that love is love and that love wins. However, after 50 years, we 
also know it gets better but only if we work to make it so.
  From the horrors of the Pulse massacre, to the ever-climbing number 
of murdered African-American and Latinx transgender women, to President 
Trump's transgender military ban and his administration's continuous 
assault on LGBTQIA+ rights, so many of the challenges that face the 
community today mirror the critical struggles they faced all those 
years ago at the Stonewall Inn. Like then, too many in the community 
are still threatened by even greater danger because they are also 
women, transgender, people of color, poor, and the list goes on.

[[Page S4632]]

  That is why this legislation and recognitions like Pride Month are so 
important. All month, I have been thrilled to see the photos from Pride 
celebrations back in Washington State--from Spokane, to Yakima, to 
Olympia--filled with so much cheer, resilience, and strength, only to 
come back here to Washington and argue in this Chamber about why we 
shouldn't confirm people to judicial or executive posts who don't 
believe in the full humanity and equality of so many of our family 
members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
  It is obvious that this work is still very important, and we have it 
cut out for us, but I remain hopeful because I have seen how far we 
have come in just 50 years. By continuing to honor the righteous 
tradition of Marsha, Sylvia, and so many others by raising our voices 
against injustice and taking key steps like this legislation to make 
life easier for the next generation of LGBTQIA+ Americans, I know we 
will see even more progress in the next 50 years.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Jones):
  S. 2018. A bill to provide Federal matching funding for State-level 
broadband programs; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the American 
Broadband Buildout Act of 2019, or ABBA. This legislation would help 
ensure that rural Americans have access to broadband services at speeds 
they need to fully participate in the benefits of our modern society 
and economy regardless of whether they live in the largest cities or 
the smallest towns. I am delighted to be joined by my friend and 
colleague Senator Doug Jones in introducing this bill.
  Twenty-five years ago, when the internet was known as the World Wide 
Web, Americans typically accessed the web using their home phone lines 
via modems capable of downloading data at just 56 kilobits per second--
too slow even to support MP3-quality streaming music. Today, the 
threshold for broadband service as defined by the FCC allows downloads 
at speeds nearly 500 times faster--25 megabits per second. At these 
speeds, Americans not only can watch their favorite movies on demand in 
the comfort of their very own living rooms but can also participate in 
the global economy while working from home, upgrade their skills 
through online education, stay connected to their families as they age 
in place, and access healthcare through advances in telemedicine.
  While the increase in broadband speeds has been dramatic and is 
encouraging, these numbers mask a disparity between urban and rural 
Americans. Nearly all Americans living in urban areas have access to 
the internet at speeds that meet the FCC's broadband threshold, while 
one in four rural Americans does not.
  Similar disparities occur in terms of broadband adoption--the rate at 
which Americans subscribe to broadband service if they have access to 
it. According to the Pew Research Center survey last year, 22 percent 
of rural Americans don't use the internet at home, compared to just 8 
percent of urban Americans.
  The bipartisan bill that we are introducing would help close the 
digital divide between urban and rural America by directing the FCC to 
provide up to $5 billion in matching grants to assist States and State-
approved entities in building ``last-mile'' infrastructure to bring 
high-speed broadband directly to homes and businesses in areas that 
lack it. Let me briefly discuss a few key points about the bill that I 
would like to highlight.
  First, projects that receive funding must be located in unserved 
areas where broadband is unavailable at speeds that meet the FCC 
standards. Narrowing the focus to those areas will ensure that the 
money goes where it is needed most and will also protect against 
overbuilding where broadband infrastructure is already in place.
  Second--and this is important--the bill requires that this Federal 
funding be matched through public-private partnerships between the 
broadband service provider and the State in which the last-mile 
infrastructure project will be built. This means that States and their 
private sector partners will have ``skin in the game'' to balance the 
Federal commitment, ensuring that projects will be well thought out and 
designed to be sustainable.
  Third, the bill requires that projects be designed to be ``future 
proof,'' meaning that the infrastructure installed must be capable of 
delivering higher speeds as broadband accelerates in the future. This 
will ensure that Federal tax dollars are used to help build a network 
that serves rural Americans now and in the future without our having to 
rebuild it every time technology advances.
  Furthermore, the bill directs the FCC to prioritize the funding of 
projects in States that have traditionally lagged behind the national 
average in terms of broadband subscribers and are at risk of falling 
further behind as broadband speeds increase.
  Finally, the bill provides grants for states and state-designated 
entities for digital literacy and public awareness campaigns, 
highlighting the benefits and possibilities of broadband service and 
helping to attract employers to rural parts of our country in which 
broadband services are lacking and yet are essential for a business's 
success. The key reason to do this is to address the disparity in the 
adoption rates I have already mentioned, which will help drive down the 
costs of the service and make it more affordable for everyone.
  One broadband application that holds special promise for rural 
America is telemedicine. As a native of Aroostook County--the largest 
county by land area east of the Mississippi, with fewer than 70,000 
residents--I know how important healthcare is to the vitality and even 
to the survival of rural communities. Often, these communities struggle 
to attract and retain the physicians they need to ensure their having 
access to quality care for their citizens. Broadband can help to bridge 
this gap by enabling innovative healthcare delivery in these rural 
communities.
  In an example described to me in a recent letter, hospice workers at 
Northern Light Home Care and Hospice were able to use the internet and 
video technology to help support a patient who was living on an island 
off the coast of Maine--not as far as the seagull flies but hours away 
in travel time. Although the connection was very poor, the video 
enabled the hospice nurses to monitor the patient's symptoms and 
provide emotional support to her family. As the author of that letter, 
Lisa Harvey-McPherson, put it, ``Our hospice team could be doing so 
much more with video and telemonitoring technologies if Maine had 
better connectivity.''
  I ask unanimous consent that immediately following my remarks, this 
letter from Lisa Harvey-McPherson be printed in the Record.
  Mr. President, in closing, rural Americans deserve to enjoy the 
benefits of high-speed internet in the same way that urban Americans 
do, but a digital divide has arisen due to the simple fact that rural 
areas are more sparsely populated than urban ones and are therefore 
more expensive to serve. The bill that Senator Jones and I are 
introducing today would help to bridge this digital divide by funding 
future-proof broadband where it is needed most and giving a real boost 
to job creation in rural America.
  I urge my colleagues to support our bill.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                        Northern Light Health,

                                         Brewer, ME, May 13, 2019.
     Senator Susan Collins,
     Dirksen Senate Office Building,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Collins: On behalf of Northern Light Health 
     member organizations and the patients we serve, I want to 
     thank you for your support for the need to advance health 
     care technology in Maine. Technology is an essential strategy 
     to increase access to health care services in rural Maine. 
     Northern Light Health is a technology leader in Maine 
     providing a variety of telehealth services including 
     cardiology, stroke, psychiatry, trauma, pediatric intensive 
     care and in-home telemonitoring services state wide. As we 
     work to expand opportunities for patients to receive health 
     care services through technology we consistently encounter 
     the challenge of inadequate (or absent) broad band capacity. 
     Northern Light Health member organizations compete nationally 
     to recruit specialists to Maine, technology is often the only 
     option to expand access to specialists in rural Maine.
       The following Northern Light Health examples highlight 
     technology opportunities

[[Page S4633]]

     and the need to increase broadband speed and capacity in 
     rural Maine.
       Our hospice program cared for a patient on an island off 
     Hancock County. Staff placed a tablet at the patient's home 
     and one with the hospice nurse. Because of the challenges of 
     Island travel, it took hours to get to the home to manage and 
     support the patient and her family. While the broadband 
     connection was very poor we were able to help with symptoms 
     and emotional support using video technology. Our hospice 
     team could be doing so much more with video and 
     telemonitoring technologies if Maine had better connectivity.
       At Northern Light AR Gould in Presque Isle, they are a 
     pilot site for the telehealth virtual walk-in clinic. Those 
     using the system within the pilot are amazed at the ease of 
     access to a provider to ask those easy questions that keep 
     patients out of the ED. If successful, in a broader roll-out, 
     patients in local communities will have access to walk-in 
     level care (colds, rashes, general health questions) without 
     leaving their home via technology. This is important given 
     the average age of the population and the difficulty of 
     traveling roads during the winter months in Aroostook County. 
     The barrier to fully expanding the telehealth virtual clinic 
     is broadband capacity.
       Broadband access is also a professional recruitment tool, 
     often provider spouses have difficulty finding meaningful 
     employment. Addressing rural broadband capacity will support 
     remote work.
       In Aroostook County we are also evaluating telepsychiatry 
     services for the regional nursing homes. This will 
     significantly increase access to psychiatry services which is 
     in clinical demand. Connectivity is a foundational component 
     of offering this service.
       Our electronic health record has expanded access to 
     individualized health information for our patients, 
     connectivity is a barrier to patients accessing this 
     important resource in rural Maine.
       As we increase our electronic health record capacity 
     providers are reliant on this technology as much as they are 
     reliant on clinical tools like a stethoscope. In areas with 
     broadband capacity challenges the providers spend time 
     looking at buffering symbols on their screens for long 
     periods of time in the day.
       We appreciate the opportunity to share these examples with 
     you and your staff as you explore Congressional solutions to 
     Maine's broadband challenge.
           Sincerely,
     Lisa Harvey-McPherson RN, MBA, MPPM,
       Vice President Government Relations.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. LEAHY (for himself, Mr. Perdue, Mr. Brown, and Ms. 
        Collins):
  S. 2026. A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
Act to reauthorize the farm to school program, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  In 2010, Congress passed the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act, which 
reauthorized child nutrition programs and made healthy meal choices a 
reality to children nationwide. Far too many children and adolescents 
in the United States suffer from obesity, which puts them at risk for 
developing chronic health conditions later in life. One of the best 
ways to help students make healthy choices is to teach them about their 
food and how it is grown. Making that connection makes a difference. 
That is why I championed the inclusion of funding for a farm to school 
grant program, which was included in the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids 
Act.
  The program has had tremendous success and interest nationwide, and 
has awarded grants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to 
support programs in more than 33,000 schools. Building upon the success 
of this program, I am glad to be joined today by Senators Perdue, 
Brown, and Collins in introducing the Farm to School Act of 2019. In 
years past, I have championed this important farm to school legislative 
effort with one of my dearest friends, Thad Cochran, who sadly passed 
away last month.
  We all know that hungry children cannot learn. Studies have shown 
that healthy nutrition in a young person's diet is crucial to cognitive 
ability and better health in the long run. Food insecurity and obesity 
rates are still too high in this country, resulting in poor health, and 
learning and behavioral difficulties at school. The school meal program 
has made tremendous strides in recent years to ensure not only that 
children have access to meals throughout the school day, but that those 
meals are nutritious. The Farm to School program has given children and 
schools across the country the tools to craft farm-fresh, healthy, and 
delicious meals that students enjoy.
  The Farm to School grant program offers support to farmers and local 
economies, while teaching kids about nutritious foods and how they are 
grown. The program has a strong educational component, making our 
school cafeterias an extension of the classroom, giving students an 
opportunity to learn about nutrition, well-balanced meals, and even how 
to grow the food themselves.
  In Vermont, I have seen first-hand how farm to school efforts have 
better connected children with the food in their cafeteria. Students 
participate in school gardens, sustainability projects, and taste tests 
for new school menu items. With the help of a USDA Farm to School 
grant, the Burlington School Food Project has created a partnership 
with a local Vermont beef processor and 100 percent of the beef served 
the last school year was locally sourced, and that will continue next 
year as well. Organizations in Vermont such as Vermont Food Education 
Every Day, Shelburne Farms, and the Northeast Organic Farming 
Association have been able to expand their programs to link more farms 
to the classroom throughout Vermont.
  Farm to school is equally crucial to farmers and ranchers by opening 
another market to them to sell their locally grown and locally 
harvested goods. The program links the classroom with the farm to 
engage students in the importance of farming and contributing to the 
local economy. Every dollar spent on local food generates up to an 
additional $2.16 in economic activity.
  This program is so popular among school and farmers alike that demand 
for grants far outpaces available funding. Since the program began in 
2013, USDA has received more than 1,900 applications, but has only been 
able to fund 437 projects. The Farm to School Act of 2019 would build 
upon the success of the program and expand its reach by increasing the 
funding for the program to $15 million per year. The bill also 
recognizes the importance of growing the program to include preschools, 
summer food service program sites, and after-school programs.
  Ensuring children have enough food to eat is an issue that unites us 
all. There is simply no excuse that in the wealthiest, most powerful 
Nation on Earth people go hungry. Small changes in eating habits by 
children will result in lifelong health benefits for generations to 
come. The Farm to School program empowers children and their families 
to make healthy choices now and in the future. As the Senate begins 
considering reauthorizing the child nutrition bill this year, I look 
forward to including these improvements in the Farm to School program.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. 
        Durbin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Ernst, and 
        Mr. Cramer):
  S. 2032. A bill to expand research on the cannabidiol and marihuana; 
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act with my colleagues.
  Anecdotal evidence suggests that marijuana and its derivatives, like 
cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, may be helpful in treating serious 
medical conditions. However, anecdotal evidence alone cannot be the 
basis for developing new medications. Rather, medication development 
must be based on science.
  Unfortunately, marijuana research is subject to burdensome 
regulations which may unintentionally inhibit research and medication 
development.
  The Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act will reduce 
these barriers without sacrificing security or enabling diversion. It 
will ensure that marijuana-derived medications are developed using 
strong scientific evidence, and provide a pathway for the manufacture 
and distribution of FDA-approved drugs that are based on this research.
  First, the bill streamlines the regulatory process for marijuana 
research. Specifically, it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration 
(DEA) to quickly approve or deny applications to research CBD or 
marijuana and establishes a process by which applicants may submit 
supplemental information, if necessary.

[[Page S4634]]

  It also improves regulations dealing with changes to approved 
quantities of marijuana needed for research and approved research 
protocols. These improvements will eliminate lengthy delays that 
researchers encounter under current regulations.
  Second, this legislation seeks to increase medical research on CBD.
  It does so by explicitly authorizing medical and osteopathic schools, 
research universities, practitioners and pharmaceutical companies to 
produce the marijuana they need for approved medical research. This 
will ensure that researchers have access to the material they need to 
develop proven, effective medicines. Once the FDA approves these 
medications, pharmaceutical companies are permitted to manufacture and 
distribute them.
  Third, the bill fosters increased communication between doctors and 
patients.
  Because it is a Schedule I drug, some doctors are hesitant to talk to 
their patients about the potential harms and benefits of using 
marijuana, CBD, or other marijuana derivatives as a treatment, for fear 
that they will lose their DEA registrations. Yet, if patients are using 
marijuana or its derivatives without their doctors' knowledge, it could 
impact the effectiveness of the care they receive. That is why our bill 
authorizes these discussions to occur.
  Finally, because existing Federal research is lacking, the bill 
directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and 
coordinate research to determine the potential medical benefits of CBD 
or other marijuana-derived medications on serious medical conditions.
  I have heard from many parents who have turned to CBD as a last 
resort to treat their children who have intractable epilepsy. 
Anecdotally, CBD has produced positive results. I have heard similar 
stories from people who use marijuana to treat various other medical 
conditions.
  But a common concern echoed in many of these conversations is that 
there is a lack of understanding about the proper delivery mechanism, 
dosing, or potential interactions that CBD or marijuana may have with 
other medications. Some also worry because these products aren't well 
regulated or factory sealed, and often are labeled incorrectly.
  Without additional research, our ability to adequately address these 
concerns is limited and uninformed.
  The need for additional research, along with the need to increase the 
supply of CBD and marijuana for research purposes, was highlighted in 
the National Academy of Sciences report, titled ``The Health Effects of 
Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and 
Recommendations for Research.''
  I firmly believe that we should reduce the regulatory barriers 
associated with researching marijuana and CBD. If and when science 
shows that these substances are effective in treating serious medical 
illnesses, we should enable products to be brought to the market with 
FDA approval. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen):
  S. 2036. A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
to provide grants to States for summer employment programs for youth; 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I would like to call the Senate's 
attention to the Youth Summer Jobs and Public Service Act of 2019 that 
I am introducing today with my colleague from Maryland, Senator Van 
Hollen. This legislation authorizes the Department of Labor to award 
Summer Employment for Youth grants to connect youth with jobs that 
serve their local communities and private businesses over the summer 
months.
  Since the mid-1990s, my home city of Baltimore has organized the 
Youth Works program out of the Mayor's Office of Employment 
Development. The Youth Works program provides individuals between the 
ages of 14 to 21 with a summer job with employers ranging from private 
businesses, local community nonprofit organizations, to city and State 
government agencies throughout the City. At these summer jobs, 
participants are provided with meaningful work experiences, are able to 
learn to develop the attitudes and grit necessary to compete in the 
workforce, gain exposure to a variety of career fields, and have a 
safe, stable environment over the summer months during the day. For the 
2019 Youth Works session that begins next week, Baltimore youth 
participating in the program will have a job for five days a week, five 
hours per day from July 1st through August 2nd and be paid a minimum of 
$10.10 per hour for their service.
  This program has grown to be one of the largest youth summer 
employment programs in the Nation. After the unrest in my home city in 
April 2015, the Federal Department of Labor provided the Maryland 
Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Baltimore City's 
Mayor's Office of Employment with a $5 million grant to develop 
innovative job training strategies and work opportunities for youth and 
young adults across Baltimore. This Federal grant increased the number 
of individuals able to be served by the Youth Works program from an 
historic average of 5,000 participants to the more than 8,000 served 
today. Last year, Youth Works provided 8,600 Baltimoreans with jobs at 
more than 900 different worksites across my home city. I'm proud to say 
that some of those individuals who participated in the Youth Works 
program over the course of multiple summers while in high school have 
recently graduated and were hired by State agencies such as the 
Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Baltimore youth and their 
families clearly see the value of this program, with more than 14,000 
individuals applying for Youth Works slots this upcoming summer.
  Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding between the partnership 
between the City, State, private business, and philanthropic ventures, 
more than 5,000 Baltimore City youth who sought summer employment will 
be denied the opportunity to gain experience in the workplace, foster 
confidence that they are capable of being successful in a new 
environment, and lose the security of a safe environment over the 
summer. We can and must do more to help individuals willing and eager 
to start their careers.
  The Youth Summer Jobs and Public Service Act would seek to eliminate 
the waiting list for Baltimore students seeking to participate in Youth 
Works or other summer employment programs around the Nation. If 
enacted, my legislation would allow States to compete for Summer 
Employment for Youth grants to serve communities like Baltimore that 
have high concentrations of eligible, low-income youth. The grants 
would be utilized by local communities to carry out programs like the 
Youth Works program that provide summer employment opportunities that 
are directly linked to academic and occupations learning by providing 
meaningful work experiences. States competing for grants would be 
required to partner with private businesses to the extent feasible and 
to prioritize jobs and work opportunities that directly serve their 
communities, such as through summer employment with local community 
nonprofit organizations and city and State government agencies. This 
additional Federal funding can boost existing programs such as Youth 
Works and allow other communities across Maryland to establish their 
own programs and develop Maryland's next generation of workforce.
  I am proud to lead this Senate effort with my colleague from Maryland 
and appreciate the work of Representative Cedric Richmond of Louisiana 
who initially led this effort in the U.S. House of Representatives and 
will shortly introduce companion legislation this Congress. I urge my 
Senate colleagues to join with me in this effort to connect youth with 
summer employment opportunities and start their journey towards 
fulfilling, successful careers.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Congressional Record following my remarks.
  There being no objections, so ordered.

                                S. 2036

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

[[Page S4635]]

  


     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Youth Summer Jobs and Public 
     Service Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. GRANTS TO STATES FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH.

       Section 129 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
     (29 U.S.C. 3164) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(d) Grants to States for Summer Employment for Youth.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     this Act, from the amount appropriated under paragraph (2), 
     the Secretary shall award grants to States to provide 
     assistance to local areas that have high concentrations of 
     eligible youth to enable such local areas to carry out 
     programs described in subsection (c)(1) that provide summer 
     employment opportunities for eligible youth, which are 
     directly linked to academic and occupational learning, as 
     described in subsection (c)(2)(C). In awarding grants under 
     this subsection, a State shall--
       ``(A) partner with private businesses to the extent 
     feasible to provide employment opportunities at such 
     businesses; and
       ``(B) prioritize jobs and work opportunities that directly 
     serve the community.
       ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $100,000,000 to carry out this subsection 
     for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.''.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Mrs. Gillibrand, and 
        Ms. Klobuchar):
  S. 2042. A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 
coins in commemoration of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; to 
the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2042

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Purple Heart Hall 
     of Honor Commemorative Coin Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The mission of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor 
     is--
       (A) to commemorate the extraordinary sacrifice of 
     servicemembers of the United States who were killed or 
     wounded by enemy action; and
       (B) to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart 
     recipients from all branches of service and across 
     generations to ensure that all recipients are represented.
       (2) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor first opened 
     its doors on November 10, 2006, in New Windsor, New York.
       (3) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is colocated 
     with the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site.
       (4) The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is the first to 
     recognize the estimated 1,800,000 servicemembers of the 
     United States wounded or killed in action representing 
     recipients from the Civil War to the present day, serving as 
     a living memorial to their sacrifice by sharing their stories 
     through interviews, exhibits, and the Roll of Honor, an 
     interactive computer database of each recipient enrolled.

     SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.

       (a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall mint and issue the following coins:
       (1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 50,000 $5 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 8.359 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
       (C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
       (2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 400,000 $1 coins, which 
     shall--
       (A) weigh 26.73 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
       (C) contain not less than 90 percent silver.
       (3) Half-dollar clad coins.--Not more than 750,000 half-
     dollar coins which shall--
       (A) weigh 11.34 grams;
       (B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
       (C) be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins 
     contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
       (b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be 
     legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       (c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all coins minted under this Act 
     shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.

       (a) Design Requirements.--
       (1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be emblematic of the mission of the National Purple 
     Heart Hall of Honor.
       (2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted 
     under this Act there shall be--
       (A) a designation of the value of the coin;
       (B) an inscription of the year ``2021''; and
       (C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We 
     Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus 
     Unum''.
       (b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this 
     Act shall be--
       (1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the 
     Commission of Fine Arts and the National Purple Heart Hall of 
     Honor, Inc.; and
       (2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

     SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.

       (a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be 
     issued in uncirculated and proof qualities.
       (b) Mint Facility.--Only the West Point Mint may be used to 
     strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this 
     Act.
       (c) Period for Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins 
     minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning 
     on January 1, 2021.

     SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.

       (a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be 
     sold by the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
       (1) the face value of the coins;
       (2) the surcharge provided in section 7(a) with respect to 
     such coins; and
       (3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including 
     labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, 
     marketing, and shipping).
       (b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the 
     coins issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
       (c) Prepaid Orders.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders 
     for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of 
     such coins.
       (2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders 
     under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.

     SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.

       (a) In General.--All sales of coins issued under this Act 
     shall include a surcharge of--
       (1) $35 per coin for the $5 coin;
       (2) $10 per coin for the $1 coin; and
       (3) $5 per coin for the half-dollar coin.
       (b) Distribution.--Subject to section 5134(f)(1) of title 
     31, United States Code, all surcharges received by the 
     Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall 
     be promptly paid by the Secretary to the National Purple 
     Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. to support the mission of the 
     National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc., including capital 
     improvements to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor 
     facilities.
       (c) Audits.--The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, Inc. 
     shall be subject to the audit requirements of section 
     5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with regard to 
     the amounts received under subsection (b).
       (d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no 
     surcharge may be included with respect to the issuance under 
     this Act of any coin during a calendar year if, as of the 
     time of such issuance, the issuance of such coin would result 
     in the number of commemorative coin programs issued during 
     such year to exceed the annual 2 commemorative coin program 
     issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31, 
     United States Code (as in effect on the date of the enactment 
     of this Act). The Secretary of the Treasury may issue 
     guidance to carry out this subsection.
                                 ______
                                 
      By Mr. SCHUMER:
  S. 2047. A bill to provide for a 2-week extension of the Medicaid 
community mental health services demonstration program, and for other 
purposes; considered and passed.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2047

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF THE MEDICAID COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH 
                   SERVICES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 223(d)(3) of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act 
     of 2014 (42 U.S.C. 1396a note) is amended by striking ``June 
     30, 2019'' and inserting ``July 14, 2019''.

     SEC. 2. MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT FUND.

       Section 1941(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1396w-1(b)(1)) is amended by striking ``$6,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,000,000''.

                          ____________________