Jim Jeffords

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Following the remarks of Senator Kennedy, I ask unanimous consent all time be yielded back on the bill and that there be 30 minutes equally divided for closing remarks prior to the vote on the bill with Senator Gregg to be recognized for the last 15 minutes.

Mr. JEFFORDS. That is correct.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that the Senate enter into a period of morning business until the hour of 3 p.m. with the time equally divided in the usual form.

Mr. JEFFORDS. I have no idea.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure that the Senate is moving to pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000. This year is the 35th anniversary of the Older Americans Program. Since 1965, the act has provided a range of needed social services to our Nation's senior citizens. It is the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of supportive and nutrition services to older persons, and it has grown and changed to meet our citizens' needs. In 1972, we created the national nutrition program; in 1978, we established a separate title for Native Americans; and in 1987, we authorized programs to prevent elder abuse and neglect. The act has been reauthorized 12 times, most recently in 1992. Reauthorization legislation was considered in the 104th and 105th Congresses but did not pass due to controversy about a number of proposals. Now, we have the chance to pass this act and provide our elderly with desperately needed help. The Older Americans Act programs play a vital role in all our communities. Because of the Older Americans Act, millions of nutritious meals are delivered each year to the generation that served our country in World War II. It funds the operations of senior centers and other supportive services to enhance the dignity and independence of the Nation's elders; and it provides part-time employment opportunities to tens of thousands of senior citizens. Indeed, virtually all of our Nation's elderly are benefiting from the act. However, more could be done to help our senior citizens and their families. This is why we are here to pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000. I want to commend all of the members of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for their work and contributions in this effort. Senator DeWine and Senator Mikulski led the way on this reauthorization effort early in this Congress. The Subcommittee on Aging held a series of seven hearings, receiving testimony from over 30 witnesses. The hearings addressed important issues, including elder abuse, supportive services, State and local views, longevity in the workplace, and long-term family caregiver programs. In March, 1999, we were very fortunate to hear testimony from Ms. Reeve Lindbergh of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. She spoke to our committee about the unacceptable problem of elder abuse which confronts some of our most fragile elders. Then, in April, we heard from another Vermonter, Mr. John Barbour, who serves as the director of the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, in Winooski, Vermont. He alerted the committee to changes needed in the nutritional programs outlined in title III of the act. This bill improves the Older Americans Act in several key areas. For example, it sets out specific policies objectives related to income, health, housing, long-term care, employment, retirement, and community services that will improve the lives of all older Americans. One of the most important aspects of this Act is the establishment of the Grassley- Breaux, National Family Caregiver Support Program. According to the 1994 National Long Term Care Survey, there are more than 7 million informal caregivers--including spouses, adult children, other relatives, and friends who provide day-to-day care for most of our Nation's elders. The National Family Caregiver Program authorizes $125 million in Federal assistance to help families care for their elderly by providing a multifaceted system of supportive services, including information, assistance, counseling, and respite services. Moreover, it will help older individuals who are caring for relative children, such as their grandchildren. This program will also extend to older folks who are caring for their adult children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Significant changes have been made to title V which authorizes community service employment for older Americans to provide part-time community service jobs for unemployed, low-income persons 55 years old and over. There will be 1.4 million more low-income persons over the age of 55 in the year 2005 than there were a decade earlier, and many of them will continue working. Employment obtained through this program provides these workers with needed economic support. It keeps them active and involved in their communities, and it provides them with the opportunity to make important contributions to their communities, learn new skills, and enhance their sense of dignity and self-esteem. The changes made in title V by the bill are a critical part of this legislation, because they strengthen and modernize the Senior Employment Program. To begin, the program will now stress economic self-sufficiency and will increase the number of placements in public- and private-sector unsubsidized employment. The employment program is integrated with the Workforce Investment Act, including one-stop delivery systems and participant assessments and services, while the program itself and the administrative costs are codified. Also, under this title, a State Senior Employment Services Plan is established which provides Governors with greater influence and responsibility concerning the allocation of job slots. The newly established State plan ensures for the first time a planning process with broad participation by representatives from throughout the aging community. Other sections have also been strengthened. It authorizes the Assistant Secretary for Aging to award funds for training, research, and demonstration projects in the field of aging. This act consolidates the demonstration programs from 18 to 10 categories, including sections on violence against older Americans, rural health, computer training, and transportation. Title VI, grants to Native Americans, authorizes funds for social and nutrition services to older Indians and Native Hawaiians. It also adds a provision which authorizes funds for activities that protect the rights of the vulnerable elderly. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the many other individuals and organizations that have contributed to this effort. Senator Kennedy contributed his long experience to this effort. He helped us find the middle ground and solutions to many thorny issues. Senator Hutchinson was especially active on these efforts to address the employment and services needs of the rural elderly. Among the groups in the network of aging organizations, special recognition must go to the National Council of Older Americans and the National Association of State Units on Aging for their insight in proposing a compromise to the employment services program. AARP, with the leadership of Horace Deets, undertook the difficult task of seeking consensus among the many aging organizations. Green thumb tirelessly educated Members of Congress about the importance of these aging populations, especially those Members representing rural constituencies. The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations, currently being chaired by the Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, provided a continuous forum for many issues to be addressed. Others contributing to this effort include the Southern Governors Association, the National Caucus on Black Aging, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and Meals on Wheels. Finally, the Administration on Aging, headed by Jeanette Takamura, provided ongoing leadership and continuous expert support in strengthening these programs. Yesterday our colleagues in the House passed the Older Americans Reauthorization Act by an overwhelming majority. In summary, S. 1536 goes a long way to improving supportive, employment, and nutritional services for the elderly. This legislation updates the Older Americans Act, making it more relevant and useful to our country's senior citizens. All of these individuals have worked hard to develop innovative strategies to strengthen and modernize the Older Americans Act, and I know that through these efforts our Nation's elders will be better served by this legislation. I yield the floor.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to bear with me. I have two unanimous consent requests that have been cleared on both sides.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Yes.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I renew Senator DeWine's earlier request with respect to the Older Americans Act and amend the request to include that at the conclusion or yielding back of the debate time, the bill be set aside with the votes to occur on the amendments and the bill at 5 p.m. today. I further ask consent that the time consumed thus far be deducted from the time agreement accordingly.

Mr. JEFFORDS. I cannot give such assurance.

Mr. JEFFORDS. I understand. I have no authority to do that.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of H.R. 5178, which is at the desk.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 572, H.R. 2498.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, Senator Frist has an amendment at the desk, and I ask for its consideration. It has been cleared on both sides.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be agreed to.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, as amended, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to express my gratitude and delight because of the successful outcome of a bipartisan, bicameral effort to protect the health of those who protect the health of others. I speak, of course, of our nation's health care workers, who dedicate their lives to caring for others. And I am gratified because today we have enacted legislation, the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, which addresses an important health issue threatening our nation's care givers. In March of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that more than 380,000 percutaneous injuries from contaminated sharps occur annually among health care workers in United States hospitals. Estimates for all health care settings are that 600,000 to 800,000 needlestick and other percutaneous injuries occur annually. Due to these injuries, numerous health care workers have contracted fatal or other serious viruses and diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus, (HIV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. The statistics paint a bleak picture, but there is hope. There has been an explosion of technological development, resulting in a substantial increase in the number and assortment of new, and much safer, medical devices, such as needleless systems, retractable needles, and syringes with needle guards or sheaths. The legislation that we have passed today will require employers to identify, evaluate, and make use of these devices. As a result, lives will be saved. This bipartisan success resulted from a shared concern about this health hazard, and a shared belief of how to resolve it, among myself, and Senators Enzi, Kennedy and Reid. I must also thank our dedicated staffs, and also Representatives Cass Ballenger, and Major Owens, and their staffs. Senators Enzi, Kennedy, Reid, and I have also worked together on a Joint Statement of Legislative Intent. I ask unanimous consent that it be printed in the Congressional Record. I also ask unanimous consent that a letter from Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, to Senator Jim Bunning, and a letter from Representatives Ballenger and Owens, addressed to me, be made a part of the Record. I thank all my colleagues who have joined in helping to adopt this important legislation. It is a vital step in ensuring worker safety in health care settings.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the bill be printed in the Record.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Iowa 10 minutes.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, how much time do I have remaining?

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Ohio 15 minutes.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I yield myself enough time to congratulate the Senator from Ohio for doing a tremendous job. We have been waiting 8 long years to solve some of these problems. I also congratulate the Senator from New Hampshire for raising these issues over and over. I firmly believe we have, now, a bill that takes care of those problems and we have one that we must vote in favor of, otherwise this bill will die. That would be a terrible thing to happen. I suggest the absence of a quorum, and I ask the time be charged evenly against both sides.

Mr. JEFFORDS. I have 3 minutes.

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I first thank all Members for the support they have given to this legislation during the period it has been under consideration. It has been a long time, some 8 years now, for those of us who have been strong in wanting to get it revised and take a good look at it. Eight years is long enough. I also thank the Senator from New Hampshire for his long-term efforts to reauthorize the act. As the chairman of the Aging Subcommittee during the last Congress, Senator Gregg was instrumental in bringing to light many of the improvements that are now included in this bill. Let me be clear about the changes that have been made to the Senior Employment programs in this bill, the effort that has gone into crafting this balanced agreement, and the broad support this compromise enjoys. This act makes significant reforms to the Senior Employment Program. That is where the problems have been. It focuses the purposes of employment programs on enrollee economic self-sufficiency and on unsubsidized employment in the public and private sectors. It coordinates SCEP with the Workforce Investment Act programs. That is important. Importantly, it implements stringent eligibility and accountability tests for all grant applicants. Administrative and program costs are now defined in statute and capped so that resources are directed into employment services for the elderly. The bill includes new cost controls that will prevent the misuse of funds by grantees. It also would require at least 75 percent of a grantee's funds be used for enrollee wages and benefits, and the bill explicitly states that the funds a grantee receives must be used solely for the employment program. Moreover, the bill expressly requires each grantee to comply with OMB circulars and rules and requires the grantees to maintain records sufficient to permit tracing of funds to ensure that funds have not been spent unlawfully. The bill institutes and requires performance outcome measures, annual grantee evaluations, grantee accountability, and it creates a new grant competition for those not meeting performance measures. It provides Governors and States greater resources and influence over job slot allocations, but also requires broad stakeholder participation in a State Senior Employment Services Plan coordinated through the Governors' offices. This bill marks a landmark agreement between the States and the grantee providers of jobs. The bill allocates new funding above the current level of effort such that any increases up to $35 million will be divided 75 percent to States and 25 percent to other grantees; amounts above $35 million would be divided 50/50. This was very important to the States and a good compromise. Finally, grantees will be required to serve seniors or they will lose their grant. Our bill introduces performance measures and competition into the senior employment program for the first time. The bill would establish a ``three strikes and you're out'' policy to ensure performance goals are met. Failure to meet performance measures will first result in technical assistance and will require the grantee to come up with a plan on how it will meet performance measures in the future. Failure to meet performance standards a second consecutive year will result in a loss of 25 percent of the grant, which will be competitively bid in an open competition. Failure to meet performance standards a third consecutive year will cut off the grantee from the program, and the grant will be competitively bid in an open competition. Failure of a public and private nonprofit agency grantee to meet performance measures in an individual state will also lead to the loss of the grant, which will then be competitively bid in an open competition. These reforms significantly improve the Older Americans Act, protect the taxpayers and, and provide seniors with a jobs program that works. Failure to pass these reforms this year will maintain the status quo. It will only continue a system that does not serve the job placement needs of seniors in many states, and will not correct the deficiencies in the administration and planning of the program. The only way these improvements will be realized is to pass the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2000, a bipartisan, bicameral initiative. The bill will bring agreement for the first time in almost 10 years. It is supported by the National Governors Association, the Southern Governors Association, the Administration, and over 40 national aging groups. Yesterday, the House passed this measure on a vote of 405-2. This measure has 73 cosponsors in the Senate. This is a delicate compromise, and any further amendments to this measure will surely prevent it from being enacted this year. I urge all of my colleagues to vote against any amendments and join in the bipartisan and bicameral effort to pass the Older Americans Act. I yield the floor.

Mr. JEFFORDS

Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Ohio 5 minutes.