Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.), in urging U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Martha Williams not to cave in to activists’ calls to restrict the use of lead ammo and tackle on public lands.
“Policies or actions that reduce or limit sportsmen activities necessarily implicate wildlife conservation programs by affecting state agencies’ revenue. Such policies or actions also handcuff wildlife managers by removing a critical conservation tool while needlessly alienating one of our original conservationists, sportsmen. Phasing-out lead ammo and tackle on wildlife refuges would disproportionately affect lower-income households and those that depend on hunting and fishing for their subsistence as lead alternatives are often more expensive. The impact of such a policy would be devastating to the sportsmen heritage in our states,” the senators wrote.
Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also joined in sending the letter.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today released the below statement regarding her vote against Democrats’ partisan and extreme abortion legislation:
“To be clear: The Supreme Court has not made a final decision on overturning Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood. Today, my Democratic colleagues put forth a bill that goes way beyond putting Roe v. Wade into law. This bill overrides all state and federal laws that exist on restrictions to abortions. This bill denies faith-based conscience protections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. This bill enables federal funding for abortion, yet the Hyde amendment, which prohibits the use of federal funding to pay for abortion, was first passed in 1976. The bill also creates a right to an abortion at any point of the pregnancy. Many of these issues I have voted against repeatedly. Therefore, I voted ‘no’ today on this radical legislation, and I am not surprised that this effort failed.”
Specifically, S. 4132 would:
Create a federal statutory right to perform and receive abortions up until birth;
Override all federal and state laws on abortion, including prohibitions on late-term abortions, conscience protections for faith-based health care providers, and screening and notification requirements;
Allow taxpayer funding of abortions by superseding the bipartisan Hyde amendment;
Eliminate all Religious Freedom Restoration Act protections.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
Clickhereor the image above to watch Ranking Member Capito’s questions from the committee’s oversight hearing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today questioned White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory.
On Monday, Ranking Member Capito wrote an op-ed for the Washington Examiner detailing how the Biden administration’s rollback of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and permitting reforms not only delays infrastructure buildout following the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law, but also hinders the administration’s own energy goals. Clickhereto read the op-ed.
HIGHLIGHTS:
AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SUPPORTING OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES: “We see the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has put a light—and the president has talked about this—on the need for energy security both here and abroad. The president has mentioned the ability of the United States to help with liquefied natural gas and things of that nature to help Europe become less dependent on Putin. Would you agree that we must act immediately to replace Russian imports into Europe with American-made energy? Have you taken any specific actions to strengthen our energy security, increase our domestic energy production to meet this, and export more? I think the answer to that is no?”
PERMITTING IIJA PROJECTS: “On the permitting issue that I talked about with the IIJA, does this run into conflict with some of the goals that you’ve set forward in terms of a two-year timeline, a 90-day repeat, shortening the time of the projects? How do you see those working in conjunction with one another because we feel—and I feel—as though you could create a conflict there?”
POLICY INCONSISTENCY: “I was interested that one of the quotes from your opening statement is ‘more building in the next few years.’ It appears laced through your action plans that you took on the NEPA action plan regulatory changes—where you’ve taken down three of the major provisions that the Trump administration put forward only sets up more regulations from different federal regulators. Again, it looks like a burdensome package again to slow any kind of new construction or even a CCUS project.”
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVERREACH: “In a filing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last year, the EPA ‘recommend[ed] that attention be paid to the costly irreversibility of constructing natural gas pipelines.’ EPA stated that ‘[a]n important question to consider is whether [pipeline] construction will: … lock in natural gas production and use at the expense of substitute energy sources with lower social costs….’ I would remind you that according to the WHEJAC, some of those projects that would be eliminated would be CCUS projects, direct air capture projects, nuclear projects. I was very concerned to see a similar line of thinking incorporated into the recent NEPA regulatory changes you signed last month. Under those regulations, the government defines the ‘purpose or need’ of a project under NEPA – and can override a project developer’s purpose. As I understand it – under these new regulations – an energy company could request permits for a natural gas plant and the federal government could instead say through the NEPA review that solar generation should be developed instead – regardless of the actual business case is.”
ONE FEDERAL DECISION: “One of the key project delivery provisions of IIJA was the codification of One Federal Decision for major transportation projects. In today’s fact sheet on the Permitting Action Plan – you state that the IIJA’s permitting provisions ‘enhance efficiency, accountability, and predictability and provide the tools needed to ensure timely and sound delivery of these historic infrastructure investments.’ You seem to recognize the critical role One Federal Decision plays in environmental review and permitting process. So as you move forward to Phase II of your update of NEPA, do you commit to keeping One Federal Decision in place as part of these regulations? I think you really have to follow the law here. It is in the law.”
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
Click here or the image above to watch Ranking Member Capito’s opening remarks from the committee hearing.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to review the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) work under Chair Brenda Mallory’s leadership.
On Monday, Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) wrote an op-ed for the Washington Examiner detailing how the Biden administration’s rollback of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and permitting reforms not only delays infrastructure buildout following the passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law, but also hinders the administration’s own energy goals. Clickhereto read the op-ed.
Below is theopening statementof Ranking Member Capito, as prepared for delivery.
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman Carper, for holding today’s hearing to conduct oversight of the Council on Environmental Quality, known as CEQ. And thank you for coming to be here with us today, chair.
“A top priority for all of us now on the committee should be to make sure the programs and authorizations we carefully negotiated move from being words on a page to projects on the ground.
“If IIJA is implemented as Congress intended, we will develop modern roads and bridges to connect rural communities, critical water infrastructure projects to create access to clean water, improvements to our transmission system to ensure access to reliable and affordable power, and the development of natural gas pipelines and other energy projects to ensure fuel for use both here and exports abroad, a need made all the more real by the Russian war in Ukraine.
“The funding and authorizations provided by the IIJA will propel development, but those projects also must complete environmental reviews and secure federal permits before shovels can actually go in the ground.
“In that legislation, we also recognized that the status quo forNational Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA reviews and permitting has been unacceptable.
“A 2020 CEQ report found that the average Environmental Impact Statement took 4 ½ years to be completed. We know that some projects can take up of 10 years to get through the NEPA and permitting processes.
“Congress explicitly directed streamlining of environmental reviews for transportation projects, particularly by codifying the One Federal Decision policy for certain transportation projects.
“That policy recognizes that delays caused by a never-ending environmental review process can kill or stifle projects and investment.
“IIJA puts in a place a commonsense guidepost that NEPA reviews for major transportation projects should not take longer than two years, and all environmental permits and other project authorizations should follow within 90 days after that.
“A clear project timeline will help to plan, finance, and construct transportation projects within the five-year authorization window for the federal highway programs.
“Congress’s clear intent, both in the highway title and in other portions of IIJA, such as the permanent reauthorization of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, was to ensure projects are completed faster so the American people can benefit from the investments.
“As the agency charged with overseeing implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as the agency that serves as an environmental coordinating hub administration-wide, CEQ could play a unique and instrumental role in implementing Congress’s goals.
“CEQ could institute environmental review and permitting efficiencies that can make the IIJA implementation a success.
“I will say that nothing I have seen coming out of CEQ assures me that is what’s going to happen.
“Certainly, improving NEPA efficiency does not appear to be a priority.
“Instead, CEQ seems extremely busy implementing executive orders that direct CEQ to manage and develop countless new administration-led priorities not authorized in statute, from coming up with an environmental justice screening tool to be deployed administration-wide, to managing new federal efforts to transition all government cars to electric vehicles in an unrealistic timeframe.
“CEQ is bogged down with activities imposed by the president unilaterally, and even then, CEQ cannot even keep up with the president’s own timelines.
“For example, the draft environmental justice tool was not released until this February, more than five months after President Biden’s self-imposed deadline.
“In the meantime, CEQ has not provided—I don’t think—adequate attention to actually implementing NEPA.
“The one major action related to NEPA CEQ has taken will not speed up projects.
“Last month,CEQ rolled backthree key reforms made to NEPA under the Trump administration.
“CEQ proposes to put the federal government in charge of deciding a project’s purpose and need.
“CEQ would encourage individual federal agencies to layer on additional review requirements.
“And CEQ is directing agencies to bring in cumulative and indirect impacts that will have the effect of putting the thumb on the scale against certain projects.
“In doing so, CEQ has only amplified ambiguity and uncertainty—that we’re trying to get around—within the NEPA review process, which will slow down our project delivery.
“The opposition from project developers across industries, from roadbuilders to energy producers, has been swift and emphatic.
“Their message is clear: Why is CEQ making the NEPA process more difficult for project developers, not faster and clearer?
“CEQ has not shown any willingness to expedite the review and permitting review process for CCUS, as directed by Congress in the USE IT Act.
“CEQ has proposed guidance that largely serves to present alleged pros and cons of CCUS and fails to provide concrete direction to federal agencies to actually expedite CCUS projects.
“That’s disappointing to me as someone who is a big supporter of that, and telling that even with respect to projects that are clearly necessary to meet the administration’s well-publicized climate goals, CEQ is apparently unwilling to propose reforms that cut red tape.
“Chair Mallory, thank you for coming today to discuss the topics I brought up.
“This could not be a more important time for this discussion.
“Just this morning, the administration has released an action plan for expediting permitting decisions, and I look forward to learning more about that plan, as well as how the administration will implement the project delivery improvements enacted by Congress.
“The actions the administration takes now, concerning environmental review and permitting, will determine whether IIJA, the USE IT Act, and other recent legislation delivers the American people the infrastructure improvements Congress intended and they deserve.
“I look forward to today’s hearing, and I will turn it over to you, chair, for your opening statement.”
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.11.22
Cantwell: “We are Sending a Strong Message to Women Serving in the Coast Guard… You too can be Commandant Someday.”
Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, was confirmed by unanimous consent in the Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, by unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate confirmed Admiral Linda Fagan, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Admiral Fagan is the first woman to lead any branch of the United States military. Commandant Fagan will assume her role on June 1, 2022. Prior to the vote, Senator Cantwell (D-WA) spoke in support of Admiral Fagan’s confirmation:
“Now more than ever, we must have a strong tested leader as Commandant. It is clear from her record that Admiral Fagan is the right woman for the job,” said Cantwell. “I look forward to working with her to ensure that the men and women in the Coast Guard have the tools they need to execute their mission and support their families.”
A transcript of Senator Cantwell’s full remarks is availableHERE.
Prior to her confirmation, Admiral Fagan served as the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vice Commandant. She received a Master of Science in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington and previously served on the Seattle-based heavy icebreaker, the Polar Star. Admiral Fagan has served 36 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and is the longest-serving active duty Marine Safety Officer.
As Commandant, Admiral Fagan will lead 55,700 active duty, reserve, and civilian members, and approximately 26,000 auxiliary volunteers. Washington state is currently home to 1,641 active duty Coast Guard service members deployed across 11 different stations. A total of 1,291 active duty, civilians, and reservists are based in Seattle.
On April 28, 2022, As Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell led Admiral Fagan’s confirmation hearing. At the hearing, Cantwell said, “This is a historic moment for our country and for women in the armed services. It will be the first time that a woman will lead one of the six branches of the armed services. So I am hoping that your leadership will also will lead to more progress on getting women recruited and retained in the Coast Guard.”
Senator Cantwell’s statement in response to Admiral Fagan’s nomination is available HERE.
Video of Senator Cantwell’s floor speech is availableHERE, audioHERE, and a full transcriptHERE.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.11.22
King County parks agencies awarded $6.27 million from fund championed by Sen. Cantwell
Grants will help build or revitalize three recreation sites in urban areas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agencies in Washington state will receive funds totaling $6,274,375 to revive and develop three urban parks following an announcement from Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Friday. After this announcement, Senator Cantwell released the following statement:
“The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program is a prime example of the invaluable conservation programs that we were able to permanently and fully fund last Congress. Upgrading these treasured green spaces will help promote physical fitness and boost urban outdoor recreation opportunities in King County.”
According to Secretary Haaland, $61 million has been allocated nationwide for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program this year. Since 2014, the ORLP has helped enable communities to create new parks and invigorate existing outdoor recreation opportunities in economically underserved communities through a competitive grant process.
Washington’s three qualifying projects are located in King County. They include:
Lakeland North Urban Park (official park name TBD) – $3,612,027
King County Parks will acquire 21 acres of undeveloped open space for a new public park and develop culturally relevant, nature-based recreation amenities including trails, signage, play features, parking, landscaping, restrooms, and site restoration. The park is located in an area lacking walkable access to open space and is listed as a “high need” area for park investment by The Trust for Public Land.
Garfield Super Block – $2,170,902
Seattle Parks and Recreation will transform Garfield Park, located in an urban area lacking recreation opportunities, into a comprehensive, multi-use park by installing new site furnishings, play equipment, nature play elements, restrooms, parkour elements, a covered picnic area and a circular pathway with lighting. The project will also include a resurfacing of the sports fields and various landscaping improvements.
Be’er Sheva Park – $491,446
Seattle Parks and Recreations will enhance and redevelop 2.4 acres of Be’er Sheva Park, located in the Rainier Beach community along the shoreline of Lake Washington. The project includes the installation of a fitness zone, a lighted walking loop pathway, exercise equipment, picnic tables, barbecues, bike racks, and a community gathering space. The renovation will additionally encompass new landscaping and resilient surfacing treatments.
The ORLP program is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. After funding for the LWCF expired in 2018, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) led Congressional efforts to reauthorize a permanent budget of $900 million per year and fully fund the program into the future.
Since its creation, LWCF has supported more than 42,000 state and local projects in communities across the country. It’s helped fund more than 600 projects in Washington state, including popular recreation sites like Olympic National Park, Lake Chelan, and Riverside State Park.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.11.22
“Mainstream Americans” Support Abortion Rights, Cantwell Says on Senate Floor
Cantwell to Senate Republicans: “I would listen and pass this legislation tomorrow.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered a speech calling on the U.S. Senate to defend reproductive health care freedom and rebuke Republicans’ extremist, draconian push to drag abortion access “back into the Dark Ages.”
She delivered her remarks one day before a scheduled vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion access into federal law. Senator Cantwell and her colleagues revived the bill so every American can see where their Senator stands on protecting the right to choose after a leaked draft majority opinion on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization signaled that the Supreme Court of the United States will soon overturn Roe v. Wade.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Cantwell pointed out that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want to see Roe overturned.
“Seventy percent of Americans are in agreement,” Senator Cantwell said. “Anybody who thinks this isn’t about settled law or about mainstream views in America is wrong. It’s about almost 50 years of settled law —it’s about what mainstream Americans believe are their Constitutional rights.”
“It’s been the fight of the other side of the aisle all along to try to say they are going to control women’s bodies and women’s health care choices,” she added.
“We’re not going to get rid of abortions … They will happen — it will go back to any back-alley approach,” Senator Cantwell continued. “I ask my colleagues: What are you thinking when you are advocating for a return to pre-Roe? What, exactly, do you think is going to happen in the United States of America? I can tell you: You’re going to leave women without the ability to control their own bodies, without the ability for them and their doctor to make decisions.”
“Do you believe the rights of privacy exist within the Constitution? Or are you like the Supreme Court — you don’t believe in the decisions of previous Supreme Court Justices?” Senator Cantwell asked.
“If they didn’t believe in these rights of privacy, they should have told everybody clearly,” she said.
“I would listen and pass this legislation tomorrow. Because I guarantee you, if it’s not just this privacy right, why are you going to trust them on any other privacy decision in the future if they’re not going to be fighting to uphold your privacy rights on women’s reproductive health?” Senator Cantwell concluded.
Last week, Senator Cantwell warned against the “brain drain” for federal agencies located in states poised to restrict access to abortion. Banning essential reproductive health care services would be “ludicrous” for employers and workers, she said in remarks delivered at the press conference, linked HERE.
The day after the SCOTUS draft ruling was leaked, Senator Cantwell joined Democratic colleagues on the steps of the Senate and pledged to fight for the Constitutional right to privacy in a statement linked HERE.
In December 2021, Senator Cantwell spoke on the Senate floor in response to the U.S. Supreme Court starting oral arguments on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could roll back decades of precedent upholding the right to reproductive health care.
In September, she joined 47 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House in filing a bicameral amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold the nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care.
Senator Cantwell is a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) that was introduced in June. WHPA guarantees a pregnant person’s right to access an abortion — and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these abortion services — free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship.
A video of Senator Cantwell’s remarks is available HERE, audio HERE, and a full transcript HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.10.22
Cantwell: “Republicans Want A Ban On Abortion”
Senate vote to protect reproductive freedom fails 49-51
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) voted to uphold the freedom of American women to make decisions about their own reproductive health care.
A Senate vote to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) – which would codify abortion access into federal law by applying the same standard established nearly 50 years ago by Roe v. Wade – ultimately failed 49-51.
After the vote, Senator Cantwell released the following statement:
“Republicans want a ban on abortion. And if the Supreme Court and Senate Republicans have their way they will succeed. The health care decisions of women should be left up to individuals and their doctors. 70% of Americans agree.”
Yesterday, Senator Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on her colleagues to reject Republicans’ extremist, anti-choice campaign to yank reproductive health care back to “the Dark Ages.”
“What are you thinking when you are advocating for a return to pre-Roe? What, exactly, do you think is going to happen in the United States of America? I can tell you: You’re going to leave women without the ability to control their own bodies, without the ability for them and their doctor to make decisions,” she said in her speech, which can be viewed HERE.
Last week, after the draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, Senator Cantwell addressed reporters from the steps of the Senate. She pledged to fight against Republicans’ attempts to “foist on the American public an invasion of their rights to privacy.” Her full remarks can be viewed HERE.
Last year Senator Cantwell cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021, a previous version of the legislation addressed today. Like the bill voted on today, the 2021 version would have guaranteed a pregnant person’s right to access an abortion—and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these abortion services—free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
05.05.22
Cantwell Warns of “Political Earthquake” and “Brain Drain” from Federal Agencies in States that Ban Abortion
Cantwell: “Do you think people are going to want to go and work in NASA in Florida or Texas if that state precludes a woman’s right to choose?”
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined Senate Democrats in announcing next week’s Senate vote on legislation that would federally codify Roe v. Wade. At the press conference, Cantwell emphasized the fact that the end of Roe would cause an economic disaster as millions of Americans would be faced with a potentially life or death decision – whether to leave their jobs and move to a state where the right to abortion and reproductive freedoms are still protected.
“We know that as employers…anybody who you wanted to attract to come work for you wanted to know what your health plan was, and their spouse wanted to know what your health plan was. They wanted to know whether you covered IVF or now we’re going to say that those are the kinds of things that aren’t going to get covered in the future.
“What are we going to do as employers here in the United States Senate? What are we going to do about federal agencies? Do you think people are going to want to go and work in NASA in Florida or Texas if that state precludes a woman’s right to choose?
“Are we going to have extra money in the budget so people can travel to a state so they can get their health care rights? Or are we going to have a brain drain because people aren’t going to want to work for federal agencies located in a state that doesn’t protect a woman’s right to choose? This is ludicrous.”
Earlier this week, Cantwellspoke on the stepsof the Senate, saying democrats, “are going to fight,” to protect reproductive health care rights.
In response to the news of the leaked SCOTUS majority opinion, Senator Cantwellreleaseda statement linkedHERE.
In December 2021, Senator Cantwellspoke on the Senate floorin response to theU.S. Supreme Courtstartingoral arguments on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could roll back decades of precedent upholding the right to reproductive health care.
In September,Cantwell joined47 Democrats in the Senate and 188 in the House in filing abicameral amicus briefin Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold the nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care.
Senator Cantwell is acosponsorof the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) that was introduced in June 2021. WHPA guarantees a pregnant person’s right to access an abortion—and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these abortion services—free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship.
A video of Senator Cantwell’s remarks from today’s press conference is available HERE, audio HERE, and a full transcript HERE.
Video of Senator Cantwell’s earlier remarks given on the Senate steps is availableHERE, audioHERE, and a full transcriptHERE.
Source: United States Senator for South Dakota Mike Rounds
05.05.22
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) led a bipartisan group of senators in reintroducing legislation to expand telemental health services in rural areas. The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act would establish a grant program for health providers to expand telemental health services for those specifically in rural populations working in farming, forestry and fishing industries. Additional cosponsors include Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.).
“Those living in rural areas may live far away from a mental health facility, making in-person visits difficult for those seeking care,” said Rounds. “Utilizing telemental health capabilities will allow South Dakotans in rural areas to receive quality care from the comfort of their homes. Not only does this save time and resources, it provides an important mental health service during a difficult period for our farmers and ranchers, who for years have suffered economically due to challenging weather, trade disputes and price disparities.”
“Now—especially as our nation continues dealing with a pandemic—we need to help rural America overcome the unique obstacles that small towns and rural communities face in providing mental health,” said Smith. “Our bipartisan bill will help health providers in rural areas expand tele-mental health care services for farmers, ranchers and foresters, and many others in local communities who are experiencing stress and burnout caused by the pandemic, difficult weather, low commodity prices and more. It’s important that they get the services they need during this uncertain time.”
The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act is supported by the South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations, South Dakota Farmers Union, National Farmers Union, National Rural Health Association, Sanford Health, Avera Health and Monument Health.
This legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth of the Health Resources and Services Administration, in coordination with the Rural Health Liaison of the Department of Agriculture, to award grants to entities to establish demonstration projects for the provision of telemental health services for rural populations, specifically those working in the farming, fishing and forestry occupations. It would authorize up to $10 million for each fiscal year through 2026, using current funds.
“Farmers across the state are suffering from drought, labor shortages and price disparities,” said Scott VanderWal, President of the South Dakota Farm Bureau. “The demands of farming, especially during this time of the year, make it difficult for farmers to seek care. The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act works to provide farmers in rural communities with accessible, quality mental health services. I thank Senators Rounds and Smith for their leadership in addressing the well-being of our rural communities.”
“We thank Senator Rounds for introducing Senate Bill 3937 to bring telemental health services to our rural communities and to study the impact of receiving this service in the home rather than traditional in-person physician offices,” said Tim Rave, President and CEO of South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations. “Mental health care needs are not being met in rural areas today so we look forward to supporting this initiative for individuals in farming, fishing and forestry.
Knowing full well of the challenges farmers and ranchers face in their day-to-day lives, SDFU has been a strong advocate for telemental health care,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “Our communities across the state have faced great loss because mental health was left unaddressed. Earlier access to telemental health may have saved lives. This bill will help provide resources for farmers and ranchers, and I like to think continued advocacy will save some lives from being lost.”
“Sanford Health would like to thank Sen. Rounds and Sen. Smith for their leadership on these issues,” said Corey Brown, System Vice President of Government Affairs for Sanford Health. “Mental health continues to emerge as the next national challenge and we appreciate the proactive, informed, and direct attention towards trying to tackle this significant healthcare issue.”
“Avera has seen the benefit of being able to provide telehealth directly to patients where they are during the course of the pandemic. Given our vastly rural footprint and the challenges so many in our area continue to face, we are appreciative of this legislation – and know it will help to ensure care is provided to those who need it, when and where they need it,” said Dr. Matthew Stanley, Avera psychiatrist and Clinical Vice President of the Avera Behavioral Health Service Line.