James M. Jeffords: “I first thank all Members for the support they have given to this legislation during the period it has been under…”

“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.”