Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act--Motion to Proceed--Resumed

Floor Speech

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Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, first, let me thank my distinguished colleague from Michigan for her extraordinary leadership on a milestone bill. I am so proud to be supporting this bill and to be in this Chamber speaking with her on issues that affect every American, not just farmers or those in States that may be recognized as farm States. The kind of leadership that has just been heard, I think, is a model for all of us, and I thank her.

S.J. RES. 37

Mr. President, I want to talk today about two issues that directly affect the health and safety of Americans of all ages, but particularly our seniors, and begin by associating myself with the remarks made earlier by Senators WHITEHOUSE and BOXER with respect to S.J. Res. 37.

I strongly oppose efforts underway to roll back Clean Air Act provisions that are critical to the health and safety and well-being of every man, woman, and child in this country.

Last December, the EPA finalized a rule aimed at reducing mercury and other toxic emissions from electric-generating units by about 90 percent. This rule affects the most toxic emissions in the United States--mercury, acid gas, nickel, selenium, cyanide. These rules are more important than ever.

The effort to roll them back should be resisted and rejected, and I hope my colleagues will join with me in opposing the Senate joint resolution that would not only stymie but stop efforts to protect Americans against the most toxic emissions.

I fought for these kinds of protections as attorney general. In fact, I took action as attorney general to compel these kinds of rules, and I believe the EPA is acting responsibly now in promulgating them.

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY

Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues, on behalf of myself and Senator Kirk, for approving, Tuesday, a resolution designating tomorrow, June 15, as ``World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.''

The resolution Senator Kirk and I submitted, and that this body agreed to, recognizes the scourge that elder abuse represents here in America and around the world. I thank my colleagues for supporting it overwhelmingly, and I thank the President of the United States for proclaiming tomorrow, June 15, as ``World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,'' and I thank Secretary Sebelius for announcing today that $5.5 million in funding for States and tribes will be available to test ways to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

This initiative helps to implement the Elder Justice Act which was enacted as parted of the Affordable Care Act. I believe this kind of initiative brings together in partnership local, State, and Federal authorities and private groups to combat this epidemic.

The abuse of elders is a spreading epidemic. We have statistics that indicate how it is, in fact, spreading. Elder abuse incidents have increased by 150 percent in the last 10 years alone. A recent study of the GAO shows that every year 14 percent of all noninstitutionalized adults are victims of abuse or neglect or exploitation, whether it is physical or financial or even sexual. So the statistics show a trend that is undeniable--not only in the 2 million adults who are maltreated every year but in the $2.9 billion taken from older adults each year as a result of financial abuse and exploitation. That is $2.9 billion every year taken from older Americans.

But the statistics only tell a fraction of the story because the fact is only 1 out of every 44 incidents of financial abuse is reported. Mr. President, 43 out of 44 incidents are unreported. In fact, of all incidents of abuse, 22 out of 23 are unreported. And the reasons are diverse. They may be because of shame, embarrassment. In fact, one of the most common reasons for underreporting is that the victim is related to the perpetrator.

Sadly, shamefully, tragically, all too many victims of elder abuse suffer at the hands of relatives. It may be a daughter or son. It may be a brother or sister. All too often they are victims at the hands of caregivers who are entrusted with their care, literally in positions of trust for people who may suffer physically from debilitating illnesses or from dementia or other kinds of afflictions. So this population is among our most vulnerable, and we must take stronger steps to protect them.

As attorney general, I sought to lead such efforts. In fact, Connecticut now has stronger measures against elder abuse, such as more thorough background checks as a result of these initiatives.

As a member of the Committee on Aging, I held a hearing in Hartford very recently to document this spreading epidemic and the way it affects all of us--all of our relatives, all of our friends. It cuts across all lines of geography, race, gender, even income group. So this epidemic must be stopped.

That is why this resolution is important in calling attention to the problem. The President's proclamation enhances awareness, and I thank my colleagues for their continued effort and their involvement in this cause.

What is required at the end of the day is more resources--more resources for law enforcement authorities who have such a critical role in protecting those who suffer from it, and deterring those who would commit it, and having partnerships among State, local, and Federal authorities. Those partnerships must seek out and encourage greater reporting so that efforts can be taken to stop and deter it.

I will continue this battle. I thank my colleagues for joining me and for agreeing to this resolution and for demonstrating that we care. We care as a body and as an institution. It is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is truly bipartisan because this generation has worked hard, accumulated savings, counted on security, and is depending on us, trusting us for their safety. We know the number in this age group will only grow--in fact, double--within the next years. That is why we must address it. I thank, again, my colleagues for doing so.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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