OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

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Floor Speech

Date: March 4, 2025
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today, I rise to reaffirm my partnership with Senator Susan Collins in the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2025.

Senator Collins and I recognize the challenges that family caregivers face. We have worked together over many years to advance legislation to support the essential role that caregivers play in our communities. We were successful in passing legislation that establishes a national strategy to support family caregivers, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, and we are committed to reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program that supports the health and well-being of family caregivers.

Every day, family caregivers in Wisconsin and across our country tend to the needs of their loved ones. Although this work can be very, very rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging.

After serving as my grandmother's primary caregiver as she got older, I know firsthand the time, the dedication, and the sacrifice involved to keep our aging, disabled, or sick loved ones safe and well. Caregiving can be a 24/7 job, and too often, family caregivers compromise their own health to ensure that their loved ones are not left in limbo.

Respite care offers family caregivers a necessary break to focus on their own mental health and well-being. That is why I was proud to reintroduce our bipartisan legislation so that our family caregivers can access the support and the relief they need. This bill would support family caregivers by reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program, which allows full-time caregivers to take a temporary break from their responsibilities caring for aging or disabled loved ones.

Across the country, there are over 53 million Americans who currently provide uncompensated care for their families, which provides an estimated $600 billion in uncompensated care each year. Let that sink in.

By protecting the health of caregivers, respite care decreases the need for professional long-term care and allows individuals who require care to remain at home.

I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Collins to advance this important legislation in the 119th Congress. ______

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