Michael Burgess

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2669, the Anti-Spoofing Act of 2016. This bill prohibits the malicious use of misleading or inaccurate caller ID information for text messages, addressing the problem of consumers being tricked into providing sensitive information because they are led to believe that a text is being sent from someone it actually isn't. This is more than a nuisance. Consumers can be targeted with scams, and they can be targeted with malicious activity. The bill seeks to extend the protections of the Truth in Caller ID Act to include text messages. This is the second time that this committee has looked at this legislation that will provide additional protection for consumers, and I am hopeful that this time we will see it successfully land on the President's desk. As widespread use of text messaging becomes more prevalent, it is important that we ensure consumers do not fall victim to spoofing attacks where bad actors falsify phone numbers, often to trick the recipient into providing personal information. Over the last two Congresses, we have spent a lot of time considering antispoofing legislation. This is, in part, because of the importance of this bill to consumers and the way it impacts them, but also because of the complexity of the issue that we are trying to address. As technology is evolving, it becomes more and more challenging to precisely craft legislation that accurately reflects the way that the technology works. To that end, the committee has worked diligently to come up with language that strengthens this bill and protects consumers without any unintended consequences for messaging services. One witness at the legislative hearing on this bill earlier this year perhaps explained this effort best by saying: The bill addresses a clear, demonstrated problem with carefully drafted provisions that find the often elusive sweet spot between permitting innovation, avoiding undue burden on providers, respecting privacy concerns, and providing for vigorous consumer protection. I want to thank the bill's sponsors, Representative Joe Barton, Representative Leonard Lance, and Representative Grace Meng for being the champion of consumers and staying the course through multiple Congresses to get this done. I thank the minority for working so closely with us on this bill, and I am confident that we now have a bill that will ensure this legislation captures the state of technology while still protecting consumers from the harmful effects of text message spoofing. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2713, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2016, introduced by my colleague, Representative Lois Capps, and supported by over 70 Members of the House. H.R. 2713 reauthorizes the Title VIII program, which has been funded since 1964. This reauthorization will help many nurses, including advanced practice nurses, better serve acute and chronic patients through 2020. Title VIII also includes a National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice. Nurses are on the front lines of our healthcare system and interact with almost every patient who depends on them to provide quality care. This legislation is CutGo compliant and enjoyed broad support in the Energy and Commerce Committee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials into the Record on the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2713) to amend title VIII of the Public Health Service Act to extend advanced education nursing grants to support clinical nurse specialist programs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Joyce).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote on this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 985) to enable concrete masonry products manufacturers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research, education, and promotion to improve, maintain, and develop markets for concrete masonry products, as amended.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Timothy Hoy, a committed Denton County Republican Party activist and tireless defender of conservative principles. Mr. Hoy passed away the week of October 31st and will be remembered as a committed volunteer and invaluable worker at the state, local and national level. Mr. Hoy became active in Denton County politics in the late 1980s, first serving as Precinct Chairman. He went on to be an elections judge, campaign manager for Commissioner Ron Marchant and most recently campaigned for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz in Iowa during the 2016 presidential election. From 2002 through 2010, Mr. Hoy served on the State Republican Executive Committee and received an award for his achievements at the close of nearly eight years spent as an unwavering public servant. He was also named the Denton County Republican Party Volunteer of the Year in 1998 and Precinct Chair of the Year in 2001. Mr. Hoy is revered as a keen political mind and hard worker who was always ready to fiercely support the candidates and ideals he believed in. He is remembered as gracious, kind and a friend to all, no matter an election's outcome. I join several of my fellow Texas elected officials in offering my sincerest condolences to the members of the Denton County Republican Party and all who were inspired and touched by Mr. Hoy. His commitment to furthering conservative ideals and his service to Denton, the state of Texas and our nation will not soon be forgotten.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1192) to amend the Public Health Service Act to foster more effective implementation and coordination of clinical care for people with pre-diabetes, diabetes, and the chronic diseases and conditions that result from diabetes, as amended.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1192, the National Clinical Care Commission Act, introduced by my friend and colleague from Texas, Representative Pete Olson. It has been supported by 229 cosponsors. H.R. 1192 establishes a clinical care commission to evaluate and recommend solutions regarding better coordinating and leveraging Federal programs that relate to complex metabolic or autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes. Metabolic disorders take a large toll on many Americans each year, and complications from these disorders can lead to catastrophic health outcomes. Currently, there are various programs across the Federal Government that touch on metabolic disorders, some focusing on prevention, others focusing on treatment, but they lack coordination. Improving coordination of such efforts provides an opportunity to reduce costs while improving health outcomes. This legislation received broad support from the Energy and Commerce Committee, passing through a full committee markup by voice vote. H.R. 1192 provides for no new spending by utilizing only existing funds at the Department of Health and Human Services. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Olson), the author of the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is in support of the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, this is an important bill that we are acting on today. I would remind the body that it passed on a strong vote through the full committee on a voice vote, and there are many things to recommend this bill. I urge an ``aye'' vote. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1209) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the designation of maternity care health professional shortage areas, as amended.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1209, the Improving Access to Maternity Care Act, which I introduced with Representative Capps. H.R. 1209 increases data collection by the Department of Health and Human Services to help better place maternity care providers through the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. Currently, maternity care providers participate in the National Health Service Corps through the primary care designation, but they are not always placed where they are needed the most. H.R. 1209 will require increased data collection on maternity care providers who will then be placed in geographic areas within existing health professional shortage areas where they are most needed. This legislation enjoyed broad support on the Energy and Commerce Committee and passed through a full committee markup on a voice vote. H.R. 1209 provides no new spending. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe), my distinguished colleague.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I urge my colleagues to support this important bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4365) to amend the Controlled Substances Act with regard to the provision of emergency medical services, as amended.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4365, the Protecting Patient Access to Emergency Medications Act, introduced by my colleagues from North Carolina, Mr. Hudson and Mr. Butterfield. H.R. 4365 would update the DEA registration process for emergency medical services agencies with multiple locations, clarifying recordkeeping requirements related to the transportation and storage of controlled substances. Further, the bill would ensure that paramedics and other EMS professionals are able to continue to administer pain and antiseizure medications in emergency situations that are pursuant to standing or verbal orders when certain conditions are met. H.R. 4365 has over 130 cosponsors. It was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee on a voice vote, and it is supported by over a dozen EMS and trauma care organizations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 4365. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Hudson), the primary author of the bill and a valuable member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.