Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), my good friend. Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate his perspective on the Committee on Energy and Commerce as the only pharmacist on the committee. I thank him for sponsoring this legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2021. I thank Representatives Carter and Kuster, two great members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I thank them for their work on this important piece of legislation and for the many years they have served and worked to protect consumers. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fuel, and most people know that. Exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health condition that could result in death, unfortunately. Mr. Speaker, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and the abnormal operation of fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and stoves kills more than 400 people each year and sends more than 15,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. This legislation would protect Americans from an otherwise undetectable harm. This bipartisan bill represents a longstanding commitment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce to protect America's consumers, families, and children. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this particular bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to pass this bill and get it to the President--actually, before that, we have to get it to the Senate and pass it immediately to protect our seniors, particularly during this very difficult time. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great State of Michigan (Mr. Walberg), my good friend.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1215, the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. I want to thank Representative Blunt Rochester, my good friend Representative Walberg, and the other members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their tireless work on this important bill. H.R. 1215 would establish a senior scams prevention advisory council, which will create model educational materials to inform employees of retail companies and financial institutions on how to identify and prevent scams. This bill would work in concert with other recently enacted legislation to provide Americans with the tools they need to educate and protect themselves against these bad actors. It is a very good bill, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this great bill. I commend my colleagues for focusing on this particular issue, which is just so important to our constituents. Again, let's pass this bill as soon as possible and get it to the President. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 415, the Ensuring Innovation Act. This legislation is the bipartisan companion to H.R. 1857 led by Representatives Guthrie and Schrader. This legislation would ensure that only the most innovative products are eligible for certain market exclusivities and would increase the availability of lower-cost generic drugs. Great work by these Representatives. Currently, the FDA grants 5 years of marketing exclusivity to drug products determined to be a new chemical entity. Clarifying what qualifies as a new chemical entity will prevent drug manufacturers from receiving exclusivity by making minor changes to existing drugs, which would block generic competition from the market. This important bipartisan legislation will help lower prescription drug prices while preserving incentives to innovate. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), a great member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and a great resource for us nonphysicians.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 164, the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act. This bill is a bipartisan companion to H.R. 1873, championed in the House by Dr. Bucshon and Congressman Peters. This bill would require the FDA to maintain and operate an internet website to provide educational materials for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers on biological products, including biosimilar products and interchangeable biosimilar products. It also would require the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, to develop continuing education programs or to improve existing programs for healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses, to promote a better understanding of biosimilar interchangeable products. By increasing awareness about available biosimilar products and providing educational resources for physicians and patients about their benefits, we can increase adoption of these lower cost alternative therapies when appropriate and drive down drug costs for Americans across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bipartisan effort to lower drug costs through the uptake of biosimilar products, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 941, the Timely Reauthorization of Necessary Stem-Cell Programs Lends Access to Needed Therapies Act, or the TRANSPLANT Act. As co-chair of the Blood Cancers Caucus, I urge my colleagues to support the TRANSPLANT Act. This bill is about providing hope to those who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses. The TRANSPLANT Act reauthorizes the C.W. Bill Young Transplant Program, in addition to the National Cord Blood Inventory Program. I remember Bill Young, Chairman Young, a great friend of ours, and he said that this was one of his greatest accomplishments. I also know that Chris Smith, who will be speaking later, was also involved in this. He has been a champion on this issue, Mr. Speaker. So I appreciate both of them. This Federal program provides critical support in the advancement of research for better treatments and the infrastructure necessary to organize registries, which will help ensure transplant patients have access to lifesaving procedures. Simply put, its continued reauthorization is vital for patients with diseases like blood cancer, sickle cell anemia, and inherited metabolic or immune system disorders. I sincerely appreciate the work of my friend and colleague and fellow Blood Cancers Caucus co-chair, Congresswoman Matsui, in addition to the legacy of bipartisan leadership and support of these programs by Members like, as I said, Chris Smith. I thank the chairman, as well and the ranking member, for placing this particular bill on the agenda. I know it will get through the Senate this time. Additionally, I appreciate the critical daily work of the National Marrow Donor Program, operating the Be the Match national registry, connecting patients in search of a cure with lifesaving bone marrow donors, even in the midst of this historic pandemic. I would also like to take a moment to recognize the great work of Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, the president of the Cord Blood Association. She also serves in multiple roles at Duke University, including the director of Carolinas Cord Blood Bank. Dr. Kurtzberg has dedicated her professional career to cord blood research, banking, and transplantation; and she is an internationally recognized umbilical cord blood transplanter. She advised Congress on the creation of the public cord blood banking program, which was part of the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. Dr. Kurtzberg continues to be a trusted adviser to Congress on this important program. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join us in expediting passage of this lifesaving bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of my constituent, Deputy Michael Magli of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. On February 17, Michael Magli kissed his wife and children good-bye for the last time as he embarked on what he likely believed to be a routine shift. Mr. Speaker, sadly, we know now that he would not make it back home that particular night. He put his life on the line to take the hit from a drunk driver and save those down the road who might have been in the pathway of danger. As Pinellas County Sheriff Paul Gualtieri so movingly put it at his funeral, Michael was at the right place at the right time. Deputy Magli leaves behind a loving wife, two beautiful children, and the blue family as they struggle to make sense out of unimaginable grief. While Michael's earthly end-of-watch was February 17, 2021, his heavenly watch will endure forever.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1375, the Provide Accurate Information Directly (or PAID) Act which includes an important provision amending the Medicare Secondary Payer Act. That provision facilitates expanded communication between the Medicare program and insurers and self-insured entities settling liability, no- fault, and workers' compensation claims with Medicare beneficiaries who may be covered by a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plan. This is important for Medicare beneficiaries, who today resolve claims around a car crash or a slip and fall, but because of the way the law works can later be sued by a Medicare Advantage Plan for repayment. It has happened before--the PAID Act will fix that problem and allow beneficiaries to sleep at night knowing that they have fully resolved their claims. Congress amended the MSP statute in 2007 through Section 111 of the MMSEA to require parties to a dispute (known as ``Primary Plans'') to report settlements, judgments and awards to Medicare, called ``Section 111 Reports.'' That allowed Medicare to seek recovery from settling parties under the Act when Medicare paid for health care because other payment was not available or reasonably expected to be available. While that program has been successful for the Medicare fee-for-service program, where the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has the claims data for recovery, it has not been as successful for the Part C and Part D programs, where CMS does not have the Part C and Part D claims data and cannot recover for payments that have been made. To compound the problem, settling parties are often unable to identify the correct Part C or Part D plan to be able to coordinate benefits should they choose to do so. The PAID Act closes that critical information gap, by having CMS communicate the Part C and Part D plan identification to settling parties in response to a Section 111 Report. CMS has that data and can provide it. Congress is aware that for the last eight years CMS has provided all Section 111 Reports to the Part C and Part D Plans, and Congress expects that CMS will continue to do so after this legislation is enacted. Further, the existing MSP statute and regulations impose specific requirements on CMS, and on Part C and Part D Plans, to pay for claims in some situations, to not pay for claims in other situations, and to pursue recovery of claims when appropriate. Nothing in this legislation is intended to change any of those obligations or requirements, and Congress expects Part C and Part D Plans to continue to seek recovery of claims by timely notifying settling parties when a payment has been made that should be reimbursed, consistent with the CMS notice procedures. This legislation is only intended to provide more information to the settling parties, so that they have the ability to coordinate with Part C and Part D Plans earlier if they so choose. Congress has afforded CMS 18 months to implement this law and urges CMS to move with all deliberate speed to both implement its own system changes and coordinate with all Primary Plans throughout the implementation process. Regular communication and coordination will be critical to ensuring that Primary Plans are aware of the data exchange requirements that CMS plans to implement, and to ensure that Primary Plans are prepared as quickly as possible to utilize the data CMS will be providing under this law. By involving all stakeholders throughout the implementation process, CMS can implement our intention that the needed Plan identity information be available for parties to coordinate benefits as quickly as possible. I urge my colleagues to support this fix.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I'm elated to announce that earlier this week my colleagues and I were able to unanimously pass H. Res. 823, which condemns Iran's state-sponsored religious persecution of its Baha'i minority. Iran has gone too long depriving its citizens the most fundamental of human rights, and I'm proud that we were able to call out Iran and hold them accountable for their atrocities against their own people. I firmly believe that it is our duty in Congress to stand up to this tyrannical regime, and I have been committed to that cause since I first came to the House of Representatives. One of my first ever bills in Congress, the Iran Human Rights Act of 2007, focused on improving the respect for fundamental human rights of the people of Iran. It specifically recognized the plight and suffering of the Baha'i minority and that they face significant discrimination, including imprisonment, harassment, and intimidation. The Iranian state's treatment of the Baha'i people is deplorable, and the fact it is motivated simply because of their faith is wholly unacceptable. Religious freedom is an issue that personally touches me, as I have had family and friends who have been victims of religious persecution. This makes me especially conscious of the incredible importance of ensuring that religious freedom is respected around the globe. Religious freedom is a fundamental human right outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and all people deserve a government that will respect their rights. Our darkest moments as a human race have come during times when those who knew better stood silently, making excuses for passivity and allowing injustice and persecution to reign. While I celebrate the passage of H. Res. 823, I recognize there is more we can do. As Co- Chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Executive Committee, I stand with the Baha'i people against the injustices wrought against them by the Iranian government, and I call upon the United States and the international community to continue pressuring Iran to cease the persecution of its religious minorities and its violations of basic human rights. The Baha'i people deserve no less.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2477, the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification Act, the BENES Act. Unfortunately, complex and confusing Medicare enrollment rules combined with a lack of notification cause tens of thousands of older adults and people with disabilities to incur lifetime fines, coverage gaps, and other harmful consequences. This is not fair to our seniors. With fewer people automatically enrolled in Medicare and 10,000 baby boomers aging into Medicare each day, more people new to Medicare must actively enroll in the program. To address this issue, the BENES Act is here for us. It directs the Federal Government to provide advance notice to individuals approaching Medicare eligibility about basic Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollment rules. It directs Part B to begin the first of the month following one's enrollment during both the later months of their initial enrollment period and during the general enrollment period, closing coverage gaps. It also requires HHS to submit a report to Congress on how best to align the annual general enrollment period with the annual enrollment period for private Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to reduce confusion. And it enables HHS to create a Part B special enrollment period for exceptional circumstances; a provision currently used in Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D when people are unable to sign up for Medicare due to occurrences, like living in an area impacted by a disaster or emergency. I thank my colleague, Dr. Ruiz, for his leadership and partnership on this particular bill. Madam Speaker, all of these bills are so vital to our seniors, very important bills, and I am glad we are passing them in a bipartisan fashion. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues, again, to support this commonsense protective measure for seniors, veterans, and those living with disabilities.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed) for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 578, the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act. ALS is a rare, fatal, progressive, neurodegenerative disease with an ability to strike anyone at any time throughout the world. It has no racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic boundaries. Still, we actually have no cause or cure, and it is very sad, but we have to work on a cure. We will never give up, Madam Speaker. While military veterans are 1\1/2\ to 2 times more likely to develop ALS than those who have not served, and 5 to 10 percent of cases are familial and due to a gene mutation, 90 percent are considered sporadic with no clear reason for development. Rapidly progressing throughout the body, time is critical for ALS patients as many suffer total paralysis and death, typically within 2 to 5 years following diagnosis, although I do know some friends who have lived much longer than that. They continue to contribute to society and to their respective wonderful communities. Again, during that time, many lose their ability to work and lose access to employer-based insurance. Despite contributing to Social Security during their working years, ALS patients must wait 5 months before they can receive access to the benefits they have earned. These disability benefits help pay for costly medical care, food, and housing. ALS patients cannot afford to wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn. They need our immediate support in the face of this cruel disease. As the co-chair of the Rare Disease Caucus, I urge my colleagues to support this critical bill for ALS patients.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1375, the Provide Accurate Information Directly Act, or the PAID Act. Medicare secondary payer laws enacted in the 1980s have failed to stay current with Medicare. Medicare Advantage and part D have changed the way beneficiaries engage with Medicare and provide an opportunity for potential secondary payer issues due to a lack of coordination. The PAID Act allows settling parties to repay MSP amounts and allows for the coordination of benefits by requiring CMS to share necessary information. Specifically, the PAID Act authorizes settling parties to receive the same information CMS currently provides group health plans about Medicare Advantage and part D plan enrollment information. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this commonsense bill. I thank the leader, the manager, and also the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for their leadership. I appreciate it. This is a really good bill. Let's get it done. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1375, the Provide Accurate Information Directly (or PAID) Act. Medicare Secondary Payer laws enacted in the '80s have failed to stay current with Medicare. Medicare Advantage (or MA) and Part D have changed the way beneficiaries engage with Medicare and provide an opportunity for potential secondary payer issues due to a lack of coordination. The PAID Act allows settling parties to repay MSP amounts, and allow for the coordination of benefits, by requiring CMS to share necessary information. Specifically, the PAID Act authorizes settling parties to receive the same information CMS currently provides Group Health Plans about MA and Part D plan enrollment information. I urge my colleagues to pass this commonsense bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 79th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. I recently had the opportunity to visit with a constituent of mine from Pasco County, Florida, Mr. Wigmore, on his 100th birthday. Mr. Wigmore is a Pearl Harbor survivor, and I appreciate his heroism. While there are very few Pearl Harbor survivors remaining throughout our Nation, unfortunately, we must never forget their bravery, service, and sacrifice. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japan launched a sneak attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet's base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Tragically, the attack killed 2,403 American servicemembers--heroes, Mr. Speaker-- and wounded almost 1,200 more. Despite inflicting heavy casualties, the attackers failed to achieve their objective of disabling the U.S. fleet. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we all remember the lives lost on that day and celebrate the remarkable contributions that the Greatest Generation made for all of us.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, the story of Austin Tice's disappearance and presumed imprisonment is tragic and frustrating. I met with Austin's loving parents, Marc and Debra, last year in my office, where they told me about the heartbreaking details of his abduction in 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus on his way to Beirut. Hearing about Austin, I knew I had to do what I could to try and help, just like these other Members who have spoken earlier. So, with the Tices sitting in my office, I called upon the help of my Syrian- American friend and constituent, Paul Jallo. I put Mr. Jallo on speakerphone as we brainstormed with Marc and Debra as to how we could navigate the treachery of this situation on the ground in Syria. Paul vowed to enlist the assistance of his family and friends living in Damascus to try and garner critical information as to Austin's current location and the identity of his captors. I cannot thank and commend Paul enough for his continued efforts to help the Tices in this ongoing endeavor to determine the status of Austin's well-being. We are frustrated, Mr. Speaker, that we still can't confirm with any degree of certainty Austin's captors, though we believe that Syrian President al-Assad's government has within its power and influence to see to Austin's release, despite denials of detaining him. This is unacceptable, Mr. Speaker. Austin was not a combatant, not a threat to al-Assad's regime, and yet he had to endure the terrible fate of imprisonment without acknowledgment. Austin, who proudly served our country as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, deserves better, and his parents, Marc and Deborah Tice, who have tirelessly fought for answers, deserve better. Today we are going to send a message to the Syrian Government that the United States of America has not forgotten about Austin Tice and that we will not give up on him. Today we are here, and we are going to stand up and fight for someone who put himself in the face of danger to make sure that we always knew the truth of what went on in Syria and continues to go on. Please join me in supporting this resolution and sending a powerful message.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the time very much. This legislation builds upon the IPAWS Modernization Act, which I authored and which became law in 2016. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), the chairman of the committee, and the ranking member. It has been a great pleasure to serve with all of them on this committee, and I want to continue to serve on this committee. It is the best committee in Congress, as far as I am concerned, the original committee. That bill enhanced the Nation's emergency alert texting system and implemented training programs for States. I am talking about the IPAWS Modernization Act, Madam Speaker. The READI Act builds upon our prior efforts and will ensure more people receive critical emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. It really works well, Madam Speaker. I am from the great State of Florida, and we had hurricane warnings for the last couple of weeks for Eta. I was on the other coast, the east coast, even though I represent the west coast, visiting friends on the east coast, and I got the alert on the east coast even though the threat was on the west coast. So, you know, you have to have planning. And it really works very well. It saves so many lives. It also paves the way for examining the feasibility of issuing alerts through online streaming services, an ever-popular platform, I understand. Even more importantly, this bill will help States improve emergency alert plans and establish reporting systems for false alerts. I am pleased that this potentially lifesaving legislation has come to a floor vote. The effectiveness and accuracy of information during an emergency should always be a top priority, and it is.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 900, as amended, a bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Bozeman, Montana, the Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins was a Montana native and Army veteran. He was killed in action in Iraq in 2007 during an encounter with two enemy insurgents when he put himself between a suicide bomber and his fellow soldiers. Staff Sergeant Atkins' quick and selfless actions saved the lives of those three soldiers and led to him being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. By naming the VA clinic in Bozeman after him today, we will further ensure that his life and legacy is forever remembered. This bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Steve Daines and in the House by my friend and colleague Congressman Greg Gianforte, who will be the Governor of Montana very soon. It is also strongly supported by the other member of Montana's congressional delegation, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee and another good friend of mine, Senator Jon Tester. I am grateful to Senator Daines, Congressman Gianforte, Ranking Member Tester, and the many Montana veteran service organizations that sent in letters of support for this bill, for their efforts to honor Staff Sergeant Atkins' service and sacrifice through this legislation. These are the true heroes, Mr. Speaker. I know you know that. Staff Sergeant Atkins was just 32 years old when he died. He left behind many loved ones, including his then 11-year-old son, Trevor. I send my prayers to Trevor and to all of Staff Sergeant Atkins' friends and family members who, I know, are still grieving his loss today. I hope that it is a small comfort to them to know that, with the passage of this bill, Mr. Speaker, Staff Sergeant Atkins' memory will live on and serve as an inspiration to all the veterans who seek hope and healing in the clinic that will now bear his name. I am proud to support this bill, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3147, the Improving Safety and Security for Veterans Act of 2019. This bill was drafted in response to a tragic incident at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, where a former VA nursing assistant killed at least seven veteran patients by injecting them with lethal doses of insulin while they were under her care. As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I personally grieved the loss of those veterans. I cannot fathom the pain that their loved ones must feel. My heart is with them, especially during this holiday season. Congress must act to ensure that no other veteran, family, or community experiences such tragedy ever again. Passing S. 3147 today will help us do that, Mr. Speaker. The bill would require VA to report to Congress on the Department's efforts to assess, monitor, and improve patient safety and quality of care throughout the VA healthcare system. It would also require the VA to report to Congress on the series of events surrounding the Clarksburg murders and the actions taken in Clarksburg and nationwide, for that matter. We need to ensure that we learn from this tragedy and that it never, ever is repeated. This bill is sponsored by Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia and is the companion to a House bill in the House by my good friend, a great member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I know he supports veterans, David McKinley, who I will yield to in a second. David is from West Virginia. I appreciate Senator Manchin's and Congressman McKinley's efforts to ensure that veterans in West Virginia and across the country receive care that is timely, safe, and of the very highest quality. Again, we have to thank them for their service to our country, and they are entitled to this quality of care, Mr. Speaker. Every veteran deserves to feel confident that they will be well cared for when they walk through VA's doors. While nothing can bring back the veterans who were ruthlessly murdered in Clarksburg, I hope that the passage of this bill today will restore some of the trust that has been lost due to this heartbreaking chapter in VA's history and ease other veterans' fears that they may have about their own safety seeking care through the VA healthcare system. Mr. Speaker, I urge every one of my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill today. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3587, the Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility Act of 2019. This bill will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study of all VA websites, apps, and electronic forms; determine which are inaccessible to veterans with disabilities; and develop a plan to make each of them accessible and compliant with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Although the VA has taken steps to improve the accessibility of its website, the committee has heard concerns from Blinded Veterans of America that ``a web page that was easily accessed one day cannot be read or even located during the next visit to the site.'' Of course that is unacceptable as far as I am concerned. Moreover, visually impaired veterans, in particular, often face barriers to accessing information from VA because they are directed to forms or pages that are incompatible with screen readers. Given that over 4.9 million veterans have at least one service- connected disability, it is unacceptable that the VA's delivery of information falls short of disabled veterans' needs. This bill will require the VA to take systematic action to address these issues. I applaud Senator Bob Casey and Congresswoman Elaine Luria, who does an outstanding job on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for their leadership on this particular bill and their efforts to ensure that all veterans are able to access the information they need from the VA. I will be supporting this bill today, and I urge my colleagues to join me. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.