Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 13 inventors who have been recognized as the Inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame since its founding. In order to be named as an Inductee, these men and women were nominated by their peers and have undergone the scrutiny of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Each of their innovations is deemed to have made a significant impact on quality of life, economic development, and welfare of society for the citizens of Florida and the United States. The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 by Paul R. Sanberg, Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development, and Judy Genshaft, President, at the University of South Florida. It was recognized by the Florida Senate with Senate Resolution 1756, adopted at the request of Florida Senator Jeff Brandes (22nd district), on April 30, 2014. By commending the incredible scientific work that has been, and continues to be, accomplished in Florida by its citizens, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame's mission is to encourage individuals of all ages and backgrounds to strive toward the betterment of Florida and society through continuous, groundbreaking innovation. Nomination to the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is open to all Florida inventors (living or dead) who are, or who have been, residents of Florida and whose connection to the State has informed their inventive work. The nominee must be a named inventor on a patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The impact of the inventor and his or her invention should be significant to society as a whole, and the invention should have been commercialized, utilized, or led to important innovations. The 2014 Inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame are: Thomas Edison (1847-1931), the most prolific inventor in U.S. history and longtime resident of Fort Myers; Robert Cade (1927-2007), University of Florida professor, who developed the hydrating sports drink Gatorade, Gainesville; William Glenn (1926-2013), Florida Atlantic University professor, who invented the high-definition camera for NASA, Boca Raton; John Gorrie (1803-1855), physician and the father of refrigeration and air conditioning, Apalachicola; Shyam Mohapatra, University of South Florida professor and pioneer of applied biomedical nanotechnology, Tampa; and Shin-Tson Wu, University of Central Florida professor, whose liquid crystal research has impacted display technology worldwide, Orlando. The 2015 Inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame are: Henry Ford (1863-1947), automotive technology pioneer and Fort Myers resident, who advanced industrial manufacturing and contributed to experimental botanical research; Robert Howard Grubbs, University of Florida graduate, professor at the California Institute of Technology, and recipient of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, whose contributions led to new materials in medicine and plastics, Gainesville; Robert Holton, Florida State University professor, who invented the chemical synthesis of Taxol, a widely utilized and highly effective anti-cancer drug, Tallahassee; Jerry Pratt, scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, for his revolutionary work in walking robotics, Pensacola; Paul R. Sanberg, professor, and Senior Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at the University of South Florida, for discovery of novel approaches to drug and cell therapies to treat stroke, brain injuries and diseases, and for founding the National Academy of Inventors, Tampa; Nan-Yao Su, University of Florida professor, who invented Sentricon ', which revolutionized termite control, Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale; and Janet Yamamoto, University of Florida professor, who discovered the deadly feline immunodeficiency virus (FlV), created the FIV vaccine, and furthered research on HIV, Gainesville. The contributions made to society through innovation and invention are significant and life changing. I commend these individuals and the organizations and institutions that have supported them for the work they have done to benefit the world in which we live. In contemplating the work of these inventors, may future generations be encouraged to strive to emulate these honorees and their dedication to the ideal of innovation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, a bill I am proud to cosponsor. Madam Speaker, as the Energy and Commerce Committee continues its investigation into the troubling Planned Parenthood videos, it is crucial we do everything in our power to protect human life and hold organizations such as Planned Parenthood accountable. With this legislation, we have the opportunity to both save lives and respect the rights of the American people. Taxpayers should not be forced to financially support organizations whose behavior is at best unethical and possibly illegal. When it comes to defunding Planned Parenthood, the issue should not be partisan. This is about protecting the rights of taxpayers, but also, more importantly, protecting the basic right of human life. Madam Speaker, I will continue to give a voice to our most fragile Americans who cannot speak for themselves. I thank Representative Black for her efforts on this important piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our nation's POWs and MIA service members. Today is National Prisoner of War, Missing in Action Day. As Vice- Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs I am constantly in awe of the sacrifices and efforts that have been made on behalf of our great country by the men and women who have worn the uniform of our Armed Services. Tragically, according to the Department of Defense, more than 83,000 service members remain missing since World War II. These individuals represent a unique segment of the men and women who serve or have served in the Armed Forces--men and women who are missing or captured, unable to come home. I am proud to introduce H.R. 3558, legislation to create a forever stamp depicting the National League of Families POW/MIA flag. This bill will help demonstrate our nation's gratitude to this special segment of heroes, both past and present. I am forever grateful for their service.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The agreement is not in the best interest of our country and will have a lasting impact well beyond this Congress and Obama's presidency. It boggles the mind that we would put faith in a regime that is the world's leading state sponsor of terror and continues to openly destabilize the Middle East. Furthermore, this deal fails to establish acceptable consequences for violations, and financially strengthens the Iranian regime via international trade and technology assistance. This international gamble will adversely affect generations of Americans and Middle Easterners hoping to live in a more peaceful world. We must do everything we can to prevent implementation of this dangerous agreement, and remain firm by defending freedom and protecting American interests at home and abroad. That is why I urge my colleagues to vote against implementing this deal.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support the VA Accountability Act. The brave women and men who return from serving our country should be able to receive timely access to quality care. Our veterans have earned our respect and admiration. In general, I believe that most employees at the VA are dedicated to our Nation's heroes. However, a culture of mediocrity has permeated the VA. Too many employees who perform terribly are not fired. This bill before us today will allow the VA Secretary to fire employees more easily, but the heart of this issue is about the quality of care for veterans. If bad actors stay at the VA, that hurts veterans. Opponents speak in hypotheticals, but hypotheticals mean nothing in the face of overwhelming evidence. We know about the real negligence that goes on unpunished. This is a disservice to those who have borne the battle. The Washington Post reported on a VA employee who took a veteran seeking treatment for drug abuse to a crackhouse in a government vehicle and left the veteran there overnight. Sadly, it took over a year to fire that employee. That is inexcusable. According to the VA data given to the committee, only three VA employees have been fired since the Arizona wait time scandal, specifically for data manipulation. That is unreasonable. This bill is needed because our Nation's heroes deserve better. That is the bottom line. We must protect our veterans. Support this bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to underscore a serious problem in Pasco County, Florida, this week that is devastating homeowners--flooding--after days of continuous rain. After Tropical Storm Debby in 2012, the Army Corps of Engineers worked with county officials to implement some measures to mitigate flooding, but more needs to be done. For instance, Pasco County officials have been working for 19 years to extend Ridge Road. One of the main justifications for the Ridge Road extension is a matter of safety. An extension is a much-needed evacuation route in the case of natural disasters, like flooding or hurricanes. As of today, an evacuation issued for Elfers, Florida, in my district, is ongoing. The Ridge Road extension needs to be approved. Nineteen years is far too long. The Army Corps must stop dragging its feet. The serious flood this week demonstrates the need for action. I hope that the Corps gets the message.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to support H.R. 1734, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act. This commonsense legislation will ensure that coal combustion products are safely regulated by empowering the States to regulate it at fixed standards without overwhelming consumers' wallets. It also gives the EPA the authority to act to protect the public should a State fail to implement its own regulations. Coal combustion products have become a significant sector of the economy, providing jobs and environmental and safety benefits. The recycling of coal combustion products reduces greenhouse gas emissions, extends the life and durability of the Nation's roads and bridges, and reduces the amount that must be disposed of in landfills or surface impoundments. If EPA reverses its decision not to regulate coal ash as a hazardous material, as they are considering, the cost to Floridians could be astronomical because Florida law does not permit hazardous waste landfills. Utilities would then be forced to export the ash to neighboring States, the result of which would be higher out-of-pocket energy costs for my constituents. We can't have that. Overregulating the recycling of coal combustible products will only serve to hurt the environment and increase the costs to consumers. These are things we should be avoiding, not promoting. This legislation will protect jobs and provide certainty to States, utilities, and businesses that recycle coal combustible products. I urge my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2256, the Veterans Information Modernization Act. This bill makes positive, bipartisan reforms to the VA, which has become the hallmark of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. We have such a good committee, Mr. Speaker. I am particularly pleased about the inclusion of my bill, H.R. 271, the Creating Options for Veterans Expedited Recovery Act, better known as the COVER Act. Last year the Veterans' Affairs Committee held a hearing regarding veterans' access to the VA's mental health services. At the hearing, we heard from the mothers and fathers of deceased veterans. I remember vividly how hearing their testimony moved me. I can't remember another instance when the Veterans' Affairs Committee room was so quiet and solemn as on that day. Statistics show that one in five veterans who serves in Iraq and Afghanistan has been diagnosed with post- traumatic stress. Now we must responsibly ask ourselves: Are we doing enough when it comes to addressing mental health in our veteran population? Recent data has shown that every day in this country approximately 18 to 22 veterans take their own lives. This statistic answers the question I posed earlier. It is obvious more needs to be done. Far too often we have heard of situations in which our veterans are being overprescribed opioids and antipsychotics. While traditional forms of therapies may work for some, tailoring therapies to the veterans and finding the balance between traditional and complementary, alternative treatments could be the difference in saving lives. Late last year I met with a veteran who was able to tell me just how much alternative treatments have improved his life. His treatment plan to address his PTS and physical injuries consisted of over 30 different pills every day. He told me how much this affected him. He said he felt hopeless and wasn't quite himself anymore. He then decided to take control of his life again and looked for an alternative. He found an alternative treatment in training and in caring for a service dog. Now, his treatment includes one multivitamin, one other medication, and a four-legged companion that never leaves his side. The COVER Act is the next piece in a working formula to heal our veterans, mentally and physically. It will pave the way toward the inclusion of these complementary alternative therapies at the VA. These therapies include, but certainly are not limited to, service animal therapy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, equine therapy, and accelerated resolution therapy. Mr. Speaker, I have heard the stories from these veterans, and these therapies really work. They need access to these therapies. At a recent town hall, I even heard about the benefits of martial arts. The martial arts were treating PTS. Mr. Speaker, when treating mental health issues, one size does not fit all. Please support this good bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark an anniversary that has pained the Cypriot and Hellenic communities for 41 years. On July 20, 1974, 41 years ago yesterday, in blatant violation of international law, Turkey invaded Cyprus and captured much of the northern part of the island. Since the invasion, Turkey has occupied nearly 40 percent of Cyprus. They inhabit homes previously owned by Greek Cypriots, forcibly relocating 160,000 Greek Cypriots and infusing the island with hundreds of thousands of Turkish settlers. Another 1,500 Cypriots remain missing since the 1974 invasion, including four Americans whose remains have not been located. Religious artifacts and cultural relics have been destroyed in the wake of the Turkish Army's invasion and, after 41 years of displacement, are now lost to time. Hundreds of churches and monasteries have been shamefully desecrated, losing all sense of their historic and religious significance. Cyprus has been a steadfast ally, and Cypriots deserve an end to this senseless division. With negotiations underway again for reunification, let's hope this time next year we will be celebrating the end of this illegal occupation. As it builds, Turkey cannot be allowed to stonewall this democratic process any longer. Today the United States stands in a unique role as a friend of both Cyprus and Turkey. As an honest broker to both sides, we can help them to see that a unified future for Cyprus is far more promising than the present. The United States' relationship with all its allies--Turkey included--must be based on shared values and mutual respect. At the core, the rule of law must be respected above all else. Forty-one years of illegal occupation is 41 years too long. Cyprus has long been a strong and faithful ally of the United States, and we owe our support for both peace and the end of this illegal occupation. I encourage the Cypriot leaders to keep up the hard work of unifying a people divided for over a generation. Many hard issues remain, but, hopefully, this will be the last year we acknowledge this illegal occupation.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chair, on a personal level, I have family members who have suffered with Parkinson's--I witness this debilitating disease through them. It is hard to see. Few things in America are truly ubiquitous--diseases, sadly, are one of those things. In addition to the struggle chronic and rare disease patients face, physicians, researchers, clinicians, and medical device companies (among others) deal with an outdated and overly burdensome regulatory structure. These regulations stifle the development of new cures and treatments, whether they are drugs, biologics, or devices. Given the reality, we have to ask: how can we get cures and treatments to the people who desperately need them? That is the question the 21st Century Cures Initiative was created to answer. The 21st Century Cures Initiative is a bipartisan undertaking by members of the Energy and Commerce Committee to help our healthcare innovation infrastructure thrive and deliver more hope for all patients. This is a tremendous undertaking, and is much easier said than done. It is about finding new ways to drive innovation. In addition to adequate funding and resources, we need to think critically about structural changes to streamline and modernize our health care system. We need to rethink what we have been doing and how we are doing it for the 21st Century. This is what 21st Century Cures Initiative is giving us: an opportunity to address some of the structural barriers to new cures and promote new ways to incentivize developments. The 21st Century Cures Initiative has examined and seeks to accelerate the complete cycle of cures--from discovery to development to delivery and back again to discovery. This has resulted in the 21st Century Cures Act--a culmination of over a year's worth of engaging with patients, researchers, physicians, government, and private entities. This year included numerous hearings and roundtables in Washington D.C. As legislators, we worked tirelessly to engage all stakeholders from across the spectrum. The only way we can answer the question--how do we get better cures and treatments?--is to work with everyone involved in the American health care system. I am proud that I was able to have several provisions that were included in the final version of the Cures Act. These provisions will help to change the lives of patients in small to larger ways. I want to take a moment and highlight some of the provisions and some of the people that helped shape the policy. Rare diseases are not a rare problem. Nearly 30 million Americans--1 in every 10 people--are living with a rare disease. That is why I introduced the OPEN Act--the Orphan Product Extensions Now Act. It was included as a provision of the 21st Century Cures Act. My bipartisan bill has the potential to help millions of people by incentivizing the testing of mainstream drugs--or repurposing them--to treat rare diseases and pediatric cancers, and it was included as a major provision in the 21st Century Cures Act. The OPEN Act would unlock a new world of potential treatments--it would put FDA-approved, safe, and effective treatments ``on-label.'' Through the 21st Century Cures Act, Congress has a chance to come together to make a real difference in the lives of the 160 million Americans who suffer from a rare or chronic condition, as well as the family members and friends of all those afflicted. The OPEN Act is one provision in the 21st Century Cures Act, but it is one I am proud to have authored, and one I believe will make a substantial difference in the lives of a lot of people. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who helped make the OPEN Act a reality, and who fought for this legislation to be in the 21st Century Cures Act. Julia Jenkins, Max Bronstein, Andy Russell, Harry Sporidis, Tim Perrin, everyone at the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, and the other 155 rare disease groups that supported the OPEN Act: National MPS Society, With Purpose, National PKU Alliance, Taylor's Tale, RASopathies Network USA, Kids v Cancer, Let Them Be Little X2 Inc., Info and Resources for Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH-NET), Noah's Hope, Mary Payton's Miracle Foundation, Hope4Bridget Foundation, Batten Disease Support & Research Association, Cure Sanfilippo Foundation, Beyond Batten Disease Foundation, Drew's Hope Scientific Research Foundation, International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation (IPPF), Cure AHC, Autoinflammatory Alliance, MLD Foundation, Fabry Support & Information Group, Children's PKU Network, FMD Chat; National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association (NTSAD), Little Miss Hannah Foundation, Rare Disease United Foundation, Global Genes Project, Fibromuscular Dysplasia Society of America (FMDSA), Lymphatic Malformation Institute, Mastocytosis Society, EB Research Partnership, BRBN Alliance, Jonah's Just Begun, Abigail Alliance for Better Access to Developmental Drugs, Hannah's Hope Fund, GNE Myopathy International, The Ryan Foundation, Organic Acidemia Association, Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous International, NGLY1.org, Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, POMC Island One boy an Ocean of friends, Gene Giraffe Project, International FOP Association, Aware of Angels; CureCADASIL, GT23 FOUNDATION, Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation (DTRF), The Association for Glycogen Storage Disease, Gene Spotlight Inc., Amyloidosis Foundation, Heriditary Neuropathy Foundation, Relapsing Polychondritis, Klippel-Feil Syndrome Freedom, CureDuchenne, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, Bert's Big Adventure, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Sarcoma Foundation of America, The Nicholas Conor Institute, Luck2Tuck Foundation, Team Sanfilippo Foundation, The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, CARES Foundation, Inc., Help Extinguish Hunter Syndrome, Sephardic Health Organization for Referral & Education, Hunter Syndrome Research Coalition; The Kortney Rose Foundation, Saving Case & Friends, Phelan- McDermid Syndrome Foundation, The Children's Medical Research Foundation, Inc., Cure SMA, Narcolepsy Network, Celiac Support Association, Caleb's Crusade Against Childhood Cancer, International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF), PKD Foundation, EDSers United Foundation, Choroideremia Research Foundation, Inc., Genetic Alliance, The Life Raft Group, The Will Luthcke Foundation, Angioma Alliance, Smashing Walnuts Foundation, Castleman Disease Collaborative Network/Castleman's Awareness & Research Effort, The GIST Cancer Awareness Foundation, The Truth 365, The Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, Sophia's Fund; Journey4ACure, Princesses on a Mission, Inc., Noah's Light Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Foundation, West Virginia Kids Cancer Crusaders, Inc., Bear Necessities Cancer Foundation, A Kids' Brain Tumor Cure, RARE Science, Inc., ISMRD (the International Advocate for Glycoprotein Storage Diseases), Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network Inc., Run4Rare, A-T Children's Project, The Global Foundation for Peroxisomal Disorders, The Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease Research Foundation (APBDRF), Alexa Nawrocki Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Beckwith-Wiedemann Children's Foundation International, The Brooke Healey Foundation, Talia's Legacy Children's Cancer Foundation, The Rare Childhood Cancer Advocacy Group, Alex's Army Childhood Cancer Foundation, The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation, Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation; Cures Within Reach, ALL4Trey, Team Sabrina, Sofia's Hope, Inc., ALL4Trey, Delainee's Battle, Joey's Wings Foundation, The Bozeman 3, Team Ashley Bragg, Cole vs Cancer, Dominick One in a Million, Samuel Szabo Foundation, Wilms Tumor Survivor Group, Aiden's Army, Sofia's Hope, Inc., Mikey's Way Foundation, Team Serena, Supporting Our Cancer Kids, The Champ's Corner, Habitat for Hope, Ali's Angels Foundation, Gold Rush Cure Foundation; Sickle Cell Warriors, Inc., The Rare Cancer Research Foundation, Carson Leslie Foundation, Amyloidosis Research Consortium, Pulmonary Fibrosis Advocates, The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis, Mytonic Dystrophy Foundation, LMSarcoma Direct Research Foundation, BioPontis Alliance for Rare Diseases, Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types, Inc., 5p-Society, The Santonio Holmes III & Long Foundation, National Fragile X Foundation, National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), OsteoPETrosis Society, Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation, The MAGIC Foundation, Cure HHT, DEFY Foundation, Chase After a Cure, DC Outreach Inc., Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, and the Bridget the Gap--SYNGAP Education and Research Foundation. These groups' grassroots efforts were instrumental in the effort to get the OPEN Act in the 21st Century Cures Act. I would like to thank all the participants of the two 21st Century Roundtables I held in my District in August of 2014. Your input was vital in the early stages of drafting the 21st Century Cures Act, and I will be forever appreciative: Dr. Wayne Taylor, on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Mrs. Colleen Labbadia, on behalf of the Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD); Ms. Patricia Stanco, MHS, on behalf of the ALS Association Florida Chapter; Ms. Ashleigh Pike and Ms. Beth Pike--dysautonomia patient advocates; Dr. Samantha Lindsay, on behalf of the Alpha-1 Foundation; Ms. Janice Starling, on behalf of the American Association of Kidney Patients; Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Gretchen Church, on behalf of the Parkinson's Action Network; Dr. Clifton Gooch, FAAN, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurology, University of South Florida; Dr. Dave Morgan, CEO and Director of USF's Byrd Alzheimer's Institute; Dr. Richard Finkel, Chief Neurologist at Nemour's Children's Hospital; Mr. Geary A. Havran, President of NDH Medical, Inc., and Chairman, Florida Medical Manufacturers Consortium (FMMC); Ms. Lisa Novorska, CFO, Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc.; Dr. Thomas Sellers, MPH., Center Director and Executive Vice President for Moffit Cancer Center; Dr. Glen Hortin, Clinical Pathology Medical Director for the Southeast Region, for Quest Diagnostics. Additionally, I want to thank Nick Manetto from PPMD and USAgainst Alzheimer's, Miriam O'Day from the Alpha-1 Foundation, John DeMuro from Moffitt, Monica Richter from USF, Jennifer Sheridan from PAN, Gary Dessatti, John Ray from FMMC, and Erin O'Malley and Virginia Biggar from USAgainstAlzheimer's. I would also like to thank Candace Lerman, Laura Milford, and Max Schill. They are all rare disease patients and advocates who I have had the pleasure of meeting. Their in-person advocacy and their dedication to improve the lives of everyone with a rare disease is admirable. I am truly grateful to their contribution and support of this legislation. I also want to recognize Noah Coughlan and Jonny Lee Miller. Noah is a young man who ran across the country--over 3,000 miles--three times to raise awareness for rare diseases. This is a feat achieved by very few, and is a tremendous physical feat demonstrating his dedication to this cause. Jonny Lee Miller is an actor and advocate who runs ultra- marathons to raise money and awareness for rare diseases. To everyone else who was involved, supported the OPEN Act, tweeted about it, posted about it on Facebook, or advocated on behalf of the 30 million Americans with rare diseases, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. Additionally, the 21st Century Cures Act includes another one of my bills, H.R. 2298, the Patient Safety and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Act. I began work on this bill three years ago, after a prescription drug abuse hearing. The problem was apparent, and a fix was desperately needed. This provision will create a drug management program within Medicare to use the same tools used in Medicaid, TRICARE, and private insurance to deal with the growth in prescription drug abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that there are 15.3 million Americans over the age of 12 that ``used prescription drugs non-medically in the last year.'' USA Today reported that in 2012, the average number of seniors misusing or dependent on prescription pain relievers in the past year grew to an estimated 336,000, up from 132,000 a decade earlier, based on data from SAMHSA. Addiction does not recognize age, race, ethnicity, or income. Anyone could be susceptible including seniors. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General has recommended that Medicare have this type of a program. In a hearing, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Principal Deputy Administrator stated that they supported this policy, but needed a statutory change in the law to create such a program. A change to the Medicare program is a herculean task. I want to thank some of the people that supported this provision and helped get this legislation over the finish line. Lindsay Berman from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Jerry Steffl, Jonathan Heafitz, Gary Kline, Sergio Santiviago, Richard Hoar, Heather Cutler, Nelson Bunn from the Major County Sheriffs Association, and Chuck DeWitt from the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in March, before a joint meeting of Congress, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned ``history has placed us at a fateful crossroads.'' As a world leader at the forefront of this crossroad, I believe America has a responsibility to prevent a nuclear Iran. An Iran with nuclear weapons capabilities would further exacerbate and destabilize the region and would certainly inspire an arms race among other nonnuclear nations. The Obama administration's foreign policy missteps do not inspire confidence that the current negotiations will conclude any differently. After numerous delays, negotiations are veering further away from any type of reasonable agreement that would contain Iran's nuclear ambitions. I do not trust this administration as it approaches the reversal of a half century of nuclear nonproliferation policy. As Chairman Royce stated over the weekend: ``The Obama administration's fundamental misread of the Iranian regime is part of what makes this potential agreement so dangerous to our national security.'' The sanctions relief numbers that are being reported now are staggering and would directly undercut years of democratic success. Sanctions are a vital tool when working to keep our citizens and allies out of harm's way. In dealing with an aggressive state sponsor of terror, there should be no daylight between the position of Republicans and Democrats in Congress, nor Congress with the President or the United States with our allies. Civilized nations must stand united against the destructive output from rogue regimes like Iran. As it stands now, the reported details of the deal will not dismantle the nuclear ambitions of the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. Mr. Speaker, if the past is any indication of the future, we can expect that Iran will continue to employ its stonewalling tactics, blocking any real transparency or inspections of its nuclear facilities. Why isn't Iran answering questions asked 4 years ago by the International Atomic Energy Agency about their past activities? How can we trust a country that won't answer simple questions or allow scientists to be interviewed? How can we set up a sanctions relief system that is based on trust and verification if the country has proven objectively incapable of trust and transparency? We certainly cannot continue to overlook Iranian compliance failures as reported this week in The Washington Post, nor come anywhere close to lifting its successfully firm arms embargo. These negotiations will have long-term implications on every country on this planet. I believe the United States has a responsibility to stand with Israel and other allies across the globe now more than ever. We must ensure our allies know they do not stand alone. With the current negotiations extended once again, it appears that the administration simply wants to get any agreement. I believe it is a legacy item for the President, Mr. Speaker. This administration's willingness to ignore Iran's troublesome behavior throughout negotiations does not inspire confidence. President Obama promised 7 years ago that he would not allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. He is failing to keep that promise to the American people and the rest of the world, in my opinion. The stakes are too high. Negotiations are reaching a critical moment as we speak here today. This administration needs to understand one indisputable truth: a bad deal is worse than no deal.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill represents meaningful reform for patients with rare or chronic conditions. I would like to highlight one provision I am so proud of, the OPEN Act. There are 1 in 10 Americans who suffer from a rare disease. That is 10 percent of the country. Over 95 percent of these diseases have no treatments. Patients like Candace and Laura from the Tampa Bay Area need FDA- approved safe and effective treatments. Laura has no treatment options, and Candace did her own research and took a medication off label and is now in remission. The OPEN Act will incentivize major market drugs and combination drug products to be repurposed to treat rare diseases and put them on label. The 30 million Americans with rare diseases need your ``yes'' vote. Vote for this bill. Vote for patients.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act. The 21st Century Cures Act is one of the best things Congress has done in a long time in my opinion. H.R. 6 is a holistic reform of how we can get cures and treatments to patients who need them. That is what this bill is all about, patients, our constituents, Mr. Speaker. One provision I was particularly proud to author will establish a drug management program which prevents at-risk beneficiaries from abusing controlled substances. This program will help protect our seniors. It is a fix to Medicare part D, that is a program that is really desperately needed. This commonsense measure has been recommended by GAO and IG, and it is also recommended by CMS. Mr. Speaker, it is utilized by private industry, TRICARE, and State Medicaid programs. This bill makes strides to prevent prescription drug abuse and promote a healthier America. I urge support for the rule and the underlying bill as well.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman. I appreciate it very much. This bill is about commonsense safeguards to ensure my constituents are protected from the EPA's overreach and higher energy prices. The EPA's proposal under this rule has drawn widespread concern. It places a heavier burden on Florida than other States, despite the fact that Florida has reduced its carbon emissions by 20 percent since 2005. Congress must act now to protect the everyday American who faces the potential threat of unreliable services and ballooning electricity costs. With the economy growing at a feeble pace, my constituents cannot afford to have their power bill increase. We should be working to support new technologies to safely harness America's energy boom, not saddle our constituents with regulations that will increase their cost of living. Let's focus on an all-the-above energy strategy, unleashing America's domestic, renewable, and nonrenewable resources to reduce the costs of groceries and the costs for heating and cooling your home. This bill will allow each State to have their own opportunity to assess the proposed plan for their State. Thirty-two States have made legal objections to this rule; 34 States have objected to EPA's rushed timeline. I am glad that we are taking action here today in a bipartisan fashion. I commend Chairman Whitfield, Representative Griffith, Representative Bishop, and Representative Peterson for their bipartisan work on the Ratepayer Protection Act. Please vote for this bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1190, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act. The President's healthcare law included the creation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB. Despite its name, IPAB is the opposite of independent, Mr. Speaker. IPAB is a group of 15 unelected members, unaccountable to the American people. IPAB's job is to control Medicare spending. That sounds nice, but they only have one way to do that, by cutting reimbursement rates for doctors and hospitals. Seniors rely on Medicare, as well as the doctors who will see them. If this unelected, unaccountable Board cuts reimbursement rates, doctors will stop seeing Medicare patients. That is bad for the 180,000 seniors in my district. Support this bill, and let's abolish IPAB. I look forward to a bipartisan vote in support of H.R. 1190.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I thank the chairman. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act. Last August, I held two 21st Century Cures roundtables in my district in the Tampa Bay area. The second roundtable featured healthcare providers. One participant was Lisa Novorska, CFO of Rochester Electro-Medical. Rochester Electro- Medical is a medical device manufacturer in my district, and it is a small business. The medical device tax, originally included in the President's healthcare law, is devastating to these small businesses. Eighty percent of the device manufacturers in Florida have less than 25 employees. In total, Florida has 662 device manufacturers, and one- third of them are in the Tampa Bay area, as I said, in the area that I represent in the Congress. This bill has over 280 bipartisan cosponsors. Voting for this rule and bill should be easy, despite the administration's veto threat. Let's support device manufacturers and give them the flexibility to innovate and help our constituents.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill I am proud to sponsor with my friends--Representative Kelly, who is the lead sponsor, and Representative Kind--H.R. 2505, the Medicare Advantage Coverage Transparency Act. Fifteen million Americans choose Medicare Advantage. By all accounts, Medicare Advantage has been successful for its enrollees, including those I represent. Similarly, approximately 37 million seniors chose part D as of 2014. Over 1,000 Medicare part D plans are offered nationwide, and the program has continued to grow in popularity and be well under its initial budget projections. I think Medicare part D is one of the greatest programs in the history of the Congress. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Office of Legislation used to issue reports on the Medicare Advantage and part D enrollment data for each congressional district; however, in 2012, they stopped issuing these reports. Why? It is now 2015, and they have still not provided this data. Information is valuable to legislators and health researchers. The more information we have about how a program is working, the better decisions we can make. Currently, enrollment data for Medicare Advantage and part D come from third-party sources; however, it is time for CMS to continue to do its job and provide this information. As I said earlier, by all accounts from third parties, both Medicare Advantage and part D are successful programs and, of course, as is traditional Medicare. These programs are used by so many seniors, Mr. Speaker. They are keeping our seniors healthier and saving them money. This is a good government bill, and I am hopeful for a strong, bipartisan vote.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for Medicare Advantage. Fifteen million Americans choose Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage has been successful for its enrollees. I stand with those seniors, including many in my district, who support this program. Medicare Advantage ought to be touted. Its focus on preventative medicine means healthier seniors and less healthcare spending. Today and tomorrow, the House will consider a number of bills to strengthen Medicare, and in particular Medicare Advantage. I have 180,000 seniors in my district, and I know these pieces of legislation are important to them. Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage are vital programs for our seniors, and I am hopeful we will see a strong bipartisan vote on all these bills. It is time to come together and support successful programs that harness the power of the free market.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to talk about one of my heroic constituents, World War II veteran Sergeant Harrison Doyle. Sergeant Doyle was assigned the task of recreating maps as a cartographer based on the remains of destroyed Nazi maps and aerial photography. Sergeant Doyle served in three theaters, including the Battle of the Bulge. His contributions were crucial in recreating the topography into maps that were used to win the Battle of the Bulge. Dedicated caseworkers in my office were able to help him recover lost personnel records. They worked tirelessly to get Sergeant Doyle's personnel records and medals, including the European-African-Middle East Campaign with Bronze Star attachment to give him the recognition he deserves. I am honored to represent Sergeant Doyle. Helping heroes like him and any constituents being stonewalled by a Federal agency makes this job more meaningful.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and was unable to make two votes. On roll call vote 288, had I been present I would have voted ``No.'' On roll call vote 289, had I been present I would have voted ``Aye.''

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. Alzheimer's is the only top 10 cause of death in America that cannot be prevented or cured; however, we are making strides. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6, the 21st Century Cures Act, is a historic, nonpartisan bill that will help spur the development of cures and treatments more quickly to help patients with chronic or rare conditions. I am an original cosponsor of a provision in H.R. 6 to create a national data collection system for neurological diseases. Better data will pave the path toward better treatments. In April, I held a neurological disease roundtable in my district to engage with doctors and patients, including Ron Hall, a constituent and Alzheimer's patient. We discussed how to advance the development of treatments and cures for diseases like Alzheimer's. Mr. Speaker, by working together, we can help Alzheimer's patients.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe Mental Health Awareness Month. Approximately one in five Americans have a mental illness. That is roughly 43 million Americans. These invisible wounds are just as serious as physical ones, and it is vital we understand the health care needs of individuals living with mental illnesses. Race, sex, age, gender--mental illnesses do not discriminate. Many of the Americans who suffer from PTS and TBI are our veterans, our true heroes. As vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am familiar with their struggle. This is why I introduced the COVER Act, which recently passed in the Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee and which gives veterans choices to seek alternative therapies and treatments for PTS and TBI. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let us all remember: these invisible wounds deserve our attention as much as the physical ones.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, Williams syndrome is a rare neurological disease. May is Williams Syndrome Awareness Month. According to the Williams Syndrome Association, there are between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals living with this rare disease, at least one of whom is a constituent of mine. His name is Brian Weaver. I had the pleasure of meeting him. My bill, the OPEN Act, would provide an incentive for companies to test their drugs on a rare disease population. Over 150 rare diseases organizations wrote to us saying the OPEN Act ``promises to improve the quality of life for the nearly 30 million Americans suffering from rare diseases.'' Research into Williams syndrome could lead to advances in treating Americans with high blood pressure, diabetes, autism, and anxiety disorders. We must continue to fight for millions of Americans who suffer from rare diseases like Williams syndrome.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, this week is National Police Week. Every day law enforcement officials put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. Sadly, in my district, Tarpon Springs Police Officer Charles ``Charlie K'' Kondek was shot and killed right before Christmas as he patrolled the streets on the midnight shift, while the rest of us slept securely in our homes. Police officers don't have a typical day. On average, an officer dies in the line of duty every 58 hours--150 deaths per year. This week and every day, we should be thankful for the good that police officers do for our communities. Let's never forget the sacrifices of Officer Kondek and others who have fallen in the line of duty, and let's be thankful for those who keep our communities safe. God bless them.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month. One person dies of melanoma every hour. There will be over 73,000 new cases of invasive melanoma in the United States this year. Early detection is crucial to prevention. I would like to highlight a very brave constituent of mine, McKenna Fitzpatrick. She is in the fourth grade at Seven Oaks Elementary School and bravely faced skin cancer. Despite being so young, she detected her skin cancer early, had a biopsy, dealt with her diagnosis, and overcame the challenges. McKenna's experience is a testament to the virtue of early detection. Take care of yourself when you are outside or any other time you may be exposed to UV light. This is extremely important for residents of Florida and people across the Nation. This summer, enjoy the beach safely and responsibly.