Larry Bucshon

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, the archbishop of San Francisco said, ``This proposed legislation is nothing short of child sacrifice.'' The inappropriately named Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 would codify the ability to obtain abortions for any reason at any point in pregnancy. This bill would also preempt and repeal State laws that require informed consent, ultrasounds, or other testing and counseling before undertaking an elective abortion. As a practicing heart surgeon for 15 years prior to coming to Congress, I operated on children as young as 23 weeks gestation, late second trimester. In fact, the smallest baby I operated on weighed only 650 grams, which is about 1.4 pounds. I spent my career in medicine caring for patients regardless of their situation, so I take access to healthcare very seriously. I can assure you that my tiny patients were people. I find it troubling that those on the other side, most of whom have never spent a day taking care of patients, continue to mislead the American people about what constitutes healthcare. The archbishop also said, ``A child is not an object to be thrown away.'' Vote against this bill.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the bill in its current form. I support the efforts to address dangerous, high levels of PFAS in our drinking water systems and other areas of our environment. That is why I submitted a bipartisan amendment with Mr. Schrader that would simply exempt PFAS used to manufacture medical devices and drugs that are approved by the FDA. It was a very limited amendment. Polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE, seen in the graph on the board behind me, is used to treat atrial septal defects, most of the time in young children. Thanks to great advancements in medical technology like this procedure, it is now done in an outpatient setting, rather than open-heart surgery. For years, I did open-heart surgery on people with ASDs, and now they can repair them with a device. This is one device that could be banned. Vascular grafts to repair aneurysms or bypass blocked arteries are another example. I implanted hundreds of these type of devices in patients. The fact of the matter is, it has been shown over and over that PTFE in devices poses no risk to people or to our environment. The bill in its current form fails to consider that fact and jeopardizes patient access to lifesaving drugs and devices, leaving physicians and patients with no viable alternative or an inferior alternative. Would anyone want to be treated with an inferior alternative when we are unnecessarily banning the best treatment? I would argue no. Unfortunately, my commonsense, bipartisan, lifesaving amendment was not made in order. I hope this bill does continue to move through the legislative process and that we can work to address this issue. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, William ``Bill'' Springer, for his more than thirty years of work advocating for the betterment of his community. A true son of Sullivan County, Indiana, Bill, his two sisters, and two brothers were raised in that community. Bill and his beloved wife, Rita, raised their two sons in Sullivan. He demonstrated his dedication to the youth of the community each year by his involvement in annual events like the Easter Egg Hunt at City Park and the annual Halloween Walk Around the Square. In recent years, Bill has operated the Sullivan County Indiana News on social media, a source that his community has relied on for important local information. Bill has been dedicated advocate for responsible government. He led his political party for thirty years and assisted with federal, state, and local campaigns. His tireless efforts have helped several people take on leadership roles in Sullivan County. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring William ``Bill'' Springer, a native son of Sullivan County dedicated to improving the lives and communities of his fellow Hoosiers

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak in support of S. 164, the Advancing Education on Biosimilars Act of 2021, which is the Senate companion of H.R. 1873, a bill that I introduced with my friend and colleague, Congressman Scott Peters from California. This bipartisan, bicameral bill will require FDA to create a public website to educate patients and providers about biological and biosimilar products. As new biological and biosimilar products become available, it is important that physicians have current information on these therapies in order to choose the best treatment for their patients. Availability of information and education on these new and complex treatments for providers and patients will lead to healthy competition in the biologic and biosimilar product space and ultimately help to lower the cost of these important drugs for patients. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I look forward to the President signing it into law.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I would like to include in the Record clarifying comments from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to a question I asked during a House Energy and Commerce Committee Markup on February 12, 2021. During the Markup, I asked about the scope of the Medicaid drug rebate provisions, specifically section 3101(a)(4), in the American Rescue Plan. CMS responded: ``Regarding whether section 3101(a)(4) preserves the status quo, we do not believe this language extends rebates to drugs or biological products not currently subject to rebates under the MDRP. Meaning, it keeps the status quo. ``We agree this provision is drafted similarly to the `fix' for MAT. Like MAT, since states would be required to cover drugs under this new COVID treatment benefit, confirming that states would still be required to cover such drugs absent any rebate agreement. ``Note that we do not believe current statute compels a manufacturer to enter into a rebate agreement. So if the intent is to compel payment of rebates for drugs covered under this new benefit, this provision would have to be drafted differently.''

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I was unfortunately unable to attend votes on March 8, 2021, due to unavoidable personal obligations. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 63, and NAY on Roll Call No. 64.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege to call Greg Walden a colleague and friend. His time as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is another chapter of accomplishment and success in the committee's storied history. As chairman, Greg approached every issue before the committee with his eye on achieving results for the American people. That is why we are here. He strove to reach across the political divide, because he understood, and still does, our work on behalf of the American people is far too important to always be derailed by needless partisanship. Of course, we will have our squabbles back and forth, but at the end of the day, it is about the American people, and Greg understands that. From the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act to RAY BAUM'S Act, as well as too numerous bills signed into law to even list here, Greg's leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee produced important legislation that is, today, making a difference in the lives of the American people. Mr. Speaker, I want to personally thank Greg for taking the time to bring me in and ask for my professional medical diagnosis of many major healthcare-related issues or other pieces of legislation before the committee. I know at times we doctors can tell you things you don't want to hear--and quit laughing--but Greg always listened intently and worked with me to help find a cure, so to speak, or a remedy, and for that, I will always be appreciative. Greg, your wisdom, charisma, and unflappable leadership will be greatly missed in the 117th Congress. I wish you and Mylene the best as you both begin this new chapter of your lives, and I look forward to continuing to call you friend.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I was unfortunately unable to attend votes on December 4, 2020, due to unavoidable personal obligations. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 235.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank President Trump for nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court, and urge her immediate confirmation. Currently serving on the Seventh Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals in South Bend, Indiana, Judge Barrett has shown throughout her highly-successful legal career that she has an outstanding legal mind and that she is more than qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. As a fellow Hoosier, I have the utmost confidence that Judge Barrett would honorably carry out the duties of a Supreme Court Justice and would help defend the constitutional rights of all Americans. I also believe that she appropriately understands the role of the Federal Judiciary in our Republic is to rule on the law--not to make it up from the bench. I thank Indiana's Senators for indicating their support of Judge Barrett's nomination, and urge the rest of the United States Senate to follow suit and quickly confirm this highly-qualified Hoosier to the bench.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, as a physician and a father of four, I understand the importance of ensuring the health of mothers during pregnancy and after the delivery of their newborns. This is a critical time for both the mother and the child. Sadly, Indiana has an unacceptably high maternal mortality rate, ranking third in the country. We can do better. We must do better in our approach across the entire Nation, especially in rural America, to use best practices and provide the necessary resources to stop preventable maternal mortality. The Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act is a great first step toward doing just that. H.R. 4995 includes the Excellence in Maternal Health Act, legislation I introduced along with my fellow Hoosier, Representative Andre Carson. This bipartisan legislation will benefit patients and communities that are currently struggling, like those in my home State of Indiana, by providing them with the support and the training they so desperately need. Madam Speaker, together, we can work to help mothers and their children achieve better health outcomes. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4995.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives tonight with my fellow Doc Caucus members. I want to thank Dr. Roe for putting this Special Order together. It is really important that the American people hear from the medical professionals in the Congress about this really critical issue. I remember back in medical school, one of my first rotations, I was on pediatrics. I understood vaccines to a certain extent, but then one of my first patients I had had whooping cough because they hadn't been vaccinated. So that is when I started to understand what it actually means to have safe and effective vaccines, not only for children but also for other diseases. In this situation, what we need to do, as the American people, is we need to work to restore our way of life in America and around the world. And how are we going to do that as it relates to COVID-19? Well, we are going to have to have a safe and effective vaccine. And what I have been impressed with really over the last few months, up to about 6 months, is the unprecedented response from this administration as it relates to developing a vaccine so that we can restore our way of life in America and around the world. And what have they done? Working along with Congress, of course there has been financing to help finance research and development of the vaccine, but also other things. Operation Warp Speed has really put in an unprecedented streamlining of the process. Let me just say this: not eliminating the process of developing a vaccine, which would potentially make it problematic with safety and efficacy and whether it works or not, but streamlining the process, doing things together with private-sector companies, helping design the research protocols after they have helped pick the best candidates for an effective vaccine. So, the Federal Government working in concert with the private sector helping to pick the best candidates, not just people throwing out, ``Hey, I have got a great candidate here,'' but looking at the science of these developments, this research, helping to pick the best candidates and then streamlining the process by helping to design the further protocols, as Dr. Roe has mentioned, the phase one, two, and three trials and working in concert. So the Federal Government doesn't just sit back and say, like would normally happen: ``Well, do your research. Go through the process. Show us that this works.'' See, the government, under this administration, is working in concert at the same time, so that once we have this vaccine get to the point where it has been developed, people at FDA already know what has been happening with this vaccine. It is unprecedented, really. I think Dr. Burgess just mentioned the manufacturing process, already manufacturing the vaccines before they develop, so as soon as it gets proven to be safe, number one, effective, number two, look, we are going to have vaccines available. Again, that would not happen without Operation Warp Speed. Let me just say this in closing, and then I will turn it back to Dr. Roe. These are career scientists at FDA, NIH, Health and Human Services. These are people who have worked--many, for decades--on vaccine development. The narrative that politicians are driving this is just not true. The reality is--and I think Dr. Collins, Francis Collins from the NIH, testified in front of Congress last week or the week before--that science is driving this. We want safe and effective vaccines. Let me just say this. When there is a vaccine available and when the healthcare providers, other people who are at high risk and everyone has had their chance to be vaccinated, I will take this vaccine myself because I have confidence that the process we are going through will ensure safety and it will ensure efficacy. The vaccine will work. Let's help restore our way of life.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 4734, which will designate the United States Post Office at 171 South Maple Street in Dana, Indiana, as the Ernest `Ernie' Taylor Pyle Post Office. I was proud to introduce this legislation with the support of the entire Indiana delegation to honor the life and achievements of a great Hoosier. Born in Dana, Indiana, on August 3, 1900, Ernie Pyle was one of the most beloved and impactful war correspondents in World War II. Beginning in 1942, Pyle began reporting from the front lines in battles ranging from Anzio in Italy, to the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, to Okinawa in the Pacific. It was here that he brought the experiences and stories of the everyday soldier back home to America. His simple storytelling style and first-person perspectives endeared him to Americans back home and abroad alike. While reporting from Italy, Pyle wrote in his column that our troops in combat should receive additional compensation for risking their lives as he was doing, eventually prompting Congress to pass a bill nicknamed ``The Ernie Pyle Bill'' that provided combat infantry with an additional $5 to $10 a month. This benefit would eventually lead to the creation of combat pay as we know it today. Near the end of the war on April 18, 1945, Pyle was reporting on the U.S. Army's 305th Infantry Regiment on the island of Iejima when he was killed by Japanese gunfire. Following his death, President Harry Truman stated, ``No man in this war has so well told the story of the American fighting man as American fighting men wanted it told.'' Ernie Pyle was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for journalism for his war correspondence as well as the Medal for Merit and the Purple Heart posthumously. Today his legacy lives on through the work of dedicated nonprofit organizations and in museums and libraries, such as the Ernie Pyle Library in New Mexico that has been designated a national historic landmark and the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in his home town of Dana, Indiana, in my congressional district. I am grateful to this body for taking up this legislation to honor the legacy of a great Hoosier and an American hero. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I was unfortunately unable to attend votes on July 27, 2020, due to unavoidable personal obligations. Had I been present, I would have voted yea on Roll Call No. 167.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I was unfortunately unable to attend votes on July 20, 2020, due to unavoidable personal obligations. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 139; NAY on Roll Call No. 140; NAY on Roll Call No. 141; NAY on Roll Call No. 142; and YEA on Roll call No. 143.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Change of Command at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division. On July 1, 2020, Captain Mark H. Oesterreich will move on from NSWC Crane after three years of faithful service, and Captain Duncan McKay assume command. NSWC Crane is the world's third largest naval base and is home to a variety of research and testing projects that are critical to our national security ranging from hypersonics to Electronic Warfare is not only a key site for the Navy but also an important economic resource for the Indiana and the Eighth District. NSWC is the third largest employer in Southwest Indiana, and the Center provides nearly $2 million to Indiana's economy each day. Excellent leadership at NSWC Crane is thus vital for both the Navy and the State of Indiana. During his time at the helm of NWSC Crane, Captain Oesterreich oversaw important progress made in all three of its focus areas-- electronic warfare, expeditionary warfare, and strategic missions. More importantly, Captain ``O'' successfully instilled trust and confidence in the sailors under his command. I am grateful for his leadership during the past three years, and I wish him fair winds and following seas as he moves on from this command. Captain McKay comes to Southwest Indiana with tremendous experience that will make him an asset to NSWC Crane. After initial deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Persian Gulf, he served as the Battlegroup Operations Officer for Commander Submarine Squadron Eleven (CSS-11) in San Diego. He then completed graduate studies at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served in important logistical and maintenance roles. In his most recent tour, Captain McKay served as the Operations Officer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. I look forward to working with Captain McKay as NSWC Crane begins a new chapter under his leadership. On behalf of all Eighth District Hoosiers, it is my pleasure to congratulate Captain Oesterreich and welcome Captain McKay to NSWC Crane.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to echo all the points made by Mr. Walden in his opening statement. A decade ago, ObamaCare became the law of the land. This massive, near government takeover of our Nation's healthcare system came full of empty promises. President Obama and Congressional Democrats famously promised Americans that if you liked your doctor, you can keep your doctor. That turned out not to be true. Millions of Americans lost access to their doctors as insurances have resorted to narrowing networks. And instead of seeing premiums decrease by $2,500, as President Obama promised, American families have seen premiums and deductibles skyrocket. Americans deserve an accessible and affordable healthcare system that promotes quality care and peace of mind, not a system that is a downpayment on socialized, one-size-fits-all single-payer healthcare system that would put the government in charge of one of the most personal decisions families will ever make. Rather than working to find bipartisan solutions for patients, Democrats are choosing to double-down on ObamaCare's biggest flaws. I will focus on drug pricing. They are planning to give Washington the power to set drug prices. Well, we know that nonpartisan analysis has determined that this would result in fewer medicines being developed and fewer cures. As a physician, I have had to share bad news with families. I know all too well that by eliminating just one new drug, how devastating that would be. What if that new drug was a cure for Alzheimer's, sickle cell anemia, cancer, ALS, or maybe even a vaccine for COVID-19? If Democrats want to get serious about addressing our Nation's healthcare problems and lowering prescription drug prices, a good place to start would be H.R. 19, bipartisan legislation that would lower out- of-pocket spending, protect access to new and innovative cures, and increase transparency. We can turn America's healthcare system around with common sense, patient-centered solutions. Sadly, H.R. 1425 puts the Federal Government at the center, not the patient. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Robert Richmond on his 100th birthday. Robert was born on March 12, 1920, to William and Mary Richmond in Chandler, Indiana. After graduating from Chandler High School, he attended the Mechanical Arts School and received his Certificate of Achievement in December 1940. After the United States entered World War II the next year, Robert was drafted into the Army, serving in the Reconnaissance Company of the 638th Tank Destroyer Battalion. His time in the Army took him from training in Fort Benning, Georgia, to the Ardennes Forest in Belgium, where he participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Robert served honorably and received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and Good Conduct Medals before leaving the service at the rank of staff sergeant. After the war, Robert went to work for the Boonville Natural Gas Corporation for 30 years. He married his wife of 71 years, Evelyn Dimmett, on November 9, 1946, and the couple had two children, Greg (1950) and Gary (1954). Throughout his life, he has remained committed to his faith, family, and community--not only as an active member of his church and hardworking employee, but also as a loyal husband, father, and friend. Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to recognize Robert on his great milestone. On behalf of Indiana's Eighth District, I wish him well, and I thank him for everything he has done for his community and his country.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, these unprecedented times call for unity to help Hoosiers and all Americans who are struggling medically and/or financially through no fault of their own. This relief package puts Americans first, with aid for families, workers, small businesses, and companies that employ millions of people. There is assistance for healthcare providers who are on the front lines, working tirelessly to save our friends, neighbors, and family members from COVID-19, in addition to their usual duties. I am proud to see that two provisions I have helped author are included in this package. These bipartisan policies will ensure patients have timely and affordable access to COVID-19 preventive care, such as vaccines and testing, and make clear that doctors who provide volunteer medical services during this public health emergency have liability protections. I have spent the past week talking to hospitals in Indiana. It could not be clearer that they need our help, just as we need their help, to defeat the virus and to keep our loved ones safe. I urge my colleagues to support this package so we can provide the relief Americans desperately need.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Mayor Joe Wellman upon his retirement. In 1983, Mayor Wellman began his career at People's National Bank in Washington, Indiana. He later became the CEO at Peoples National Bank and served on the bank's board of directors. Once Peoples National Bank merged with German American Bank, Joe continued his work there before retiring in 2008. After his retirement, Joe spent time as a consultant and served one year with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation before being elected as Mayor of Washington in 2011. Mayor Wellman has been affiliated with many community development organizations, including the Daviess County Community Foundation, Daviess County Economic Development Corporation, Community Foundation Alliance, Accelerating Indiana Municipalities, Indiana Bankers Association, Radius Indiana, and Rotary, among many others. It has been a pleasure to work with Mayor Wellman while he led Washington through the development of I-69 and many other projects that have increased economic development in the community. I wish Mayor Wellman and his wife, Elaine, the best in retirement as they get to spend more time with their three daughters--Brenda, Angie and Lindsay-- and their 7 grandchildren.

Mr. BUCSHON

Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Chairman, we all want to keep our communities safe from chemicals that can pose a threat to the health of our constituents. However, we need to get the solution right and not settle on a one-size-fits-all approach. As currently written, the PFAS Action Act does not get it right, because it would impose Superfund liability under CERCLA on lifesaving and other medically beneficial products that have already undergone a rigorous approval process conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure they are safe to use in medicine. To designate these lifesaving devices as a hazardous substance is inappropriate and may cost American lives. That is why I am disappointed that my amendment to exempt FDA- approved or -cleared products from liability under section 107 of CERCLA with respect to PFAS was not made in order. As a physician, I have firsthand experience with lifesaving medical devices that include PFAS, such as vascular grafts, stent grafts, heart patches, catheter tubes, and more. In fact, this medical device right here, which you see pictured behind me, is used to close what is called an atrial septal defect, a procedure used to close a hole in the heart. This product contains polytetrafluoroethylene, a PFAS. As a surgeon, I used to have to perform open heart surgery, with weeks of recovery and rehab for patients after this procedure. This device now allows it to be done sometimes as an outpatient. This bill, as it stands, would deny Hoosiers and Americans the healing power of modern medical devices using PFAS, and instead, lead to costly litigation, which would increase the underlying costs of healthcare. We must be careful before instituting a one-size-fits-all approach to PFAS. Mr. Chair, for that reason, I urge my colleagues to oppose the legislation.

Mr. BUCSHON. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).

Mr. BUCSHON. That is my understanding. That is correct.

Mr. BUCSHON. That is correct.

Mr. BUCSHON. That is correct.

Mr. BUCSHON. Well, because it has not been shown to be toxic. It has been approved by the FDA and shown to be safe for patient use. And we might not be able to use them in the future if it is declared toxic.