Lloyd Doggett

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, in the face of death and destruction, President Zelensky and the Ukrainians are showing the world the true meaning of courage. While the most immediate need is for additional military equipment, we could respond tonight by taking another step to isolate Russia from the world economy and ensure that Americans are no longer contributing the revenue to fund his war machine. To take the energy out of Putin's brutal assault, we place energy on our sanctions list. It may cost more to fill your tank, but we must work to stop Putin's tanks from crushing families and freedom. Our legislation also calls for expelling Russia from the World Trade Organization. Russia should not be permitted to benefit from the world order and stability that it is destroying with each bomb dropped and each Ukrainian murdered. The financial pain we are imposing cannot ease the pain of Ukrainian families, but it is one way for us to demonstrate our solidarity with them. Putin and his apologists here in America and abroad must know that those who support democracy and combat aggression are united like never before. As the flow of Ukrainian dead and wounded grows, so must the economy of Russia shrink. This bill is both more and less than the original version which Representative Blumenauer and I introduced the week before last in immediate response to Russian aggression. It now omits the most-favored nation treatment provision. Throughout Putin's initial saber rattling and subsequent bomb dropping, the administration has wisely rejected the go-it-alone approach that lead America to disaster under previous administrations. The President has united our allies and is determined to keep them united. I believe as he continues to work with our allies we will be able to move forward, as Canada has, as our original bill proposed, and eliminate this most-favored nation status for Russia. I am very pleased that the bill adds to what we had initially, the extension and revitalization of the Global Magnitsky Act. This has done a tremendous job in reducing human rights abuses, and with its inclusion in this bill we reauthorize it remaining united against aggression.

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, Putin thought he could divide us because our last President served Russian interests so very well--fawning over Putin, unrelenting criticism of our allies, undermining NATO, preferring Putin's word over American patriots, repeatedly pitting one American against another. Recently, as Putin amassed tanks on the Ukrainian border, President Biden was not the one who hailed Putin's action as ``genius.'' As Putin ordered troops into Ukraine, it wasn't President Biden who called Putin's terror a ``peacekeeping mission'' and who then called Putin ``very savvy.'' Last Friday, as Russian bombs were killing hundreds of Ukrainians, it was not Biden's trusted adviser who said Putin had been ``too gentle'' and called President Zelensky ``a puppet'' and blamed him for failing to appease Putin by declaring a ``neutral Ukraine.'' As Biden has tried to unite, Trump and his cronies cannot stop licking Putin's boots, even as Putin was using those boots to kick Ukrainians in the teeth. Sadly, many of those who come to criticize our President and his efforts to bring us together have been sadly and totally mute, unable to voice a word of disapproval of those who would divide us, Putin's apologist-in-chief here in America. Let's unite and stand with Ukrainian patriots and approve this bill.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, this bill offers childcare; educational opportunities from pre-K to post-grad; and the first belated, substantial response to the climate crisis. My top healthcare priority is providing assistance to 2 million Texans out of 6 million Americans who were denied healthcare by sorry Republican Governors. Families left out and left behind can finally see a family physician. From my bill to strengthen Medicare, we at least cover hearing care, which is important to reducing depression and dementia. Had we overcome Big Pharma's stranglehold over this Congress, we could have delivered much more. Savings from meaningful drug price negotiations could have financed vision and dental. Without further Biden administration action though, most Americans will still be victims of prescription price gouging. While so much remains to be done, this historic legislation offers real hope and opportunity, reducing inequities and lifting up those too often forgotten.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, today, I am voting to approve legislation to cover massive costs incurred by the self-described ``King of Debt'' for wasteful tax expenditures that we, Democrats, strongly opposed. While his other claim to be ``a stable genius'' never had an ounce of credibility, Trump has indeed earned the undisputed title, ``King of Debt.'' Republicans have a ``dine and dash'' strategy--run up a tab for a massive feast for the wealthiest one percent, and then dodge the bill to cover it. It is surely a new low. More than $2 trillion for a massive tax scam. Multinational corporations in America today, thanks to their shenanigans, now pay an effective tax rate of less than 8 percent, with 55 corporations paying absolutely nothing on $40 billion in combined profits. That is the equity that they added to our Tax Code as working families around this country paid their fair share. Even more public debt was incurred as we rightly responded to help Americans recover from Trump's pandemic incompetence. After ignoring COVID and sound medical advice from his own scientific advisors, then refusing the most basic public health measures, his failed mismanagement has been devastating to our country, both in lives and in dollars--hundreds of thousands of American lives. They are marked out on the Mall today with white flags all around the Washington Monument, and they have taken a toll on one American family after another. Last year, it was bleach; this year, it is horse dewormer. You could not make this stuff up. While there is no limit to the duplicity of those that are politically enraptured by the Trump personality cult--those with so little commitment to American democracy that they refuse to recognize the result of the last national election and continue promoting the big lie, there is a statutory limit that this Congress faces for our national debt. Today, it must be raised in recognition of all the damage that Trump and his delusional cohorts have wreaked on our country. Putting ``America First'' or ``Making It Great'' surely includes not driving it off a cliff into a self-inflicted, politically-motivated financial disaster.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, ``Let Freedom Ring'' has been replaced by Texas Republicans with ``Let vigilantes hunt.'' Neighbors spying on neighbor. Offering $10,000 bounties on a driver, a physician, anyone who offered counsel. So invasive that an Arkansas convict has now sued a San Antonio physician. Mandatory motherhood, even in cases of rape and incest, with Republicans targeting only those survivors who are seeking healthcare. Protect the fundamental right of choice. Reject this narrow-minded, unconstitutional, Republican power-hungry, vigilante injustice. Join us next Saturday at the Women's March for Freedom at the State Capitol in Austin.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Every September patients, caregivers, and their families come together throughout our Nation in support of the more than 1,000,000 people of all ages living with hydrocephalus in the United States. As co-chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, I believe Congress has an important role to play in both raising awareness of this condition, as well as in crafting policies that result in better treatments and potentially a cure. I urge my colleagues to join the caucus to learn more about this devastating condition. In addition, I urge you to join Representative Chris Smith and I in showing your support for this community by cosponsoring our resolution, H. Res. 20, which supports the goals and ideals of National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Anyone can develop hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, at any time. From children to veterans, the breathtaking prevalence of this condition is reflected in my own district. For example, the physicians and staff at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio perform the brain surgeries necessary to treat many of the one in 770 babies across the country who develop hydrocephalus per year. Nationwide, these cases alone cost the U.S. health care system $2 billion per year. Veterans and active military personnel, such as those stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, are also disproportionally affected. Since 2000, more than 370,000 U.S. service members have sustained a traumatic brain injury, and it is estimated that 14 percent of those individuals with severe TBI--over 50,000 service members--could develop hydrocephalus as a result. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and, more importantly, their constituents, by joining the Congressional Pediatric and Hydrocephalus Caucus and cosponsoring H. Res. 20.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, one of the most important honors we have as Members of Congress is to nominate candidates from a competitive pool of young men and women who want to attend our Nation's elite military academies. Among the first I nominated was Michael Files, a James Bowie High School graduate from Austin, Texas, who sought admission to the United States Naval Academy. A nomination doesn't guarantee admission or success, but Commander Files enjoyed both. It brings me great satisfaction to know that Commander Files has gone on to do so much on behalf of our Nation, in and out of the uniform, His service in the U.S. Navy, which led him all over world, such as Guam and Japan, earned him several awards such as the 2011 Navy Times Sailor of the Year, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and many others. In addition to serving in the Armed Forces, Commander Files served his fellow neighbors as a Commissioner for the City of Alexandria Human Rights Commission. During his tenure from 2009 to 2011, Commander Files held public hearings related to housing discrimination and age discrimination in Employment--highlighting his dedication to civil rights. In recent years, Commander Files has led the Navy Talent Acquisition Group in San Antonio where his team recruits high-quality candidates from Texas who are interested in joining the U.S. Navy. Outside of his uniform, Commander Files is actively involved in the community, volunteering with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the NAACP. Commander Files' exemplary service to America and his local community is emblematic of what makes America a great Nation. I wish Commander Files the very best as he and his family celebrate his well-deserved retirement.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. If, for example, as happened down in Texas, an MPO arbitrarily provides that a new MPO voting representative gets added any time a new city comes along and surpasses a population of 50,000, but is not providing a voting representative for every 50,000 residents in longstanding urban areas, would you agree that that does not constitute representation which is equal, proportional, or equitable, and that with the adoption of this amendment a change must be made to ensure equal representation?

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, since they make such important decisions concerning mobility, social and economic opportunity, metropolitan planning organizations across the country have boards that should be fully representative of all those who are served within their jurisdiction. And while some MPOs do just that, my amendment No. 25, which was a part of en bloc No. 1, addresses those that do not by ensuring that MPO board membership is equal, equitable, and proportional to the population. I would like to engage in a colloquy with the chairman. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for supporting this amendment and trust that you share that objective.

Mr. DOGGETT. I thank you very much for accepting the amendment. I think it will be helpful to us here. Much of my concern about this issue arose from the fact that in our area, my hometown of Austin, an effort was made to require in transportation planning that we measure greenhouse gas emissions and that we consider that. It was rejected, and it is not representative of the feelings of people in the central Texas area. I appreciate not only your endorsing amendment No. 25, which can bring about important changes, but also incorporating in the base bill the Green Transportation Act which we worked on with your staff to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions are measured, evaluated, and considered in transportation planning.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, 55 years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson overcame sustained Republican opposition to enact Medicare. It has been a literal lifeline for millions. Those who suffered without healthcare before Medicare now have access to a family physician and hospital care when they need it. Former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich, in this very room, plotted to let Medicare wither on the vine. Millions of Americans would have withered had he been successful. Yet, generations of Republicans have sought to privatize it, cut it, or weaken it. Surely, some of the strongest evidence of the success of Medicare, through all of these times, is the claim by today's Republicans that after so many failed attempts to weaken Medicare, they are here, quite amazingly, claiming to be its new protectors. Of course, this comes following their understandable desperation to justify their inexplicable efforts to deny the relief that was offered by the American Rescue Plan: the survivor benefits; the unemployment; the small business and rental assistance so vitally needed; the support for getting our students back in school, the funding to keep State and local employees doing their jobs. Republicans have resisted that rescue plan with the same fervor that they resisted Medicare in the first place. So determined are these folks to oppose anything that President Biden advances, they have come out here and claimed that the rescue plan means Medicare cuts, which certainly it does not. Most of Medicare falls within the jurisdiction of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, which I chair. We do need to strengthen Medicare. The latest financial report suggests that additional revenues will be needed to sustain Medicare beginning in 2026. Some of the changes that are needed are largely accounting adjustments, and others will require additional revenue.

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, what our colleagues should be doing is coming together to work with us to ensure the permanent security of Medicare. Medicare works, but after 55 years, it needs some updates. It has not provided adequate protection against pharmaceutical price gouging; it does not cover most of dental, hearing, and vision care; and, of course, too many Americans are just too young to benefit from Medicare. I believe we need to be working together to make Medicare better and more widely available to more Americans, because health security is American security.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of those who teach, who heal, who protect, who study; for those whose entrepreneurial talent advances our economy--for all of our Dreamers. They have so much to contribute and they are American in every way except on paper. For so many long years, they have been burdened with uncertainty because of the anti-immigrant hysteria whipped up by these Republican fanatics. In San Antonio, San Marcos, and Austin I have met with them personally; Dreamers in Texas, where releasing their full potential, through approval of this bill, would have such benefit to all of us. Today let's move forward to reject the Republican nightmare and achieve the dream so that these deserving young people may truly share in the entire American Dream. This bill must only be the beginning.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, a movement led by the Texas Council on Family Violence, and so many other advocates, first won passage of the Violence Against Women Act and brought the National Domestic Violence Hotline to Austin, which has now offered 5 million lifesaving responses. This act brought much-needed funding and hope to women across America who led coalitions. Yet, the scourge of violence has continued. In San Antonio, a Collaborative led by Judges Monique Diaz and Peter Sakai has supplemented incredible Family Services led by Marta Peleaz and Patricia Castillo's PEACE initiative. I have joined them for two town halls to listen, learn, and respond. In Austin, Kelly White and Julia Spann continue the Safe Alliance, as Maria Johnson expands the Hays-Caldwell Center. But too many violent beatings have turned into killings. Because this reauthorization would close ``the boyfriend loophole,'' denying a gun to an abusive partner, the NRA and its Congressional Republican allies have been blocking renewal. Today, we call on them to choose life, to recommit to VAWA, and foster a society where every person is treated with dignity.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, rescue and relief for those awaiting lifesaving vaccines, for struggling small businesses, indebted families about to lose their home, for impoverished children, and for those who are eager to get their children back in school, survival checks are coming. And the same Republicans who delayed relief for 7 long months last year seem determined to block this lifeline this year. Texas families tell me they cannot wait for more of your Republican gamesmanship. Our mayors and county judges across Texas, they have been the ones who stood alone, shouldering the burden of leadership, after multiple Trump failures and outrageous Abbott interference. They need help in providing for our communities. That is the relief we will provide. Let's preserve the promise of life and liberty for those whose future has been dimmed by hardship. Republicans will not again deny the relief that we are delivering today.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, this bill simply requires that the background check for a purchase that occurs within a gun shop applies outside a gun shop. That doesn't take away anyone's right, but it does protect us from convicted criminals, fugitives, and family abusers who are prevented from evading the law to buy a weapon of war online or at a gun show. Texas Gun Sense knows the gap in safety makes no sense. Unfortunately, NRA has come to stand for ``No Republican Action.'' They offer us only moments of silence for mass murder, but they always come up short with one very important type of ammunition--courage. Students in March for Our Lives have that courage. Moms Demand Action are steadfast in demanding meaningful action. As these gun lobbies continue to oppose reasonable action, we must speak up for gun safety. We must listen to the victims of violence before their number is increased by another El Paso shooting, another school shooting, or another concert interrupted by gunfire. We must act now to save lives.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, death and destruction at this Capitol from recent Trump-instigated violence shows the result of insufficient policing. The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and in my area, Mike Ramos and Javier Ambler, and too many more, from misconduct, show the result of insufficient justice. As the name of this bill, ``Justice in Policing,'' indicates this bill is not about removing the police; it is about removing the injustice. It seeks accountability. It seeks equal justice under the law by our law enforcers, particularly for people of color, who have too often been victimized by systemic racism. Instead of working with us to make it better and secure our communities and more justice for all, many of today's Republican opponents are only spouting the poisonous slogans of Trumpism. Because Black and Brown lives do matter, let's approve this bill to achieve greater justice for all in an America that is safer for all.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, this bill restores guardrails to our democracy that almost went off the rails as Republicans pledged their loyalty to the cult of Donald Trump. Republicans have long found success creatively suppressing the votes, restrictive voter ID laws, limiting voter hours, locations, and extreme gerrymandering. Having repressed votes for so long, it is hardly a surprise that their reaction to those voters who manage to overcome the many obstacles placed in their way is now turned to throwing out and repressing the vote and ignoring the will of the majority. Fearing voters, fearing accountability, in their opposition to this bill and in legislative efforts across the country in some 43 States, the Republican solution to losing power in the last election is to reduce the number of voters in the next election. Truth for them is not a matter of the facts. It is whatever Trump declares. Fraud is their description of any election that they lose.

Mr. DOGGETT. Today's bill favors turning out the votes, not throwing them out. Let's protect American democracy which worships, above all, the voice of the people expressed through free and fair elections; not bowing before the golden idol of one who has betrayed our country.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. ``Reconciliation'' defines not only this budget process, but, to most Americans, it simply means that you come together to overcome prior differences. President Biden has made clear his desire to reconcile, to come together. We welcome Republican proposals, but we steadfastly reject Republican delay. Too many Americans are struggling to let these filibustering Republican Senators repeat what happened last year. You remember, Mr. Speaker. We waited, we waited, and we waited more than seven months, and, finally, they yielded at the edge of Christmas and gave us too little, too late. After so much dithering, today represents an opportunity for Republicans to reconcile. They need to reconcile with the truth. They need to reconcile with the facts--not phony ``alternative facts,'' but reality; to come together, with us, for American families who never received those 100 million vaccines that President Trump told us would be here last year, to reconcile with the reality of anxious Americans today who are out there calling, standing in lines, and trying anxiously to get some protection from this pandemic that wasn't provided last year. When the Senate is permitted to become a graveyard for important legislation for American families, too many Americans are sent prematurely to the graveyard. Could anyone have imagined here a year ago that Trump Republicans who refused to prepare and respond to this pandemic--remember when they claimed that the virus would simply just disappear like a miracle? Could anyone have imagined that now as a result of their approach, almost half a million Americans are dead and more to come from their vanishing virus? As that virus has evolved to become more transmittable, cannot our colleagues evolve to hear the need for vaccine, for food, and to not having people sleep under bridges? Let's reconcile, let's make amends, and let's deliver relief now.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, for years Donald Trump has honored thugs worldwide who suppress democracy. For months, with a daily diet of lies, he has made clear his refusal to accept any election in which he was not the winner. After failing completely in his repeated attempts to intimidate both Republican election officials into committing fraud and Republican- appointed judges into ignoring our Constitution, he made a desperate attempt last week to block the final election count and prevent the peaceful transition of power essential to democracy. Trump basically attempted to overthrow the government, to violently overthrow the first branch of government, this Congress. Like his deadly reaction to the pandemic, he totally bungled the deadly attack. Both his frenzied riotous mob and his congressional enablers were defeated. America, we did ``stop the steal.'' We stopped Donald Trump from stealing our democracy and imposing himself as a tyrant. Today, we not only demand accountability for his gross misconduct, but more importantly, we declare to the next Trump-like aspiring tyrant, not in America, we love our democracy too much. Our Capitol is scarred, but our democracy survives. Violating his sworn duty to protect and defend our Constitution by seeking to violently overthrow the government by inciting violence, lighting the flames of a deadly insurrection. If this is not impeachable, nothing is.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, today I express appreciation not only for myself but on behalf of so many of our neighbors for the valued service of Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, who is retiring after serving Precinct 3 honorably for 14 years. Long before Commissioner Daugherty became an elected official, from the Pleasant Valley Sportsplex to Jack Allen's Kitchen, he made significant contributions to our entertainment and our waistlines as a business leader. We don't always agree. After all, Commissioner Daugherty is a Republican, but I salute him for his integrity and true commitment to public service. And he did get off to a good start long ago giving up the Boston Red Sox to become a fellow Longhorn. Especially during these divisive political times, when we need more bridges, not walls, public servants such as Commissioner Daugherty deserve our gratitude for attempting to bridge the political divide by seeking bipartisan solutions. Commissioner Daugherty's thoughtful and respectful demeanor, with an eye to detail, benefitted the Travis County Commissioner's Court and Travis County taxpayers. He is respected as an advocate for our veterans and an active supporter of the Travis County Veterans Service office in its commitment to military veterans. service-members, and their families. Importantly, this year he early recognized the threat of this COVID-19 pandemic and offered strong leadership in protecting lives and livelihoods. Many of us remember his last campaign in 2016 or at least we remember his wife, Charlyn. His ad, which went viral internationally, employed a humorous touch featuring Charlyn and friends listening to him endlessly talking about the obscure details of county policies, with Charlyn wondering what she would do with him were he not reelected and devoting himself to the County. At a time when negativity filled the airwaves. his message was a breath of much needed levity as well as depth. I trust that in addition to time with his great family, Commissioner Daugherty will find a hobby in his retirement, but I also know that he will remain engaged in the affairs of our community. Commissioner Daugherty leaves office with the esteem of colleagues and departments with whom he worked. I thank him for his service to our community and I wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I join today in support of the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act to ensure that individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive the financial support they need and for which they have already qualified. I congratulate Congressman Moulton and Senator Whitehouse on their successful leadership for this important effort of which I have been a cosponsor. For individuals who are determined to have a sufficiently severe disability to quality for Social Security Disability Insurance, the security that Social Security is intended to provide can come with a cost--two years without health insurance. This waiting period--which should really be called a suffering period--must be eliminated. Two unjustified delays prolong the suffering. The first, a five-month delay to receive any disability payment even though the recipient has already qualified. The second, is a two-year delay to access Medicare coverage for which they already qualified. This means that the millions of individuals with disabilities in this waiting period may not be able to access necessary medical treatments and medications. This only makes existing health complications worse and increases overall health care spending. Many die waiting their turn for health coverage. In 2018 alone, about 16,000 workers with disabilities died during the 5-month waiting period and about 56,000 workers with disabilities died waiting for Medicare coverage. These waiting periods only serve to harm the health of individuals with disabilities and delay the support they need. In addition to this bill for individuals with ALS, other colleagues have offered legislation to end the waiting periods for individuals with metastatic breast cancer, Huntington's Disease, and other life-threatening illnesses. I support all of these efforts. We must provide a healthy foundation for all individuals with disabilities, who already arc experiencing unique health challenges. I hope that this ALS bill represents a step forward in the eventual approval of the bipartisan Stop the Wait bill, H.R. 4386, that I introduced to eliminate the onerous waiting periods for Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare. This bill now has 50 House cosponsors. and Senator Bob Casey has introduced companion legislation. Having recognized the suffering of these waiting periods for Americans with ALS, I urge Congress to consider the suffering of all those subject to waiting periods and pass long-overdue reforms to Stop the Wait. We must ensure individuals with disabilities have access to health care when they need it. Social Security cannot truly provide health care security, until all individuals with disabilities have guaranteed access to prompt Medicare coverage. Let's Stop the Wait for all of them.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my great admiration for a former colleague, and friend. Martin Frost, who always rose to the aid of those Texans he served so well for almost 30 years here in the House. He also ably led our party and our Caucus, serving as chair of the DCCC and the House Democratic Caucus. Following his outstanding service in Washington, Martin Frost devoted much of his post-congressional life to the FMC, the Association of Former Members of Congress. This challenging year, 2020, brought to a conclusion his term as President of the FMC, after many years of serving in various leadership positions within it. Many of my colleagues are familiar with the democracy building and civic education work the FMC conducts, including its outstanding Congressional Study Groups. Martin Frost provided the leadership for FMC to achieve incredible growth in all of these activities. He was instrumental in strengthening FMC finances, for example, by creating and growing an Endowment Investment Fund. He greatly increased the number of actively involved Former Members from both sides of the aisle. And with his guidance, FMC now reaches a much greater number of students through the Congress-to-Campus program. The extent of Martin's tremendous impact cannot be done real justice with these brief remarks, but I speak for everyone involved with FMC-- its board of directors, its membership, and its staff--when I state that, thanks to Martin Frost, like every organization which he has led--FMC is better, more effective. and more impactful than it has ever been. Especially during these divisive political times, when we need more bridges, not walls, Members like Martin Frost and organizations like FMC deserve our gratitude for attempting to bridge the political divide, serving as experts on Congress as an institution, and reconnecting citizens with their representative government, all in the service of strengthening our democracy. Our political infrastructure, like our actual infrastructure, needs the attention and maintenance to keep our economy strong, our citizens safe and healthy, and to preserve our democracy. I am not planning to join Martin soon as an FMC member, but when I eventually do, I know that it will be a stronger organization because of his dedication. This is a heartfelt thank you for his continuing efforts to make our Nation worthy for our grandchildren and beyond.

Mr. DOGGETT

Mr. DOGGETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Every September patients, caregivers and their families come together throughout the nation in support of the more than 1,000,000 people of all ages living with hydrocephalus in the United States. As co-chair of the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus, I believe Congress has an important role to play in both raising awareness of this condition, as well as crafting policies that result in better treatments and potentially a cure. I urge my colleagues to join the caucus to learn more about this devastating condition. Anyone can develop hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, at any time. This can include premature babies, active duty service members, veterans, and seniors. Individuals can also be born with hydrocephalus, develop it as part of the aging process, or acquire it as a result of infections, brain tumors or traumatic brain injuries, among other causes. The only present treatment for this condition is brain surgery. From children to veterans, the prevalence of this condition is reflected in my own district. The physicians and staff at the Children's Hospital of San Antonio perform the brain surgeries necessary to treat many of the one in 770 babies across the country who develop hydrocephalus per year. Nationwide, these cases alone cost the U.S. health care system $2 billion per year. Veterans and active military personnel, such as those stationed at Joint Base San Antonio, are also disproportionally affected. Medical researchers believe that two-thirds of our nation's current and former military service members suffering from moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are at risk of developing hydrocephalus. In the midst of this pandemic, it is now more important than ever to improve the federal government's partnership with the hydrocephalus community. Many individuals with hydrocephalus live with other serious medical comorbidities, putting them at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. We must do all we can to help patients, health care professionals and families as they struggle to maintain and improve quality of life during these challenging times. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and the 1 million Americans living with hydrocephalus by joining the Congressional Pediatric and Hydrocephalus Caucus.