Mark DeSaulnier

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 3905, the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act, which was introduced by Senator Gary Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, has strong bipartisan support and passed the Senate this summer with unanimous consent. In April, we introduced a companion bill, H.R. 7602, following one of the Oversight Committee's investigations, which highlighted the need to strengthen government contracting laws on conflicts of interest. The committee's investigation found that a consulting contractor advised the Food and Drug Administration at the same time they were advising private-sector clients that were regulated by the FDA. Many times, it was the exact same consultants advising the FDA and private- sector clients on the same issue. In this case, the consultant failed to follow the rules on disclosing these amazing conflicts, collecting millions of dollars from both the regulator and the private-sector client. Although this is one extreme example, other organizational conflicts of interest, large and small, occur across government. The Government Accountability Office regularly fields bid protests involving organizational conflicts of interest. In 2014, a major defense contractor paid a settlement for allegedly failing to disclose conflicts while advising the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Organizational conflicts of interest can occur when a contractor's competing interests raise questions about their ability to provide impartial advice to the government. It is crucial that government contractors are providing impartial advice, particularly when the government is paying for their expertise and objectivity on sensitive matters. The rules on organizational conflicts of interest have not changed significantly since the 1990s. This bill would make long-overdue revisions to strengthen these rules. The current rules set basic standards to prevent organizational conflicts of interest but leave the details up to individual agencies. The current patchwork system creates the risk of egregious breaches of the public trust. In 2009, Congress asked for the organizational conflict of interest rules to be reassessed. Draft rules were issued, but the reform effort was eventually abandoned, and the rules were never finalized. This bill requires the revisions that were then started to be completed. This bill would also mandate that rules on government contractor conflicts are thoroughly revised and ensure that there is a uniform set of standards. These reforms will help government contractors as well by ensuring clarity and consistency across the executive branch. This is especially beneficial to contractors working for multiple agencies. It is outrageous that a contractor would be allowed to advise government regulators at the same time they are advising the industry that is being regulated. If we do not take steps to prevent conflicts of interest, and thereby safeguard the integrity of government decisionmaking and operations, then we risk potentially serious breaches in the public trust. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I will speak briefly on the work we have done on oversight on the opioid crisis, in this case specifically on the role that McKinsey & Company played in, unfortunately, the tragedy that has been the opioid epidemic that led us to introducing this bill for greater oversight. I will start by saying this is something that, for me, Chairwoman Maloney and some of my colleagues on both sides expressed a great deal of passion for. We had hearings on the opioid epidemic and the role of some of these agencies, including requiring the chairman of Johnson & Johnson to come to testify in front of the committee. The committee spent a good deal of time, and I know that there was concern across the aisle, given the devastation that this epidemic has caused. This particular initiative is directed at some of the things that were the most egregious part of what happened to the American public who suffered under the abuses of the opioid epidemic. In this case, McKinsey was a contractor for the FDA, Johnson & Johnson, and other people who were making money off of this well-told tragedy of how they were inducing people to be addicted to the drug that was supposed to be relieving their pain. The contractors play a critical role in supporting the Federal workforce and giving advice to government functions. These are contractors for which this initiative, this bill, would try to make sure the rules were clearer. It would help them, as well. Taxpayers need to know that work is done ethically and transparently. Unfortunately, loopholes allow contractors, which this initiative, this bill, attempts to close or will close, to advise private-sector clients and the Federal Government at the same time. I think anyone would agree that that is a conflict of interest. The most notorious example was what I just referred to, this conflict of interest playing out with McKinsey & Company's work on Perdue Pharma's roadmap, in this case, to ``turbocharge'' opioid sales. They were giving them advice on how to turbocharge an addictive drug that was causing devastation across this country. One of the things that led me into this discussion was, when I was in the legislature in California, two parents separately brought tragic cases of how their kids had lost their lives because of this. The conflict of interest fueled the opioid crisis that has claimed hundreds of thousands of American lives. I am grateful and proud of the work that I was able to do with a former chair, Elijah Cummings, who had great passion for this and opening the committee's investigation of Perdue Pharma specifically. I am grateful to current Chair Maloney for continuing this work. A vote to pass this bipartisan bill today will send it to the President's desk and will bring much-needed transparency to Federal contracting and help to address some of the things that led to the opioid crisis epidemic in this country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Myrtle Braxton. Throughout her life, Myrtle has served her community in Richmond and has been a true champion for Contra Costa seniors and families. She began her career in public service at the age of 17, working at the Social Security Administration's (SSA) San Francisco office. She went on to work out of the SSA's Richmond office, serving with the SSA for a total of 35 years prior to her retirement in 1981. After retiring, Myrtle continued to be engaged and active with a number of community organizations, including the League of Women Voters, California Alliance for Retired Americans, the Richmond Commission on Aging, and more. She is also a founder of the City of Richmond's Crime Prevention Program, promoting neighborhood safety and advocating for improved relations between community members and local law enforcement. Additionally, Myrtle has worked hard to preserve open and recreational spaces in our community through her work with the California Association of Parks and Recreation for Commissioners and Board Members and with the National Citizen Branch for the Recreation Park Association. Myrtle has worked tirelessly to improve her community and to serve Richmond residents. Her passion and commitment to activism are admired by many. Myrtle's advocacy and leadership have been instrumental in Richmond and West County. Please join me in recognizing and thanking Myrtle Braxton for her many years of dedicated service.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Dale Harrington. Throughout his life, Dale has demonstrated his passion for advocacy and has worked tirelessly to promote equity within our community. He earned his master's degree from California State University at Sacramento, California and in 1963, he became Assistant Chief Probation Officer in Yolo and Santa Barbara Counties where he served for 15 years. In 1975, he was appointed chair of the Santa Barbara County Juvenile Justice Master Plan Task Force. Throughout his life, Dale was a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, firmly believing that no one is beyond redemption. After his time as a probation officer, Dale was appointed as executive director of two corporations responsible for providing housing for elderly and disabled persons in the East Bay. Dale went on to share his expertise with future generations, joining the University of Phoenix as a Professor of Management, Sociology, and Critical Thinking. As a faculty member, he published an article through the University of Kiev in Ukraine entitled: ``Professor and Student Responsibilities--How are they different?''. As a strong proponent for affordable housing within the East Bay, Dale was involved with many community organizations, serving on the Board for the Golden Rain Foundation, City of Benicia Housing Authority, and the California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Additionally, he was a founder and Board Member for the Affordable Housing Affiliation. Please join me in honoring Dale Harrington, who sadly passed away at the age of 84 on October 9, 2022. He will be remembered for his outstanding character and his commitment to his community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Tim O'Keefe as he retires from his role as CEO of the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek. Tim's compassion and commitment to advocacy have been evident throughout his career. In 1994, he began working for Catholic Charities, serving as Associate Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer. In 2005, Tim stepped into the role of Executive Director at Shelter Inc., helping to provide housing solutions, family support, mental health care, and childcare services for families in need and working to prevent homelessness in the Bay Area. Thanks to Tim's leadership, Shelter Inc. was recognized as one of the top 10 homelessness service providers of the Bay Area. After nearly a decade with Shelter Inc., he stepped into the role of CEO of the Golden Rain Foundation, working on behalf of Rossmoor residents. In his position with GRF, Tim has spearheaded a variety of projects aimed at engaging Rossmoor residents and allowing residents to thrive. Under Tim's leadership, GRF has successfully provided a wide range of programs and amenities to the Rossmoor community. GRF maintains and provides recreational spaces within Rossmoor, enabling residents to easily connect with other community members and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle within the community. Tim's hard work and dedication have helped to transform the lives of countless Contra Costa and Bay Area residents. Please join me in congratulating Tim as he retires after nearly three decades of public service.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I was unable to vote today as I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 502. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Bass (Cicilline) Beatty (Neguse) Brooks (Fleischmann) Cole (Lucas) Cuellar (Correa) DeFazio (Pallone) Demings (Blunt Rochester) Doyle, Michael F. (Pallone) Dunn (Cammack) Frankel, Lois (Meng) Gallego (Cicilline) Gosar (Weber (TX)) Gottheimer (Pappas) Grijalva (Neguse) Herrera Beutler (Moore (UT)) Johnson (TX) (Pallone) Kildee (Pappas) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lieu (Beyer) Lowenthal (Beyer) Moore (WI) (Beyer) Newman (Correa) O'Halleran (Pappas) Palazzo (Fleischmann) Pascrell (Pallone) Pressley (Neguse) Rice (NY) (Morelle) Roybal-Allard (Correa) Ruppersberger (Sarbanes) Ryan (OH) (Correa) Simpson (Fulcher) Sires (Pallone) Stanton (Huffman) Steube (Franklin, C. Scott) Titus (Pallone) Welch (Pallone)

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of a friend and a dedicated public servant, Therese McMillan, who is retiring as executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Therese began her work with MTC in 1984 and then moved to the Federal Transit Administration, most notably as the acting administrator from 2014 to 2016. In 2019, Therese returned to the MTC as its new executive director. Under her leadership, MTC established an Equity Platform to advance policies and make investments that will ensure all residents of the San Francisco Bay Area are considered when discussing the bay area's transit needs. She also helped to establish minimum housing density targets near transit stations to foster ridership. I have had the pleasure of working with Therese over the years. She has always been smart, kind, and dedicated to doing what is best. Please join me in congratulating Therese on a magnificent career of public service and wishing her the best on her retirement and her nearly three decades of service to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Clauser for receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics. John Clauser was born in Pasadena, California and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Physics at the California Institute of Technology. John then went to Columbia University in New York City, where he received both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics. He then came back to the Bay Area to work at the University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is current a resident of California's 11th Congressional District. While at UC Berkeley, John carried out the first experimental test of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt Bell Theorem predictions, which was the first experimental observation of a violation of a Bell Inequality. The Bell Inequalities was a mathematical relationship that would be satisfied by a hidden variable theory in which measurement of one particle would not instantly affect the properties of the other particle, which John became interested in as he began experimental testing. John worked with Stuart Freedman to publish the first experimental test of the Bell Inequalities in 1972, and their results showed a clear violation of the Bell Inequality in accordance with those predicted by quantum mechanics. In 1991, John came back to UC Berkeley as a research scientist for the physics department while he was a faculty scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he carried out further tests of Bell's Theorem. John teamed up with three other physicists--Michael Horne, Abner Shimony, and Richard Hold--to further propose an experimental test of Bell's Theorem. John was named one of the recipients of the Reality Foundation Prize in 1982 and the Wolf Prize in 2010 and was named the Thompson-Reuters Citation Laureate in Physics in 2011. Dr. Clauser was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics on October 4, 2022, for the initial Bell Inequality experiment and the research that stemmed from it. The original groundbreaking experiment in 1972 along with the more recent research confirmed that quantum mechanics is correct and paved the way for quantum computers, quantum networks, and quantum encrypted communication. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Clauser on this incredible accomplishment and his contributions to Physics.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Dr. Luman Hughes, Jr. Luman was born in Iron River, Michigan on July 21, 1930. He attended the University of Michigan where he played in the marching band, met his future wife, Marilyn Benson, and went on to graduate from the University's A.B./M.D. program. After graduating, Luman was an intern at Presbyterian Hospital and was then drafted to the U.S. Navy. He served two years in Japan then completed his OB/GYN residency at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. After posts in North Carolina, Guam, and Oakland, Luman joined the Navy Reserves. Luman was the officer responsible for overseeing medical support for the entire Marine Corps Reserve System until he left the reserves in 1990. Throughout his long and distinguished career in medicine, Dr. Hughes has always shown his dedication to providing compassionate care to the Contra Costa community. He joined John Muir's staff in 1968 as an OB/ GYN specialist and was instrumental in the development of many critical programs and projects at John Muir. In 1971, Dr. Hughes founded California's first free-standing surgery center, the Walnut Creek Ambulatory Surgery Center. Additionally, Dr. Hughes co-founded the Muir OB/GYN Medical Group in 1978, served on the Board of Trustees, and was appointed President in 1984. Luman is also the founder of Walnut Creek Planned Parenthood, which has provided essential care to patients in our community since 1969. His expertise was also sought out by a variety of institutions and organizations. He has worked as a clinical preceptor at UCSF, assistant clinical professor at U.C. Davis, and consultant of gynecology for the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Martinez. Further, he was the founding president of the Diablo Valley Social Advocates for Youth and a member of Alameda Contra Costa Health Systems Agency's governing body and the medical representative of the agency's BiCounty Foundation Committee. Beyond his professional practice, Luman was also a talented musician and an active member of the community. He sang and played trumpet at Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, participated in several musical groups in the community, and founded the California Symphony alongside his wife, Marilyn. Sadly, Luman passed away on June 7, 2022. He is survived by his brother Timothy Hughes, his wife of 68 years Marilyn, son Luman ``Sandy'' Harold Hughes III (Joan), daughter Laurel DePalatis (Ray), grandchildren Catherine Wrigley (Cody), Jessica Broich (Aaron), Erik Hughes (Erin), and Trevor DePalatis (Katrina), and great grandchildren Kolbie Arcangelo, Symphony Broich, Ezra DePalatis, and two step great grandchildren Mackenna and Kelton Wrigley. He will be remembered for his dedication to service, compassion, and devotion to his family. Please join me in honoring Dr. Luman Hughes, Jr. for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Amy Worth. Throughout her career, Amy has worked tirelessly to build a community in which all Contra Costans can thrive. Amy was elected to the Orinda City Council in 1998 and has served the City of Orinda for the last 24 years, serving as mayor for 5 of those years. Amy has been involved with many regional groups, as Chair of the Contra Costa Mayors Conference, President of the League of California Cities, East Bay Division, and board member of the California Council of Governments (CalCOG). Amy has also played an important role in maintaining operations of Contra Costa libraries, serving as Chair of the Contra Costa Library Commission and President of the Friends of the Orinda Library. Contra Costa and Bay Area residents have benefited greatly thanks to Amy's commitment to public service. Amy has also been a key part in strengthening our regional transportation system and improving Contra Costa's infrastructure. Amy served as a member and past Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), representing all 19 cities of Contra Costa. She also served as a board member and past Chair of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). Her leadership was critical in the implementation of Measure J, which helped to add a fourth bore to the Caldecott Tunnel and improved traffic congestion through Contra Costa. Measure J was the result of collaborative efforts between environmental groups, transportation experts, and community members and Amy was recognized by the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Women's Transportation Seminar as 2005's Woman of the Year for her leadership on the project. Amy's work has helped to deliver needed improvements on our roads and highways and she has worked tirelessly to meet the transit needs of our county. It has been my honor to have worked alongside Amy through her many contributions to this community and I am proud to call her a friend. As she enters retirement, please join me in honoring Amy for her 24 years of dedicated service to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Therese McMillan as she retires from her role as Executive Director of the San Francisco Bay Area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Throughout her career, Therese has dedicated herself to ensuring healthy and equitable transportation systems and corridors in communities across the San Francisco Bay. She began her work with MTC in 1984 and has served in nearly every position within the agency up until 2009. She then had the opportunity to work under the Obama Administration, serving as the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), then went on to become the Acting Administrator from 2014 to 2016. After her federal work, Therese worked for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority as their Chief Planning Officer until 2019, then returned to MTC as its new Executive Director. Therese has played a pivotal role in uplifting the voices of women in the transportation sector across the country, including through her participation in WTS International and as their Woman of the Year in 2016. She has also provided a real-world perspective to the landscape of transportation, teaching transportation finance at the San Jose State University Norman Y. Mineta Transportation Institute during her MTC tenure. Also during her time at the MTC, Therese has spearheaded several initiatives that have helped strengthen the San Francisco Bay Area's transportation systems to be more equitable and inclusive for all Bay Area residents. Under her leadership, MTC established an Equity Platform where the Commission strives to advance policies and make investments that will ensure all Bay Area residents, including historically underserved and marginalized groups, are considered when discussing our region's transit needs. Therese also demonstrated strong leadership guiding MTC through the COVID-19, overseeing the formation of the Blue Ribbon Transit Recovery Task Force which aims to improve the transit rider experience. She was also highly involved with the Resolution 3434 Regional Transportation Expansion Program, helping to establish minimum housing density targets near transit stations and prioritizing transit capital investments throughout the Bay Area. I am grateful for Therese's dedication and compassion in striving to provide exceptional transportation services to Bay Area residents. Please join me in congratulating Therese on her retirement and her nearly three decades of service to our community.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Swalwell, to recognize the service of Karen Mitchoff as she retires from her role on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Karen has dedicated her career to public service and the people of Contra Costa County. In 1981, she began her career in public service as an executive assistant in the office of former Sherriff Richard Rainey. Karen went on to serve as chief of staff to then-County Supervisor Wright McPeak and served as my chief of staff during my time with the board, as well, Karen then stepped into the role of fiscal and administrative analyst for Contra Costa County's Human Resources Department from 1998-2010. Karen also has an extensive history serving as an elected official for the county. In 1988, she was appointed to the Pleasant Hill Resident's Advisory Committee on Redevelopment. Karen went on to join the Pleasant Hill Planning Commission, serving in this position from 1992-1996. In 2003, Karen was appointed to the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Parks District Board of Supervisors, where she served as chair both in 2005 and 2006. In 2008, Karen was elected to the Pleasant Hill Board of Supervisors, and in 2010 was elected as mayor of Pleasant Hill. Finally in 2011, Karen was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors overseeing District IV, where she has worked tirelessly to serve Contra Costans for the past 11 years. Throughout her tenure on the Board, Karen has done substantial work to promote strength and resiliency within our community. She has helped protect and conserve the integrity of the Delta as an appointee to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board and Delta Protection Commission, and helped protect the air quality throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, as an appointee to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Karen has done incredible work to support our county's transportation infrastructure, playing a key role as a member of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. She has also helped enhance economic activity and development throughout the county, working to improve regional resiliency plans and housing needs as an executive committee member of the Association of Bay Area Governments. Please join me and Congressman Swalwell in congratulating Karen on her well-earned retirement after more than four decades of service to Contra Costa County.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of Willie Mims. Throughout his life, Willie has shown his commitment to educating, serving, and empowering residents of East County. He was raised in what is now Bay Point, California and graduated from Pacifica High School in 1963. It was around this time that Willie began engaging in local politics, advocating for the Rumsford Fair Housing Act which aimed to combat racial discrimination in housing. Willie also worked as a stevedore at the Concord Naval Weapons Station from 1965 to 1970. He went on to obtain his Associate Arts Degree from Diablo Valley College and his Bachelor of Arts and M.A. in English & Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. Willie obtained his teaching credentials in 1978 and went on to have a long career in teaching with the Vallejo City Unified School District. Willie worked as a teacher at John Finney High School, formerly known as Peoples High School, for over 25 years. After retiring in 2009, Willie continued to advocate on behalf of Contra Costa students and families, still regularly attending school board meetings. Willie has worked tirelessly to support families and promote equity within the East Bay. He is a former mentor of S.I.M.B.A. (Safe in My Brother's Arms), a youth program for boys 8 to 16, former board member of the East County Boy's and Girl's Club, and served as a volunteer historian for the Parents Connected Organization. Additionally, he is an original member of Pittsburg's Black Political Association and part of Executive Committee of the East County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He was also instrumental in the creation of the Antioch School District's African American Male Initiative which sought to address racial disparities in education. Willie received the Dr. Martin Luther King Freedom Fighter Award in 2008 in recognition of his efforts to promote racial justice and equity. Willie's community and the greater Bay Area have significantly benefited thanks to Willie's dedication and hard work. Willie is a true leader in our community and we are grateful for the positive impact that his work has had across the county. Please join me in recognizing Willie for his many years of devoted service.

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I regret that I was unable to vote today as I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 477. Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress Bacon (Hartzler) Barr (McHenry) Beatty (Cicilline) Bergman (Moolenaar) Bilirakis (Fleischmann) Boyle, Brendan F. (Beyer) Brooks (Fleischmann) Brownley (Pingree) Buchanan (Bucshon) Budd (McHenry) Bustos (Pingree) Carson (Mrvan) Carter (TX) (Weber (TX)) Cawthorn (Gohmert) Cherfilus-McCormick (Neguse) Chu (Beyer) Conway (LaMalfa) Crawford (Fleischmann) Cuellar (Correa) Demings (Dean) DesJarlais (Fleischmann) Diaz-Balart (Reschenthaler) Donalds (Cammack) Doyle, Michael F. (Pallone) Dunn (Cammack) Eshoo (Thompson (CA)) Gimenez (Malliotakis) Gonzalez, Vicente (Correa) Gosar (Weber (TX)) Herrera Beutler (Meijer) Jacobs (NY) (Sempolinski) Jayapal (Cicilline) Johnson (TX) (Stevens) Kind (Beyer) Kinzinger (Meijer) Kirkpatrick (Pallone) Lawson (FL) (Stevens) Leger Fernandez (Cicilline) Lofgren (Correa) Long (Fleischmann) Lynch (Trahan) Mace (Smucker) Mast (Waltz) McEachin (Beyer) Meng (Escobar) Mfume (Beyer) Murphy (FL) (Peters) Nehls (Van Duyne) Newman (Beyer) Norman (Duncan) Ocasio-Cortez (Neguse) Payne (Pallone) Pfluger (Ellzey) Porter (Neguse) Pressley (Trahan) Rice (NY) (Morelle) Rice (SC) (Meijer) Rogers (AL) (Banks) Ryan (OH) (Correa) Salazar (Waltz) Sewell (Cicilline) Sherman (Garamendi) Sherrill (Pallone) Sires (Pallone) Soto (Escobar) Speier (Garcia (TX)) Steel (Obernolte) Stefanik (Reschenthaler) Tiffany (Fitzgerald) Timmons (Duncan) Vargas (Garamendi) Wilson (FL) (Cicilline) Wilson (SC) (Duncan) Zeldin (Malliotakis)

Mr. DeSAULNIER

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, could I ask how much time we have remaining?

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, we have no more speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis among American students, educators, and families. In 2021, 44 percent of students experienced persistent feelings of hopelessness; almost 20 percent seriously considered suicide; and 9 percent of American kids attempted suicide. Regrettably, 80 percent of youth in need of mental health services do not have the access to heal in their communities. As a result, educators have been forced to play an outsized role in supporting and responding to students' mental health needs, leading to increased depression and trauma among educators, their students, their families, and the community. However, our schools do not have the specialized staff necessary to respond to the increased prevalence and complexity of students' mental health needs. According to a 2019 ACLU study, no State met the student-to-social worker ratio of one social worker for every 250 students, as recommended by the National Association of Social Workers. Not one State. On top of that, the national ratio of school psychologists per students during the 2020-2022 school years was one psychologist per every 1,162 students--more than double the ratio recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists. Clearly, this is unacceptable. The rise in mental health challenges is not isolated to students and educators. Nearly half of the United States workforce now suffers from mental health issues since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Yet, many workers are denied the mental health and substance use disorder benefits they are legally entitled to receive under their employer- sponsored health plan. In a recent report to Congress, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury found widespread violations of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by group health plans. Unfortunately, some of these plans are failing to maintain parity between behavioral health benefits and physical health benefits as required by statute. The report recommended that Congress enhance the Secretary of Labor's capacity to enforce the parity law, including providing authority to impose civil monetary penalties for violations. Notably, the same recommendations were made by former President Trump's Commission on Combating the Opioid Crisis, which was led by then-New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie. In response to these violations and the national mental health crisis, I introduced the Mental Health Matters Act, which includes proposals championed by several committee members. This legislation helps Head Start agencies implement evidence-based interventions to improve the behavioral health of children and staff in Head Start programs. It improves trauma-informed services in schools by developing innovative initiatives to link schools and local educational agencies with local trauma-informed support and mental health systems. It requires colleges and universities to accept existing documentation of disability and provide reasonable accommodations so disabled students can achieve success in higher education. It also provides the Department of Labor with enhanced authority to ensure that private, employer-sponsored group health plans and insurers comply with the mental health parity and related laws. The bill ensures workers who are wrongfully denied health or retirement benefits under their job-based plans have meaningful access to the courts. And finally, this legislation directs the Department of Education to award grants to build a pipeline of school-based mental health service providers and increase the number of mental health professionals serving in elementary and secondary schools in high-need areas. Mr. Chairman, simply put, the Mental Health Matters Act delivers the resources students, educators, and families need to improve their well- being. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material on H.R. 7780, the Mental Health Matters Act.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I do want to say that it is always delightful, truthfully, to see my friend and our differences of opinion. I see Mr. Allen will speak as well, my wonderful colleague and ranking member of the subcommittee. Just as a former small business owner, the term ``voluntary'' is, in my view, accurate in the sense that it is an employer's choice to provide health insurance, but the parity is required by statute once having done that. So, it is a question of terminology, perhaps. As I have said, even just shortly ago, I am ready to work with my friend to work on enforcement mechanisms that are efficient because I think we all agree there is a problem here in this country about mental health and kids and how we enforce the best possible enforcement for employers. The vast majority of employers do the right thing, but how to make sure that people who don't do the right thing, and thereby get an advantage if we don't enforce the laws against law-abiding employers, I really think that we can work something out. This is the best mechanism I see right at the moment, however imperfect. I look forward to continuing the conversation. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), who is the chair of the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee of the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the very distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney), who is a member of the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Connecticut.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Hayes), a distinguished member of the Education and Labor Committee.

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).

Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chair, I love my good friend's closing. That was artful and poetic, but I respectfully disagree. I look forward to continuing the conversation, particularly around enforcement and the definition of parity. To me, as a former employer, I thought parity was clear, but if we need more clarity for some employers, I am happy to have that discussion. Mr. Chair, as lawmakers, we have a duty to support Americans' health and well-being. The Mental Health Matters Act will help us deliver on that goal by ensuring students, educators, and families receive the support they need to lead healthier and happier lives, and provide America with future generations of healthy and happy providers. I thank the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Scott; the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu); the gentlewoman from Massachusetts, Assistant Speaker Clark; the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Hayes); the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici); the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney); and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross) for their leadership on this legislation. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.