Gene Green

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, the Ozone issue is extremely complicated. Many of our Members are probably not very familiar with the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, let alone the potential impact. In 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency faced a choice similar to that of 2016. After missing the 1988 and 1992 Ozone NAAQS review deadlines, the EPA settled a court decree that required a decision on whether the Agency would promulgate a new Ozone standard. The EPA stated the following: ``Based on applicable statutory requirements and the volume of material requiring careful evaluation, the EPA estimates that it would take 2 to 3 years to incorporate over a 1,000 new health studies into criteria documents. Given various legal constraints and the fact that EPA already missed deadlines for completion of Ozone review cycles, the Administrator concluded that the best course of action is to complete the current review based on the existing air standard and proceed as rapidly as possible with the next review.'' In 2015, the Administrator stated at the Energy and Power subcommittee hearing, ``EPA examined thousands of scientific studies, including more than 1,000 new studies published since EPA last revised the standard.'' Further, EPA, in the Ozone NAAQS proposal concluded, ``there are significant uncertainties regarding some of the studies the EPA did include regarding lowering the standard.'' EPA acknowledged there are issues with the proposed standard stating, ``Given alternative views of the currently available evidence and information expressed by some commenters, the EPA is taking comment on both the Administrator's proposed decision to revise the current primary O3 standard and the option of retaining that standard.'' EPA must address the challenges and opportunities for improving our air quality and protecting human health. The process must remain health-based but cannot be set aside when it is politically convenient. Our industries are capable of meeting the requirements of Ozone NAAQS but not when the rules are changed or not enforced due to unknown criteria. I support the EPA's determination but I do think there is opportunity to address some of the challenges faced by both the Agency and other stakeholders. While I do not support the bill today, I look for opportunities to improve the process to promote the economy and public health.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for letting us Energy and Commerce folks have some time. According to the Congressional Research Service, the United States has more than 2.9 million miles of pipelines in our vast network. According to the Texas Pipeline Association, Texas has more than 320,000 miles of intrastate pipelines. As a lifelong Houstonian, there has never been a time in my life when I haven't lived along a pipeline easement. Needless to say, in Texas, we know pipelines, but we also know about the importance of safety. Every day, industry moves millions of gallons or cubic feet of domestically produced and refined product without any problems. Since 2005, the United States has seen a general decline in the number of pipeline releases or accidents that result in environmental damage or personal injury. We understand that the compounds moved via pipeline pose a risk, and we must effectively manage and mitigate that risk to protect our citizens and the environment. Today I think we are taking another step in the right direction. The bill before the House today is a good bill that attempts to lay down concrete rules of the road for the next 5 years. For the sake of our constituencies, we need to pass this bipartisan bill in a bipartisan way. I would like to voice my support for this bill and ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. Four years ago we gave PHMSA a job to do. While some of their work has been completed, there is still work to do. That is why this bill directs PHMSA to prioritize rulemaking and complete the work before them. We should not continue to add requirements on their plate. We should allow PHMSA the time and, most importantly, give them the resources required to finish this important job. I would like to express support for the PHMSA workforce management language. We need inspectors in the field working closely with their industry partners to avoid another emergency situation. In my opinion, robust inspection is the best option available for everyone involved. If we reach the enforcement stage, that means something has gone wrong and we are too late. Industry, PHMSA, and the workers support this provision. The second provision I would like to support is the emergency authority for PHMSA. While this provision may not be perfect, it represents a strong balance between enforcement and review. It is important to keep in mind that this is emergency authority. Unfortunately, when there is an incident involving a pipeline, we need to act with speed, efficiency, and resolve.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want our executive agencies on the scene ensuring we are protecting the people and the environment. We must ensure that people have confidence in the pipeline system, and effective crisis management will help build that belief. I appreciate the hard work that went into crafting this provision. Compromise is not easy, so I want to thank both sides for drafting these provisions. I know there is more work ahead, but I look forward to supporting the current bill.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and namesake from Houston, Congressman Al Green. I appreciate his effort, both on the legislation that we are cosponsors of, but also setting up these Special Orders. It is great to have bipartisan support. As we found out in Houston, it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. If your house gets flooded, your cars get flooded, in some cases, the lives of your family and your neighbors are in jeopardy, as Texans, we work together. I have watched this over the years because we have had some terrible floods over the years, whether it be Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, Hurricane Ike in 2008, or what we are seeing now in May of 2015, which we called the Memorial Day flooding that was devastating and included more than 11 inches of rain and $3 billion in damage. But in April of 2016, this year, Houston and areas experienced what we call the devastating tax day flooding on April 18 that claimed lives and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. In the last 3 weeks, just before Memorial Day, we also have seen historic rainfalls and subsequent flooding. The rain in the Houston area has ceased, but downstream in Brazoria County is my colleague from Fort Bend, just southwest of Houston, the flooding has continued. An estimated 200,000 residents, nearly two-thirds of the population of Brazoria County, have been affected by the flooding. Once again, I stand before this body while southeast Texas is under water. Once again, I stand with my Houston colleagues and ask the House of Representatives to give our constituents the resources we need to protect lives and property in the future. I have worked with my colleague, Al Green, on H.R. 5025, to appropriate $311 million to complete our bayou system. These projects are not imaginary. They are ideas that would help, and these projects during the process would save lives. These are projects that the Corps of Engineers have said that they have approved. We just don't have the money to complete them. In the Houston area, we have a number of bayou systems that actually start in Congressman Olson's, Congressman Al Green's, Congressman Culberson's, and Congressman McCaul's districts. But it runs through my area because I have the eastern side of Harris County, where Buffalo Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel are located. We are downstream from those, and we see that flooding ourselves. I ask the House to bring our bill to the floor and to help mitigate the suffering of these thousands of Texans. Earlier this month, our office received early notification that the United States is entering hurricane season as of June 1. Once again, the problem could be expanded. Like I said earlier, in 2001, Tropical Storm Allison hit the Texas Gulf Coast and devastated my area of east and north Houston. In 2008, Hurricane Ike caused citywide flooding and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Again, it came over our district in east Harris County. Now we face another hurricane season with the possibility of extended damage and no protection for our vulnerable citizens. Houstonians continue to suffer the effects of Mother Nature, and we have the ability to help them. The President has declared Houston a disaster area a number of times. Again, with hurricane season upon us, we would like to see that Congress responds and acts on H.R. 5025 as the best option now. Again, these are flood control projects that have been approved. We just don't have the money. Of course, in Houston, Harris County, we have a flood control district that we pay our property tax to. They have to come up with a match for the Federal funding, so it is not all Federal funding taking care of our problems. It is actually local folks also paying up to be able to keep our houses and homes from flooding and our families and neighbors from drowning. Again, I ask my colleagues to support H.R. 5025. I want to thank my colleague, Al Green, for his leadership on this. We will continue to ask our colleagues to help even through this hurricane season. It doesn't end until typically the end of October. Again, I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the 39,000 Verizon workers currently on strike. These hardworking members of CWA and IBEW are on strike for a number of reasons, but the number one reason is to keep their jobs and prevent them from being shipped overseas to the Philippines or India. What Verizon is doing is not unique. In fact, it has been the experience of too many families in my district in Houston and Harris County and families throughout the country. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to fight for these jobs and improve the lives of average Americans. This spring, I introduced bipartisan legislation, the United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act, H.R. 4604, that would make companies that offshore American jobs ineligible for Federal grants or loans and put them at the back of the line for Federal contracts. This legislation will not stop all offshoring, but it is a strong first step to protect these middle class jobs. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation, H.R. 4604.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 897, the so-called ``Zika Vector Control Act.'' This legislation, which has appeared four times before this chamber in the past two years, in no way addresses the serious mosquito control or Zika virus concerns confronting communities I have the honor of representing in Houston and Harris County, Texas. Instead, this bill would create a loophole in the Clean Water Act to exempt pesticide spraying from current permitting requirements that most mosquito control districts and state agencies already have, including Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services. I hosted an event with my colleague, Congressman Al Green, last Friday at El Centro de Corazon health clinic in Houston's East End, where we urged Congress to fully fund the Administration's request for $1.9 billion in emergency funding to combat Zika. Houston and Harris County are particularly exposed to Zika due to our region's climate, many bayous, and the presence of the Aedes mosquito species, the carrier of the Zika virus. For the people of Houston and Harris County, this emergency finding is essential to protect our nation's fourth largest city from a Zika outbreak that has devastated countless communities in Latin America. I urge the House Majority to abstain from using the fears over Zika as a Trojan horse for legislation that will create unnecessary loopholes in our environmental laws, and to bring to the floor H.R. 5044, emergency appropriations for $1.9 billion to combat Zika, for a vote as soon as possible.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an American hero, Lance Corporal Richard G. Perez. Lance Corporal Richard G. Perez, a constituent of the 29th District recently passed away on April 29th, 2016. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Perez for many years now and am familiar with his courageous actions during the Vietnam War. On the afternoon of February 7, 1967 Lance Corporal Perez's patrol was suddenly attacked by approximately 30 Viet Cong using grenades and small arms fire. During the attack, Lance Corporal Perez took extraordinarily courageous action to stop the enemy threat against the left flank where he received several abdominal gunshot wounds. Despite his wounds he continued to fight on and encouraged his fellow marines to stop the attack. His heroic actions on that day were an inspiration to all who observed him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and United States Naval Service. Lance Corporal Perez was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions on that day. I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Richard Perez, his wife of 43 years Betty Jean Perez, his children Richard Jr., Carolina and Eloy and I offer the thanks of a grateful nation.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted: Rollcall No. 240, ``nay.''

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Chair, on April 18th the City of Houston and Harris County, Texas were subjected to paralyzing flooding which claimed the lives of seven of our citizens and required the rescue of 1,200 more. Approximately 2,000 housing units were flooded and we are currently working to figure out where to house the folks who cannot return to their homes. This is the second major flooding disaster Houston has experienced in the last six months and the City is expecting additional rain and thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday of this week. Residents in our congressional district as well as other Member's districts have been severely affected and we must do something to stop the needless loss of life. The President has recognized the significance of the catastrophe and a fulfilled a request for a disaster declaration. Now it's the job of Congress to help our constituents. I have worked closely with my neighbor and friend, Rep. Al Green to offer this amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill. The amendment would provide $311 million dollars to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction, and in most cases, completion of our bayous and flood control projects. Flooding is not new in Houston but we've learned how to control it. Our bayou system has saved countless lives and millions of dollars of damage since creation. Unfortunately, due to consistent budget pressure, the Army Corps of Engineers cannot adequately fund these projects. This amendment would ensure that our federal, state, and local authorities have the resources necessary to expedite the flood control projects we know protect people and property. Mr. Chair, we can help the victims in our neighborhoods and we must help them. I urge this body to pass this emergency funding legislation and do so quickly. Point of Order

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my Colorado colleague on the Rules Committee for allowing me to speak. I rise to oppose this rule but in support of the amendment to H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will reform our Nation's broken chemical safety law for the first time since 1976 and directly addresses the Toxic Substance Chemical Act's fundamental flaws. Congress has worked on reforming TSCA for over a decade, and, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have personally been working on fixing the statute since 2008. Though not perfect, the proposal before the House today is, in the words of President Obama's administration, ``a clear improvement over current TSCA and represents a historic advancement for chemical safety and environmental law.'' The most notable improvements in the bill are replacing the current TSCA's burdensome safety standard with a pure, health-based standard-- that makes sense--explicitly requiring the protection of vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and workers at chemical facilities like the district I represent; requiring a safety finding before new chemicals are allowed to go onto the market; giving EPA new authority to order testing and ensure chemicals are safe, with a focus on the most risky chemicals. This legislation responds to the concerns of industry to provide regulatory certainty for the job creators throughout our economy. This legislation is a win for our congressional district in Eastside Houston and Harris County, home to one of the largest collection of chemical facilities in our country. The reforms contained in this proposal have protections for the workers at our chemical plants, the fence line communities next to these plants, and benefit chemical manufacturers who will have certainty in a true, nationwide market. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this amendment and help pass the first major environmental legislation in a quarter of a century.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment to H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act. That is an abbreviation for the Toxic Substances Control Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will reform our broken chemical safety law for the first time since 1976, and directly addresses TSCA's fundamental flaws. This legislation is a win- win for our district in East Houston and Harris County, Texas, home to one of the largest collection of chemical facilities in the country. The reforms contained in this proposal will enhance protections for the workers in our chemical plants, the fence-line communities next to these facilities, and will benefit chemical manufacturers who will have certainty in a true, nationwide market. Congress has worked on reforming TSCA for over a decade, and I personally have been working on fixing the statute since 2008. Though not perfect, the proposal before the House today is, in the words of the Obama administration, ``a clear improvement over current TSCA and represents a historic advancement for both chemical safety and environmental law.'' Let me quote also from the United Steelworkers: ``Overall, the amendments to H.R. 2576, the `TSCA Modernization Act,' do not result in a bill we would have written. However, there are significant improvements over current law, including a fix of the 1991 `asbestos decision' that crippled the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ability to act. Now EPA must use a health-only standard to evaluate chemicals and reserve cost-benefit analysis for determining restrictions of harmful chemicals. Additionally, the bill includes increased EPA authority to review chemicals, a fee structure to fund the program, and protection of vulnerable populations, including workers.'' Again, that is from the United Steelworkers. The most notable improvements in the bill are replacing current TSCA's burdensome safety standard with a pure, health-based standard; explicitly requiring the protection of vulnerable populations, like children, pregnant women, and workers at the plants; requiring a safety finding before new chemicals are allowed to go to market; and giving EPA new authority to order testing and ensure chemicals are safe, with a focus on the most risky chemicals.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. This legislation responds to the concerns of industry to provide regulatory certainty for job creators throughout our economy and has the support of the Environmental Defense Fund, the Humane Society, the March of Dimes, and the National Wildlife Federation, along with the machinists union and the building trades. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this amendment, and help pass the first major environmental legislation in a quarter century.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Members, I thank my colleague from the Committee on Rules and my classmate for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the rule and to H.R. 5243. The last three Democratic speakers are from Texas. The Southeastern States are ground zero for Zika and other diseases. It is the first known vector-borne disease to cause microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Our knowledge of the disease and how it is transmitted and its complications have evolved rapidly since the epidemic began, but there is still a lot unknown. We do not have rapid diagnostic tests or an effective vaccine against this virus. The mosquito vector is actively present in several parts of the United States, including Houston and the Southern States. Current vector control efforts are uncoordinated and inadequate. Cases of Zika are being introduced frequently by returning travelers, and mosquito season is rapidly approaching our community. As of May 11, there were more than 1,200 confirmed Zika cases in the continental U.S. and U.S. territories. Robust action is required to protect Americans, and this bill falls dramatically short of the response this epidemic demands. H.R. 5243 only provides a third of the funds necessary to respond to a Zika outbreak and, even worse, a large portion of the funding is taken from money Congress has appropriated to respond to the Ebola crisis. We are taking money away from researching Ebola cures to put on Zika. Ebola will not go away. We cannot rob Peter to pay Paul. My good friend from Oklahoma, I know in 2003, we sent legislators up to his district. I hope in Texas we don't send mosquitos up to his district, because that could happen. Congress has a constitutional and moral duty to protect the health and welfare of our country. I am saddened to say this bill fails to uphold our responsibilities to the American people. Crises of this magnitude demand robust, multi-year investments in our public health infrastructure, vaccine, diagnostic development, and transmission control.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Funding to fight the Zika virus must be treated as an emergency that is similar to past emergencies, like Ebola and H1N1 viruses. It should not be offset or use previously appropriated funds for other public health priorities. Doing so will only continue the broken cycle of lurching from outbreak to outbreak. Even worse, this bill only funds the Department of Health and Human Services' response until September 30. Mosquitos don't follow our fiscal year. This threat is real, immediate, and grave. On behalf of American families, mothers, and the next generation, we must do better. I urge my colleagues to vote against this bill and bring meaningful legislation to the floor that adequately and responsibly funds our response to the Zika virus.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and neighbor and friend for setting this Special Order tonight for what we call the tax day floods in Houston and Harris County, Texas. Our district was hit by flooding, but not near as much as in Congressman Al Green's, because I was in his district that week, and also in the neighboring districts, Congressman Culberson, Congresswoman Lee and Congressman McCaul, and Congressman Brady. But I was just looking at a memo. In our district, we have Hunting Bayou, which is part of the legislation, that was overflowed; and the people who live in that area, along Interstate 10 East, they cleaned out their homes, the Sheetrock and everything else, and it is literally a tragedy. On April 18, the city of Houston and Harris County, Texas, was subjected to paralyzing flooding which claimed the lives of 9 of our citizens and required the rescue of at least 1,200 others. Approximately 2,000 housing units were flooded, and we are currently working to figure out where to house the folks who cannot return to their homes. This is the second major flooding disaster Houston has experienced in the last 6 months. The city is expecting additional rain, even this weekend, tomorrow and Saturday. Residents of our congressional district, as well as other Members' districts, have been severely affected, and we must do everything we can to stop the needless loss of life. The President has recognized the significance of the catastrophe and fulfilled a request for a disaster declaration. Now it is the job of Congress to help our constituents. That is why I have worked closely with my neighbor and friend and colleague, Representative Al Green, to introduce the Tax Day Floods Supplemental Funding Act, H.R. 5025. The legislation would provide $311 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction and, in most cases, completion of our bayou and flood projects in the Houston and Harris County, Texas, area. Flooding is not new to Houston, but we have learned how to control it. Our bayou system has saved countless lives and millions of dollars in damage since the creation of them. Unfortunately, due to the consistent budget pressure, the Army Corps of Engineers cannot adequately fund these projects. This bill would ensure that our Federal, State, and local authorities have the resources necessary to expedite these flood control projects we know protect people and property. My colleagues and I have requested the Director of FEMA and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to tour our districts and see the damage firsthand, and I renew that request again today. The support in the community is overwhelming. The Greater Houston Partnership, our chamber of commerce, supports this legislation, and they estimate that the total lost is about $1.9 billion. It is also supported by our local--in Harris County we created a flood control district that partners with the Corps of Engineers. Our Harris County Flood Control District also supports this legislation. Additionally, I want to make sure that the folks on the ground have the information they need to get back in their homes. FEMA has opened disaster centers in our community, but if you are not near one of those centers, you can apply to FEMA by phone. Call 1-800- 621-3362. That is 1-800-621-FEMA. 1-800-621-3362. FEMA can offer two types of assistance: housing assistance, temporary housing, money to help repair or replace your primary residence. Non-housing needs include medical, dental, funeral costs, clothing, household items, tools, home fuel, disaster-related moving and storage, replacement of a disaster-damaged vehicle. After 24 hours, FEMA will follow up with you. It is important in our district to know that, if your Spanish- speaking households have children that are U.S. citizens or legal residents, FEMA can help you if there is a legal resident or a citizen living in that home. Mr. Speaker, it is important that we help victims in our neighborhoods so we can get back on top and help them. I urge our body, this House, to pass the emergency funding legislation and do so as quickly as we can. Again, I want to thank my colleague and friend. I was impressed that day when we were in his district, in Westbury, at the flooding and the outpouring of people. I have seen it in my district where people will literally move everything from their house; they have to throw it away. It is out on the curb. The city of Houston is cleaning it up as fast as they can, but we need to get these people back into their homes. But this bill that we have will make sure their homes are not flooded again because, that way, we don't need to have these repetitive floods like we have had in the last few years. Again, I want to thank my colleague for this Special Order tonight but, more importantly, I want to thank him for his leadership on this piece of legislation. I am proud to be his cosponsor.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. If the gentleman will yield to me; we also had the press conference, and everybody was confused. We also have the gentleman's city council member, Larry Green. So they had Congressman Al Green, Congressman Eugene Green, and City Councilman Larry Green. They can call all of us and we will help them.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney), a cosponsor of this bill.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4976, the Opioid Review Modernization Act. We know that there is not one solution addressing the opioid crisis that is striking communities across the country. A comprehensive approach that balances the appropriate use of opioids, while deterring misuse and diversion, requires the involvement of many government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration. As the agency tasked with reviewing pain medications for safety and effectiveness, we know that the FDA can play a critical role in addressing the safe use of these products for patients with chronic or acute pain. I was pleased when the FDA announced earlier this year that the agency developed a comprehensive action plan to help reduce the burden of opioid abuse on American families and communities. In this plan, the FDA outlined concrete steps it intended to take, including: Expanding its use of advisory committees before approving any new opioid drug that does not have abuse-deterrent properties; Updating the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy program to incorporate advisory committee recommendations regarding medical training on pain management and safe prescribing of opioids; and Taking actions to expand patient access to abuse-deterrent formulations for opioids to help discourage their abuse. The Opioid Review Modernization Act builds on these efforts and would require the FDA to work closely with expert advisory committees before making critical opioid approach and labeling decisions, develop recommendations regarding prescriber education programs that address extended-release and long-acting opioids, including those who should participate and how often, and encouraging development and approval of generic opioids with abuse-deterrent properties. H.R. 4976 will engage a key public agency, the FDA, to help address our current opioid crisis by improving regulatory oversight of opioids early in the process while also assisting prescribers in the safe dispensing of these products. I would like to thank Representative Sean Patrick Maloney and Congressman Leonard Lance for their leadership in introducing this bill. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4976. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my support for H.R. 3680, the Co- Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Act. We must do more to prevent opioid addiction and ensure those currently suffering have access to potentially lifesaving treatments. Naloxone has been proven effective in reversing opioid overdoses, and it is a cost-effective public health intervention. Naloxone blocks and reverses the effects of opioid medication and is used to treat narcotic overdose in emergency situations. In addition to recent efforts to improve access to naloxone through first responders and community-based health organizations, providing naloxone to at-risk patients in a healthcare setting may reduce overdoses and encourage patients to use prescription drugs more safely. The Co-Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Act would create a demonstration grant program to facilitate coprescribing of naloxone when appropriate. Coprescribing refers to the practice of prescribing that naloxone alongside an opioid prescription to patients with heightened risk of overdose. This could include patients who take significant doses of opioids for long-term chronic pain management, patients with a history of substance abuse, or patients who have been discharged from emergency care following poisoning or intoxication from an opiate. The bill would further authorize funding to train healthcare providers and pharmacists on coprescribing, establish mechanisms for tracking patients and their health outcomes, and other efforts to expand access to naloxone. We must act swiftly in order to save lives and stem the growing prescription drug epidemic in our country. The Co-Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Act is an important step toward preventing overdose deaths, which is a critical part of the fight against our devastating drug crisis. I want to thank the bill's sponsor, the gentleman from Maryland, Representative John Sarbanes, who is a member of our Subcommittee on Health, for his leadership in introducing this bill. I urge my colleagues to support the Co-Prescribing to Reduce Overdoses Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes), my colleague on the committee.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise to voice my support for H.R. 4978, the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act. Nearly every community in every State has been impacted by heroin and opioid addiction. Tragically, newborns are the most vulnerable victims of this epidemic. It is estimated that every 25 minutes, a baby is born suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome, or opioid withdrawal. According to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, from 2004 to 2013, the incidence of NAS has quadrupled. Neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, arises from the exposure to opioids during pregnancy and impacts far too many of our Nation's newborns. Maternal exposure to opioids can be caused by both nonprescription and prescription medication, and the subsequent neonatal withdrawal can result in extended hospital stays and severe, heartbreaking symptoms. NAS is associated with preterm births and low birth weight complications such as respiratory distress and seizures. H.R. 4978, the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act, is an important part of our efforts to combat drug abuse. The legislation will expand our knowledge of care and treatment for babies with NAS. It will direct the GAO to identify the prevalence of NAS and the number of cases covered by Medicaid, the setting of care for these infants, and identify access barriers to treatment. H.R. 4978 will further our ability to meet this crisis head-on and provide America's children the healthy start they deserve. I want to thank the bill's sponsor, Representative Cheri Bustos, for her leadership in introducing this bill and urge my colleagues to support the Nurturing and Supporting Healthy Babies Act. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Bustos).

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.