Brett Guthrie

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 1818. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4969) to amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide for informational materials to educate and prevent addiction in teenagers and adolescents who are injured playing youth sports and subsequently prescribed an opioid, as amended.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4969, the John Thomas Decker Act of 2016, introduced by my colleagues, Mr. Meehan of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kind of Wisconsin, Mr. Rooney of Florida, and Mr. Veasey of Texas. Young athletes have been disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic currently plaguing our country. One study found that adolescent males who played sports were twice as likely to be prescribed opioids than their peers and four times more likely to abuse them than nonathletes. Writing a prescription for opioids in a population that may not fully grasp the risk associated with the drugs can be dangerous and lead to unintended negative outcomes. H.R. 4969 amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study what information and resources are available to youth athletes and their families regarding the dangers of opioid use and abuse, nonopioid treatment options, and how to seek additional addiction treatment. The Secretary would then be required to report the findings and work with stakeholders to disseminate resources to students, parents, and those involved in treating a sports-related injury. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meehan).

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4969. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4599, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4599) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to permit certain partial fillings of prescriptions, as amended.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4586) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to States for developing standing orders and educating health care professionals regarding the dispensing of opioid overdose reversal medication without person-specific prescriptions, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4586, Lali's Law, introduced by my colleagues in the House, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dold) and the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark). The rate of overdose for individuals age 24 to 34 has nearly tripled, going from 8.1 overdose deaths per 100,000 to 23.1 overdose deaths per 100,000. Families across the country are losing loved ones to reversible opioid overdose. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can prevent opioid overdose deaths by binding to the opioid receptors in the body and preventing the overdose. H.R. 4586 amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to States for developing standing orders and educating healthcare professionals regarding the dispensing of opioid overdose reversal medication without person-specific prescriptions. This legislation is a first step in promoting wider access of naloxone or other opioid overdose reversal drugs that may come to market. Standing orders are prescriptions that are not person-specific. If a pharmacy has a standing order, anyone needing the medication may come and fill a prescription for it. Naloxone, while incredibly effective at stopping opioid overdose, does not have severe side effects if used incorrectly or if used when not needed. Many States have standing order laws in place but need help bridging the gap between law and a functioning program. The grants funded by this legislation will help aid that process. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), my friend.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Dold), my good friend.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4586. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joel Miller and his wife, Megan Bel Miller, on the birth of their son, Parker Jay Miller. Parker was born on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 7:04 p.m. Joel and Megan welcomed Parker, their pride and joy, into this world weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches in height. With Joel, my Legislative Counsel as his father, and Megan, also a former Capitol Hill staffer, as his mother, I trust Parker will have a bright and successful future ahead of him. Joel has been an integral part of the legislative operation in my office with his understanding of complex policies yet humble and sincere character. I am thrilled to witness him in his new and most important role yet, a father. I have no doubt that Joel and Megan will be wonderful and inspiring parents, who are devoted to their son's well-being. Congratulations and best wishes to the Miller and Bel families.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of Guy Preston Richardson Sr. of Danville, Kentucky, who passed away on Friday, December 11, 2015. Guy was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army from 1944- 1946. He earned his paratrooper wings, and served in the 11th Airborne that fought in the Battle of Mount Macolod and liberated the Philippines. Guy was awarded the Bronze Star and was part of the honor guard to witness the return of General Douglas MacArthur. After serving with the occupation forces in Japan for a year, he returned to Danville, Kentucky, in 1946 to attend Centre College on the G.I. Bill. It was there that he met the love of his life, Sue Swan. Following graduation, Guy went into his family's grocery business, which he successfully managed for more than 50 years. Mr. Richardson was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Danville for more than 60 years, serving as a Stephen Minister, Sunday school superintendent, deacon, elder, and trustee. He was a former president of the Rotary Club of Danville when, as a survivor of polio, he led the effort to raise local money to eradicate polio. He was also a former president of the Boyle County Chamber of Commerce, and served on the boards of the Boyle County Library, Ephraim McDowell Hospital and Central Kentucky Federal Savings Bank. A lifelong, passionate student of politics and policy, Guy was the model of an engaged citizen. He managed numerous campaigns for State Representative Joe Clarke over the course of 20 years. He was a leader in the local civil rights movement to integrate the Danville schools, and was part of Dr. Martin Luther King's 1964 march in Frankfort, KY. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sue, their four children, and many grandchildren. True to his abiding faith, Guy Richardson sought justice and was dedicated to his community in Boyle County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Mr. GUTHRIE

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act, sponsored by Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Representative Loretta Sanchez. This legislation, first and foremost, is about making menu labeling work for the American people and American businesses. Providing accurate information to consumers when they are deciding what to order is at the heart of this bill. This is not about hiding the calorie information. This bill is about making menu labeling requirements work for the entire industry. It seems obvious to me that a one-size-fits-all solution will not work for all restaurant chains; yet FDA's menu labeling recommendation does just that, and its burdensome rules have raised alarm bells with businesses across the country. Convenience stores, grocery stores, take-out restaurants, pizza restaurants, movie theaters, amusement parks, bowling alleys, and chain restaurants, I think it is fair to say, can be very different. Expecting these distinct businesses to all comply with the same standards is simply not reasonable; in fact, it is ridiculous. Furthermore, FDA's existing regulations force businesses to provide information that is often useless to the consumer. The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act provides calorie information to the customers when it would actually be helpful before they order. Knowing how many calories are in your meal at the point of purchase is not going to help anyone. Having calorie information when you place your order will help customers make healthier decisions. The current FDA menu labeling rules also will expose restaurants and retailers to harsh penalties. This bill makes sure that employees don't get penalized for an inadvertent error. This bill would also help protect businesses from frivolous lawsuits. Our bill also addresses other impractical, unworkable aspects of FDA's regulation. For example, flyers and advertisements were never meant to be considered menus; yet, through guidance, the FDA confirmed that they consider flyers and advertisements menus. FDA had their chance to make corrections and they did not. This must be fixed, and our bill does just that. This bill came through our Subcommittee on Health with a voice vote. In full committee, it passed with a bipartisan vote of 36-12-1. I look forward to passing H.R. 2017 through the House with an even stronger bipartisan vote. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2017. I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, February 10, 2016. Hon. Fred Upton, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Upton: I am writing with respect to H.R. 2017, the ``Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2015,'' which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. As you know, H.R. 2017 contains provisions that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary. As a result of your having consulted with the Committee and in order to expedite the House's consideration of H.R. 2017, the Committee on the Judiciary will not assert its jurisdictional claim over this bill by seeking a sequential referral. However, this is conditional on our mutual understanding and agreement that doing so will in no way diminish or alter the jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary with respect to the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or similar legislation. I would appreciate a response to this letter confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 2017, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of H.R. 2017. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte, Chairman.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Chairman, first, when we looked at the nice menu labeling board that was just presented, it shows why H.R. 2017 is necessary. Because, if you look at just that board, it was simple, but it fails to specify the calories listed for each topping or the calories added to a single slice. Under FDA regulations and guidance, the menu must specify that the sausage, mushroom, pepperoni, and onion calories are added to the basic preparation of slices of pizza with the word ``add'' or ``added'' spelled out. You can't use the plus symbol, which the FDA has specifically said is not permitted. It fails to declare calories per slice and per topping for each size of pizza slice. The FDA regulations require that calories be declared for each size of pizza slice and for each topping as applied to each size. So it shows why we need to move forward. It also doesn't say that 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice, but calorie needs vary. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton), my good friend and the chairman of the full committee.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Chairman, I yield the gentleman from Michigan an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Loretta Sanchez), my good friend.

Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), my good friend.