Mike Levin

Mr. LEVIN

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 21.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would prohibit any new leases under this plan that do not provide a fair return for taxpayers. For far too long, our oil and gas leasing program has offered a sweetheart deal for the industry at the expense of taxpayers. One fossil fuel company recently even went so far as to outline in a press release the many benefits of extraction on public land compared to private land. Their release highlighted that leases on public lands are cheaper, they last longer, and they are more expansive. While these statements may be music to the ears of those who care most about Big Oil special interests, they represent a raw deal for the American people. Increasing the royalty rate to a fair level will generate billions of dollars in revenue for taxpayers. The Government Accountability Office and Congressional Budget Office both agree and have suggested that this is good policy. That is why last Congress I introduced the Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act, to protect taxpayers by eliminating noncompetitive oil and gas leasing and raising the onshore oil and gas royalty rate, rental fee, and minimum bid amount. I am proud that the Inflation Reduction Act includes significant provisions of that bill, including eliminating noncompetitive leasing for oil and gas sales, raising annual rental rates, and increasing the minimum bid for public lands. These provisions will go a long way in ensuring the American people see a more fair return on the use of our cherished public lands. But we have more work to do to provide a fair return. States like Texas and Oklahoma charge higher royalty rates on their State lands than are charged on Federal public lands, leading to lost revenue for Federal taxpayers. This amendment builds on those provisions and will help end giveaways of our public lands to fossil fuel companies and ensure that taxpayers receive a fair return on any private profit that oil and gas companies extract from our public lands. The American people deserve to see a fair financial return on the profits that fossil fuel companies make from their use of our cherished public lands, and this amendment will require that these companies provide that return instead of simply ripping the public off. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address a looming crisis facing our country. This one is a man-made crisis, one born out of cruel political calculations. Mr. Speaker, I am referring to the threat of some of our Republican colleagues to refuse to raise the debt ceiling next year, unless their most extreme demands are met, and they have made clear what those demands are. They believe this threat is how they can finally force cuts to the Social Security benefits that millions of Americans have earned. This threat is how they are going try to raise the retirement age. This is how they want to force cuts to Medicare. They are prepared to force a default and create catastrophic consequences for our economy and America's standing in the world, so they can slash Social Security and Medicare. We can't let that happen. We must address the debt ceiling. The consequences if we don't act are too grave. To all of my colleagues, we must not hold Social Security and Medicare hostage. We must address the debt ceiling as soon as possible.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of Dr. Barry Sharpless who was awarded his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year. His contributions to the fields of chemistry and medicine are numerous and with this award he has joined an elite list of researchers and scientists. I honor his achievements as he becomes one of only two scientists in history to win two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and only the fifth person to win a Nobel Prize twice. Dr. Sharpless was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1941. His first true passion was fishing, and it has been a constant throughout his life. He did not discover his love of chemistry and science until much later and did not plan to become a scientist in his youth. In 1959, he left Philadelphia to attend university at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. His parents had always hoped that he would follow in his father's footsteps and become a medical doctor. This led him to study chemistry in school. It was at Dartmouth College that he found mentors who inspired and guided him. Dr. Sharpless attended Stanford University for his postgraduate studies, where he earned his doctorate in organic chemistry. He met his future wife at Stanford University, and they later had three children. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Sharpless conducted research in enzymology at Harvard University. In 1970, he joined the faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as an assistant professor. It was at MIT that he began researching chirality, a concept in chemistry which refers to mirror image molecules. Chemical reactions that occur in a lab produce two forms of molecules with different properties. Relying on the wrong form can make synthetic medicines dangerous. Thanks to the work done by Dr. Sharpless and his colleagues, his lab was able to find ways to synthesize molecules with new properties to develop safer pharmaceutical products. These contributions earned him his first Nobel Prize in 2001, which he shared with William S. Knowles, Ph.D., and Ryoji Noyori, Deng. Dr. Sharpless joined Scripps Research in La Jolla, California, in 1990. Building upon his earlier work, Dr. Sharpless developed click chemistry, a term he coined that describes a set of methods used to construct chemical compounds. This process revolutionized how scientists approach bioimaging and has led to significant advances in drug development for diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer. We are incredibly proud that Dr. Sharpless and his team at Scripps Research are doing this groundbreaking work in the San Diego region. Nobel Prizes are awarded to those with the highest degrees of intelligence, creativity, and dedication. I am certain Dr. Sharpless will continue to embody these characteristics and inspire future generations to do the same. Dr. Sharpless has earned countless awards, honors, and distinctions from around the world and has brought immense pride to California's 49th Congressional District. Madam Speaker, as you can see, Dr. Sharpless is an incredibly accomplished individual who has had a positive impact on our community, our Nation, and the world. I congratulate Dr. Sharpless on this remarkable honor and I look forward to seeing what he does next.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, United States Air Force (Retired) as my November Constituent of the Month. Master Sergeant Moreno is a retired combat engineer who served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has gone above and beyond to enrich our community. After retiring from the Air Force in 2013, Master Sergeant Moreno returned to our community and began working as an Engineering Technician at Camp Pendleton. However, his service to our region does not end there. In 2017, he founded Helping Everyone Reach Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Inc., a non-profit to instill discipline, encouragement, and accountability in at-risk youth through boxing and fitness. The program offers a safe and positive training environment for people ages 10 to mid-20s who are at risk of joining gangs or doing drugs. When the program's usual training space in Vista was no longer available due to the pandemic, Master Sergeant Moreno decided to create a boxing gym in his backyard so he could continue improving participants' mental and physical health. During Veterans and Military Families Month, I am proud to honor an esteemed veteran like Master Sergeant Moreno, who bravely served our country and continues to contribute to our unique and beautiful district. His expansive military background and passion to improve the lives of others is honorable and it is why I am proud to honor Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, United States Air Force (Retired) as my November Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Retired Army Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs as my October Constituent of the Month. Maj. Gen. Combs is a perfect example of a courageous leader who has gone above and beyond to serve our country and enrich our community. Maj. Gen. Combs is now the 16th President and first woman to lead the Army and Navy Academy in my district. In this role, President Combs leads the 112-year-old preparatory school and helps instill excellence and character traits in its students. She brings over three decades of military service to this position and serves as a role model to all. Ahead of Veterans Day, I am proud to honor an esteemed veteran like Maj. Gen. Combs, who bravely served our county and continues to contribute to our unique and beautiful district. Maj. Gen. Combs' expansive military and academic background and experience with ROTC programs make her an excellent choice for this role, and I'm proud to honor Army Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs as my October Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Edward Becerra as my September Constituent of the Month. As we begin another school year, we must continue to support and uplift the work of local community leaders who are going above and beyond to help our region thrive. During the pandemic, many kids fell behind on key educational markers, including literacy. Edward's work with Education Begins in the Home is critical to ensuring all families in my District have access to age-appropriate books for their children. Edward's program, Education Begins in the Home, aims to increase literacy in the Latino community through access to free books. The program is one of several under non-profit Empowering Latino Futures, whose mission is to remove barriers to educational and professional success for Latino communities. He started Education Begins in the Home in May of 2015 after learning that 60 percent of low-income families in the county at the time did not own a book at home according to the San Diego Council on Literacy. To address this problem, Edward partners with community organizations to gather books and hosts `book sorting parties' with volunteers to later distribute them in the community. Since its founding, his program has hosted 700 events and distributed 176,500 free books to children in North County San Diego. I'm proud that my office was able to secure books for Edward's program through the Library of Congress Surplus Books program. During Hispanic Heritage Month, I am proud to uplift Edward Becerra and other Latino voices who contribute to our unique and diverse district. I'm so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their time to the betterment of our community, and I'm proud to honor Edward Becerra as my September Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable life of Shelby Jacobs, who passed away on Monday September 5, 2022, in Oceanside, California. Mr. Jacobs is survived by his wife Elizabeth Portillo-Jacobs, his daughter Shelley Modaff, and his granddaughter Shelby Beverly Jacobs. Due to his extraordinary contributions to the country and his life as a trailblazer, I selected Mr. Jacobs as my first Constituent of the Month on March 8, 2019. Born in Dallas, Texas, on April 27, 1935, Mr. Jacobs demonstrated an exceptional ability for math and science as well as a strong work ethic from an early age. After moving to California when he was eight, Mr. Jacobs began working on farms and in restaurants to help support his family before going on to study engineering. For 40 years, Mr. Jacobs worked on NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, serving as the project manager of the Apollo-Soyuz orbiter and designer of the camera that captured the iconic 1968 Apollo 6 rocket separation. As an African American working in an industry with few people of color, Mr. Jacobs often faced discrimination and was overlooked for his contributions. While employed by the Rocketdyne division of North American Aviation, he was one of eight African Americans out of 5,000 engineers at that time. Despite the barriers he faced, Mr. Jacobs went on to be a role model to younger generations, pushing for equality and progress throughout his life. In 2008, Mr. Jacobs was officially recognized by NASA as one of the space program's ``Unsung Heroes'' and he is remembered as one of the ``Hidden Figures.'' Additionally, his work was highlighted in the Columbia Memorial Space Center's ``Achieving the Impossible'' exhibit. Mr. Jacobs moved to Oceanside in 1996 with his family and quickly became an active member of the community, sharing his knowledge and unique life story with his neighbors and the public. Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to celebrate Shelby Jacobs' remarkable life and his legacy which continues to inspire.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Beatriz Palmer as my August Constituent of the Month. As we begin another school year, we must continue to support and uplift the work of local educators and community leaders who are going above and beyond to help students succeed. Palmer is the Program Manager for the Service Learning and Volunteer Center at MiraCosta College, where she focuses on helping students combine their studies with community service and civic engagement. Her passion for public service is evident in her work at the college and the community, where she is helping to foster the next generation of young people and adults who understand the power of civic engagement and giving back to their community. In addition to her role at the college, Palmer serves as the new board president of Operation HOPE-North County, a shelter for families with children and single women experiencing homelessness. Operation HOPE-North County provides critical wrap-around and case management services for families with children and single women, and the families who graduate from their program. Prior to her board role, Palmer and her family volunteered preparing and purchasing meals for the shelter residents, supported the kids program, brought others to OHNC, and created fundraisers and drives for the shelter. She continues to advocate for housing needs throughout the community, connecting college students to the organization for service opportunities, and providing other support to advance Operation HOPE-North County's vital mission. I am incredibly grateful for constituents like Palmer who are committed to helping our students succeed and growing a generation of community members who appreciate the value of public service. Our District is brighter because of her dedication to her students and her community. I have no doubt that Palmer will continue to inspire future leaders, and I'm honored to recognize her as my August Constituent of the Month. Representative Levin's Constituent of the Month program recognizes outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County Residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and represent the best of our country. Rep. Levin's July Constituent of the Month was local reproductive health doctor Dr. Pratima Gupta. Rep. Levin's June Constituent of the Month was Carlsbad native and LGBTQIA+ advocate Kevin Lee. To nominate a resident of the 49th District to be the Constituent of the Month, visit https:// mikelevin.house.gov/services/constituent-month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Pratima Gupta as my July Constituent of the Month. The overturning of Roe v. Wade upended nearly 50 years of women's reproductive rights. As we enter a future without Roe, California is continuing to lead the way to protect the right to seek an abortion and Dr. Gupta is at the forefront of these efforts in Southern California. Dr. Pratima Gupta is a board-certified OB/GYN and professor working at UC San Diego Health. She also provides abortion care at the Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties and the Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. She is a long-time advocate for access to reproductive care and has worked to amplify the voices of physicians to advance reproductive rights and care in the United States. Earlier this month, I invited Dr. Gupta onto my podcast, Listening with Levin, to discuss the ruling and our path forward. I am incredibly grateful for constituents like Dr. Gupta who continue to provide essential reproductive healthcare services in the aftermath of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Our community is healthier and safer because of Dr. Gupta's dedication to her patients and to protecting women's reproductive rights. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for her courage, compassion, and commitment to supporting our community, and I'm honored to recognize her as my July Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the Japanese Government's handling of the case of Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base. In May 2021, Lieutenant Alkonis and his family were on their way home from hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lieutenant Alkonis lost control of his vehicle due to acute mountain sickness, causing him to lose consciousness. As a result, two bystanders tragically lost their lives. Lieutenant Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused the events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan, but far beyond the family's means. Ultimately, Lieutenant Alkonis was sentenced this month by the Japanese high court to 3 years in prison. I have been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted in a way that was fair to Lieutenant Alkonis, and that the Japanese Government violated the status of forces agreement, which governs the treatment of our servicemembers there. I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case, and I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need. My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lieutenant Alkonis and his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout this case. As I do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for Lieutenant Alkonis. I won't be giving up on Lieutenant Alkonis and the Department of Defense must not either.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express deep concern about the Japanese government's handling of the case of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base. Last Wednesday, the Tokyo High Court denied Lt. Alkonis' appeal to suspend a three-year prison sentence. I am deeply troubled with the treatment of Lt. Alkonis throughout the case. Lt. Alkonis has served three tours of duty in Japan. Before he was in the Navy, he volunteered in Japan for two years. He has a deep appreciation for the country and its people. In May 2021, Lt. Alkonis and his family were on their way home from hiking on Mount Fuji. Tragically, Lt. Alkonis lost control of his vehicle. We would later learn from a U.S. Navy physician that the unfortunate event was due to Acute Mountain Sickness causing Lt. Alkonis to lose consciousness, impacting his ability to drive. However, as a result, two bystanders heartbreakingly had their lives taken. Lt. Alkonis is remorseful for the medical incident that caused the events of that day. He has offered $1.65 million in extrajudicial restitution to the victims' families, a gesture expected in Japan. This is beyond the family's means, but those who care about them have rallied together to make it possible. I've been extremely upset to learn that the case was not conducted in a way that was fair to Lt. Alkonis. The treatment of our servicemembers in Japan is governed by the Status of Forces Agreement between our government and the Japanese government. This agreement requires our servicemembers to be released to the U.S. military during trial unless they are a flight risk. Lt. Alkonis clearly was not. Instead of being released as he was supposed to be, he was held for the maximum time period allowed, 26 days, over the objections of our government. During those 26 days, Lt. Alkonis was not treated properly, and Japanese investigators' actions had an impact on the outcome of the trial. According to Lt. Alkonis's family, he was kept under bright lights in his cell for the purpose of sleep deprivation, withheld adequate translation services, and denied a lawyer during key questioning. Critically, the Japanese police refused Lt. Alkonis medical care and a timely medical evaluation. By refusing to conduct this test, investigators ensured they would not have evidence that would explain Lt. Alkonis's sudden loss of consciousness. I understand that our Embassy in Tokyo has been monitoring this case. I strongly urge them to do more to support a servicemember in need. My office has been working with the Department of the Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense to support Lt. Alkonis and his parents, Suzanne and Derek, throughout his case. We supported Lt. Alkonis's case with the Department of Defense and also helped his family get visas so they could be with him in Japan for the trial. As I do, the Navy believes that this is the wrong sentence for Lt. Alkonis. I will not be giving up on Lt. Alkonis and the Department of Defense must not either.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor today to recognize Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, a constituent, a neuroscientist, and a Nobel Laureate, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2021. Dr. Ardem Patapoutian was born in Lebanon in 1967 to Armenian parents. The youngest of three children, Ardem lived in Beirut until 1986 when he emigrated to Los Angeles, California, to escape the Lebanese Civil War. Upon arriving to the United States, Dr. Patapoutian worked as an editor for the English section of an Armenian newspaper and a pizza delivery driver before being accepted into the cell and developmental biology program at the University of California, Los Angeles, an admission that changed the course of his professional life. Falling in love with research, he would go on to obtain a Ph.D. in Biology from the California Institute of Technology in 1996, and a postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, San Francisco. In 2000, he began the work at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, that awarded him the Nobel Prize 21 years later. Before being honored with the Nobel Prize, Dr. Patapoutian achieved a distinguished career as a scientist and professor. He was a co- recipient of, among many other awards, the 2020 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. and a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has maintained a full professorship at Scripps Research since 2008 and is an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Patapoutian's work focuses on mechanosensation, the process by which mechanical stimuli convert into biological signals that influence the functions of our bodies. Specifically, Dr. Patapoutian was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discoveries of how our body feels and processes temperature and touch. His breakthrough research will not only further the understanding of how our bodies work, but it will help create better medications and therapies to treat neuropathic pain, hypertension, blood disorders, and other conditions, improving the lives of residents of California's 49th Congressional District, our country, and the world.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary life of Junior Seau, who tragically passed away on May 2, 2012, in Oceanside, California. In honor of the 10th Anniversary of his passing, I would like to pay tribute to this incredible man and reflect on the life he led and the impact he had on our Nation and community in the 49th District. Junior Seau was a born leader who inspired everyone he encountered. He was a football icon who paved the way for future generations of Samoan youth and was a generous philanthropist and humanitarian. Junior is survived by his parents, wife, children, siblings, and extended family. Junior Seau was born Tiaina Baul Seau, Jr. in San Diego, California on January 19, 1969. His parents, Tiaina Seau, Sr. and Luisa Mauga Seau, came to San Diego from American Samoa. Junior spent several years in America Samoa during his youth before returning to Oceanside. He attended Oceanside High School where he developed his exceptional athletic abilities. While known for his contributions to the Oceanside High football program, Junior also lettered in basketball and track and field. As a starting linebacker and tight end for the varsity football team, he demonstrated his athletic prowess. During his senior year in 1987, Parade Magazine selected him for the high school All-American team. Junior is one of the greatest athletes our community has ever produced and in 2014, Oceanside High School honored Junior with an on- field tribute where they retired his number 11 jersey. His academic and athletic achievements earned him admission to the University of Southern California where he played for the Trojans from 1987 to 1990 before being drafted to the National Football League. His USC career took off in 1989, and this season was one of the best in USC's distinguished defensive history, earning him the title of Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. Junior's legacy lives on at USC, as wearing his No. 55 jersey is now an honor bestowed upon those who follow in his footsteps. Junior was inducted into the University's Hall of Fame in 2009. The San Diego Chargers drafted Junior Seau in the first round of the NFL Draft, as the 5th overall pick in 1990. He quickly became the heart and soul of the Chargers' defense and led the Chargers to their first and only Super Bowl appearance four years later. He was voted the Chargers' Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and again in 2002. These recognitions exemplify Junior's ability to inspire and motivate his teammates and demonstrates the role he played on the team. Junior went on to play 20 seasons in the NFL, 13 with the Chargers, three with the Miami Dolphins, and finished his career in New England with the Patriots. In all, he totaled 1,849 tackles, 56.5 sacks, and 18 interceptions. Junior was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992 and 1998, the Chargers' Most Valuable Player six times, and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990s. He is widely considered one of the best linebackers in NFL history. While his contributions to sports history are numerous, Junior's leadership extended beyond the gridiron. Junior Seau was a passionate humanitarian who cared deeply about giving back to his community. He established the Junior Seau Foundation in 1992 to support San Diego youth, and the Foundation has since given more than $5 million to community organizations. In 2015, the Foundation donated $500,000 to Rady Children's North Coastal Center in Oceanside which enabled the expansion of pediatric urgent care and specialty services. In 2016, the organization gave $250,000 to UC San Diego to support brain injury research and education. The Junior Seau Foundation has also provided scholarships and gifts to underprivileged children throughout the region. Madam Speaker, Junior Seau was an exceptional individual, and I am honored to share part of his story today. To his family, friends, and all who knew him, supported him, and cheered for him over the years, I share in the celebration of his life at the 10th Anniversary of his passing. Junior was a light in our community, and we miss him. His legacy lives on and will never be forgotten.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Carlsbad resident Kevin Lee as my June Constituent of the Month. Lee has dedicated countless hours to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and help make our community a more inclusive and welcoming place. Through his work, Lee has inspired many others to join in his efforts to support the LGBTQ+ community. Kevin Lee is the Chair and a Founding Member of the San Diego Queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American (QAPIMEDA) Coalition. In this capacity, Lee works with his QAPIMEDA leadership team to build out programming and a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ API community in San Diego. Now more than ever it is important that all LGBTQ+ members of our community feel welcome and have the support they need, and I am grateful for Kevin's work to foster that in our region. Kevin Lee also serves as Environmental Impact and Compliance Specialist at Dr. Bronner's, a local organic body care and food company. In this position, Lee works to advance green initiatives, monitors the company's environmental impact, manages environmental compliance, and co-chairs the Dr. Bronner's Green Team. As we work to combat the climate crisis, companies like Dr. Bronner's must lead the way in reducing their environmental footprint and help protect our planet for future generations, and I am proud of people like Kevin who are doing that work every day. Through his work as an environmental rights and LGBTQ+ advocate, Kevin has dedicated countless hours to better our community and inspired many others to join in his efforts. During Pride Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Kevin Lee who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I am so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and community, and I am proud to honor Kevin Lee as my June Constituent of the Month.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material on H.R. 6411, as amended.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6411) to amend title 38, United States Code, to make certain improvements in the mental health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6411, as amended, the Support The Resilience of Our Nation's Great Veterans Act, or STRONG Veterans Act. Chairman Takano introduced this bill with Ranking Member Bost, and we are grateful to them and their staff for working together over many months to bring this vital package to the House floor. This represents a true bipartisan effort to address a pressing issue. Although we all were glad to see the veteran suicide rate drop in the last year for which we have data, one death is one too many, and suicide is preventable. We must honor our veterans' service by getting them the care they have earned and deserve now. Preventing veteran suicide and strengthening veterans' mental health and well-being remains a top priority not only of the Biden administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs but also of our committee. There are prevention approaches and treatments that work, and we must expand all veterans' access to these lifesaving and life- improving services. Madam Speaker, while we are talking about access, I want to make sure everyone listening today has the Veterans Crisis Line phone number. If you or somebody you care about is in distress, call 1-800-273-TALK-- that is 1-800-273-8255--and press 1 for responders with military and veteran expertise. There is no reason to suffer alone. Along with our colleagues in the Senate, we have advanced bipartisan bills over the past year that now make up the 22 sections of the STRONG Veterans Act. I want to especially thank our colleagues both on and off the committee for their individual legislative contributions to this omnibus package. Congresswoman Brownley, who chairs our Veterans' Affairs Health Subcommittee, introduced what we consider a cornerstone of STRONG--her American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act. This provision mandates that VA hire full-time minority veteran coordinators at every VA medical center to provide culturally competent mental health and suicide prevention outreach to our Tribal veterans. Congresswoman Slotkin's Solid Start Act is included in STRONG and will ensure that VA continues to contact and check in with veterans following their transition from Active Duty during what we know is a very high-risk time for stress, mental health challenges, and even suicide. The committee also was pleased to include the Veteran Peer Specialist Act from Congressman Scott Peters. This is an important provision directing VA to expand its peer specialist program which is extremely popular with veterans. Although our colleague, former Congressman Delgado, recently left the House to become Lieutenant Governor of New York, I thank him for introducing the REACH for Veterans Act in the House. It is a critical component of STRONG and will strengthen VA's Veterans Crisis Line. Finally, Chairman Takano's bill in STRONG, the VA Governor's Challenge Expansion Act, mandates, for the first time, VA-included Tribes in addition to States in the successful Governors' Challenge program to prevent veteran suicide. No sovereign nation should have to wait to be invited to a State Governor's Challenge team. Instead, Tribes selected for the program will work directly with VA to tailor innovative suicide prevention ideas to the needs of their own Native veterans. Overall, STRONG will give VA important new authorities and resources to support veterans' mental health and well-being through increased training, outreach, mental health care delivery, and research in line with the committee's public health approach and President Biden's strategy to address veteran suicide. It addresses gaps along the spectrum of prevention and care by expanding mental health outreach to traditionally underserved veterans, developing and delivering the most effective treatments, better equipping VA's workforce to provide care, and further strengthening VA's crisis response system. With this legislation, we will help VA better meet veterans where they are--literally. STRONG directs VA to hire more mental health staff at vet centers close to where veterans live and work. STRONG also directs VA to assess and improve how well it serves veterans on college campuses. It requires VA to more consistently and comprehensively reach out and provide mental health services to veterans who have been involved with the criminal justice system. STRONG mandates that as the new three-digit crisis hotline number goes live across the country in July, VA further strengthen its Veterans Crisis Line to meet the predicted surge in demand for emergency care and followup. STRONG lays out important guidance for VA's research program related to suicide, substance use challenges, and other mental health issues. While caring for veterans today, VA must always be investing in science and looking for tomorrow's innovative solutions to improve veterans' lives. STRONG and its component bills are endorsed by too many veterans service organizations and health organizations to list, but, Madam Speaker, let me leave you with these words from Andrew Marshall, National Commander of Disabled American Veterans, ``There is simply no greater or more urgent challenge within the veteran community right now than addressing mental health concerns and ensuring our Nation's heroes have access to the support they need to both prevent and mitigate crisis. ``DAV is pleased to support the STRONG Veterans Act, and we urge its swift passage and signing into law.'' In closing, Madam Speaker, Chairman Takano and I support this important piece of legislation, and we urge our colleagues to support H.R. 6411, as amended. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, again, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 6411, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, the substance use disorder crisis has touched almost every American in one way or another. Too many families have felt the extraordinary pain of burying a son or daughter, a father or a mother who struggled with the disease of addiction. Tragically, many families have also experienced the heartbreak and deep frustration that comes after a loved one enters a residential recovery home that ultimately doesn't provide them with adequate care to get and stay on the path toward recovery. We must ensure that residential recovery homes meet a high standard of care and provide those who are struggling with the support they need to recover. We can and must do better. That is why I introduced the SOBER Homes Act, parts of which are included in H.R. 7666, the legislation we are voting on today. It includes $1.5 million for a Federal study of the effectiveness of recovery housing and to identify recommendations promoting the availability of high-quality recovery housing. This legislation will help us better understand where these facilities are falling short and how we can improve them to ensure everyone in recovery housing receives the help they need and deserve. Finally, I thank all the advocates who have been fighting so hard on this issue. The information from this effort will save lives, which is why I implore my colleagues to support this bill and vote ``aye.''

Mr. LEVIN of California

Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my great honor to recognize Oceanside resident Rose Teding as my May Constituent of the Month. Rose has dedicated countless hours to various community service projects to help the Oceanside community and has inspired many others to join in her efforts. As President of the Woman's Club of Oceanside, Rose Teding has been donating more than half of her time in a volunteer capacity to the Oceanside community for years. In her capacity as President, Rose oversees a large volunteer team that facilitates community service programs, engages in civic outreach, supports children and domestic and sexual assault victims, helps individuals experiencing homelessness, and more. Even during COVID-19, the Woman's Club of Oceanside still organized and found ways to safely serve our community members. During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I am proud to celebrate the exceptional work of individuals like Rose Teding who volunteer their time and contribute to our unique and beautiful district. I'm so grateful for CA-49 residents who dedicate their lives to the betterment of our residents and community, and I'm proud to honor Rose Teding as my May Constituent of the Month.