Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act. We are taking urgent action to help States and communities provide lifesaving mental health care to people in need, especially for our children and those suffering from severe mental illness. I think about Austin, a 9-year-old boy who struggled to cope when his school was shut down, and his parents were going through a divorce. He was socially isolated and didn't know where to turn. When he confessed suicidal thoughts to his mom, they faced long waiting lists and no beds for the care that he needed. Cases like Austin's can't be ignored. Parents, teachers, and medical professionals are talking about this everywhere I go. In Spokane, Washington, we are seeing more violence in our schools and rising crime. Drug overdose deaths and fentanyl poisoning were up 300 percent last year. There is an overwhelming sense of despair, anxiety, fear, and isolation. This has been heightened by the horrific shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo. Especially for our children, we need to deliver hope and healing in every community in our country. This bill will help children in crisis and improve school safety. For example, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is leading with Richard Hudson on a provision that will expand access to behavioral and mental health services to kids in schools. It also includes a solution I led on with Congresswoman Young Kim to reauthorize the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which supports community-based youth and young adult suicide prevention programs. Like with Representative French Hill's solution in this, we are removing red tape, boosting treatment access, and making sure communities have resources to combat the substance use disorder epidemic in America. More than 100,000 people are dying a year, and our communities are in desperate need of help to prevent, treat, and rescue people from overdoses and despair. The priorities in this bill are targeted to responsibly address our most urgent needs so we can build stronger families, communities, and a brighter future. We are accomplishing this by stopping duplicative programs and cutting the deficit by $200 million. The bulk of the programs in this bill are block grants that have been successful in providing our States and communities with the resources and flexibilities to meet the specific and unique needs in combating mental illness and addiction while keeping the Federal Government out of the decisionmaking process for treatments and care. By protecting charitable choice, we are also making sure faith-based and religious organizations are competing on an equal footing. This is a victory for conscience protections. The provisions in this bill also support care for maternal mental health and substance use disorders, which are among the leading causes of death for pregnant and postpartum women. We are saving lives and caring for women at every stage of pregnancy and beyond. Mr. Speaker, I again urge support for this legislation. I thank Chairman Pallone for his leadership and for working with us on solutions from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle. While families and communities will lead the way to address the root causes of despair, isolation, violence, and overdose deaths that are tearing nearly every community apart and destroying people's lives, this bill takes an important step forward to help them in these efforts. We are taking action to turn this despair into hope. Children like Austin in communities like mine in eastern Washington are counting on it. Let's deliver today and keep building on this work. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time is remaining.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a leader on the committee and on this legislation.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), who is a leader on a provision within the larger package.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I was not present in the House Chamber for the vote on Retaining Title II of H.R. 7910, Roll Call vote 238. Had I been present, I would have voted No on this measure.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7667, the Food and Drug Amendments Act. The Committee on Energy and Commerce plowed the hard ground necessary to legislate in a strong bipartisan way on this bill. We held three hearings in the Subcommittee on Health in February and March. In April, we introduced legislation, and then over the next week, the subcommittee voted. H.R. 7667 passed out of Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 55-0, and at each step, members' ideas were included to improve the legislation. Today, we consider a suspension print with further improvements. It adds another provision for more drug manufacturing in America by providing the regulatory clarity needed and the training necessary to utilize novel manufacturing technologies. Overall, the FDA Act will reauthorize four user fee programs created to expedite the review of critical medical products that people depend on to live healthier and longer lives. In addition to delivering drugs and medical devices to people faster, the FDA Act includes policies to lower healthcare costs, spur more lifesaving innovation, secure our supply chains, and provide hope to patients in need of breakthrough drugs and therapies. Those treatments won't make it to patients if FDA doesn't have the right tools to keep up with science, such as accelerated approval pathway. Chairman Pallone and I initially had quite different versions for how the accelerated approval process should be updated, but we focused on where we could agree. We streamlined the process to remove drugs that no longer show effectiveness in post-market studies and made sure that real-world evidence can be used. We also made sure rare diseases aren't left out of accelerated approval because of a lack of knowledge and interest in developing the biomarkers necessary. Lastly, not only is this legislation necessary to preserve patient access to new medical breakthroughs, it is fiscally responsible. It ensures FDA's timely review of medical products at a reduced cost to the taxpayer, and it reduces the deficit. Many other members have priorities included in this legislation. Mr. Buchanan has a bipartisan bill to make sure that we are moving away from preclinical testing on animal models where alternatives can work just as well. Messrs. Griffith, Carter, and Hudson all have legislation to hold FDA accountable regarding inspections of foreign manufacturing facilities and pilots for FDA to give companies with novel manufacturing technologies more certainty. Mr. Guthrie has a solution included to help insurers plan for breakthrough future treatments. This will help patients avoid sticker shock and protect earlier access to those treatments. These are just some of more than a dozen examples of member priorities in the FDA Act. I strongly urge support of this legislation, and I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, this is for patients and families in every district and every corner of America who are relying on a generic drug, a medical device, like a pacemaker, or a novel cancer treatment. Those patients are relying on Congress to do its job so their drug approval isn't stalled. I think about all the advocates, the hundreds of disease and rare disease groups who come to the people's House to share their stories with us. They have an extraordinary amount of hope in the promise of American innovation for new cures and access to treatments. For them, I am supporting this legislation, and I am committed to work to get this signed into law on time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Family Medicine Residency Spokane program. Serving the Spokane community since 1972, this residency program is the oldest family residency program in Washington and graduated the first class of three family medicine physicians just two years after launching. Over the last 50 years, interest in the program has blossomed and residency classes have grown. In 2014, the program grew again with the help of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education funding program. The 365 graduates of this program have gone on to provide primary care services in their communities, taken on leadership roles in other residency programs, received prestigious national appointments to various associations, and some have even returned to the Family Medicine Residency Spokane program as faculty to help mentor incoming resident physicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Family Medicine Residency Spokane played an integral role in the continuation of care delivery by serving as urgent care overflow. Their commitment to care helped ease the burden on urgent care facilities and emergency rooms across Spokane. They also provided telemedicine care to patients who were unable to visit in-person, administered immunizations to community members during one of the first vaccine clinics in Spokane, and stood ready to assist in our hospitals. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the many accomplishments of the Family Medicine Residency Spokane program. They are truly frontline heroes, and I wish them the best during this 50th year of service and beyond.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the historic partnership between Washington State University (WSU) and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). On Monday, April 18, 2022, Washington State University announced a gift of $20 million from Dr. and Mrs. Ed Schweitzer and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. This is the single-largest philanthropic donation ever made to WSU's Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, and it will go towards building the brand new, state-of-the-art Schweitzer Engineering Hall at WSU's campus in Pullman, Wash. Dr. Schweitzer is a WSU alumnus and former professor who has participated in years of research collaborations with the university. He is also the founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, which is Washington's 5th Congressional District's largest private employer. Since its founding, SEL has employed hundreds of Washington State Cougars, including nearly 450 currently working at the company. This historic contribution represents an exciting new chapter in a long- standing and successful partnership between WSU and SEL that will undoubtedly contribute to new learning opportunities for the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. I am incredibly proud of the leadership at WSU and SEL, and I am grateful to call the Schweitzers my friends. Their generous contributions and unwavering commitment to the future leaders of our nation is vital to ushering in a new era of innovation that will take America to new heights. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this historic partnership and the tremendous impact it will have for students in Eastern Washington. I wish them nothing but success as they embark on this journey together.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the founding of Odessa, Washington. To outsiders, Odessa may seem like a small rural town in Eastern Washington, but to those of us who know it well, it is a town full of entrepreneurial spirit, love for America, and passionate people--past and present. First settled in the 1880s by cattlemen, Odessa is nestled in the Channeled Scab lands of Eastern Washington, which is one of the seven wonders of the Evergreen State. Shortly after, the Great Northern Railroad was built, and railroad officials sought to attract immigrants to buy up land, grow wheat, and ship the crop by rail. This transformed the town from a painted sign to a booming economy. Homesteader George Finney, seeing the potential for greatness, donated his land to establish Odessa in 1899. He was right. In just a few short years, more immigrants arrived, participating in the local economy and growing the town culturally and spiritually. Today, Odessa is a vibrant community that more than 1,000 residents call home. The town's rich tradition of hard work and grit makes it a shining example of small town America and the hope of a better future. With approximately 80 percent of Odessa residents able to trace their ancestry to the Black Sea and Volga Germans, the town will celebrate their 51st annual Deutschesfest this September with authentic German food, live music, a city-block large biergarten, parades, and a street fair. As the representative in Congress for this one-of-a-kind town, I am so inspired by Odessa's dedication to keeping its heritage alive through education. The residents are committed to ensuring their kids become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, just like their ancestors. On this most special day, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Odessa's 120 years of remarkable history and celebrating their personification of the American spirit.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for bringing us together this evening to honor some of the finest that serve our communities to protect our communities day in and day out. And today, I rise with a broken heart to honor two of Washington State's finest: Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy Dom Calata, and Everett Police Officer Dan Rocha, both tragically shot and killed in the line of duty, protecting and serving the communities that they called home. For years, these 2 men, like so many others, put on the uniform each day, hugged their kids and kissed their wives and went to work to keep us safe; not knowing if they would ever walk back through the door at the end of the night. Deputy Calata and Officer Rocha made the ultimate sacrifice and my heart breaks for their grieving families and the families of the other 685 officers killed in the line of duty since 2021. Madam Speaker, we must do better. This is the United States of America and we cannot allow these assaults on our law enforcement to continue. We must fund the police and give them the resources they need to keep us safe, and make sure they make it home safe at the end of the day. All around our communities, we see a surge of violent crime. We see heartbreaking drug abuse, violence in our schools, homelessness; and law enforcement is fighting an uphill battle, and they are on the front lines day in and day out. They need our support. Now, more than ever, we need them to do their jobs to address all of these issues. The anti-police rhetoric only makes things worse, and it has infected too many hearts and minds. These individuals are our heroes. Dom Calata was a hero. Dan Rocha was a hero. Each and every selfless man and woman in blue who gave their last breath in service to our community was a hero. And today, their families are without them. We must never forget their sacrifice and always back the blue. I am encouraged tonight so many of my colleagues are joining together as Americans to recognize the fallen, and to remember them for who they are, heroes. My heart goes out to those who are grieving this tragic loss, and I pray that God keeps watch over all those still serving.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I hear the Democrats talking about this helping all Americans. This does nothing to help those without insurance. Let me repeat this. If you do not have insurance, this does not lower your cost, it may actually increase the price of your insulin. Increasing competition to lower prices, as we do in H.R. 19 is the way, not dictating a price cap. We have break-through biosimilars right now. We had two approved last year; biosimilars that would help bring down the costs; costs savings within all markets so that patients would have access to lower-cost insulin. The problem is getting those savings to the patients. The PBMs are the ones pocketing the money. Net prices have come down because of innovation. We can lower costs without shifting them. Let's go to work. Republicans and Democrats, we all want to lower the price of insulin and we can do it without government price controls and we can do it by working together and actually solving the problem. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), an outstanding member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), a great member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I would just remind the body that the measure that the majority leader referred to failed in the Committee on Energy and Commerce with opposition from Democrats and Republicans because the proposed capping, price-fixing of drugs that the Democrats are promoting, would jeopardize cures; cures for people with Alzheimer's, cancers, diabetes. This bill does not bring down the cost. It only shifts the cost. And in fact, their definition of negotiation would allow the government to impose a 95 percent tax on the innovators. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie), leader on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Health Subcommittee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. We all share the goal of reducing the cost of insulin. This bill, however, is not the right answer. This is an attempt to revive Speaker Pelosi's proposed government drug-pricing scheme, part of a socialized medicine approach that would lead to fewer cures. It is the largest expansion of the Federal Government's role in private health insurance design since ObamaCare. It will cost more than $11 billion over the next 10 years through higher subsidies for higher premiums. Just this morning, Axios reported: ``But legislation like a House bill from Representative Angie Craig . . . that will be debated on the floor today wouldn't address the core problem of rising prices for insulin. It would instead shift more of the cost onto health insurers and employers and result in higher premiums, according to experts.'' That means people who can't afford day-to-day life because of inflation and spending will face higher costs somewhere else. Today, it is the government fixing the price on insulin. What is next? Gas? Food? History tells us that price-fixing doesn't work. It shifts the problem somewhere else so the powerful have the excuse for more subsidies, more spending, and more control. This bill does nothing to address the real reasons insulin prices are going up. One of those is the pharmacy benefit managers and other middlemen who negotiate for high list prices and then hide the lower costs from the patients. This bill gives the middlemen who are making the money a pass because again, in this bill, the Democrats delay the rebate rule that would ensure that the real savings go into the pockets of the patients. Madam Speaker, we have a solution. We have a bill that we have been working on for several Congresses. It enjoys bipartisan support. It is H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act. It would lower the costs of all prescription drugs, including insulin. It caps seniors' out-of-pocket insulin costs at $50 per month through Medicare. It also allows high-deductible plans to cover insulin before the deductible kicks in. It increases low-cost options with more generic and biosimilar competition. There is exciting innovation on the way being built right now. And it creates more price transparency. We should be lowering the costs without going down the road of price controls that destroy the hope of so many people in this country for lifesaving cures. I urge us to reject H.R. 6833. Let's work on a solution for all diseases. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of April as the Month of the Military Child. I have always said that when someone joins the military, it is not just a job; it is a family commitment to our country. This is especially true for the more than 1.6 million children who have a parent on Active Duty serving our Nation, including nearly 2,000 who call Fairchild Air Force Base in eastern Washington home. Over the next few weeks, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the thousands of brave men and women who demonstrate their courage and commitment to freedom, selflessly serving our country around the world. Let us take this time to say thank you to those in uniform keeping us safe and remind them that while they are taking care of us, we are taking care of their children. To all the children of Active-Duty servicemembers, we salute you. We recognize your commitment to our country. We share in your struggles of not seeing your mom and dad. We support you unconditionally. Just like your parents, you are a hero in your own way, and in April, we celebrate you. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the incredible sacrifices of military children across the country and invite my fellow Americans to help us honor them with unwavering support and appreciation today and every day.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, my heart is heavy as I rise today with Rep. Gary Palmer to honor the life of my dear friend, Bob Williams, who passed away on March 15, 2022. My prayers are with Bob's wife Jane, his family, and all who loved him as we mourn his passing. Bob was a humble public servant who loved Washington with all his heart. He dedicated a decade of his life to serving the people of Washington in the State House of Representatives and even made a run for governor in 1988. Shortly after, I met Bob for the first time in Olympia. I had just been elected to the State House, and I remember being struck by his big smile and even bigger heart. We became fast friends, bonding over our common pursuit of a more perfect Union. I was inspired by Bob's commitment to individual liberty, free enterprise, and a limited accountable government. In 1991, he founded the Freedom Foundation to advance those very ideals we both held dear. Since its founding, the Freedom Foundation has been a beacon of Bob's vision for America, and his legacy will live on in their work for years to come. Bob was one of the brightest minds I've ever known, and I will always miss him stopping by the office with a new idea or a word of encouragement. His commitment to fighting for freedom and opportunity for all was unwavering, and it inspires me to this day. He believed in the importance and value of covering every day in prayer and impressed upon me how time on the plane was prime time to read my Bible and pray. Each and every one of us who had the privilege of knowing Bob in this life are better because of it, and I thank God for giving me the blessing of calling him my friend. Madam Speaker, Bob Williams lived an amazing life that deserves to be celebrated. In honor of his legacy, passion, and contributions that inspired so many, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Bob Williams. May God grant him eternal peace in His kingdom.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. We need to be leading. It is American leadership; it is American competitiveness; it is our security. Let's do it.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. For sure. We need energy to do everything.