Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7208, the Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 led by Congressman Bill Pascrell. This bill will continue important resources for TBI prevention, help improve access to TBI rehabilitation, and support TBI patient advocacy systems. From 2020 to 2021, there were over 200,000 TBI-related hospitalizations and almost 70,000 deaths. People 75 and older had the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalizations and deaths. Recent data suggests that over 1.5 million Americans survive a traumatic brain injury each year. TBIs can impact a person's life in many ways, putting patients at increased risk for depression, falls, and permanent cognitive decline. This legislation would continue resources to help support States and other entities to ensure providers and patients are educated on the incidence of TBIs and improve methods to treat and prevent such incidents. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8111) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure the reliability of address information provided under the Medicaid program, as amended.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8111, the Medicaid Program Improvement Act. Mr. Speaker, this bill represents a significant step forward in how we manage and improve the Medicaid program. Every day, Medicaid serves millions of Americans, providing critical healthcare services. However, an often overlooked aspect of this vital program is the accuracy and reliability of address information for our beneficiaries. Inaccurate or outdated addresses can lead to beneficiaries being enrolled in multiple State Medicaid programs, jeopardizing program integrity. The Medicaid Program Improvement Act addresses this issue head on. By amending title XIX of the Social Security Act, we will ensure that Medicaid programs have a robust and regular process for verifying and updating address information. Starting January 1, 2026, State Medicaid programs will utilize reliable data sources to keep address information current, which will be crucial in ensuring that individuals receive the care they need, but are also eligible without unnecessary interruptions. Additionally, my bill extends these requirements to the Children's Health Insurance Program, CHIP, and mandates that managed care organizations transmit accurate address information to States. This comprehensive approach guarantees that all aspects of our Medicaid and CHIP systems work in concert to deliver seamless, effective care. Let's take this important step together and ensure that State Medicaid systems function reliably and effectively as much as they can. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4758) to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to streamline enrollment under the Medicaid program of certain providers across State lines, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 4758, the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act. Mr. Speaker, for many families facing rare and severe pediatric conditions, accessing out-of-State care can be a daunting and lengthy process. The barriers are not just logistical, but also administrative, leading to unnecessary delays that can be detrimental to a child's health and even life threatening. The Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act addresses this issue by streamlining the enrollment process for out-of-State pediatric providers under Medicaid, meaning that, if a child needs to travel out of State to receive care, bureaucratic hurdles won't stand in their way. More specifically, the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act will enable States to adopt a simplified process for out-of-State providers to enroll in their Medicaid programs. This change will reduce delays and prevent the denial of care due to administrative inefficiencies. It will also ensure that, once enrolled, providers remain active for 5 years, unless otherwise terminated, which brings stability and consistency to care delivery. In addition, the bill includes provisions to combat abusive pricing practices in Medicaid, ensuring transparency and fairness in the cost of prescription drugs. By enforcing transparent pricing models by banning spread pricing, we can protect both the integrity of Medicaid dollars and the interests of families relying on this essential program. This bipartisan piece of legislation is supported by over 215 organizations, including the Children's Hospital Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, reflecting a broad consensus on its importance. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Mrs. Trahan) and Senators Grassley and Bennet for their work on this bill, and I ask all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this vital piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan, bicameral legislation is critical in making sure that kids have the access to lifesaving care that they need without burdensome overregulation. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7218) to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to extend the program for promotion of public health knowledge and awareness of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and for other purposes.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on the bill.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7218, the Building Our Largest Dementia, or BOLD, Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Reauthorization Act of 2024, led by Representative Brett Guthrie. Nearly 7 million Americans, including my mother, aged 65 and older are currently living with Alzheimer's. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to 12.7 million. This means that over 10 percent of people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's. Sadly, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia. The cost of this disease is also tremendous, with health and long- term care costs projected to reach $360 billion in 2024. The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Reauthorization would continue to support and strengthen programs and strategies to promote brain health and improve outcomes for individuals living with Alzheimer's and related dementias and their caregivers. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Guthrie).

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter).

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day where nearly 3,000 lives were stolen from us in a series of brutal terrorist attacks that would alter the course of our Nation's history. On that fateful morning, families in New York and across America began their day like any other, only to face a tragedy that forever changed our Nation. Husbands and wives, parents and children, went about their routines unaware of the devastation that awaited them. Their loss is immeasurable, but so too is the extraordinary bravery and sense of patriotism that emerged from that chaos. Our first responders, firefighters, police officers, and medics rushed into danger displaying unmatched heroism and selflessness. They ran toward the inferno while others fled, saving countless lives and embodying the true spirit of courage. As we remember those whom we lost and honor the valor of our first responders, let us renew our commitment to the values they protected. Their sacrifice demands that we stand united, proud, and resolute. May their legacy drive us to uphold the freedom and unity that make our Nation strong and resilient. God bless the families impacted that day, God bless our first responders and military, and God bless the United States of America.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from South Carolina (Ms. Mace) for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the public disclosure of every taxpayer-funded project that is $1 billion or more over budget or 5 years or more behind schedule. This disclosure would include an explanation for the delays and added costs as well as the identification of the contractors. In Congress, we are entrusted to be stewards of taxpayer dollars. In an example of protracted government-funded projects, the Department of Veterans Affairs had fumbled replacing its decades-old electronic health records system. An assessment found that the 2018 initial cost projection of $10 billion over 10 years soon ballooned to $50.8 billion over 28 years. Government-funded projects that are excessively costly and delayed must be held to account. The bill will increase transparency over these projects to ensure we aren't wasting billions of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Mr. Speaker, I thank Iowa Senator Joni Ernst for championing this act in the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support and get the Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act to the President's desk.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 353.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the Biden- Harris administration's failed policies and reckless spending that have led to runaway inflation and have bled American workers dry. Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration, the essentials Americans rely on daily have become unaffordable and inaccessible for most Americans. Before President Biden took office, inflation sat at 1.4 percent. It went up to 9 percent. Since then, inflation and prices have increased by a mind-boggling 20.11 percent. At the gas pump, regular gasoline has increased a whopping 55.3 percent, and groceries are up 21.2 percent. Interest rates are at record-high levels, the highest they have been in two decades, impacting every family. With the average American spending $12,800 more a year to buy basic needs, Bidenomics has hurt millions of everyday Americans and Iowans living paycheck to paycheck. Biden-Harris inflation is a Biden-Harris tax on all Americans, especially seniors on a fixed income and those working families. House Republicans remain committed to reining in Biden-Harris reckless spending and taming inflation. Border Crisis

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the national security crisis that is the Biden-Harris border crisis. Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, there have been over 9.7 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide and 1.8 million known got-aways who have evaded the U.S. Border Patrol. A record 350 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watch list have also been encountered at the southern border. Let us not forget it was the Biden-Harris administration that ended the effective remain in Mexico program and allowed for 40 percent of catch-and-release migrants to disappear, and we have lost over 85,000 children. Across the country, we have seen the impact of a porous border. Fentanyl and crime coming across the border has ravaged communities in Iowa and across America, making drug overdoses the number one cause of death in 18- to 45-year-olds. This is devastating the lives of millions of Americans. Democrat-led cities, such as New York and Chicago, have become unrecognizable due to the influx of migrants and violent crime. Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to push the Senate to support H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to protect our American homeland and stop the madness and crisis at our southern border. Every Legal Vote Matters

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act. The SAVE Act protects and preserves the right of American citizens to vote by requiring States to obtain proof of citizenship, in person, when registering an individual to vote in a Federal election. It also provides States with access to existing Federal databases to clean up their voter registration rolls and remove noncitizens. Under the outdated National Voter Registration Act, or NVRA, States are not required to ask for proof and are prohibited from asking for proof of citizenship when registering an individual to vote in Federal elections. While Democrats and their media allies claim their elections are secure, there are a multitude of cases with incontestable evidence of noncitizens registering and voting in Federal elections. If you think one vote doesn't matter or one person voting fraudulent doesn't matter, I won my race in 2020 by six votes, and we had a mayoral race in my district that was decided after two ties by drawing a name out of a hat. Every vote matters. Every legal vote matters. Americans should decide American elections, not illegal immigrants. The SAVE Act is a commonsense measure to safeguard this cherished American right and privilege, and I urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from South Carolina for yielding me time. As I am listening to this debate, it is astounding to hear about the $17 a year that I may save so that I can perhaps stop at the local convenience store to get a coffee once a month when the reason why prices are high right now is the Biden-Harris administration and the last Congress have made prices higher. Inflation is over 20 percent. First, it was tackling America's energy independence and restricting consumer choice. They started imposing draconian rules such as the tailpipe emission rule, not leasing for oil and gas drilling on Federal lands or public lands, and forcing automakers to have less efficient vehicles that Americans do not want and even vehicles that can't hold a charge in the winter such as in a State like Iowa. Prices are up everywhere in the United States. Energy prices are up. They are up at the gas pump. Electricity prices are up. That relates to food prices, which are also up. At a time when record-high inflation and gas prices are hurting families, the Biden-Harris administration again pushes policies that restrict imports of liquefied natural gas that would have provided a much-needed boost to the economy and helped our allies around the world. Now, because of dismantling American energy production, undermining our national security, and restricting what cars people can drive wasn't enough, this administration has decided to dictate what home appliances Americans can have in their homes. When I go to look for an appliance, I look at the little sticker, and I determine if saving $12 a month or $30 a month is worth the increased cost for an appliance that doesn't have the life of the refrigerator or the appliance that I have now. In addition, are any efficiencies based on the energy prices that we are now paying? The Biden-Harris administration has increased energy prices across the board, and they will continue to increase them because of their ill-founded policies that are benefiting their allies as well, their special interest groups. On January 17, the Biden-Harris administration issued a final rule to regulate refrigerators and freezers. It is interesting that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have said this is already in the rule. Why on Earth would you be here arguing about a bill if it is already implemented in a rule, if the agency is already following it? We want to codify what it is that they are doing. If it truly is feasible, if it is economically justified, if it is technologically feasible, and if it helps to lower emissions and lead to a better environment, they already have the authority to do that. Why would you oppose codifying it into law if the agency is already doing it? The reality is they are not doing it. Their practices are egregious and overreaching, and they want to force themselves into every aspect of our lives and dictate. It is interesting. I thought about this as I was sitting here listening to this debate. One of the things that would help the energy efficiency of refrigerators is not to open and close the door so much. Maybe the EPA and the DOE should issue a rule mandating how often you-- oh, I better not say that because they may, in fact, do it. The Department of Energy argues that these energy mandates will save consumers money, but according to DOE's own supporting documentation, the payback period could take over 10 years. Refrigerator and freezer appliances have an average 14- to 15-year lifespan, and those numbers are drawn from existing appliances, not hypothetical future appliances that meet the Department's new standards. Further, any cost savings realized to consumers over time are likely to be offset, as we have already said, by rising electric bills that are facing households across the country. This rule marks another way of manipulating the market to push an environmental agenda and eliminate consumer choice. My bill, the Refrigerator Freedom Act, prohibits the Department of Energy from enforcing unrealistic energy standards for refrigerators that are not energy efficient.

Mrs. MILLER-MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, which I enthusiastically support.