Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I support the amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana. However, I would point out that Iran has the fourth largest number of proven oil reserves in the world. In fact, supporters of this bill often state concern over the market impact of increased Iranian exports on domestic producers. So while it is hard to understand why we need to worry about our crude oil going to a country that is a major net exporter of oil, I have no objection to adopting this amendment and making really sure Iran doesn't get any of our oil and petroleum products. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. I support the amendment but would note that the best way to prevent our Nation's oil resources from falling into the hands of bad actors is to maintain the reasonable, time-tested controls on exports that are currently in place. If you are concerned about our oil falling into the wrong hands, then you should vote ``no'' on final passage of H.R. 702. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in mild opposition to the amendment.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gene Green).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).

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

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time remains on my side?

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center in Keansburg, New Jersey as it celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The Center's efforts to enhance the well-being of the community's senior population is truly deserving of this body's recognition. Through its activities, workshops, outings and classes, the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center provides an opportunity for seniors to receive resources, information, exercise and lunches, but also an opportunity to give back to the community through programs such as Crochet for a Cause and ESL lessons. In addition, the Center's community involvement extends beyond its services to seniors, offering internship and practicum opportunities to college students pursuing nursing and social services degrees. Above all, the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center aims to provide a sense of fellowship in a safe, welcoming environment. Since its inception, the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center has continued to grow and transform to meet the changing needs of its members. Its current location was recently expanded and renovated to include individual rooms dedicated to particular activities, including a computer lab and craft room, a community room and an upstairs hall that can be rented out for special functions. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Bayshore Senior Health, Education and Recreation Center on its 40th anniversary and thanking its staff and members for their extraordinary service to the community.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 3495, yet another radical GOP assault on women's health care. Unfortunately, my Republican colleagues are at it again, attempting to use any excuse to pursue their extreme agenda. They are attacking Planned Parenthood in order to limit women's constitutionally protected right to choose what is best for them and their families. The legislation is particularly offensive and egregious. Let me tell you what this legislation is. In the words of more than 120,000 family physicians nationwide, it represents an unprecedented level of legislative interference in the patient-physician relationship. It is not only ill-advised, it is dangerous. This legislation would, in the words of the National Women's Law Center or the National Health Law Program, ``wreak havoc on our Nation's safety net programs and millions' access to health care across the country.'' It represents a direct attack by Members of Congress on women's ability to control their own reproductive health. This legislation undermines patient choice of providers and provides States unchecked authority to terminate providers from Medicaid without cause. This is a direct attack on the freedom of low-income women to choose their own trusted and qualified medical provider. I stand, Madam Speaker, with Planned Parenthood. I stand with all the physicians and health professionals out there who provide lifesaving, preventative health services to millions of women and men every day. I stand with the hundreds of millions of Americans to say that I will not stand by silent and allow those who are committed to ending abortion access in this country use fraud and deception to cut millions of people off from their health care. We cannot allow Republicans to win their war on women. I urge my colleagues to oppose the extreme Republican agenda and vote ``no'' on H.R. 3495. I include in the Record two letters on this legislation, one from the American Academy of Family Physicians, and an analysis of this legislation by the National Health Law Program and the National Women's Law Center. September 28, 2015. Hon. John Boehner, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Speaker Boehner & Minority Leader Pelosi: I am writing on behalf of the 120,900 members of the American Academy of Family Physicians to express our strong opposition to the ``Women's Public Health and Safety Act'' (H.R. 3495), which will be considered by the House of Representatives this week. This legislation would, if enacted, expand the ability of states to selectively prohibit identified physicians and health care facilities from participating in the Medicaid program. Furthermore, this legislation represents an unprecedented level of legislative interference in the patient-physician relationship. We are deeply concerned with the overall intent of this legislation and, more specifically, its attempts to interfere with the patient-physician relationship. Our most pointed criticism is directed at the phrase ``or by any individual or entity based on the individual's or entity's involvement in abortions.'' This language is not only ill-advised, it is dangerous. Health care decisions should be made by a patient in consultation with her physician(s). Patients deserve an environment that encourages open communication with their physicians on health care options appropriate for their health status. This legislation would potentially discourage and prohibit physicians from discussing a safe and legal health care service with their patients. As previously stated, this represents an unprecedented level of legislative interference in the patient-physician relationship. Again, we urge the House to reject this legislation. The proposal represents an inappropriate and misguided intrusion into the patient-physician relationship and actually seeks to criminalize a physician for discussing a legal, safe, and appropriate health care service with their patients. This is a dangerous bill and it should not pass. Sincerely, Reid Blackwelder, MD, FAAFP, Board Chair.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 17.6 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage and are no longer one accident, injury, or diagnosis away from financial ruin. This is the largest reduction in the uninsured in four decades. The ACA has increased access and reduced financial barriers to important preventive services, such as cancer screenings and well-woman visits by requiring their coverage with no cost sharing. The law also stopped insurers from discriminating based on preexisting conditions or placing annual limits on how much health care they will cover. Though the ACA is already helping millions nationwide, no law is perfect, and there are certainly ways we can improve the ACA and build upon its successes. Given the political theatre that tends to surround the ACA, I am pleased to see that my Republican colleagues are ready to work together on bipartisan proposals such as H.R. 1624 with the goal of strengthening the law. Unfortunately, though, I do not agree with the approach this bill takes. H.R. 1624 would permanently change the law to make the small group expansion currently required under the ACA optional for states and allow states to ``opt in'' if they choose. Research tells us that some states simply are not ready to expand their small group market and that expansion in these states could result in higher costs for certain consumers. However, the small group expansion was included in the ACA for good reason. The benefits of expansion such as added consumer protections and increased stability for small employers are important and achievable goals. States like Washington are already experiencing the benefits of an expanded small group market. I am concerned that H.R. 1624 is premature, and I would instead prefer a few year transitional delay of the small group expansion or an ``opt out'' option for states instead. I believe these alternatives would ensure that states continue to work towards the goal of expansion, rather than disregarding the provision altogether. Mr. Speaker, I am also disappointed that this bill was not considered under regular order. Such an important issue deserves thoughtful discussion and opportunities for amendments. I had hoped to offer an amendment that would allow states to ``opt out'' of the expansion. Since I was unable to discuss this amendment and other potential changes to the bill with my colleagues in a committee markup, I remain uncertain that this legislation is the best course of action.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I listened to the previous Republican speaker, and the deception that she poses to this Congress is unbelievable in my opinion. First of all, she talks about these videos which we know have been misleading--edited, all kinds of changes have been made to them. The accuracy of them is totally unacceptable. They are not accurate. Then she says, well, just because they may be accurate that we should pass this bill defunding Planned Parenthood. Well, when did this Congress get into the business of saying, well, before we decided whether you have actually broken the law and before we have any evidence that you have done so, we are just going to shut you down? That is not the way we operate. That is not due process. That is not the American way. Then, Madam Speaker, she suggests that somehow this money is going to be given to other providers. I think she is probably talking about community health centers. Well, I will tell you, from my own experience with community health centers, that they don't have the ability to provide the women's health needs that are being proposed here that are actually provided by Planned Parenthood. That is not going to happen. Those women are going to be deprived of health care. So let's not continue with this deception about what is actually going on here. The Republicans just want to shut the government down if we don't defund Planned Parenthood. That is what they are all about.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 1725, the ``National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting (NASPER) Reauthorization Act,'' which helps States establish and maintain prescription drug monitoring programs in order to combat prescription drug abuse, a public health crisis affecting communities across the country. I have been a long-time champion of this bill with my colleague Representative Whitfield and I am pleased that Representatives Kennedy and Bucshon joined our efforts this Congress to reauthorize the NASPER program. Prescription drug monitoring programs help prescribers, pharmacists, and law enforcement track and prevent the misuse of prescription drugs. Forty nine states currently have laws authorizing these programs and they are playing a critical role in our efforts to combat the opioid crisis. This bill, however, once passed into law, will need funding and investment by appropriators in order to be effective. I urge Members to ensure that investment is met.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1344, the ``Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2015'' introduced by my colleagues Representatives Capps and Guthrie. H.R. 1344, would reauthorize the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program. Prior to the creation of this program, less than 50 percent of all newborns were regularly screened for hearing loss. I'm proud to say that thanks to this program about 97 percent of newborns now receive a hearing screening. Through this program, children gain early access to interventions and treatments that are critical in minimizing a hearing-impaired child's risk of developmental delays, especially communication, social skills and cognition. H.R. 1344 would ensure that we continue to support this valuable public health program that has a proven track record of success.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1359, the E- Warranty Act. And I want to thank Mr. Loebsack and Mr. Mullin for their contributions to the bill. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to amend its current rules on warranty notice to allow the pre-sale notice requirements to be fulfilled by making warranty information available online. While I support this commonsense proposal, I would like to highlight one point that the bill rightly acknowledges--there are many consumers and small business owners without Internet access. This bill requires that contact information of the product manufacturers be made available so consumers may obtain warranty information by non-electronic means. To ensure that consumers and small business owners without Internet access are not disadvantaged, this Committee expects the FTC to require that consumers be provided with a toll-free phone number and warrantors respond to non-Internet requests for free and in a timely manner. Moreover, I am confident that when the FTC changes its rules pursuant to this bill, it will maintain the protections that currently exist for consumers and small business owners who do not have Internet access, including requiring manufacturers to ensure sellers can fulfill their obligations under the bill and the rules. This bill will help modernize the rules regarding pre-sale warranty notice by allowing warranty information to be made available online. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 820, the ``Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act,'' would continue critical federal support for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. This program includes the Be the Match registry for bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplantation which continues to provide hope to people in need of a lifesaving transplants. Each year thousands of patients in need of life saving transplants are unable to find a match within their family and therefore require a nonrelative donor. That is why the Be the Match Registry and its nearly 12.5 million registered bone marrow donors and collection of more than 209,000 cord blood units is so important. The Program also supports the collection and use of transplantation data to advance medical research. I'd like to thank Representative Doris Matsui for her leadership in this area and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2820 to ensure that the lifesaving Be the Match registry continues.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1462 the ``Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015.'' This legislation would address the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy for one of the harmful outcome of our nation's opioid epidemic. Neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS, occurs in newborns who were exposed to opioids, including pain killers, while in their mother's womb. NAS is associated with negative health outcomes like preterm births and low birthweight. I'm saddened to say that the opioid epidemic has resulted in a steep increase in the occurrence of NAS over the past decade. H.R. 1462 would require HHS to develop recommendations for the treatment and prevention of prenatal opiate abuse and neonatal abstinence syndrome. It would also require the collection of data to better monitor the problem. I want to thank Representative Katherine Clark for her leadership on this issue and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this necessary legislation.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, August 6 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. It has stood for a half a century as the great guardian of America's right to vote. However, 2 years ago the Supreme Court dismantled key protections within the act. Making matters worse since, Republicans in Congress have refused to restore the protections and bring up a renewed and strengthened Voting Rights Act. Today the right to vote is under coordinated attack around the country. States and localities are passing laws that restrict the right to vote, making it harder for young people, disabled Americans, and people of color to participate in our democracy. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of the Voter Empowerment Act and the Voting Rights Advancement Act. I call on my Republican colleagues to join Democrats and pass a renewed, strengthened VRA and ensure the ballot box belongs to every American.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Chairman, the amendment offered to H.R. 1599 by Congresswoman Pingree and Congressman DeFazio would replace the underlying bill with a voluntary certification program for non- genetically engineered foods, enabling companies that elect to go through this process to certify that their food is non-GE and share this information with consumers through a seal established by the USDA, similar to the organic program. This amendment is a step forward in providing consumers with the information they want. While this amendment would preserve the ability of States and localities to act in regards to the labeling of non-GE and GE foods, it unfortunately does not address the problem many of us have heard about today, and that is a patchwork of food labeling requirements across the country. As I have said previously, I can't support preempting State labeling laws without establishing a national mandatory labeling standard in its place. Moving forward, I hope that we can work with the Senate to strike a balance that will address concerns we have heard on both sides of this issue.