Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1543) to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide best practices on student suicide awareness and prevention training and condition State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and Tribal educational agencies receiving funds under section 520A of such Act to establish and implement a school-based student suicide awareness and prevention training policy.

Mr. PALLONE. 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 on S. 1543.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1543, the Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act, also known as the STANDUP Act. Americans are facing a growing mental health crisis, and that crisis is hitting our Nation's youth particularly hard right now. While the challenges of COVID-19 amplified this crisis, children and young people in the U.S. have been experiencing rising rates of mental health conditions and suicide for years, particularly among youth of color and LGBTQI+ young people. Between 2008 and 2018, the suicide rate among adolescents and young people increased by nearly 60 percent. Today, Mr. Speaker, suicide is the second leading cause of death among children and young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Black youth are nearly twice as likely as White youth to die by suicide, and the rate of suicide amongst American Indian and Alaska Native youth is 2\1/2\ times the overall national average. Meanwhile, the suicide rate among young Hispanic women increased dramatically in the decade leading up to the pandemic. Additionally, LGBTQI+ youth are at greater risk for depression and suicide. According to a 2020 survey, 50 percent of LGBTQ youth considered attempting suicide in the prior year. All of these trends are alarming, so much so that pediatric experts have declared the state of children's mental health a national emergency. Last December, Surgeon General Murthy issued an advisory on the youth mental health crisis. Today, the House is continuing its critical work of considering legislation to address the crisis. The STANDUP Act would require State and Tribal education agencies to establish and implement a suicide awareness and prevention training policy for middle- and high-school students. The policy would be required for any agency receiving funding through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA's Project AWARE funds, and it would need to be evidence based, as well as culturally and linguistically appropriate. Last May, Mr. Speaker, we passed the House companion of this bill with bipartisan support here on the House floor after it passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee last Congress. I commend the lead House sponsors of the bill, Representatives Peters and Bilirakis, for their leadership on this issue. As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I strongly support legislation that will help bring awareness and promote best practices on suicide prevention among our Nation's youth. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 1543, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill. It is bipartisan, and again, we would be sending it to the President with our action today. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 854) to designate methamphetamine as an emerging threat, and for other purposes.

Mr. PALLONE. 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 on S. 854.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 854, the Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021. Today, our Nation continues to face a devastating epidemic of substance use and overdose deaths, an epidemic that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, we have surpassed the tragic milestone of 100,000 drug overdose deaths in a 1- year period. Although opioids account for a significant number of overdose deaths, methamphetamine overdoses have been rising at alarming rates in recent years. Recent data from the National Institutes of Health found that methamphetamine overdose deaths nearly tripled from 2015 to 2019. Further, the Drug Enforcement Administration reports that methamphetamine continues to be readily available throughout the United States. In 2019, the DEA seized over 53,000 kilograms of methamphetamine. That was a 55 percent increase over 2018. Recent data also suggests that seizures of methamphetamine have increased during the pandemic. The threat of this drug is compounded by the common mixing, or cutting, of drugs, such as cocaine, with methamphetamine. To address the widespread availability and the shocking increases in methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths, this legislation would designate methamphetamine as an emerging drug threat. By making this designation, Mr. Speaker, S. 854 would require the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a methamphetamine response plan. As part of this plan, ONDCP and partner agencies would develop a comprehensive assessment of the emerging drug threat, establish quantifiable goals to combat the threat, implement performance measures, and identify the funding levels needed to implement the plan. The House companion of this bill was considered and passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee with bipartisan support in July of last year. I commend the sponsors of the House companion, Representatives Peters and Curtis, for their leadership. This legislation is another step forward in our ongoing efforts to end the substance use epidemic that is devastating our families and communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 854, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this bill, which is bipartisan, so we can send it to the President. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1662) to increase funding for the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration and for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1662.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of S. 1662, the Supporting the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the Food and Drug Administration Act. In December, this Chamber considered and passed the House companion of this legislation by a vote of 374-52. Earlier in the year, the legislation advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where it garnered bipartisan support. I commend the House bill's sponsors, Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Eshoo and Representative Hudson, for their strong leadership and commitment to this bill. The Foundation for the NIH is an independent nonprofit organization established by Congress in 1990 to develop private-public partnerships and advance American leadership in biomedical research. Likewise, the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA was established by Congress in 2007 to advance the mission of the FDA and catalyze innovation, modernize medical product development, and improve safety. The NIH and FDA are authorized to transfer funding to their respective foundations, but that limit has not been increased since 2007. This bill, S. 1662, would increase the transfer authority for both foundations, allowing the foundations to continue and expand upon the important work they have been doing. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have done important work to enhance the FDA and NIH's work on COVID-19 vaccines and diagnostics. This bill will help build upon our ongoing efforts to advance biomedical research and promote better public health outcomes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support S. 1662, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, again, there is bipartisan support for this bill, which I also believe would be going to the President, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 32nd anniversary of the Baku pogrom. Hundreds of Armenian civilians living in the city of Sumgait in Azerbaijan suffered horrific acts of violence when they were indiscriminately killed, raped, maimed, and burned alive in a pogrom that started on February 27, 1988. Almost two years later, a seven-day pogrom broke out in Baku during which Armenians were beaten, murdered, and expelled from the city beginning January 12, 1990. Over 90 Armenian civilians were killed, over 700 were injured, and countless other victims were permanently displaced by the ethnic violence that followed. The Azerbaijani Government was complicit in each of these atrocities by using violent rhetoric in rallies leading up to the pogrom and by doing nothing to halt the ensuing violence against Armenian citizens. Azerbaijan has taken steps over the last two decades to cover up these crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities committed in Sumgait and Baku. Even more disturbing, the Azeri Government lauded the perpetrators of this event and similar violent attacks. President Aliyev's regime continues to use hateful rhetoric against Armenians to this day, including in the build up to Azerbaijan's deadly attacks on Artsakh in the fall of 2020. Azeri forces, Turkish drones, and Turkish-backed foreign terrorists conducted a premeditated attack that violated international law. The resulting indiscriminate bombing campaigns against large population centers killed thousands of Armenians and displaced tens of thousands more. It also included appalling war crimes against Armenians at the hands of Azerbaijani forces and foreign mercenaries that included beheadings, torture, and other abhorrent acts of violence. I continue to stand with the Armenian people in condemning the horrific pogroms and in mourning the loss of those who were senselessly killed in Artsakh and subsequent Azeri attacks on Armenian soil. It is critical for the United States to recognize and denounce violent assaults against all civilians. If we do not condemn or punish crimes against humanity and ethnic violence, we become passive bystanders, failing to live up to the lessons of the 20th century and our pledge to uphold human rights and democratic values all over the world. If we do not take a firm stand against those who commit atrocities, it will embolden them and encourage others to commit heinous acts in the future. These lessons are especially important as we prepare to commemorate the 107th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in April. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus to honor the victims of the Baku and Sumgait pogroms and the victims of Azerbaijani aggressions in Artsakh, I will also continue to condemn all acts of violence against people who are targeted simply because of who they are. I hope my colleagues will join me in rejecting violent rhetoric, intimidation and outright violations of human rights. In doing so, we renew our commitment to achieving a lasting peace in the Caucasus.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, let me thank Chairwoman Maloney. She has worked hard on this and has constantly been telling us for months and years how important this was and we had to get it done. So congratulations. The day has arrived. The U.S. Postal Service, Madam Speaker, is one of the oldest and most essential American institutions. Unfortunately, it has struggled financially for many years. That is why this comprehensive, bipartisan legislation is important, because it will address the financial challenges facing the Postal Service. A report last year by the GAO found that, since 2007, Postal Service expenses have grown faster than revenues, in part due to the cost of benefits, including retiree expenses. The Energy and Commerce Committee has worked closely with the Oversight and Reform Committee to craft healthcare provisions in the Postal Service Reform Act that both protect the benefits of retirees and put the Postal Service on a better financial footing. Under the bill, current Postal Service retirees will be able to keep their retirement health plans provided by the Postal Service and will not be required to enroll in Medicare. However, the legislation creates a one-time special enrollment period for Postal Service retirees who are eligible for Medicare to enroll in Medicare part B if they so choose. Postal Service retirees who enroll in Medicare part B through this special enrollment period would not pay late enrollment penalties on their part B premium. Instead, the Postal Service would pay any late enrollment penalties on behalf of the individual. Arrangements like this exist today for certain State and local government employees. The new special enrollment period will make it easier and more affordable for current Postal Service retirees to enroll in Medicare's comprehensive health coverage, and the majority of Postal Service retirees already choose to take advantage of their Medicare benefits. H.R. 3076 would also require future Postal Service retirees to enroll in Medicare when they become eligible in order to qualify for the Postal Service's retiree health plan. This would mean that future Postal Service retirees who are eligible for Medicare would have Medicare as their primary insurer but also have their Postal Service health plan filling any gaps in Medicare coverage. This is a common way to provide retiree insurance in the private sector. Overall, I believe this bill will improve the financial health of the Postal Service, and it will allow the Postal Service to continue providing critical services to the Nation and health benefits to its employees and retirees. Madam Speaker, I want to thank everyone, particularly Chairwoman Maloney, for their involvement in this effort, and I urge support for the bill.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of the America COMPETES Act, legislation that restores a strong and robust American manufacturing base that can outcompete any other nation. It will put us on course to lead the pack in creating the strongest and most advanced economy of the future. Over the past 40 years, America's manufacturing sector has lost market share to economic competitors like China. This decline in manufacturing, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to severe supply chain disruptions across our economy. The America COMPETES Act will strengthen our economy by bolstering our Nation's supply chains and ensuring that more critical goods are made right here in the United States. The legislation invests $45 billion in grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support supply chain resilience and manufacturing of critical goods, industrial equipment, and manufacturing technology here in the U.S. It invests $52 billion for the CHIPS for America Act, incentivizing private-sector investments in superconductor fabrication in the United States. This funding will help eliminate disruptions in the superconductor supply chain from abroad that has hurt American automakers, medical supply chain companies, and manufacturers of heavy machinery. It invests $3 billion to help build a domestic solar manufacturing supply chain so we can aggressively counter China's control of the solar chain that jeopardizes our energy security interests. The bill also keeps our electric grid secure and resilient in the face of evolving cybersecurity and physical security threats. The America COMPETES Act also improves our medical supply chain and strengthens our Strategic National Stockpile. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were widespread shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and some personal protective equipment. This legislation increases our domestic drug manufacturing base by expanding the use of advanced and what we call continuous manufacturing practices. It also establishes a $1.5 billion supply chain manufacturing pilot program that will help maintain domestic reserves of critical medical supplies. It creates a $10.5 billion program that awards grants to States to expand or maintain a strategic stockpile of products essential in the event of a public health emergency. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the America COMPETES Act innovates our wireless supply chain and network security by funding the deployment of cutting- edge technology and ensuring that next-generation mobile wireless networks are safe and secure from foreign adversaries. Mr. Speaker, for too long, America has relied too heavily on other nations to manufacture critical goods essential to our economy. That has to end, and the America COMPETES Act makes the investments to ensure that America can outcompete any other nation now and well into the future. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. 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 on H.R. 3537.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in July, the Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing to learn about the challenges associated with finding treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. We heard from the lead scientist from the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, and researchers at top universities, who discussed the difficulties scientists have had in understanding the complexities of the disease and developing biomarkers, a critical tool for drug development. FDA told us about the guidance they had provided to the industry on ensuring clinical trials were inclusive, and the agency's willingness to consider novel clinical research methods. However, we also heard from patients who said that FDA's guidance was not doing enough to get results on the ground. Given the length of time it often takes to diagnose ALS, many patients have found themselves locked out of clinical trials, despite the guidance urging developers to allow more flexible enrollment. As a result, patients and their families are left to fight this devastating disease with very limited medical interventions. According to the patient advocates, FDA's guidance was not being implemented by developers and was not being followed by the agency itself. So H.R. 3537, the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, takes real steps to improve processes and activities at FDA to ensure patients can access clinical trials. This legislation will help us get closer to effective cures and treatments for ALS. It requires FDA to develop and carry out an action plan to show how the agency will address ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases over the next 5 years. The bill also creates a new grant program at FDA to cover research costs to characterize rare neurodegenerative diseases, identify molecular targets for the diseases, and increase efficiency and productivity of clinical trials. Additionally, the bill creates a new grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services that will help pay for investigational drugs to prevent, diagnose, mitigate, treat, or cure ALS in expanded access programs. Expanded access is an important pathway for patients to receive experimental treatments, which should only be used when clinical trials and other effective treatments are not available. Mr. Speaker, in committee, we ensured there would be a path forward for patients who are not able to participate in clinical research, but also clarified the intent and parameters of the program to maintain the scientific integrity of our research agencies. The legislation now requires the Government Accountability Office to measure the program ahead of a 5-year sunset to ensure that these novel grant programs are benefiting patients and researchers. The grants included in this bill are charting new territory for NIH, and it is important we measure their level of success before we explore efforts to expand this program beyond ALS. Mr. Speaker, this bill would not be here on the floor today were it not for the steadfast determination of patients and their families. At our hearing on this legislation in July, Brian Wallach and his wife, Sandra Abrevaya, cofounders of ``I Am ALS,'' spoke so eloquently of their own personal fight against ALS, and charged us with the task of passing this bill. Hundreds of patient advocates across the country have made their voices heard to Members as well. To Brian, Sandra, and all the patients and their families, I reiterate what I said during our full committee markup: We heard you and now we are acting. We are grateful for your collaboration and willingness to work with us to improve this bill. I also want to acknowledge the work of Representative Mike Quigley, the sponsor of this legislation, who has been tireless in his efforts to see this legislation across the finish line. I appreciate his willingness to work with us to get this bill to the committee so that it was ready for action here on the floor. I also want to thank our chairwoman of the Health Subcommittee, Ms. Eshoo, for all that she has done to move this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the ACT for ALS, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5561) to reauthorize a program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5551) to amend title III of the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has placed an extraordinary amount of stress on physicians and other health professionals. According to a recent survey by the Physician Foundation, nationwide, half of physicians report feeling anxious due to COVID-19-related concerns, and nearly 60 percent report experiencing burnout. That is a significant increase from just two years ago. Yet, many are not getting the help they need. Only 13 percent of providers have sought treatment to address pandemic-related mental health concerns. Nearly half of emergency physicians report not feeling comfortable seeking mental health treatment for fear of professional or personal repercussions, even though 87 percent say they have been experiencing increased stress. Now, earlier this year, Congress took action in the American Rescue Plan to address these concerns. We invested in training for healthcare professionals on strategies to reduce burnout and stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare; and we provided support to the employers of frontline providers so they can better care for the mental health needs of their workforce. These were important investments for a workforce stretched to the limit, but there is still more to be done. And that is why Congress must pass H.R. 1667, the Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act. This legislation is named in honor of Dr. Lorna Breen, a sister, friend, daughter, and emergency department physician, who tragically died by suicide after the physical and mental toll of the pandemic became too unbearable. Dr. Breen was fearful of seeking assistance for her debilitating mental burden, which left her despondent and physically unable to move from her office chair. Earlier this year, her family testified before the Committee on Energy and Commerce about how the workload and stress of her position during the beginning of the pandemic broke an otherwise indomitable spirit of a compassionate woman with a strong love of her job and her coworkers and her patients. The Dr. Lorna Breen Healthcare Provider Protection Act will make significant strides in improving access to mental and behavioral health services. First, the bill authorizes grants for training health profession students, residents, or healthcare professionals in evidence-informed strategies to reduce and prevent suicide, burnout, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. It will also identify and disseminate evidence-informed best practices for reducing and preventing suicide and burnout among healthcare professionals. The legislation also establishes a national evidence-based education and awareness campaign targeting healthcare professionals to encourage them to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns. And finally, it calls for a comprehensive study to be conducted on healthcare professional mental and behavioral health and burnout. This bill received unanimous support in the Committee on Energy and Commerce and is part of a series of bipartisan bills the committee has worked on to bolster and support our healthcare workforce. I thank the sponsors of this bill, most importantly, Representative Wild, who was the lead sponsor, and my colleagues on the committee for their steadfast work in honoring Dr. Breen, her family, and the countless healthcare providers who will now have additional support and resources available to them. It is my hope that this bill will lead to more healthcare providers seeking help when they need it without fear of repercussions or stigma. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. 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 on H.R. 1193.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4555) to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a public education campaign across all relevant programs of the Health Resources and Services Administration to increase oral health literacy and awareness.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, stillbirth is one of the most devastating losses that affects more than 24,000 families each year. Stillbirth touches families of all races, religions, and socioeconomic status. For many parents, stillbirth is a loss that hits unexpectedly. In fact, up to half of all stillbirths occur in pregnancies that had seemed problem-free. However, miscarriages and stillbirths are not systematically recorded, even in developed countries, suggesting that the numbers could be even higher. While there has been some progress in reducing stillbirths, causes and risk factors have not been explored extensively. H.R. 5487, the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2021, is an important first step in promoting positive change around this issue. The legislation is in honor of Autumn Joy, who was born stillborn on July 8, 2011. For the last decade, her mother, Debbie Haine, has transformed her loss into action. The legislation seeks to bolster research on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors to lower our Nation's stillbirth rate. H.R. 5487 would provide resources to State and Federal health departments, improve data collection around stillbirths, and increase education and awareness. Since a stillbirth is such a private, devastating life event, the data collected is only intended for the purpose of informing public health research and improving health outcomes. The resources provided in the legislation to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and State health departments to improve data collection and increase education and awareness is simply the beginning of a longer term solution toward the prevention and reduction of incidences of stillbirth nationwide. I want to thank Representatives Herrera Beutler, Roybal-Allard, Mullin, and Castor for their work on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard), the prime Democratic sponsor of the bill and the chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.