Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), who is the lead sponsor of the bill.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 446, the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act. Representatives Kelly and Balderson introduced this bipartisan legislation to further efforts by the FTC to stop fraud targeting seniors. This bill streamlines efforts to protect seniors from falling prey to scams during national emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by establishing a searchable database of scams targeting seniors. In the Committee on Energy and Commerce, we have held multiple hearings exploring the rise in fraud and scams that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of the fear and uncertainty that results from emergency situations. And since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, consumers have reported losing more than $300 million in just pandemic-related fraud. After Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, including my own district in New Jersey, scammers preyed on people who lost their homes and livelihoods. We saw contracting scammers promising to rebuild people's homes but who took the money and ran. One man was in prison for using fake titles to sell Sandy-damaged cars. Unfortunately, older Americans are targeted disproportionately and affected by this fraud. Older Americans reported significantly bigger monetary losses from fraud than younger adults. According to a recent FTC report, phone scams result in the highest reported losses by older adults, particularly adults over 80. Phone- based scams can be especially problematic in emergency situations like the pandemic when people are spending more time at home and seniors may be more isolated. Representatives Kelly and Balderson's bill will help address these scams. It directs the FTC to issue a report on fraud targeting seniors during the pandemic and how to improve efforts against senior scams during future emergencies. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this 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 Illinois (Ms. Kelly), the lead sponsor of the bill who has worked so hard, particularly during the pandemic, to address disparities in healthcare.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 1762.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1762, the Protecting Indian Tribes from Scams Act. The often-overlooked area in Federal fraud prevention efforts is scams targeting Indian Tribes and Tribal members. The scope and scale of scams affecting Indian Tribes have not been well documented, hindering efforts to prevent them. This bipartisan bill, reintroduced this Congress by Representatives Mullin and O'Halleran, will help get the needed information about fraud and scams targeting Tribes and members of Tribes. This bill directs the FTC to consult with Indian Tribes about these scams and then issue a report to Congress that will be made public. It also requires the FTC to update its website to include information on these scams. Mr. Speaker, as this pandemic continues, scammers are taking advantage of people's fear and uncertainty to steal people's money and commit fraud. American Indians are not exempt from these unfair and deceptive practices and may even be specifically targeted with certain kinds of scams. But there is not much information about it. Mr. Speaker, I commend Representatives Mullin and O'Halleran for introducing this bill, an important step in helping prevent fraud and scams targeting Tribes and members of Tribes. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 1766.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 1766, the FTC Collaboration Act of 2021. This bipartisan bill was introduced again this year by Representatives O'Halleran and Hudson. The bill will help reinforce the important relationship between the FTC and State attorneys general. Our State attorneys general play a critical role in enforcing and complementing Federal consumer protection laws. The FTC is a relatively small law enforcement agency charged with protecting consumers across the country. By partnering with State attorneys general, the reach of Federal consumer protection efforts is expanded. Stronger enforcement actions can be taken against unscrupulous companies and those engaging in unfair and deceptive practices hurting consumers. When Americans are harmed by fraud and scams, they often turn to their State attorneys general for help, but these scammers may be targeting people across the country. By working together, State AGs and the FTC can pool their resources and protect consumers across the country. This bill will help the FTC optimize its collaboration with State attorneys general by studying the matter and issuing a report on how to further promote collaboration. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I urge support for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1002) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to authorize the debarment of certain registrants, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1002, the Debarment Enforcement of Bad Actor Registrants Act of 2021, or the DEBAR Act of 2021. One of the critical missions of the Drug Enforcement Administration is enforcing and implementing the Controlled Substances Act in order to prevent drug diversion and limit access to substances that may pose a risk if used incorrectly. One important lever the DEA has at its disposal to manage diversion or noncompliance with the law is the ability to revoke or surrender an individual's controlled substance registration, which is needed to handle controlled substances. A recent report by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General found weaknesses in the DEA's current registration processes and instances where the agency did not fully utilize its regulatory authorities to address noncompliance. Specifically, the inspector general found cases where entities whose registration were revoked were later able to obtain a new license. For example, the report included one case where a doctor who had their registration revoked for serious misconduct then moved to another State under the authority of a different DEA field division and was granted a controlled substances registration after reapplying. Another example in the report included a dentist who had voluntarily surrendered his medical license and DEA registration on two separate occasions. The dentist had also been convicted of a felony, which is grounds for suspension or revocation of an individual's registration under the Controlled Substances Act. However, this dentist was still able to obtain another DEA registration. Amid rising substance abuse and tragic drug overdoses, errors like these can be tragic and simply should not be happening. H.R. 1002 would address these errors by authorizing the debarment of any registrant who either meets the criteria for temporary or permanent suspension or revocation or has a history of prior suspensions or revocations. I thank my committee colleagues--Representative Latta, in particular--for leading this legislation, and also Ranking Member Rodgers for her work on this legislation. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I also urge support for the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1899) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for the modification, transfer, and termination of a registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances or list I chemicals, and for other purposes.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam 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. 1899.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1899, the Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act. The Drug Enforcement Administration is charged with regulating controlled substances and manages access to these substances through a registration system. This system is meant to identify entities that manufacture, distribute, and dispense controlled substances, such as opioids; as well as to prevent diversion of these substances. We rely on the DEA to maintain the integrity of this system as one way to stop illicit diversion before it starts. However, a 2018 Government Accountability Office report found over 700 registrants in the DEA's system may have been ineligible for registration under the Controlled Substances Act. In fact, the GAO found that some of these registrants were reportedly deceased, did not possess State-level authority, or were incarcerated for offenses related to controlled substances. If we are to curb rising substance abuse in the U.S., we must ensure, Madam Speaker, that bad actors are prevented from having access to these substances. The legislation we are considering today would terminate the controlled substance registration of any registrant if the registrant dies, ceases legal existence, discontinues business or professional practice, or surrenders their registration. This bill also codifies DEA authority to ensure accuracy of registrations and limit the transfer of such registrations. I thank the lead sponsor of this bill, Representative Griffith, for his leadership on this issue. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chair of our Budget Committee, the gentleman from Kentucky. He really makes the point so well. Look, regardless of what our ranking member says on the other side, America is not in great shape, the economy is not good, many people have lost their jobs, and the reason for the American Rescue Plan was exactly that. We want to help people. We want to make sure people get direct cash payments to help them. We want to make sure the State and local governments get help, because they don't want to be laying people off and not provide services during the pandemic. We want to help small businesses. The contrast between what we, as Democrats, push in the American Rescue Plan to help people in this economic and health crisis is so vast compared to what the Republicans did with their tax cut, which just helped the wealthiest and helped corporate interest. It is that simple. So I am just going to ask my colleagues on the other side to put partisanship aside and vote for this bill. This legislation includes non-controversial policies that will truly help all of our constituents. It provides critical support for hospitals and rural health clinics and prevents cuts to Medicare and other important programs. In recent weeks, Republicans have claimed that any cuts to Medicare would be incredibly harmful. But the only way to make sure that these cuts don't happen is passing this legislation today. In the past, we have always been able to come together to prevent these cuts. When Republicans passed their $2 trillion tax law for the wealthiest few, it triggered billions in mandatory cuts, and Congress ultimately voted to prevent those cuts with Democratic support. If Republicans truly want to protect Medicare and other programs that support our farmers, our students, and the Nation's defense, they simply should vote for this bill today. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my colleagues that in addition to averting statutory paygo cuts, this bill provides additional relief specifically to frontline healthcare providers through increased Medicare payments. This is a policy that Congress supported multiple times. Please support this bill if you care.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I heard some of the Republican Members say they want to fight the virus, yet they are voting ``no'' on this bill. I would say they should do the opposite. If they want to fight the virus, they should be voting ``yes'' on this bill. Unlike under President Trump, when there was no national plan to fight the virus, under President Biden, for the first time we have a national plan to fight the virus that does not force States and local governments to compete with each other for testing, contact tracing, and medical supplies. The American Rescue Plan will support the national effort to ramp up distribution and administration of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the implementation of a national testing strategy that will help us quickly track and contain the virus. It also includes the largest expansion of healthcare coverage since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, including lower monthly premiums for millions of Americans and a coverage expansion for millions under Medicaid who are currently uninsured. Mr. Speaker, the American Rescue Plan lives up to its name. It rescues families by providing critical utility bill assistance so they can keep their lights on, the heat working, and the water running. It rescues kids by boosting internet connectivity to bridge the digital divide and close the homework gap. Mr. Speaker, the American people are hurting. This legislation will rescue our families, our communities, and our Nation as we continue to confront this devastating pandemic and the ongoing economic crisis. It is time to act, and this is the bill to bring us forward.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Soto, to honor the life of Dr. Andrew Ira Brooks, a hero of the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Brooks, a longtime Research Professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey, passed away on January 23, 2021 after a vibrant life filled with numerous professional and personal accomplishments. Dr. Brooks led the effort to develop the Rutgers COVID-19 diagnostic assay in early 2020. This COVID-19 rapid test received FDA Emergency Use Authorization in March 2020 as the first approved saliva diagnostic and was the first test approved for home use. It is particularly important because this low-contact collection method helps protect our frontline medical workers. To date, there have been over four million clinical tests, undoubtedly saving the lives of many around our country and providing a practical tool for pandemic control. Born and raised in New Jersey, Dr. Brooks went on to receive his Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from the University of Rochester and became their Director of Medical Center Core Facilities. Four years later, he returned to his home state to direct the joint Rutgers/UMDNJ EOHSI Bionomics Research and Technology Center with an appointment as Research Professor in the Rutgers University Department of Genetics. In 2009, Dr. Brooks became Chief Operating Officer and Director of Technology Development of RUCDR, Infinite Biologics, a Rutgers public/ private partnership. He also served 17 years as an advisor to the Food and Drug Administration, as Director of the Harlan GeneScreen Laboratory and as Co-Founding Director of the BioProcessing Solutions Alliance. In June 2020, Dr. Brooks founded Infinity BiologiX and became its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Brooks also made significant academic contributions to the improvement of human health and the field of biomedicine which can be seen in the 70 publications he coauthored, several with over 1000 citations in the literature. Dr. Brooks loved golf, playing the sport throughout his life. He was an extraordinarily accomplished amateur, winning international tournaments with his skill, concentration, and friendly competitive spirit. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Phyllis Brooks, his sister, Janet Green, his children Lauren, Hannah and Danielle, and his loving wife, Jil Brooks, as well as many dear friends and colleagues. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in honoring Dr. Andrew Brooks for his dedication to the medical field and the countless lives he saved by leading the effort to develop the Rutgers COVID-19 saliva test.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 33rd Anniversary of the Sumgait pogrom and the 31st Anniversary of the Baku pogrom. On February 27, 1988, hundreds of Armenian civilians living in the city of Sumgait in Azerbaijan were indiscriminately killed, raped, maimed, and even burned alive because of their ethnicity. Hostile, anti-Armenian rhetoric from Azerbaijani citizens and officials instigated this tragedy. Similarly, on January 12, 1990, a seven-day pogrom broke out against the Armenian population in Baku during which Armenians were beaten, murdered, and expelled from the city. Over 90 Armenian civilians were killed, over 700 were injured, and countless others were permanently displaced by the ethnic violence that ensued. For over three decades, Azerbaijan has taken steps to cover up these crimes against humanity and dismiss the atrocities at Sumgait and Baku. Even more disturbing, the Azeri government lauded the perpetrators of this event and similar violent attacks. Tragically, the Azerbaijani government's approach toward Armenians has changed little since the Sumgait and Baku pogroms. We saw similar rhetoric right before Azerbaijan's attacks on Artsakh last fall. Azeri forces, Turkish drones, and Turkish-backed mercenaries conducted an indiscriminate bombing campaign against large population centers that killed thousands of Armenians and displaced tens of thousands more civilians. 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 the recent Artsakh attacks. It is critical for the United States to recognize and denounce violent assaults against any 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 the rights of all human to live free from violence and persecution based on race, ethnicity, or religion. These lessons are especially important as we prepare to commemorate the 106th 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 recent victims of Azerbaijani aggressions in Artsakh. I will 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 and intimidation. In doing so, we renew our commitment to achieving a lasting peace in the Caucasus.

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, President Biden has set forth a national plan to crush the virus. With this bill, Congress is providing the President with the resources and tools to implement a national plan that was sorely lacking under President Trump. States competed against each other during the Trump administration for personal protection equipment, ventilators, and testing supplies. That now ends. This legislation provides $20 billion to speed up the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. It invests over $47 billion in a national testing strategy. It invests $7 billion to hire 100,000 new full-time public health workers to perform vital tasks, like vaccine outreach and contact tracing. It invests more than $25 billion to address health disparities. We also include assistance for struggling families to help keep their lights on, the heat working, and the water running. We included $7.6 billion to expand internet connectivity to help students and teachers without home internet access. Madam Speaker, the American Rescue Plan meets the unprecedented challenges our Nation is facing, and it deserves strong bipartisan support.