Frank Pallone

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no speakers at this time, and I reserve 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. 2117.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2117, the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act, or the FASTER Act. Mr. Speaker, an estimated 32 million Americans, including approximately 1 in every 13 children, are affected by food allergies. These allergies pose risks to millions of families, and these risks grow dramatically when inaccurate labels fail to warn consumers about the presence of some of these allergens. Under current law, eight allergens are considered major food allergens. They include milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Due to their status as major food allergens, manufacturers must clearly state the presence of any of these ingredients on labels. Notably missing from this list of allergens is sesame. That is concerning, considering it is an allergen of growing concern and its inclusion in food products has more than doubled over the last decade. In some cases, sesame may not be listed at all on ingredient labels, being referred to instead through nonspecific terms like ``flavors'' or words that may not easily be recognized by consumers as containing sesame, such as tahini. While it may seem like a small issue to some, this lack of information could mean life or death for those who are allergic to sesame. Clearly, this information should be prominently featured on packaged food labels. This is an issue we have been working on for quite some time. Several years ago, I introduced a bill that would list sesame as a major food allergen, and although the Food and Drug Administration opened a docket to solicit feedback about the sesame labeling and recently released guidance recommending voluntary labeling of sesame, the agency has not been able to require the listing of sesame due to overly long regulatory processes. As we learn more about food allergens, our regulations should be able to adapt to align with the latest science. This process should not take years. Families should have reliable access to this information, and they should have it now. Today we are taking action, Mr. Speaker. The appropriately named FASTER Act would quickly move this process along by recognizing sesame as a major food allergen, requiring its listing on new food labels after a phase-in process. Importantly, the bill would also streamline processes at FDA to allow for additional allergens to be listed as major food allergens based on scientific criteria, including the prevalence and the severity of the allergens. The bill would also help develop quality research into food allergens by directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand and intensify its collection of data on food allergens and by directing FDA to report on its use of patient experience data. I want to thank Representative Matsui for her tireless efforts in support of families affected by food allergens and for introducing this bill. I am a strong supporter of the bill, and I encourage all Members to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, 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, trauma is a pressing public health epidemic. In 2016 alone, trauma accounted for 29.2 million emergency department visits and 39.5 million physician office visits in the U.S. Tragically, homicide is the leading cause of death for Black males 1 to 24 years old and the second leading cause of death in Hispanic males 1 to 24 years old. Regardless of race, among those who survive a single violent trauma, it is estimated that up to 45 percent will experience a second violent trauma. This is where H.R. 5855 steps in to provide critical data- driven interventions. The Bipartisan Solution to Cyclical Violence Act of 2020 identifies patients at risk of repeat violent injury and connects them with hospital and community-based resources. The bill bridges tragedy with hospital-based violence intervention programs by providing intensive case management to individuals who have experienced at least one violent trauma. These programs have been shown to successfully reduce injury recidivism and help those at risk for violence live safer lives. I want to commend my colleagues, Representatives Ruppersberger and Kinzinger, for spearheading this initiative and the University of Maryland Hospital for establishing its shock trauma unit, which established the first cycles of violence intervention program. Again, I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Ruppersberger), the sponsor of the legislation. (Mr. RUPPERSBERGER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Dingell), the Democratic sponsor of the bill.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7310, the Spectrum IT Modernization Act. This country has an ever-increasing need for access to the Nation's airwaves, and that is as true for Federal agencies as it is for average Americans. We use the airwaves for so many critical things: military radars, air traffic control, space communications, our cell phones, televisions, WiFi routers, Bluetooth speakers, and the list goes on. That is why we must do everything we can to ensure that we are making the best, most efficient use of our Federal airwaves. H.R. 7310, the Spectrum IT Modernization Act, takes vital steps toward being more efficient with our airwaves by making sure that the Federal Government has the most up-to-date systems to manage its frequencies, sometimes called spectrum. This bill makes sure that those systems are compatible and interoperable between Federal agencies. The Spectrum IT Modernization Act will also help to promote more efficient use of our Nation's airwaves by encouraging spectrum sharing and by updating our Federal spectrum management systems. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle and Ranking Member Bob Latta, as well as Representative Walberg and Representative Larsen from Washington. More specifically, this bipartisan bill would require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, in consultation with the Policy and Plans Steering Group, to identify a process to modernize our Federal spectrum management infrastructure. It would require the NTIA to examine ways to improve coordination between Federal agencies and improve the ability of those agencies to meet their mission requirements in congested spectrum environments--in other words, share spectrum. It would require the NTIA to report back to us in less than a year's time to tell us what the plan is for updating and improving our Federal spectrum management, because this is something that needs to be done sooner rather than later. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would also require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct oversight of the implementation of the modernization plan submitted by the NTIA and report to Congress annually on that process. By managing our Federal spectrum infrastructure and making it interoperable, Federal entities and the NTIA will be able to increase the efficiency of Federal spectrum use. This is a good thing for our country, and it is certainly important that we do it now. So I hope that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in voting to pass this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Washington, DC, November 17, 2020. Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr., Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Pallone: I write concerning H.R. 7310, the Spectrum IT Modernization Act of 2020. As a result of your having consulted with us on provisions within H.R. 7310 that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on Armed Services, I forego any further consideration of this bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration. The Committee on Armed Services takes this action with our mutual understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 7310 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject matter contained in this or similar legislation and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Finally, I ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the bill report filed by the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as in the Congressional Record during floor consideration, to memorialize our understanding. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective committees. Sincerely, Adam Smith, Chairman.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7310) to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit to Congress a plan for the modernization of the information technology systems of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 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. 7310.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PALLONE

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

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I urge support of this 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. 6096) to improve oversight by the Federal Communications Commission of the wireless and broadcast emergency alert systems, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney), the sponsor of the legislation and a member of our committee.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I ask my colleagues to support 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. 6624) to support supply chain innovation and multilateral security, 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. 6624.

Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 6624, the USA Telecommunications Act. Earlier this year, the House passed, and the President signed, my Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act to create a program to fund the replacement of suspect network equipment. Suspect equipment, including that produced by Huawei and ZTE, could allow foreign adversaries to surveil Americans at home or, worse, disrupt our communications systems. While we are still pushing for Congress to appropriate funds to that end, it is important to recognize that my legislation was only half the battle, even when it is funded. We also need to create and foster competition for trusted network equipment that uses open interfaces so that the United States is not beholden to a market for network equipment that is becoming less competitive. This bill before us today, the Utilizing Strategic Allied Telecommunications Act, or the USA Telecommunications Act, does just that. The bipartisan legislation creates a grant program and authorizes $750 million in funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to help promote and deploy Open Radio Access Network technologies that can spur that type of competition. We must support alternatives to companies like Huawei and ZTE, Madam Speaker. Today, most network equipment is produced by a handful of companies that provide a soup-to-nuts solution, locking our networks into one single vendor at a time. That makes it hard for new competitors to break into the market. Currently, there are no American vendors for the network equipment that fuels our wireless economy. However, this legislation would authorize the funding of grants to support the promotion and deployment of Open Radio Access Network equipment. By using standardized open interfaces, this type of equipment will allow network operators in the U.S. to piece together wireless networks that are both secure and make sense for them. And because of that, many American companies will be able to work directly with our network providers, hopefully spurring a domestic market for network equipment, and that is something we desperately need. For all of these reasons, I want to thank Representatives Guthrie and Matsui and Ranking Member Walden for joining me in leading this bipartisan, bicameral bill. I also want to thank the Senate sponsors, led by Senator Warner of Virginia. This legislation is critical for our strategic national interest, and I urge all Members to support it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. PALLONE

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2610) to establish a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Council to collect and disseminate model educational materials useful in identifying and preventing scams that affect seniors, as amended.

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have a number of speakers from our committee on the various bills incorporated in this, and I will start with the sponsor for the main bill, H.R. 2610. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester).

Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), who is the chair of our Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. The gentlewoman has done such a wonderful job in trying to protect us from these frauds and scams, particularly during the coronavirus.