Chris Pappas

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Glendi, a Greek festival held annually in my hometown of Manchester, NH. Over the past four decades, St. George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral has hosted this event, which celebrates Greek culture, crafts, music, and, of course, food Every year, Glendi brings together thousands of people from across New Hampshire and the region to celebrate the contributions and traditions of Greek culture in America. I grew up and remain a member of the St. George's family, which for over 100 years has welcomed the faithful to gather and be part of this tight-knit community. Now as a member of Congress I could not be more proud to mark this milestone. My great-grandfather Arthur Papathanasiou left Livadi, Elassona, a tiny hilltop town in Turkish-occupied northern Greece, to start a better life in 1906, and like many Greek immigrants, his family brought their culture and food and traditions with them. As a life-long resident of Manchester, Glendi was always a highlight and the chance to see those traditions and culture on display was particularly special. There is truly no better celebration of the many contributions the Greek community have made in the greater Manchester area than Glendi. By sharing our Greek traditions with the broader Manchester community, the festival makes our city more inclusive and open. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank George Copadis--President of the Board of Directors, Father Mike, and the St. George's community for their decades of dedication to our community. I congratulate them on this milestone and thank them for all that they do to make our state such a wonderful place to learn, live, and eat.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th anniversary of Calef's Country Store. For a century and a half, Calef's Country Store has served both locals and visitors with quality New Hampshire products and kept alive traditions integral to the Granite State's rural character. Opened in 1869, Calef's Country Store has remained a pillar of the Barrington community over all these years. Five generations of the Calef family operated the beloved store, and while the family no longer owns the store, it remains deeply rooted in its traditions. It still makes many of its products, such as ``Snappy Old Cheddar'' cheese and wooden barrel pickles, and is a strong supporter of fellow New Hampshire small businesses. Calef's employees are proud of the store's tradition and serve as ambassadors for our state's traditions and welcoming spirit. Joel Sherburne, an employee for nearly 62 years, shares stories and relays history to customers at his deli counter, forging a strong sense of community in the store. It is this focus on community that makes Calef's so special. From its local products to its longtime employees, Calef's is more than a store: it is a community center that keeps New Hampshire's rural traditions and customs alive. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to congratulate Calef's Country Store on 150 years of service to its community and the State of New Hampshire. Its commitment to quality Granite State products and to New Hampshire's long held traditions have solidified its status as a landmark in our state. Let us celebrate this anniversary by thanking Calef's Country Store and its current and former employees for making New Hampshire such a wonderful place to live, shop, and eat.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Raude Raychel for her tireless work on behalf of the Indonesian community in New Hampshire. Raude serves as President of the Indonesian Community Connect (ICC), a non-profit organization based in Somersworth, NH. ICC hosts community events for the Indonesian community, shares Indonesian culture and values with the broader community, and provides support and information for those building lives in the United States. The daughter of immigrants, Raude's parents always instilled in her a drive to always make her community stronger. Throughout her life, Raude has been more than just a model citizen--she is truly a pillar of our community. In her role as President of ICC, Raude has not only upheld and carried on the traditions of the Indonesian community but also shared these with the entire Seacoast region. The contributions of the Indonesian community have made Somersworth and all of New Hampshire a better place to live. I am particularly proud of her efforts to bring local municipal officials and the Indonesian Consulate and Embassy together to discuss creating the country's first `Little Indonesia' in Somersworth. Like so many other Granite Staters, I have been lucky enough to learn about Indonesian culture through ICC's events and festivals. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank Raude for her decades of dedication to our community. I thank her for her tireless work for our community, and for helping to make our state such a wonderful place to learn, live, and grow.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the bicentennial of the Crawford Path, the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in the United States. For two centuries, the Crawford Path has opened New Hampshire's White Mountains to adventure-seekers and nature lovers of all backgrounds and abilities. Originally built in 1819 by Ethan Allen Crawford and his father, Abel, the Crawford Path is one of America's most popular recreational trails. Following a mountainous ridgeline across miles of open alpine environment, the trail affords impressive views of the peaks and valleys of the White Mountains. The trail's convergence with the famed Appalachian Trail and its conclusion at the summit of Mt. Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeastern U.S., make it an attraction for experienced and recreational hikers alike. While the trail's popularity affords many visitors the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the Granite State, its frequent use has unfortunately caused significant degradation of the beloved trail. Maintaining such a well-trodden path over such a long time is no small task. I am proud of the White Mountain Region's local legacy of over 100 years of active trail maintenance, with critical leadership from stakeholders such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Appalachian Mountain Club. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to commemorate the Crawford Path's bicentennial and thank all those who have maintained it for their service to our community. I thank them for all that they do to make the Granite State such a wonderful place, to work, live, and play. Let us celebrate this exciting anniversary by committing ourselves to ensuring that Crawford Path remains a jewel of the White Mountains for another 200 years.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tappan Chairs of Sandwich as they celebrate their bicentennial. First opened in 1819 by Abraham Tappan, Tappan Chairs has become a pillar in the Sandwich community. This business stayed in the Tappan family for over a hundred years through the work of the founder's son, Daniel, and grandsons, Walter and Winthrop. Although it has changed owners since those early days, the style and durability of Tappan Chairs has remained, and they are still produced on the same vintage equipment that they were crafted on so many generations ago. The success and longevity of Tappan Chairs is a testament to the enduring work ethic of its owners, who for generation after generation, stepped in to take its mantel. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I congratulate everyone at Tappan Chairs on an exciting anniversary. I hope that they are able to celebrate this impressive milestone and wish them the best of luck in their next 200 years of business! I thank them for all that they do to make the Granite State such a wonderful place to work, live, and play.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, this morning, I rise in support of the 42,000 men and women of the United States Coast Guard, the vital public safety, humanitarian, and national defense missions they perform, and this House's passage yesterday of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2019. Coast Guard members are the first responders of America's oceans, waterways, and coastlines, conducting varied missions, often at a moment's notice, including search and rescue, securing our Nation's ports and waterways, and conducting law enforcement operations. In my district in New Hampshire, we have been home to the Coast Guard since its founding, and the Granite State has relied on its work to keep us safe and strong for generations. Last month I had the privilege of meeting with the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Tahoma at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. As I met officers and crew members and toured their vessel, I was struck by the critical nature of their missions and the challenges they encounter in executing them. Cutters like Tahoma patrol international waters and interdict drugs coming to America's shores. Their work saves lives and makes our communities safer. The Coast Guard has been doing this work despite being chronically underfunded and under-resourced. The Coast Guard faces cartels and smugglers with staggering resources and advanced technology, and studies show that only 20 to 30 percent of the illegal drugs coming to our shores are interdicted. According to the leaders of the Coast Guard, the most significant factor in its inability to meet drug interdiction targets has been insufficient inventory of vessels and aircraft to support operations. At a time when our Nation is facing a profound crisis of addiction, we can and must do more to ensure that the Coast Guard is fully funded and has the resources it needs to keep our country safe. That is why yesterday's action to pass the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2019 in a bipartisan way was so critical. This act supports the Coast Guard for the next 2 years with more than $11 billion in discretionary funding each fiscal year, allowing them to address a backlog created by previous cuts. An important bill I introduced was also included, the Fair and Equal Treatment of Women in the Coast Guard Act. This seeks to increase the recruitment and retention of women in the U.S. Coast Guard and improve gender diversity in this branch of the Armed Forces. This comes in response to a study commissioned by the Coast Guard that identified barriers to attracting, recruiting, and retaining women, and recommended ways to improve gender diversity in the service. It is one important step to assure that the Coast Guard can continue to attract our Nation's best and brightest. When we talk about keeping this Nation safe, let's remember the incredible work performed by our Coast Guard close to home and around the globe. Let's show the Coast Guard Members that Congress has their backs, and let's continue to work collaboratively to ensure the Coast Guard has the proper support and policies in place to carry out its missions.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my constituents, Bob and Cathy, who shared their story recently with me at a roundtable discussion in Manchester. When Bob was in need of a kidney transplant, his wife, Cathy, was a match, and she donated her own kidney to overcome extensive wait times. Today, 15 years after Bob's successful surgery, he must continue to take antirejection drugs. This prescription has always been covered by Cathy's private insurance. Even as Bob and Cathy are near retirement age, retirement is not an option for them, because Bob's life is dependent on a prescription drug that costs $3,000 a month out of pocket. Nobody in America should be deprived the dignity of retirement after a lifetime of hard work because of the outrageous costs of lifesaving drugs. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ease the significant burden and anxiety that so many Americans unnecessarily face every day. We must tackle the high cost of prescription drugs now. The American people are counting on us to do just that.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I offer this amendment on behalf of all the children and families across our Nation who have been impacted by the harmful effects of PFAS contamination. As of August 2017, the Department of Defense identified over 400 Active and BRAC installations in the United States where there ``is a known or suspected release of PFOS/PFOA.'' The Environmental Working Group estimates that 475 industrial facilities may be discharging PFAS directly into bodies of water, some of which are used as a drinking water source. It also estimates that more than 100 million Americans may be drinking PFAS-tainted water. This should be concerning to all of us because science has linked PFAS with developmental delays for children and serious health conditions, including cancer, immune system disorders, and thyroid problems. To date, however, the EPA has yet to act to set standards under the Clean Water Act. That is why this amendment is needed. In my home district in New Hampshire, we are grappling with this issue in a number of communities. In the town of Merrimack, industrial pollution from a manufacturer has contaminated drinking water that thousands relied on. At Pease Air Force Base on the seacoast, PFAS chemicals have been used by the military for decades and have been detected in the surrounding environment as well as private and municipal wells. My constituents have become far too familiar with the impacts of living in communities where these toxic chemicals are present. This is more than just a matter of tests, data sets, and parts per trillion in the abstract. The burdens of these chemicals are carried by real people. I hear their stories firsthand. A woman who has taken an active role on the front lines of this fight and who contacted my office recently worked at Pease Air Force Base for almost 10 years. Her son was exposed to PFAS prenatally and for 5 years while attending preschool and kindergarten by drinking water from an affected well. He was sick often as a child, and his mother has ongoing concerns about his health and immune system stemming from that early exposure. Not only is her family dealing with these physical impacts, they are dealing with the uncertainty and lingering questions about the facts and difficulty with testing and diagnosis, and they are left to wonder if and when things may get worse. It is for reasons like this that I have been committed to advocating for families like these in my district and why I have joined the bipartisan PFAS task force to help come up with solutions. While there are countless questions we must answer, due to the relentless work of advocates, community leaders, and concerned citizens, the all too pervasive issue of PFAS contamination has been brought to light. The dedicated work of family, friends, and neighbors banding together to ask questions and demand answers has been critical, but it is time for much more than just that. It is time for us in Congress to take long-overdue action. It is time for us to push for stronger standards, invest in cleanup, and improve protections for those who have suffered from the effects of contamination. Today, with the support of my colleagues, we can do just that. This amendment takes a critical step in holding polluters accountable and establishing proactive limits for PFAS discharge as we work to curtail contamination and support families who have been exposed. By adding PFAS to the Clean Water Act's list of toxic pollutants and requiring EPA to set standards for discharges into our Nation's waters, we are providing the EPA with the additional tools it needs to tackle these toxic chemicals. There is nothing more important than safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote for the adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chair, to close, I think it is critical that we give EPA the ability to set standards that are reasonable for PFAS that would protect public health. In passing this amendment, we can ensure that our government can meet its most basic guaranty: that everyone--servicemembers, their families, and civilians, alike--can have confidence that the water we drink, the natural environment all around us, is clean and safe. This amendment will ensure EPA sets standards for these toxic pollutants to protect public health and the safety of all Americans. It is beyond time for us and Congress to act to take serious action on PFAS, and I urge adoption of this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize my high school U.S. history teacher, Kathleen Mirabile, who retired last week after serving the Manchester School District for 49 years, 42 of those at my alma mater of Central High School. Mrs. Mirabile is a Central High institution, and her passion for her subject matter and dedication to her profession made her an exemplary teacher. She was a longtime leader of the social studies department and the National Honor Society. She gave back to her community in many ways, including leading efforts locally to preserve and share the history of Manchester. Mrs. Mirabile knows that history is not simply a collection of dates, facts and figures; it is about people. We must understand it or be bound to repeat it. I think of her lessons on a regular basis, and so do thousands of New Hampshire students who have walked through her classroom doors. On behalf of the people of New Hampshire's First District, I thank Mrs. Mirabile for incredible service and wish her the best in her well- deserved retirement.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Doris Irene Proulx, who is being honored as the Franco-American of the year by the Franco-American Centre of New Hampshire. The Franco-American Centre of New Hampshire is a non-profit working to preserve the rich heritage of French communities in New Hampshire by promoting history, culture, and education of their historic, cultural, and artistic contributions. A proud member of the Franco-American community, Doris has served our state with unbridled distinction, as a school guidance counselor, through constant community service, and active involvement in her faith community. Doris Irene Proulx was born and raised in Manchester, growing up in a bilingual French/English household. She served the community in a professional capacity for 38 years as a guidance counselor at Manchester High School West, including 21 years as Director of Guidance. During this time, she earned the NH Excellence in Education Award for Guidance and was named Counselor of the Year. Throughout her life, she has been a committed public servant, serving as a former president of both the Manchester Women's Club and the Richelieu Club of Manchester. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador and is an active Member of the Franco-American Centre. Doris continued to serve her faith community as a former president of the Missionary Rosebushes, Cardinal Lacroix Academy Advisory Board, Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, and currently serves as a section representative for the Diocese of Manchester. Additionally, she has been a lector in both English and French at St. Ann-St. Augustin and St. Anthony Churches for over 18 years. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank Doris for her decades of dedication to our community. I congratulate her again on this well-deserved honor, and I thank her for all that she does to make our state such a wonderful place to learn, live, and grow.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of thousands of American heroes who may be unjustly denied the opportunity to serve the country they love. Last month, the administration's discriminatory ban on transgender military service took effect, telling 15,000 Active-Duty servicemembers they don't belong in uniform. That is completely unacceptable. And now these brave patriots are worried not just about the loss of a career that they love, but also about the loss of healthcare benefits they have earned through years of service and sacrifice. That is why, yesterday, I was proud to introduce the SERVE Act. My legislation will enshrine into law a simple pledge to every veteran that they will receive the benefits they deserve no matter how they identify or whom they love. Americans willing to lay down their lives for our country are entitled to honor and dignity. That is a basic promise we make to everyone who puts on the uniform, and we can never go back on that promise.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Penny Chauvette, who is being honored as the Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of Realtors (GMNBR) Realtor of the Year for 2019. A valued member of GMNBR for 31 years, Penny has served her community with distinction, treating both her colleagues and clients with the utmost respect, professionalism, and positivity. The Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of Realtors (GMNBR) is a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the real estate profession by supporting its members through education, community involvement, civic duty, pride of professionalism and advocacy. Over the past 31 years, she has been instrumental in helping the board achieve its critical goal. She has served as a leader at the Board in several ways, sitting on the Budget and Finance Committee and serving as the Chair of the Education Committee. During 2018 alone, Penny made sure that her Committee provided over 46 free continuing education credits for the GMNBR membership. She takes immense pride in serving her community with dignity and respect while inspiring others to do the same. Penny is proud to always wear her realtor pin and highlight her most valuable characteristic: her unwavering and steadfast commitment to ethical behavior. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to thank Penny for her decades of dedication to our community. I congratulate her again on this well-deserved honor, and I thank her for all that she does to make our state such a wonderful place to learn, live, and grow.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, thank you to my colleague, Representative Hill from California, my fellow co-chair of the Equality Caucus, as she rightfully notes nothing--nothing--in the Equality Act infringes upon women's rights. If it did, we wouldn't be supporting it so vociferously today. This MTR is an army of words marching in search of an issue that doesn't exist. For those of us who have been involved in the fight for equality, this tactic isn't new or surprising. We have seen it before. We have seen the deliberate distractions, the unfounded fears, the faulty arguments on our way toward progress. This legislation simply gives LGBTQ individuals full equality-- nothing more and nothing less. When we end legal discrimination in housing, employment, and public services, we will steer our Nation closer to the full realization of its founding principles and the notion that we are all created equal. As a proud member of the LGBTQ community, I can attest that attitudes in this country have changed for the better, and it is time that our laws catch up. Congress can send a message to LGBTQ Americans everywhere that we see you, that we celebrate you for who you are. This vote will change laws, and it will save lives. In passing the Equality Act today, we can say, unequivocally, that everyone matters, that everyone can be themselves, that no one should live in fear or be treated as a second-class citizen in the United States of America, not today and not ever--full equality under the law, nothing less and nothing more. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this motion to recommit. I welcome you to become a part of history. Join us on the right side of history. Do the right thing today. Vote ``no'' on this MTR, and stand for full equality for the LGBTQ community.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Howard Brodsky, who is receiving the Global Leadership Award from the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire on May 19, 2019. A Manchester native and a pioneer of the cooperative business model, Mr. Brodsky has dedicated his life to helping entrepreneurs and small business compete in the global marketplace. As the Chairman, Co-founder, and Co-Chief Executive Officer of CCA Global Partners, Mr. Brodsky created the second largest private company in the state of New Hampshire, comprised of 13 affiliated companies with total sales of over $10 billion. Mr. Brodsky has dedicated his career to building a model for small businesses to succeed in an unpredictable international economy. With a commitment to global cooperation and a focus on giving small businesses the tools and connections needed to compete at scale, Mr. Brodsky and his colleagues at CCA are helping foster a more equal society and economy. On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional District, I want to congratulate Howard Brodsky on this well-deserved award. I also thank the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire for continuing to recognize Granite Staters in their work to connect the world to New Hampshire and New Hampshire to the world. I thank Mr. Brodsky and the World Affairs Council for all that they do to make the Granite State such a wonderful place to work, live, and foster global connections.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I want to thank my colleagues for introducing this legislation that works to improve our healthcare system and lower the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs. This bill will bring much needed relief to the millions of Americans who are struggling to afford the care that they need. The people from my home State of New Hampshire know that we must move beyond a political debate over the ACA to bipartisan action that will improve coverage and lower costs. Just last week, I was proud to vote to protect Americans with preexisting conditions and introduce an amendment to safeguard coverage for those suffering from substance use disorder. The amendment I am offering today strengthens this legislation and the ACA by ensuring the administration is actively working to expand Americans' access to care. Specifically, my amendment requires the Department of Health and Human Services to set enrollment targets, goals that can be tracked and pursued with smart investments of resources. This commonsense practice was employed by the previous administration, yet the Trump administration has failed to do so. While they should be promoting enrollment for affordable coverage, Health and Human Services has slashed the advertisement and outreach budget by 90 percent and it cut in-person enrollment assistance funding nearly in half. These actions have very real consequences. Recent reports indicate that more than 1.1 million Americans lost healthcare coverage in 2018. In my State of New Hampshire, more than 10,000 individuals lost coverage over the past 3 years. These cuts have hindered organizations such as the Bi-State Primary Care Association in New Hampshire. The organization is responsible for helping nearly 110,000 underserved Granite Staters navigate the complexities of our healthcare system and find coverage in the enrollment period, which lasts only 6 weeks. In the words of Executive Director Tess Kuenning: The loss in funding means a loss of a trusted impartial adviser educating and providing information so people can make an informed decision about health insurance coverage. Without collecting and monitoring enrollment numbers, it is impossible to hold the department accountable or track how they are deploying resources to support enrollment. In fact, the nonpartisan GAO slammed the administration for refusing to set targets and having no way to evaluate overall performance. As a small business owner, I can't fathom how leaders can work towards success without clearly defined goals. How do you measure progress? How do you know how to best utilize your resources? How do you know if you need to make a course correction? The American people deserve to know their government is working to expand access to care, not seeking to limit it. In the greatest Nation on Earth, no American should miss the opportunity to have healthcare, economic security, quality of life, and the peace of mind that comes with it. Mr. Chair, I urge the adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PAPPAS

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I thank my colleague from New Hampshire, Representative Kuster, for offering this legislation that will safeguard healthcare protections for the 130 million Americans with preexisting conditions. The amendment I am offering today would ensure that we don't take any steps backward in our fight against this Nation's opioid epidemic. For people in my home State of New Hampshire, the Affordable Care Act is a lifesaving law. It is the best tool we have to combat the opioid crisis. As I travel around my district, I hear heartbreaking stories of those lost and those still fighting hard. I also hear from constituents who, on a regular basis, can't fathom where they would be without coverage for their substance use disorder. I am here today on behalf of constituents like Phil Spagnuolo from Laconia. As Phil fought to recover from substance use disorder, he took comfort in knowing that he could rely on coverage that was affordable and accessible to him in the midst of the greatest medical challenge of his life. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Phil has gone from jail to treatment and recovery to serving as a leader in the recovery community, coaching and advocating for those grappling with addiction. New Hampshire is incredibly proud of his story and his example, and it is all made possible because of the ACA and its basic protections. The collective impact of substance use disorder coverage has expanded treatment and recovery opportunities in New Hampshire and across the country. Unfortunately, far too many still do not access this kind of lifesaving care. We still lose 130 Americans each and every day in their battle with opioid addiction. The scope of this crisis is simply immense. No region, no community, no family has been spared. Despite the alarming statistics, the administration issued guidance that would allow insurance companies to discriminate against Americans with preexisting conditions, including the 19.7 million Americans like Phil with a history of substance use. That is why I am offering this amendment today, to strengthen the underlying legislation and prohibit any further actions to reduce the availability or affordability of coverage for those battling substance use disorder. We should be working together to open the doors to those most in need, not shutting them because of politics. I urge the adoption of this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time, Madam Chair.

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Chair, I am willing to close if the gentleman from Oregon is, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Chair, this is a critical issue. This is an important piece of legislation. I, for one, don't trust this administration to get it right. They have tried every trick in the book they can to repeal the Affordable Care Act outright legislatively and to undermine it administratively. They have gone to the courts to take away critical protections from Americans who need them most. I, for one, am not going to stand for it. The people of New Hampshire and of this country, we are ensuring that we get this right for them. It is very critical for those suffering from substance use disorder that we ensure those important protections remain on the books so that people can access care. There is no more important tool in our toolbox than ensuring that people have health insurance to take care of their substance use disorder. That is why I brought forward this amendment today. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.