Brittany Pettersen

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the City of Lakewood, Colorado, for its induction into the All-America City Hall of Fame for its Sustainable Neighborhoods Program. Lakewood's Sustainable Neighborhoods program has brought residents together to promote water conservation, address food access issues, and reduce waste and neighborhood emissions. This program has served as a model for neighborhoods nationwide, empowering residents and their communities to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and reduce their ecological footprint. The All-America City award from the National Civic League recognizes outstanding communities that leverage civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to address local issues. It is because of the collective efforts of communities like the City of Lakewood that we can hope for a greener future. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to thank the City of Lakewood for its hard work and dedication to sustainability in our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Emiko Mukai of Golden, Colorado. Emiko was selected as one of 250 high school students across the country to participate in the Department of State's prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program. Launched in 1983, CBYX selects high achieving youth from both Germany and the United States to live in each other's country for one academic year. During their year abroad, students will foster meaningful relationships between America and Germany, while giving participants new perspectives on peoples and cultures beyond their own. Many CBYX alumni go on to distinguished careers in foreign affairs and public service using the language skills gained through this scholarship program. This year, Emiko will travel to Germany to attend school, live with a host family, and collaborate with the Department of State to promote cultural exchange between Americans and the German people. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Emiko Mukai for this impressive accomplishment and wish Emiko all the best in this upcoming year in Germany.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Avi Bender of Arvada, Colorado. Avi was selected as one of 250 high school students across the country to participate in the Department of State's prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program. Launched in 1983, CBYX selects high achieving youth from both Germany and the United States to live in each other's country for one academic year. During their year abroad, students will foster meaningful relationships between America and Germany, while giving participants new perspectives on peoples and cultures beyond their own. Many CBYX alumni go on to distinguished careers in foreign affairs and public service using the language skills gained through this scholarship program. This year, Avi will travel to Germany to attend school, live with a host family, and collaborate with the Department of State to promote cultural exchange between Americans and the German people. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Avi Bender for this impressive accomplishment and wish Avi all the best for this upcoming year in Germany.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call No. 162 on H.R. 2096, I mistakenly recorded my vote as YEA when I should have voted NAY.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zoe Kante for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Zoe has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Zoe, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Zoe's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Zoe Kante on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Evergreen, Colorado, on its 150th anniversary as a town. One hundred and fifty years ago, Dwight Wilmot petitioned the United States Postal Service to establish a post office named Evergreen in the foothills of western Denver. Since then, Evergreen has grown from a small ranching and logging village only accessible by wagon roads to the vibrant mountain community that it is today. Originally inhabited by the Native Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people, the town has grown alongside the state of Colorado, boasting a slower lifestyle ``up the hill'' away from the City of Denver. Evergreen's charm can be seen in the community's appreciation for the arts, outdoor recreation opportunities, and small community feel, along with the work of the more than 70 nonprofit organizations that embody the town's attitude of ``taking care of ourselves and our neighbors.'' On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to celebrate Evergreen, Colorado, on its 150-year- history and join the town in looking forward to the future.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Red Rocks Elementary School on its 70th anniversary. Public schools play a critical role in shaping our communities. For over 70 years, the teachers, administrators, and support staff at Red Rocks Elementary School have helped their students achieve academic excellence by providing a rich education at their outdoor campus at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The staff at Red Rocks Elementary School go above and beyond by focusing on lessons that integrate art, technology, music, and the outdoors. This award-winning school has provided excellent education to children in Colorado and produced generations of creative and innovative leaders in our state. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Red Rocks Elementary School on its 70th anniversary and thank all the educators and dedicated individuals who work there for their commitment to our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize South Metro Fire Department Chief Bob Baker for his leadership and service over the past 40 years. Bob Baker has served with South Metro Fire Rescue as the Chief for the last ten years. Last summer, when the Quarry fire broke across the Front Range, Chief Baker helped coordinate the emergency response to keep our community safe. Under his leadership, the South Metro Fire Department was awarded Class 1 status by the Insurance Service Office for its outstanding protection of residents, and was one of only thirteen Class 1 departments that serve over 500,000 constituents. Throughout his service, Chief Baker has championed the physical and mental well-being of his team through workplace wellness programs, and we are incredibly grateful for his hard work. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, I am honored to congratulate Chief Bob Baker on his retirement.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize John Curtis for his promotion to Chief of the South Metro Fire Department. Deputy Chief John Curtis has served the South Metro Fire Department for over twenty years. In his previous position, John oversaw Emergency Medical Services, dispatch, fleet services, and special operations. His educational background in organizational leadership, along with his extensive on the job experience, has separated him from the other 76 applicants. Our community is fortunate to have an incoming Chief with the years of experience and education that John brings to this role. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate John Curtis on his promotion to Chief of South Metro Fire Rescue. We thank him for his continued commitment to our community.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Golden Police Department of Golden, Colorado, for serving and protecting our community. We are all grateful to the Department and Chief of Police Joe Harvey, as they strive to maintain a culture of positive public engagement, equity, and compassion for all. Founded in 1874, the department has a long history of dedicated officers working to build public trust through accountability and equitable policing. National Police Week offers an opportunity to honor law enforcement and pay tribute to those who gave their lives serving their communities. This week, we honor Officer Evan Dunn, who was a member of the Golden Police Department, who tragically passed away in the line of duty in November 2024. Officer Dunn joined the Department after serving as an Army Aviator and Black Hawk pilot in the Missouri and Colorado Army National Guard. As a soldier, an officer, and a devoted husband, Officer Dunn was a servant in every aspect of his life. His legacy of kindness, dedication, and service to our community and our country will not be forgotten. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to thank the Golden Police Department for their devotion to public service in the line of duty.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Kiara Kuenzler of Denver, Colorado for being named the Nexstar 2025 Remarkable Woman of Denver. During her 7-year tenure as President and CEO, Dr. Kuenzler positioned the Jefferson Center for Mental Health as a leading community provider by expanding access to services and growing the Center's workforce across the region. Dr. Kuenzler recognized the need to bring mental health services to people where they were at, so she created partnerships with schools, medical practices, law enforcement, and others to facilitate more than 150 outposts for substance use disorder care. She grew the Center's workforce by over 300 employees and improved access to treatment for over 25,000 Coloradans in the Front Range to ensure those in rural communities could access care. Dr. Kuenzler earned this honor because of her dedication to expanding mental health care services and her passion for helping people overcome obstacles in their lives. She'll be remembered as an important part of the Jefferson Center's legacy. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Dr. Kiara Kuenzler for being recognized as the ``2025 Remarkable Woman of Denver.''

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alex Willis of Leadville, Colorado for winning the USA Triathlon Winter National Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado. Alex is a third-generation ultra-triathlete and a coach who competes in snowshoeing, trail running, cycling, Nordic skiing, and more. His hard work paid off recently when he broke the tape with a time of 1:28:31 at the USA Triathlon Winter National Championships earning him a spot in the World Championships to be held in Pontevedra, Spain next year. We are incredibly proud that he'll represent the United States at this global event. On behalf of the people of Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, it is my honor to congratulate Alex Willis for his win at the 2025 Winter Triathlon National Championships, and join his friends and family in rooting for his success at the World Championships.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ryan Wrenfrow for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Ryan has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Ryan, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Ryan's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Oberon Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Ryan Wrenfrow on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tommy Seiler for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Tommy has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Tommy, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Tommy's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Tommy Seiler on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Vincent Medina for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Vincent has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Vincent, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Vincent's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Oberon Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Vincent Medina on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kloey Kehl for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Kloey has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Kloey, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Kloey's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Kloey Kehl on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Laura Jeffries for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Laura has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Laura, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Laura's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Laura Jeffries on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lucas Steiskal for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Lucas has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Lucas, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Lucas's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Lucas Steiskal on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Madison Sours for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Madison has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Madison, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Madison's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Madison Sours on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nathan Angel Perez for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Nathan has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Nathan, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Nathan's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Wheat Ridge High School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Nathan Angel Perez on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Parker Wells for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Parker has overcome many challenges along his journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Parker, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Parker's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Three Creeks K-8 and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Parker Wells on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Presley Griego for earning the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award. Presley has overcome many challenges along her journey to success, demonstrating perseverance at every step. Students who strive to make the most of their education, like Presley, develop crucial skills and a work ethic that will guide them for the rest of their lives. This award is a testament to Presley's hard work, determination, and perseverance at Mandalay Middle School and is clearly just the beginning of a bright and promising future. It is my honor to congratulate Presley Griego on achieving the Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth Award.

Ms. PETTERSEN

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I am here to beg for your consideration in support of my amendment to address something that happened with the reconciliation bill that changed the 1115 waiver. Now, this sounds incredibly wonky. An 1115 waiver to Medicaid is something that we are not going to be able to go home and talk to constituents about what we were able to do for them. Nobody knows what the 1115 waiver is. However, when you talk about the impacts that this has made, this is especially impactful when it comes to Colorado and what we have been able to do to address the opioid epidemic. In Colorado, we were able to utilize the 1115 waiver by proving that by covering substance use disorder treatment, we could save money over time. What happened in the reconciliation bill was language that said you actually had to prove that it was cost neutral up front and that you couldn't prove the cost savings over time. What this language will do, it will take our ability in Colorado away to utilize this waiver that has drawn down hundreds of millions of dollars for substance use disorder treatment. In fact, we were the second in the Nation to implement this waiver, and a total of 37 States now take advantage of this. Mr. Chair, 83 percent of people who are treated in the rural parts of Colorado and across the Nation are on Medicaid. This will significantly impact red States, blue States, and especially the rural places across the United States. Like many people, my family has been impacted by the opioid epidemic. When I was just 6 years old, my mom hurt her back. She was overprescribed opioids and became addicted like so many Americans. Through my struggle fighting to save my mom's life, I saw how broken our system was, and that is when I worked as a State legislator to change that. What I saw in my mom's fight when she was overdosing at a high rate when fentanyl started coming into the supply chain, and she was begging for help with nowhere to go, was that Medicaid did not cover substance use disorder treatment. You actually had to go through this waiver process. I watched my mom being churned in and out of the ER, being kept alive in the ICU in critical condition. The State of Colorado and the Federal Government spent over a million dollars in one year keeping her alive in the ER while denying her access to the care that she so desperately sought. I was finally able to go through a very complicated court order process to get her the care that she needed. My mom now is about to celebrate 8 years in recovery. She works at one of the places that saved her life and gives back to the community. She is a taxpayer. She is an example of what is possible when we actually invest in people and give them the care that they need. After hearing her story, we were able to implement this waiver to really increase our capacity as a State to address the opioid crisis. We know that more people have died from the opioid crisis than all world wars combined, and these are people that we didn't have to lose if we actually had the system to support them. Mr. Chairman, by rolling back this language, you are decimating the substance use disorder treatment across the United States in 37 States and many right now who are in the process of applying for the waiver and who are looking to Colorado as an example. This would mean hundreds of millions of dollars of treatment we would be denied. The first year alone, we treated 58,000 people with the care that they needed in Colorado. This is 5 years with implementation. It is the reason why we now have a 35 percent reduction in overdose deaths in Colorado. It is overwhelmingly the reason. Addressing the Medicaid barrier is so important. Let me explain why. People who struggle with the substance use disorder, this brain disease, it increases the likelihood of a decrease in employment. Mr. Chairman, 80 to 90 percent of people who are struggling with substance use disorder qualify for Medicaid. When the treatment they need and the healthcare they need is not covered and the healthcare system they are relying on is dismantled, the people in this community who are the most vulnerable are disproportionately impacted. On a day when we are working to ensure that some of the critical programs at the Federal level are funded in this bill which is an important piece of this, we also have to support the structure and the payment system that supports the people on the ground who are doing this work. It took us years to bring the study, bring the waiver, and prove that this would be a cost savings over time, and then to implement it. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. PETTERSEN. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.