Phil Roe

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3562) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish assistance for adaptations of residences of veterans in rehabilitation programs under chapter 31 of such title, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this is the type of legislation that I am proud members of our committee continue to bring forward. While it is not as flashy as the GI Bill package we passed earlier this year or Care in the Community legislation we are working on later this week, this bill gets to the core of what this Congress should be about: making it easier for disabled veterans to receive the benefits they have earned. I commend Mr. Arrington and Mr. O'Rourke for looking at a challenge and working with the administration and veterans groups to craft this important bill. General Leave

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1066) to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report regarding the organizational structure of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1066.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3122) to protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the basis of need of regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3656) to amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for a consistent eligibility date for provision of Department of Veterans Affairs memorial headstones and markers for eligible spouses and dependent children of veterans whose remains are unavailable, as amended.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3656, as amended. Under current law, VA may provide a memorial headstone or marker for a veteran's dependent child or surviving spouse if their remains are unavailable. But this law also contains an inconsistency. VA can provide a memorial headstone or marker for a spouse who dies on or after November 11, 1998, but can only provide one for a dependent child who dies on or after December 22, 2006. The disparity makes it difficult for VA to administer this law. More importantly, it has led to some confusion among veterans and their families as to whether a particular family member is eligible for this benefit or not. These families are not just mourning, but they are also coping with the heartbreak of not being able to properly lay their loved one to rest because the remains have not been recovered. I am concerned that it is possible that these families may not request a memorial VA headstone or marker because they aren't sure if they qualify. I hope that this bill will bring these families some peace by allowing VA to provide a permanent memorial marker to ensure their loved one will not be forgotten. H.R. 3656 would help avoid confusion by making the eligibility dates for the memorial markers consistent for surviving spouses and dependent children. This may seem like a small change, but I know it will be very important to grieving families who want to ensure that their loved ones are properly memorialized. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3656, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3656, as amended.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support this commonsense piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3657, as amended. VA provides headstones and markers for the spouses or dependent children of veterans who are interred in a national or State veterans cemetery at no charge. But VA is not authorized to provide headstones or markers for spouses and dependent children who are interred in Tribal veterans cemeteries. That is not right. There is no reason that veterans and their families who are interred in Tribal veterans cemeteries shouldn't receive the same benefits as those who decide to use national or State veterans cemeteries. H.R. 3657 would allow VA to provide headstones and markers for eligible family members who are interred in Tribal veterans cemeteries. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Poliquin for introducing this bill. I know he has a special interest in this because his district includes a Tribal veterans cemetery. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3657, and ensure that veterans who choose to be interred in Tribal cemeteries are given the same recognition that we give to veterans who are interred in national or State veterans cemeteries. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Poliquin), my good friend and member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank both sides of the aisle for these great bills we are passing this afternoon. It may seem like a small bill to the American public, but to the individual that is affected--in Maine, or wherever it may be--this is a huge deal. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Democratic side for all of the work they have done on the committee in a bipartisan way. It is a great committee to work on. This is a very important week for all of us, as we go home this Friday to begin celebrating Veterans Day. Two very important days on the committee are Memorial Day and Veterans Day, to honor those who passed and those who are still with us. Mr. Speaker, I thank both the Republicans and the Democrats. We put that at the door's edge, and this week we will be voting on some important pieces of legislation. We have seven more bills on the floor tomorrow. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for the support they have given our veterans in this country. I once again urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3657) to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones and markers for the graves of spouses and children of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries, as amended.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3657, as amended.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill with 270 cosponsors, that repeals two sections of the Affordable Care Act and terminates the Independent Payment Advisory Board--or the IPAB--once and for all. I thank Chairman Brady and Chairman Walden for bringing this important bill to the floor. I also want to start by thanking my lead Democrat cosponsor from California, Dr. Raul Ruiz. Dr. Ruiz and his staff have worked tirelessly with my staff to get more cosponsors this Congress than we have ever had before, including 45 Democrats. Seeing such strong bipartisan support for my bill only makes sense, however, since doing away with the IPAB has been a bipartisan idea since it was first proposed. In December of 2009, I joined Congressman Richard Neal and 72 other bipartisan Members in writing then-Speaker Pelosi expressing our opposition to the IPAB's creation. On the day the ACA passed the House, I filed legislation to repeal the IPAB, and have received bipartisan support in every Congress since. This is about access for seniors' care and quality of their care. By the way, the IPAB was not in the House version of the Affordable Care Act. Only the Senate sent that back over here. So it was not part of the House to begin with. We got lucky this summer that the Medicare trustees' report did not trigger the IPAB. Otherwise, there would have been significant statutory requirements to cut Medicare within a year. These cuts would have been made to provide reimbursements, which would do nothing but drive providers out of Medicare and would eliminate options for our seniors to receive healthcare. Peter Orszag, President Obama's Office of Management and Budget Director, said this was the greatest ceding of power from the Congress to a bureaucracy since the formation of the Federal Reserve. Remember, it has been stated here, Mr. Speaker, that the board hasn't been formed. That means one person makes these decisions, not the Congress. Medicare recipients can't come to their elected official and effect changes in this IPAB if it is enacted, and it will be. One of the major concerns we hear today is that the CBO has estimated that this bill will cost over $17 billion that is not paid for. First of all, the CBO describes its estimates as ``extremely uncertain'' because it is quite possible that under current law, the IPAB will not be triggered. Secondly, this is the same dilemma we were in with the sustainable growth rate--SGR. Medicare says to doctors: You go out and provide the care, but if you provide too much, we will cut your payments. As a physician myself, having seen how much havoc the SGR wreaked every year, we can't afford to put providers through this again. We spent months and years getting that corrected. Knowing that many Members were concerned about the offsets in previous years, we have a bill on the floor today that all of our cosponsors can support. I look forward to seeing all 270 of my cosponsors voting in favor of passage in order to preserve Medicare for our Nation's seniors. We have a chance to send a strong statement of support to Americans of Medicare age that do not want to see their healthcare arbitrarily cut by a body of 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, or the Secretary of HHS, if the board is not empaneled. If there are hard decisions to be made on Medicare, Congress should not abdicate that duty to a group of people with no oversight or legal recourse. Those decisions should be made by the people elected as representatives of the people. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support final passage of this bill and maintain Medicare services for our Nation's seniors, because this is truly a bipartisan issue that will affect all seniors equally.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I would like to include in the Record the following letter: Congress of the United States, Washington, DC, December 17, 2009. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Speaker: In July, 75 members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote to express strong opposition to proposals, such as the ``Independent Medicare Advisory Council (IMAC) Act of 2009'' and the ``Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009'' (H.R 2718, S. 1110, S. 1380), that would divest Congress of its authority for Medicare payment policy and place this responsibility in an executive branch commission or board. This letter clearly stated opposition to the inclusion of these or any other similar proposals in health reform or any other legislation, but with recent developments, we, the undersigned members, believe it is imperative to restate our strong opposition to any proposal or legislation that would place authority for Medicare payment policy in an unelected, executive branch commission or board. Consistent with the July letter, on November 7, 2009, the House passed the ``Affordable Health Care for America Act'' (H.R. 3962) did not include provisions to create an unelected Medicare board. Yet, at present, the Senate is considering the ``Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009,'' which includes provisions to create an ``Independent Medicare Advisory Board'' (IMAB) that would effectively end Congress's authority over Medicare payment policy. To create an unelected, unaccountable Medicare commission as envisioned in the Senate's IMAB proposal would end Congress's ability to shape Medicare to provide the best policies for beneficiaries in our communities around the country. Through the legislative process, and from Medicare's beginning, Members have been able to represent the needs of their communities by improving benefits for seniors and the disabled, affecting policies that fill the health care workforce pipeline, and ensuring that hospitals are equipped to care for diverse populations across our individual districts. Such a responsibility is one that is not taken, nor should be given away, lightly. These proposals would severely limit Congressional oversight of the Medicare program, and to place this authority within the executive branch, without Congressional oversight or judicial review, would eliminate the transparency of Congressional hearings and debate. Without the open and transparent legislative process, Medicare beneficiaries and the range of providers who care for them would be greatly limited in their ability to help develop and implement new policies that improve the health care of our nation's seniors. An executive branch Medicare board would also effectively eliminate Congress's ability to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to create and implement demonstration and pilot projects designed to evaluate new and advanced policies such as home care for the elderly, the patient-centered medical home, new less invasive surgical procedures, collaborative efforts between hospitals and physicians, and programs designed to eliminate fraud and abuse. The creation of a Medicare board would also effectively eliminate state and community input into the Medicare program, removing the ability to develop and implement policies expressly applicable to different patient populations. Instead, national policies that would flow from such a board would ignore the significant differences and health care needs of states and communities. Geographic and demographic variances that exist in our nation's health care system and patient populations would be dangerously disregarded. Furthermore, all providers in all states would be required to comply even if these policies were detrimental to the patients they serve. Such a commission could not only threaten the ability of Medicare beneficiaries, but of all Americans, to access the care they need. Finally, as the people's elected representatives, we must oppose any proposal to create a board that would surrender our legislative authority and responsibility for the Medicare program to unelected, unaccountable officials within the very same branch of government that is charged with implementing the Medicare policies that affect so many Americans. Therefore, we must strongly oppose the creation of IMAB, IMAC, a reconstituted MedPAC or any Medicare board or commission that would undermine our ability to represent the needs of the seniors and disabled in our own communities. Again, we urge you to reject the inclusion of these or any like proposal in health reform or any other legislation. Sincerely, Richard Neal, Gary Ackerman, Shelley Berkley, Brian Bilbray, Tim Bishop, Marsha Blackburn, Mary Bono Mack, Ginny Brown-Waite, Michael Burgess, G.K. Butterfield, Steve Buyer, Kendrick Calvert, Michael Capuano, Russ Carnahan, Bill Cassidy, Donna Christensen, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, William Lacy Clay, Joe Courtney. Joseph Crowley, Susan Davis, William Delahunt, Eliot Engel, Sam Farr, Bob Filner, John Fleming, Barney Frank, Phil Gingrey, Alan Grayson, Gene Green, Brett Guthrie, John Hall, Maurice Hinchey, Mike Honda, Steve Israel, Hank Johnson, Steve Kagen, John Lewis, Nita Lowey. Steve Lynch, Daniel Maffei, Carolyn Maloney, Edward Markey, Eric Massa, Doris Matsui, Jim McDermott, Jim McGovern, Jerry McNerney, Kendrick Meek, Gregory Meeks, Jerrold Nadler, John Olver, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne, Laura Richardson, Phil Roe, Mike Rogers, Dana Rohrabacher. Bobby Rush, Linda Sanchez, Allyson Schwartz, Pete Sessions, Pete Stark, Mike Thompson, Patrick Tiberi, John Tierney, Edolphus Towns, Lynn Woolsey.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule for my bill, H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors' Access to Medicare Act of 2017. Mr. Speaker, this bill would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board, or IPAB, which was created solely as a cost containment mechanism as part of the Affordable Care Act. It has nothing to do about quality of care or access to care. I can't think of anything more important, Mr. Speaker, that this Congress should be doing than providing quality care and access to care for our senior citizens of this country, some 58 million of them. Whatever your feelings may be about the ACA, this provision has had strong bipartisan opposition from its beginning, and it was not contained in the House Democrat's version of the bill, but was jammed in by the Senate at the end. If you still need convincing on just how unpopular this provision of the law is, ask yourself: How often do we see a bill come to the floor under a rule that has 270 bipartisan cosponsors? Passing this bill will send a strong message to our Senate colleagues that the time to act is now. Mr. Speaker, the overwhelming bipartisan support for Members is only outdone by the overwhelming nationwide coalition of support. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Protect My Doctor and Me coalition, a letter that has been signed by nearly 800 groups representing patients, providers, and all sectors of the healthcare industry with support in all 50 States. September 6, 2017. Dear Member of Congress: The undersigned organizations-- representing Medicare beneficiaries and patients, all sectors of the healthcare industry as well as employers and other purchasers of health care--believe strongly that the Medicare program must protect patient access to quality healthcare. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), not only poses a threat to that access but also, once activated, will shift healthcare costs to consumers in the private sector and infringe upon the decisionmaking responsibilities and prerogatives of the Congress. We request your support to repeal IPAB. IPAB, as constructed under PPACA, is a board comprised of Presidential appointees who will be charged with making recommendations to cut Medicare expenditures if spending growth reaches an arbitrary level. Once the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) implements an IPAB recommendation, that action is not subject to administrative or judicial review. As constructed, IPAB is granted unprecedented powers--even the ability to change laws previously enacted by Congress--with virtually no oversight. The potential impact of this board causes deep concern among our organizations and the millions of Americans we represent. IPAB proponents suggest that the board will be an asset in developing needed healthcare delivery reforms. That goal, however, is not realistically achievable. The law requires IPAB to achieve scoreable savings within a one-year time period. Thus, instead of pursuing long-term reforms that may not achieve immediate savings, IPAB is more likely to consider short-term savings in the form of payment cuts for healthcare providers. This was, in fact, the conclusion of the Congressional Budget Office, which stated that IPAB is most likely to focus on payment rates or methodologies for services provided by non-exempt providers. This would be devastating for patients, affecting access to care and innovative therapies. Already, the number of physicians unable to accept new Medicare patients due to low reimbursement rates has been increasing over the past several years. IPAB-generated payment reductions would only increase the access difficulties faced by too many Medicare beneficiaries. Furthermore, payment reductions to Medicare providers will almost certainly result in a shifting of health costs to employers and consumers in the private sector. Under IPAB's provisions, the responsibility for enacting healthcare system changes of this magnitude would be transferred from the legislative branch to the executive. More specifically, an unelected board without adequate oversight or accountability would be taking actions historically reserved for the public's elected representatives in the U.S. House and Senate. This is an unacceptable decisionmaking process for a program that millions of our nation's seniors and individuals with disabilities rely upon. Moreover, if IPAB does not act within the law's required timeframe or if IPAB members are not appointed by the President or confirmed by the Senate, the law transfers IPAB's responsibilities solely to the HHS Secretary. This places an enormous degree of power in the hands of one unelected individual. We strongly support bringing greater cost-efficiency to the Medicare program. We also advocate continuing efforts to improve the quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. The Independent Payment Advisory Board will achieve neither of these objectives and will only weaken, not strengthen, a program critical to the health and well-being of current and future beneficiaries. We urge Congress to eliminate the IPAB provision. Sincerely, 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition; 60 Plus Alabama; 60 Plus Association; A Partnership of Diabetics; Abbott; Actelion Pharmaceuticals; Action CF; ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+); AdvaMed--the Advanced Medical Technology Association; Advocacy Council of ACAAI; Advocates for Responsible Care (ARxC); AIDS Alliance for Women, Infants, Children, Youth & Families; AIDS Community Research Initiative of America; AIDS CT; AIDS Foundation of Chicago; AIDS Outreach Montana; AIDS Resource Center Ohio; AIDS Response Seacoast; AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region; Alabama ACEP. Alabama Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers; Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards; Alabama Hospital Association; Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network; Alabama Podiatric Medical Association; Alabama Society for Clinical Social Work; Alabama Society for the Rheumatic Diseases; Alaska Behavioral Health Association; Alaska ACEP; Alaska Rheumatology Alliance; Alaska State Medical Association; Alliance for Patient Access; Alliance of Specialty Medicine; Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin; Alzheimer's Arkansas; Alzheimer's Association-- Capital of Texas Chapter; Alzheimer's Texas; American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Academy of Dermatology Association; American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. American Academy of Neurology; American Academy of Ophthalmology; American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; American Association for Hand Surgery; American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus; American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; American Association of Clinical Urologists; American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons; American Association of Neurological Surgeons; American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association; American Behcet's Disease Association; American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American College of Cardiology; American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP); American College of Mohs Surgery; American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians; American College of Osteopathic Surgeons. American College of Radiology; American College of Rheumatology; American College of Surgeons; American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Oklahoma Chapter; American Gastroenterological Association; American Glaucoma Society; American Kidney Fund; American Liver Foundation; American Liver Foundation Pacific Coast Division; American Medical Association; American Military Society; American Nurses Association; American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine; American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics; American Osteopathic Association; American Osteopathic College of Rheumatology; American Physical Therapy Association; American Podiatric Medical Association. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons; American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association; American Society for Mohs Surgery; American Society for Surgery of the Hand; American Society of Anesthesiologists; American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery; American Society of Echocardiography; American Society of Nuclear Cardiology; American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators; American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; American Society of Plastic Surgeons; American Spinal Injury Association; American Urological Association; American Uveitis Society; AmerisourceBergen; Amgen; AMN Healthcare; Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio); Arizona College of Emergency Physicians; Arizona Radiological Society. Arizona United Rheumatology Alliance; Arizona Urological Society; Arkansas Chapter ACEP; Arkansas Medical Society; Arkansas Ophthalmological Society; Arkansas Orthopaedic Society; Arkansas Podiatric Medical Association; Arkansas Rheumatology Association; Arthritis Foundation; Arthritis Foundation South Central Region; Arthroscopy Association of North America; Ascension; Association of Black Cardiologists; Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, New England Chapter; Atrius Health; Austin Radiological Association; BEACON--Biomedical Engineering Alliance & Consortium; Better Medicare Alliance. Bingham County Senior Center; Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association; BioBuzz Workforce Foundation; Biocom; BioFlorida; BIOForward; BioHouston; BioKansas; BioNJ; BioNorthTX; BioOhio; Bioscience Association of West Virginia; Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); BioUtah; Birmingham Neurosurgery and Spine Group, PC; Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon; Brain Injury Association of Nebraska; California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; California ACEP; California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce; California Association of Health Facilities; California Association of Neurological Surgeons, Inc; California Chronic Care Coalition. California Health Collaborative, California Hepatitis C Task Force; California Life Sciences Association--CLSA; California Medical Association California Orthopaedic Association; California Podiatric Medical Association; California Rheumatology Alliance; California Senior Advocates League; California Society for Cardiac Rehabilitation; California Urological Association; Cambridge Chamber of Commerce; Campbell Clinic; Caregiver Action Network; Center for Health Care Services; Center for Healthcare Innovation; Center of Health Engagement; Central Coast Medical Society; Central Florida Behavioral Health Network; Centro de mi Salud; Cervical Spine Research Society. Charleston Parkinson's Support Group; Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society; Chemed Corporation; Citrus Council NKFF; City of New Orleans; Cleveland Clinic; CNY HIV Care Network; COAAA; Coalition of Asian-American IPA; Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations (CSRO); Colon Cancer Alliance; Colorado BioScience Association; Colorado Cross- Disability Coalition; Colorado Gerontological Society; Colorado Medical Society; Colorado Podiatric Medical Association; Colorado Radiological Society; Colorado Rheumatology Association; Colorado Society of Eye Physicans & Surgeons; Colorado's Insurance Consultant, LLC. Communicating for America, Inc.; Community Access National Network (CANN); Community Health Action Network; Community Health Charities of Nebraska; Community Liver Alliance; Community Oncology Alliance; Congress of Neurological Surgeons; Connecticut Orthopaedic Society; Connecticut Podiatric Medical Association; Council for Affordable Health Coverage; Council of State Neurosurgical Societies; CPEM, Inc; Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter; CSRA Area Agency on Aging; Delaware Academy of Ophthalmology; Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families; Delaware HIV Consortium; Dia de la Mujer Latina; Easter Seals; Easter Seals Central and Southeast Ohio Inc. Easter Seals Central Texas; Easter Seals Iowa; Easter Seals Massachusetts; Easter Seals Nebraska; Easter Seals North Georgia; Easter Seals of Southeastern PA; Eastern Orthopaedic Association; EDSers United Foundation; Eisai Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; ELLAS; Emergency Department Practice Management Association; Enchantment Healthcare; Endometriosis Association; Enterprise Family Healthcare; Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend; Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago; Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois; Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii; Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. Epilepsy Foundation of Western Wisconsin; Familia Unida Living with MS; FCEP Florida College of Emergency Physicians; Federation of American Hospitals; Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health--CO Chapter; First Step House; Fleet Reserve Association; Florida Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Society; Florida Neurosurgical Society; Florida Orthopaedic Society; Florida Osteopathic Medical Association; Florida Partners in Crisis; Florida Podiatric Medical Association; Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery; Florida Society of Rheumatology; Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Friends of Our Lady of Good Counsel; Geaux Group; Georgia Bio; Georgia College of Emergency Physicians. Georgia Commission on Women; Georgia Neurosurgical Society; Georgia Orthopaedic Society; Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative; Georgia Podiatric Medical Association; Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology; Georgia Society of Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery; Georgia Society of Ophthalmology; Georgia Society of Rheumatology; Georgia Women's Institute; Global Genes; Global Healthy Living Foundation; Global Liver Institute; Granite State Taxpayers; Greater North Dakota Chamber; Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce; H.E.A.L.S of the South (Hepatitis Education, Awareness and Liver Support); Hawaii ACEP; Hawaii Independent Physicians Association; Hawaii Medical Association. Hawaii Podiatric Medical Association; Health Agents for America, Inc. (HAFA); Healthcare Innovation Exchange; HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ); Healthcare Leadership Council; HealthHIV; Healthy African American Families; Hispanic CREO; Home Care Association of Washington; Hopkins County Memorial Hospital; ICAN, International Cancer Advocacy Network; Idaho Association of Nurse Anesthetists; Idaho Medical Association; Idaho Orthopaedic Association; Idaho Orthopaedic Society; Idaho Osteopathic Physicians Association; Idaho Podiatric Medical Association; Idaho State Dental Association; Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization; Illinois College of Emergency Physicians. Illinois Manufacturers' Association; Illinois Neurological Institute; Illinois Podiatric Medical Association; Illinois Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons; Illinois State Ambulance Association; Illinois State Medical Society; INACEP; Independent Medical Providers Action Council; Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology; Indiana Health Industry Forum; Indiana Medical Device Manufacturers Council; Indiana Neurosurgical State Society; Indiana Podiatric Medical Association; Indiana State Medical Association; Indiana University Health, Inc.; Infectious Diseases Society of America; Insight Human Services; Integral Rheumatology and Immunology Specialists (IRIS); International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis; International Institute of Human Empowerment. International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery; ION Solutions; Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology; Iowa ACEP; Iowa Biotechnology Association; Iowa Orthopaedic Society; Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association; Iowa Podiatric Medical Society; Iowa State Grange; J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society; JobKeeper Alliance; Johnson & Johnson; Julian CNA Training School; Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine; Kansas Orthopaedic Society; Kansas Podiatric Medical Association; Kansas Rheumatology Alliance; Kansas Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons; Kansas Urological Association; Kendall Square Association. Kentuckiana Rheumatology Alliance; Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Kentucky ACEP; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Kentucky Life Sciences Council; Kentucky Medical Association; Kentucky Psychiatric Medical Association; Kidney Cancer Association; Kidney Care Partners; Latin American Chamber of Commerce; Latino Commission on AIDS; Latino Diabetes Association; Licensed Professional Counselors Association; Life Science Tennessee; Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central PA; Life Sciences Pennsylvania; Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society; Louisiana Alumni, Sigma Kappa GNO; Louisiana Association of Neurological Surgeons; Louisiana Liberty 64. Louisiana Lifespan Respite Coalition; Louisiana Orthopaedic Association; Louisiana Podiatric Medical Association; Louisiana Womens' Network; Lower New York Chapter, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens; Lupus Alliance of Upstate New York; Lupus and Allied Diseases Association; Lupus Foundation New England; Lupus Foundation of America; Lupus Foundation of America, DC/MD/VA Chapter; Lupus Foundation of Arkansas, Inc.; Lupus Foundation of Colorado; Lupus Foundation of Florida, Inc.; Lupus Foundation of Northern California; Lupus Foundation of PA; Lupus Foundation of Southern California; Lupus LA; Lupus Society of Illinois; MA Health Council. MACEP--Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians; Maine ACEP; Malecare Cancer Support; Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals; Manufacture Alabama; Maryland Chapter American College of Emergency Physicians; Maryland Orthopaedic Association; Maryland Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, Inc; Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire Rheumatology Association; Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC); Massachusetts Medical Society; Massachusetts Orthopaedic Association; Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; MassBio; Maxim Healthcare Services; Maxima Home Health LLC; Meals on Wheels North Carolina; MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society; Medical Alley. Medical Association of Georgia; Medical Association of the State of Alabama; Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA); Medical News; Medical Oncology Association of Southern California; Medical Society of New Jersey; Medical Society of the State of New York; Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC); MedTech Association; MemorialCare Health System; Mended Hearts; Men's Health Network; Mental Health America of Montana; Mental Health Systems; Merck; Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce; Michigan Association of Neurological Surgeons; Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians; Michigan Biosciences Industry Association--MichBio; Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Michigan College of Emergency Physicians; Michigan Lupus Foundation; Michigan Orthopaedic Society; Michigan Osteopathic Association; Michigan Rheumatism Society; Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology; Minnesota Chapter ACEP; Minnesota Medical Association; Minnesota Neurosurgical Society; Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses; Minnesota Orthopaedic Society; Minnesota State Grange; Mississippi Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Mississippi Osteopathic Medical Association; Mississippi Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Mississippi State Medical Association; Missouri Ambulance Association; Missouri Association of Rural Health Clinics; Missouri Biotechnology Association. Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Hospital Association; Missouri State Medical Association; Missouri Urological Society; MoCEP--Missouri College of Emergency Physicians; Montana ACEP; Montana BioScience Alliance; Montana Chamber of Commerce; Montana Medical Association; Montana Orthopedic Society; Multiple Sclerosis Resources of Central New York, Inc; Musculoskeletal Tumor Society; NAMI--Sheridan; NAMI Alabama; NAMI Anchorage; NAMI Buffalo & Erie County; NAMI Clackamas; NAMI Florida; NAMI Greater Des Moines; NAMI Hernando. NAMI Illinois; NAMI Indiana; NAMI Iowa; NAMI Kansas; NAMI Knox Licking County Ohio; NAMI Lewis County; NAMI Maine; NAMI Maryland; NAMI Mass; NAMI Minnesota; NAMI Montana; NAMI Nebraska; NAMI Nevada; NAMI New Mexico; NAMI North Carolina; NAMI North Dakota; NAMI Northern Nevada; NAMI Ohio; NAMI Rochester; NAMI Sioux Falls. NAMI Skagit; NAMI Stark County; NAMI Upper Valley Idaho; NAMI Virginia; NAMI Washington; NAMI York County; NASW Texas Chapter; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Alliance on Mental Illness of Central Suffolk; National Alliance on Mental Illness of Park County, WY; National Association for Home Care & Hospice; National Association for Uniformed Services; National Association of Hepatitis Task Forces; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP); National Association of Social Workers--NC Chapter; National Association of Social Workers--Virginia Chapter; National Association of Spine Specialists; National Center for Policy Analysis; National Coalition for LGBT Health. National Council for Behavioral Health; National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians; National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association; National Grange; National Hispanic Medical Association; National Minority Quality Forum; National Psoriasis Foundation; National Retail Federation; National Rural Health Association; National Spasmodic Torticollis Association; NCCEP North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians; NC State Grange; Nebraska Medical Association; Nebraska Rural Health Association; Nebraska State Grange; Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom; Neuro Network Partners; Neurofibromatosis, Inc. Mid-Atlantic; Neurosurgical Society of Kentucky; Nevada Academy of Ophthalmology. Nevada Chapter ACEP; Nevada Health Care Association; Nevada Orthopaedic Society; New England Biotech Association; New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology; New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc.; New Jersey Chapter ACEP; New Jersey Mayors Committee on Life Science; New Jersey Orthopaedic Society; New Jersey Rheumatology Association; New Jersey State Nurses Association; New Mexico Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (NMBio); New Mexico Association of Nurse Anesthetists; New Mexico Chapter ACEP; New Mexico Health Care Association; New Mexico Podiatric Medical Association; New York ACEP; New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons; New York State Neurological Society; New York State Ophthalmological Society. New York State Rheumatology Society; New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Inc.; New York State Society of Plastic Surgeons, Inc; New York State Urological Society; NHACEP; North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society; North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans; North Carolina Biosciences Organization; North Carolina Chamber; North Carolina Foot & Ankle Society; North Carolina Psychological Association; North Carolina Rheumatology Association; North Carolina Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; North Dakota Chapter ACEP; North Dakota Medical Association; North Dakota Podiatric Medical Association; North Dakota Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; North Macon Family Healthcare Associates; Northeast Kidney Foundation; Northern Utah Coalition, Inc. Northwest Urological Society; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Occasional Riot; Ogden Branch of the NAACP; Ohio ACEP; Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities; Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services; Ohio Association of Rheumatology; Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice; Ohio Foot and Ankle Medical Association; Ohio Jewish Communities; Ohio Orthopaedic Society; Ohio Osteopathic Association; Ohio State Grange; Ohio Veterans United; OKBio; Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology; Oklahoma ACEP; Oklahoma Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Oklahoma Osteopathic Association; Oklahoma Podiatric Medical Association, Inc.; Oklahoma Society of Anesthesiologists; Oklahoma Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Oklahoma State Medical Association; ONEgeneration; Oregon Academy of Opthalmology; Oregon Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians; Oregon Medical Association; Oregon Neurosurgical Society; Oregon Podiatric Medical Association; Oregon Rheumatology Alliance; Oregon Society of Anesthesiologists; Oregon Urological Society; Orthopaedic Research Society; Orthopaedic Society of Oklahoma; Orthopaedic Trauma Association; Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California; Pacific Northwest Chapter of TRIO; PA Prostate Cancer Coalition. Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease; PCa Blue Inc.; Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America; Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; Pennsylvania College of Emergency Physicians; Pennsylvania Neurosurgical Society; Pennsylvania State Grange; Perennial Services Network; Pfizer; Pharmaceutical Care Management Association; Philadelphia Rheumatism Society; PhRMA; Plaza Community Services; Premier healthcare alliance; Prescription Assistance Network of Stark County, Inc; Prevent Blindness Iowa; Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate; Progressive Democrats of Central New Mexico; Progressive Leaders of Louisiana; Prostate Health Education Network. Radiology Associates of Macon; Rainy Day Patriots; Respiratory Health Association; RetireSafe; Rheumatism Society of the District of Columbia; Rheumatology Alliance of Louisiana; Rheumatology Association of Iowa; Rheumatology Association of Minnesota and the Dakotas; Rheumatology Association of Nevada; Rheumatology Society of North Texas; Rhode Island Chapter ACEP; Rhode Island Medical Society; Rhode Island Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Rhode Island Tech Collective; Rio Grande Valley Diabetes Association; RIPMA; Rocky Mountain Stroke Center; RTI Surgical Inc.; Rush To Live; SAGE Utah. Saint Agnes Healthcare; Salud U.S.A.; Sandhills Adult Day Health Center, Inc.; San Diego County Podiatric Medical Association; Sanofi US; SC Podiatric Medical Association (SCPMA); Scoliosis Research Society; Sea Island Pediatrics; Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging; Seniors Golden Hammer; Seniors Hospitality Center / Bonners Ferry Senior Center; Sickle Cell Disease Association of Florida; Sjogren's and Lupus Foundation of Hawaii; Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation; Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council; Smile Community Action Partnership; Society of Academic Urologists; Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions; Society for Vascular Surgery; Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons. Society of Urologic Oncology; Solidarity Project Advocacy Center; South Carolina BIO; South Carolina Hospital Association; South Carolina Medical Association; South Carolina Medical Group Management Association (SCMGMA); South Carolina Nurses Association; South Carolina Orthopaedic Association; South Carolina Rheumatism Society; South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology; South Carolina Urological Association; South Dakota Biotech; South Dakota State Medical Association; South Dakota State Orthopaedic Society; South Florida Cancer Association; Southern Orthopaedic Association; State Chamber of Oklahoma; State of Texas Association of Rheumatologists; State of Texas Kidney Foundation; Statewide Independent Living Council of Hawaii. StopAfib.org; Suicide Awareness Voices of Education; Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Survivors Cancer Action Network; Takeda Pharmaceuticals, USA Inc.; TCEP Texas College of Emergency Physicians; Tech Council of Maryland; Tennessee Association of Long Term Care Physicians; Tennessee Geriatrics Society; Tennessee Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Foundation; Tennessee Medical Association; Tennessee Orthopaedic Society; Tennessee Rheumatology Society; Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice; Texas Association of Business; Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons; Texas BioAlliance; Texas Health Resources; Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute; Texas Life-Sciences Collaboration Center. Texas Medical Association; Texas Neurological Society; Texas Nurse Practitioners; Texas Orthopaedic Association; Texas Osteopathic Medical Association; Texas Pain Society; Texas Radiological Society; Texas State Grange; The AIDS Institute; The Arc in Hawaii; The Arc of Anchorage; The Benefits Consultancy; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Macula Society; The Marilyn Fagan Ovarian Cancer Patient Advocacy Program (ICAN-Hawaii); The Meeting Group, Inc.; The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research; The National Association of Catholic Nurses--U.S.A.; The National Catholic Bioethics Center; The New England Council. The New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care; The Retina Society; The Surgery Center of Huntsville; The US Oncology Network; The Vision Care Center; The Wall Las Memorias Project; Twin Falls Senior Center; U.S. Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Pain Foundation; Union Pacific Railroad Employees Health Systems; Urban Pain Institute; Utah Advocates; Utah Medical Association; Utah Podiatric Medical Association; Utah Pride Center; Utah State Orthopedic Society; Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness; Vermont Medical Society; Vermont State Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons, Inc.; Veterans Health Council; Vietnam Veterans of America. Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota; Virginia Bio; Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Podiatric Medical Association; Virginia Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons; Visiting Nurse Association; Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio; VITAS Healthcare; Vizient, Inc.; Washington ACEP; Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association; Washington Rheumatology Alliance; Washington Rural Health Association; Washington State Medical Association; Washington State Orthopaedic Association; Washington State Podiatric Medical Association; Washington State Prostate Cancer Coalition; Washington State Urology Society; Wellness and Education Community Action Health Network; Wellness Station. West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons; West Virginia Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Inc.; West Virginia Orthopaedic Society; West Virginia State Rheumatology Society; Western Orthopaedic Association; Western Section of the American Urological Association; Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Wisconsin Academy of Ophthalmology; Wisconsin Association of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (WAOPS); Wisconsin Hospital Association; Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce; Wisconsin Medical Society; Wisconsin Rheumatology Association; Wisconsin State Grange. Wound Care Clinic--ESU; WPMA--Wisconsin Podiatric Medical Association; Wyoming Chapter American College Emergency Physicians; Wyoming Epilepsy Association; Wyoming Medical Society; Wyoming Ophthalmological Society; ZERO--The End of Prostate Cancer.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, let me just read one paragraph: ``IPAB, as constructed under PPACA, is a board comprised of Presidential appointees who will be charged with making recommendations to cut Medicare expenditures if spending growth reaches an arbitrary level. Once the Secretary of Health and Human Services implements an IPAB recommendation, that action is not subject to administrative or judicial review. As constructed, IPAB is granted unprecedented powers-- even the ability to change laws previously enacted by Congress--with virtually no oversight.'' Peter Orszag, President Obama's Office of Management and Budget Director, said it was the largest transfer of power from the legislative branch to a bureaucratic branch since the Federal Reserve, and that is a mouthful. Democrats and Republicans may not always agree on how to get things done around here, but when you can bring 270 House Members together on one bill, it is pretty clear that something needs to be done immediately. We were lucky this summer that the Medicare trustees report indicated that IPAB would not trigger until 2021 or 2022, but our back is against the wall and we must act. We cannot afford to let 15 unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats make decisions for our Nation's 58 million Medicare enrollees with no checks from Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this. I refer also to a bipartisan letter I signed on December 17, 2009, that was written to the Speaker of the House at that time, Nancy Pelosi, which said the following: ``Finally, as the people's elected representatives, we must oppose any proposal to create a board that would surrender our legislative authority and responsibility for a Medicare program to unelected, unaccountable officials within the very same branch of government that is charged with implementing the Medicare policies that affect so many Americans.'' Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and support the final passage because that will show the American people you stand with America's seniors.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 585 the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, protecting whistleblowers at VA is of paramount concern to ensure that we provide high quality healthcare and benefits to our nation's veterans. This bill authored by Senator Johnson of Wisconsin was named in honor of Dr. Christopher Kirkpatrick, a former VA doctor who served our veterans at the Tomah, WI medical center. Many of us know that the Tomah VA medical center has been a facility plagued with the overprescribing of opioids to our veterans. Dr. Kirkpatrick was a brave patriot who blew the whistle on these over prescriptions and the harm that was being done to veterans, however, instead of commending him for coming forward, VA fired him on trumped up charges, which ultimately led to him taking his own life. In my opinion, the corrosive culture within this facility and VA's actions toward Dr. Kirkpatrick left a chilling effect not only in Tomah, but across the Department. I believe that these actions made whistleblowers feel questioned and worried that they would be punished instead of being lauded and encouraged to come forward. It is because of brave whistleblowers like Dr. Kirkpatrick that my Committee has been able to expose issues and scandals across the VA. It is because of whistleblowers that we were able to uncover the manipulation of wait times at the Phoenix Medical Center; the falsifying of records in the Philadelphia Regional Office; the fact that a VA employee participated in an armed robbery in Puerto Rico and stayed on the job following their arrest; and many more egregious behaviors at the Department that put veterans in harm's way. I have confidence that Secretary Shulkin is committed to protecting whistleblowers, so that we never again lose another talented doctor, like Dr. Kirkpatrick. The best way to help him in this mission is to send a clear message to all VA employees, at every level in the Department, and within every level of management, that there are stiff penalties for those who retaliate against the men and women who are brave enough to come forward and protect veterans. S. 585 builds off of our work this Congress that started with the passage of the bill I championed, the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which provides the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the tools he needs to hold poor employees accountable. I am pleased that the bill before us today would make needed changes to our outdated civil service laws for all Federal Government employees, which have become so archaic and complex that they tend to put the rights of retaliators above the rights of whistleblowers. The bill before us would also provide needed reforms to information regarding VA employees who die by suicide, additional penalties for accessing a veteran's medical record, and other needed provisions to ensure that we put the needs of whistleblowers and veterans first. I appreciate Senator Johnson and Representative Duffy for their work on this important bill and I encourage all of my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Jim Powell, of Johnson City, Tennessee, for his 80th birthday. In addition to being a successful businessman, Jim has devoted his life to many worthy endeavors, such as helping students achieve their dreams of attending college. Growing up, Jim never dreamed of going to college until a teacher helped him apply for a scholarship to the University of Tennessee. Eleven years later, Jim and his wife, Sandy, opened Powell Construction Company, which has been successfully operating for the past 48 years and employs more than 500 people. All of this wouldn't have been possible without the kind encouragement of Jim's teacher. In an effort to pay that kindness forward, Jim created the Powell Foundation, which has provided over 4,000 scholarships to the University of Tennessee and to East Tennessee State University. Our community is a better place to live and work because of Jim and Sandy Powell. Jim exemplifies the Volunteer spirit. I commend him for his selfless contributions to east Tennessee, and wish him nothing but the best on his 80th birthday. Happy birthday, Jim.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, as a proud cosponsor, I rise today in support of H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. Before coming to Congress, I worked as an OB/GYN physician for over 30 years, where I had the tremendous privilege to see life at all stages of development. Today's technology, like 3-D and 4-D ultrasound, has given us a window into that miracle that shows the unborn child is a living, feeling human being. Due to medical achievements, premature babies are surviving and thriving after being born earlier and earlier, including babies born at or before 20 weeks, the 20-week cutoff by this bill. I can give you case after case. I have watched these children grow up in my hometown. As a physician who has delivered almost 5,000 babies, it is unconscionable to me that our government allows innocent lives capable of feeling pain and enjoying life to be terminated. It is our responsibility as legislators to stand up and protect these lives who do not have a voice. This bill is an important step toward that goal, and I vote for life.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material.

Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 95) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide child care assistance to veterans receiving certain medical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as amended.

Mr. ROE of TENNESSEE

Mr. ROE of TENNESSEE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on S. 114, as amended.