Tom Reed

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. King), the dean of the New York delegation who has had a long history of support for causes such as this.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), our great whip, to express his thoughts on this important bill.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 578, the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019. As my colleague, Mr. Larson, has indicated, this legislation will provide immediate access to disability insurance benefits for individuals suffering from ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, by eliminating the 5-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits. Madam Speaker, it is only fair that we remove this waiting period to ensure everyone with this disease will have immediate access to the benefits they have earned. It is only fair, also, that we help great Americans like a family in our district, the Palmesano family, Mike and Suzy, who are close, personal friends of mine, who I have gotten to know over the years when their son Mick was recently diagnosed with rapid progression ALS. The Palmesano family has been strong advocates for this cause, and I couldn't be prouder of their efforts. Their bravery in the face of adversity represents hundreds of families in our district and thousands of families across the country struggling with this terrible disease day in and day out. The disability insurance waiting period was designed to make sure a condition wasn't temporary before benefits were paid, not to prevent great Americans, like Mick and his family and others, from receiving disability benefits. The data, Madam Speaker, is clear. On average, ALS patients live 3 to 5 years. Once ALS starts, it almost always progresses, eventually taking away the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe. Given the severity of ALS and that there is no current cure, people diagnosed with this disease know this is not a temporary condition. That is why ALS is one of two conditions that has an exemption to the 24-month waiting period for Medicare. Again, that same logic should apply to waiving the waiting period for disability insurance. This legislation is supported by the ALS Association, I AM ALS, Les Turner ALS Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Team Gleason, and the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus. I look forward to voting for this legislation, because we must stand together and care for those struggling with ALS and also their families as they battle this debilitating disease. Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this great piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, as we close this debate, I applaud my colleague from Connecticut who is a true, good friend, Mr. Larson, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I am just proud to stand in full support of this commonsense legislation that will make a difference, Madam Speaker, in the lives of so many Americans suffering from ALS. I know it will make a difference for Mick Palmesano. I know it will help alleviate and bring some comfort to the entire Palmesano family in our home district of New York. But most importantly, I know we demonstrated to the folks in America that Congress can work, that Democrats and Republicans can come together on an important issue like this and pass important legislation that will improve the lives of Americans. Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed this legislation, Madam Speaker. I urge all of my colleagues to join us in support of this fine legislation so we can get it to the President's desk for signature without delay. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Ann Louise Albright, Ph.D., RDN, for her work on the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Dr. Albright, who retires at the end of this year, should be celebrated and honored for her dedication and commitment to bringing an end to this disease that affects so many Americans. Dr. Albright's career has spanned political and international boundaries. She has represented the United States before the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Diabetic Athletes Association. Ann has worked for national agencies since early 2003. She first worked as a health policy advisor for the U.S. Surgeon General, and then in 2007 became Director of the Division of Diabetes Translation, where she has been since. Dr. Albright's extensive knowledge and experience in her field have led to many awards. She has been recognized with the Hubert H. Humphrey Award for Service to America, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the YMCA, the Surgeon General's Medallion Award, and multiple awards from the American Diabetes Association, including the Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award and the Josiah Kirby Lilly Distinguished Service Award, among others. I thank Dr. Albright for all she has done for those who live with diabetes every day. Her work with Congress, and particularly with the Diabetes Caucus, has been invaluable, and her unwavering commitment is an example for all those who continue her work. We wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Sergeant Ralph Elliot Bowen, the last surviving World War II veteran from the Seneca Nation's Allegany Territory, for being inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame. Ralph, who recently turned ninety-eight years old in August, should be celebrated and honored for his bravery and sacrifice. Ralph fought in the European Campaign as a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber aerial gunner from 1941 to 1945. He helped in the efforts to liberate France and Europe during that time. He was also a member of the 15th Air Force's 450th Bombardment Group, in the 723rd Bombardment Squadron. The unit was involved in missions over France, Austria, Germany, the Balkans and Greece. Ralph is currently the oldest living member of the Seneca Nation. He is a member of the Snipe Clan, and served five terms as Tribal Councilor, as well as tenures as Peacemaker and Seneca Nation Surrogate Judge. He also served as Seneca Nation Marshal and pastor for the Red House Baptist Church. In 2019, Ralph was presented with the French Legion of Honor for his military service during World War II. He is the first Seneca and second Native American to receive the appointment of Knight in the Order of the Legion of Honor. Ralph's service to our nation during a time of great need is something that should be revered and remembered. We cannot forget the great personal risk and dedication he showed during his service. Today, we stand and honor his service and sacrifice. Today, we recognize Ralph, for his courage, resolve and bravery--and I thank him for all that he has done. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor Sergeant Ralph Elliot Bowen, the fast surviving World War II veteran from the Seneca Nation's Allegany Territory.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me the time. Mr. Speaker, I had a speech prepared to give, but I am not going to read that speech because I think the chairman from Massachusetts highlighted the crux of the problem we face in this Chamber today. We don't trust each other any longer in this institution. As he just alluded to, don't give over the floor, don't give over control of this body to the other side because we don't know what the Republicans will bring up. I give my word that what we would bring up is a bill that will provide immediate relief under the Paycheck Protection Program of $138 billion to our small businesses, our families, and individuals who are suffering in America today. We need to start trusting each other again. We don't trust each other in this institution and that is what is causing the American people to suffer. I ask my colleagues: When you vote ``yes'' on this previous question, be on notice. You are turning your back on the American people that need the Paycheck Protection Program assistance today. And when you make that vote, you do it with your eyes wide open. You do it on notice that you will be turning your back on those individuals who cry out for help as we speak here on this floor today. What we are talking about here is that we need to do our job as Congress. Now, I have done everything in my power personally over the last 3 months to work with our Senate colleagues, to work with the White House, to work in a bipartisan fashion to do a bigger package than the Paycheck Protection Program. But I will take what I can get. There should be bipartisan support for this Paycheck Protection Program relief that we are talking about here today. I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question, vote ``no,'' and join us and trust us in standing with the American people.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Father Lewis Brown, former military chaplain and parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Corning, New York. Father Brown passed away on September 5, 2020, and it is only fitting to remember him thusly today. Father Brown, known as Father Lew to many, was a native of Elmira who attended Saint Mary's Southside Parish. He would go on to serve as the assistant pastor of the Church of the Assumption in Fairport; Saint Alphonsus in Auburn and Saint Ann of Hornell. He also served as an assistant at Immaculate Conception in Ithaca. Father Brown served twenty-two years as a United States Navy Chaplain, serving in Okinawa, Japan; the USS Nimitz, Arlington National Cemetery and a recruitment base in Chicago. In 2007, he retired and returned to the Southern Tier, making his home in the Corning area. In 2008, Father Brown became the parochial vicar of my family's church, All Saints Parish. I have always been inspired by the kindness and peace that Father Brown exuded. I appreciated his military service as a chaplain and the deep dedication he had to the Church, especially All Saints Parish. He was almost always present at our Valentines for Vets events, where we shared special cards with veterans at the Bath VA Medical Center. I will always remember him fondly, as I am sure so many across the Corning area, the state and the nation will as well. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to honor Father Lewis Brown, former military chaplain and parochial vicar of All Saints Parish in Corning, NY.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Eva Benedict upon her receiving the New York State Senate 2020 Women of Distinction Honor. Eva Benedict has served the Wellsville community for almost forty years in healthcare, starting as a Critical Care Staff Nurse in 1981 at Jones Memorial Hospital. She held various positions in administration and management and was ultimately appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2007. In 2015, Eva was instrumental in the hospital's affiliation with the University of Rochester Medical Center. To this day, she serves both Jones Memorial and the University as a member of the affiliate leadership team. In 2018, her leadership earned the 2018 Grassroots Champion Award from the American Hospital Association in partnership with the Healthcare Association of New York State. Throughout her years at the hospital, Eva has dedicated her time and energy to helping this rural hospital navigate through difficult areas, providing the best medical services possible and giving community members reliable, trusted care that they need. During my time in office, I have appreciated building a trusted relationship with Eva and I have greatly valued her expertise in the healthcare field. My office has regularly called on her for honest, educated feedback, and we continue to rely on her for that today. Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and join me to recognize Eva Benedict upon her receiving the New York State Senate 2020 Women of Distinction Honor.

Mr. REED

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, to restart the economy in the wake of COVID-19, parents will need sufficient childcare to return to the workplace. A lack of childcare options could keep parents from returning to work or could force parents to cut back the amount of time spent at work. Either of these scenarios would cripple our households' finances and a healthy economic recovery. New requirements for childcare providers in schools, including smaller class sizes, enhanced cleaning requirements, new and likely evolving teacher education on new protocols, and liability risks, will also increase costs. Policy interventions are needed to increase both the supply of affordable childcare and working families' demand for childcare. As you have heard from my colleagues here today, Republicans share concerns about the impact of the pandemic on the childcare industry and lives of working families across the country. We have bipartisan, feasible, commonsense solutions to address this problem. Whether it is tax relief for families and businesses to purchase childcare or additional support to keep existing childcare providers in business, our solutions would have an immediate impact on the industry and parents. Successful childcare solutions have received bipartisan support in the past, and they will moving forward. It is a shame we can cooperate in good times but not in the midst of a global pandemic. Our families and children deserve better. Madam Speaker, I strongly urge all my colleagues to oppose this bill, and let's come together to pass a bill that will help the American people in a true bipartisan fashion. Madam Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Neal).

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Wenstrup).

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, up until now, Republicans and Democrats have consistently worked together to provide additional support for childcare. Again, this is an issue we fundamentally all agree on. On the Committee on Ways and Means, we have demonstrated time and time again our commitment to improving access to high quality childcare. That is why we are disappointed today. Today's vote is a wasted opportunity. I started today by saying we all care deeply about childcare. As COVID continues to disrupt American life, that focus has only grown. As co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I can tell you we are committed to reaching across the aisle and actively looking for issues where we can come together to find common ground. Leader McCarthy has further made clear his support for prioritizing childcare as part of COVID relief and more than 40 Republican Members, including myself, echoed that support in a letter to leadership. In addition, Republicans have introduced a number of bills that include smart provisions, such as the bills introduced by my colleagues, Representative Walorski of Indiana and Mr. Wenstrup of Ohio. Earlier this week, we led the introduction of a bill called the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 to support working families, advance our Nation's economic recovery, and help those parents who want to go back to work. The bill provides a framework for childcare providers to access the resources they need to reopen and stay open. We are proud that we were able to make this bill bipartisan because we care about getting results, not headlines. Thanks to the leadership of folks like Senator Ernst and Senator Alexander in the U.S. Senate, this proposal has a real chance of moving forward. Clearly, there is some common ground and shared goals among us, but Democrats have skipped regular order and any semblance of meaningful bipartisan discussion and compromise. There is an important role for Congress to play in alleviating the economic stress COVID has placed on American families. To the reasonable Members of my colleagues across the aisle, come work with us. Our door is always open. Until you do, Congress will continue to waste these good opportunities of good will to bring the American people together. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I would inquire as to how much time I have remaining.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I am ready to close.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the great gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Estes).