Pete Sessions

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to offer this amendment with Dr. Michael Burgess, also a member of the House Rules Committee, and also a gentleman from my home State of Texas. The goal of our amendment is to strengthen the underlying legislation by clarifying the point at which the statute of limitations begins to run. In Texas, the statute of limitations begins to run from the date the alleged negligence occurs or date of last treatment. This is a certain date that does not leave room for controversy. I believe aligning the underlying text with this approach will benefit both physicians and patients to clarify exactly where harm might occur. My amendment clarifies that when the date of the breach or tort is known, the statute runs from that date. When the date of the breach or tort is not known, the statute runs from the last date of treatment. By this method, certainty is provided to defendant, plaintiff, and the court. Easy understanding. For example, if there is a surgical mishap, the statute would run from that date. On the other hand, if the injury is from the prescription medication over a long period of time, it would run from the date of last treatment. I am pleased that the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Alliance for Patient Access, the Health Coalition of Liability and Access, as well as the National Physicians' Council for Healthcare Policy support this process and this amendment. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this commonsense, reasonable reform that comes to us today in an amendment. I thank Chairman Bob Goodlatte from Virginia and his awesome staff for their work to make sure this amendment and the underlying legislation conform with their ideas consistent with the legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, perhaps the debate that the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King) had was completely clear, which I would disagree with that statement. The gentleman from Iowa stated very clearly that there are surgeries, there are procedures, and there are processes that cost the Federal Government hundreds of millions, and the gentleman even went into the billions of dollars, which are parts of practices of medicine that doctors do as a defensive part of medicine to avoid exactly what we are talking about: getting sued. It is costing the Federal Government an enormous amount of money. The gentleman did refer to two Members of Congress from Texas. We will see how they vote. But the clarifying amendments that we are offering now, amendment No. 1 and amendment No. 2, come directly from negotiations with and understanding with the Texas Medical Association and the National Physicians' Policy Council to ensure that, in fact, the compliance is made that people not only in Texas, but also in other States, would have that would offer a physician the ability for them to use their knowledge, their training, and their expertise as opposed to practicing defensive medicine that harms every single taxpayer. That is why we are offering this today. I am delighted. I believe what we have done is right. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I believe the gentleman, Mr. King, has argued the point very successfully, and that is we believe it is in the best interests of not only the taxpayers, but physicians, physicians who have used their training, their expertise, and their knowledge to perform the necessary missions that are necessary. When those physicians do make mistakes--and mistakes will happen--then we believe that the rights of those that are reported in California and Texas would be consistent with those that would be great for the country. We are willing to share, and we appreciate the opportunity to present this. Mr. Chairman, I would ask my colleagues to support this amendment that I have presented today, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk as the designee of the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I offer my thanks not only to Chairman Bob Goodlatte, but also the distinguished gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King) for his work on behalf of all Members on the floor today, for his work not only for the Judiciary Committee, but people of faith and confidence that this country can address the issues and needs. Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment with Dr. Michael Burgess, who is also from my home State of Texas as well as a member of the Rules Committee. The goal of our amendment is to clarify that healthcare liability claims covered by the legislation include safety, professional, and administrative services directly related to healthcare. In other words, we are bringing in the entire scope, not just necessarily the medical procedure. I was glad to see that H.R. 1215 adopts many of the reforms that States across this country have thoroughly tested in their efforts to improve medical liability law, including my home State of Texas. Not all claims asserted against healthcare providers arise from the direct provision of medical care. My amendment addresses the full spectrum of healthcare claims by following the model that Texas has successfully implemented. Common examples of administrative claims related to healthcare are cases for negligence involving credentialing fraud against hospitals and those serving on their professional committees. In these cases, the plaintiff typically is not a patient of the physician serving on the committee; however, there is significant exposure to liability for the physician. Safety claims are another necessary component in the scope of this bill. In these cases, a patient's injury does not arise out of the rendition of healthcare, but pertains to the safety of the patient. The Texas Medical Association, the Texas Alliance for Patient Access, and the National Physicians' Policy Council are among those organizations who not only support this narrowly tailored amendment, but also their support of the entire bill and the inclusions of this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the gentleman I respect very much, not only the perspective that the gentleman holds, but perhaps some of his argument could be true. Mr. Chairman, what we are trying to do is to balance out the opportunity for the American people to have access to healthcare where, many items, they are denied. I was reminded by the gentleman, the young chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, Dr. Phil Roe, who served his great State of Tennessee and the American people as an obstetrician and gynecologist, I was reminded of the facts of the case, as it were, where, when Texas passed this, counties all along our Texas borders received, instead of midwives and others who might perform these important services to deliver babies, all of a sudden medical professionals, doctors, came into play who had been shut out because of the fear of malpractice lawsuits against them. Texas added, in the first year, some 4,500 doctors who came to Texas knowing that it was a level playing field. In this case, Mr. Chairman, we are arguing that the United States of America and the citizens would not have to pay outrageous amounts of money for defensive medicine, whereby physicians, in order to protect themselves and to protect themselves in a difficult circumstance, might order, as a defensive mechanism, excessive amounts of either X-rays or other procedures that really cost the government money instead of providing better healthcare. This has been an advantage in the State of California, and in the State of Texas, where physicians use not only their training and their professional conduct, but they use what is in the best interest of the patient. That is why we are here today. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the selfless acts of courage displayed by Special Agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey of The United States Capitol Police saving the lives of numerous members of Congress and their staffs. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the wounded and Congressman Steve Scalise and Matt Mika and their families who are fighting for their lives. I include in the Record this poem penned by Albert Carey Caswell. not on my watch They awake on each new day With a hug and kiss saying goodbye to their loved ones out on their way As to themselves ``Not on My Watch'' they say No one is going to hurt you this day Putting on a bullet proof vest while strapping a holster and gun to their chest To watch over all of us to bless moving out to serve and protect Not knowing what evil to expect Or if this will be their last day, yet Who while all in the midst of hell must find the strength to make their souls swell Living by a noble code and creed to watch over us . . . you and me It's all in a Police Officer's day Saying, ``Not on My Watch'' all at speed To vanquish evil's darkest of all needs Ready to lay down their own lives if need be Standing on that thin blue line where death lies so close all the time When, who lives and dies And see's another sunrise So all depends on you relies And on that fateful morning in June When two Capitol Police Officers went deep stood true Who against all odds just like Gods kept their oath through and through Out gunned who from the face of death would not run All in their stride stood tall in the morning sun Until, they vanquished what this dark evil had begun Thank you Officers Griner and Bailey as you have blessed each and everyone But, ``hate is hard . . . and it makes me cry'' When, I see those tears in those wounded loved ones eyes But remember the darkness is no match for the light The kind that which on this day burned in Griner's and Bailey's hearts so bright Goodness Evil Darkness Light Those Brave Hearts Who Evil Must Fight Who Bring The Light Together Enjoined As We Battle On Into The Darkest of Nights ``Not On My Watch'' Those Brave Hearts Who Evil Must Fight You Bring The Light

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize several important people in the Richardson Independent School District music community: First, the students and band directors of the Lloyd V. Berkner High School Full Orchestra under the leadership of Craig Needham and Jason Schayot for receiving an invitation to the 2016 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois; second, the Liberty Junior High School Symphonic Band under the direction of Christopher Pineda for receiving an invitation to be a guest performing band at the Midwest Clinic, hosted by Berkner High School alumnus and outstanding music educator, Frank Ticheli; and, third, Frank Troyka, a Former Head Band Director at Berkner High School, nationally renowned clinician, music educator, and teacher, for his induction into the 2016 Bands of America Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have greatly impacted the nation's bands and music education. Again, congratulations for your outstanding achievement and national recognition

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise this Memorial Day in honor and remembrance of all The Fallen who gave That Last Full Measure. I include in the Record this poem penned in their honor by Albert Carey Caswell. They're Not Coming Home (By Albert Carey Caswell) They're not coming home To their families where they belong, who now must live so all alone And to their Brothers In Arms, who heard their last most heroic moans No, they're not coming home As up to Heaven they have flown On the wings of an Angel which they now own As Angels In The Army Lord to fight this new battle, but not alone They are not coming home Could any of us such courage own? And go off to war And leave all that you so love and adore For all the more And for all their Brothers and Sisters to their left, to their right endure Oh the dreaded cost and horrors of war Am sorry my dear child, your Daddy or Mommy are not here no more To hold you and tell you how much you they adore To tuck you in at night To assure you everything's all right I know it's hard to hold the tears back you fight Daddy, Mommy, oh how I wish you were here tonight! As it gets harder to see their face with each year insight But, they're not coming home And as you awake in the middle of the night Hush my child and don't you cry, everything is going to be all right Your parents are Angels now at the height As they watch over you in the middle of the night Both day and night, as you will always be in their sights Can't you feel their angel's breath envelop you, and hold you so very tight And one day up in Heaven together again you'll take flight America, on this blessed day Give thanks, and give your most solemn praise As you kneel and pray For all those heroes who gave That Last Full Measure, who make up the home of the free and brave On this Memorial Day Give thanks to all of those who gave As out to their loved ones call each and every day And tell them how much their sacrifice means to us in every way For the real heroes are the ones who fell, who now lie in deep dark cold quiet graves I do tell Who on Christmas mornings we no longer hear, their laughter as they appear Even the warm memories we take, in our hearts still can't replace Just to look into their face Oh how your hearts break Cause they're not coming home But, in a box with the names they own And some will never be found, only our Lord God knows them now No, they're not coming home Sadly, for any Nation to grow and thrive Our most precious and most courageous of all loved ones must die Must lay down their lives As it the price of freedom so very high The price all of their loved ones so despise Who must now live with tears in eyes The magnificents who upon this Nation relies Am so sorry but they're not coming home tonight Amen

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special Order.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, tonight, Members of Congress who are Eagle Scouts are taking to the floor of the House of Representatives to say thank you not only to the Boy Scouts of America but to recognize and to highlight our opportunity while in Boy Scouts, and now, as Members of Congress, to talk about how important the Boy Scouts of America is to the youth, the young men and young women of this country, and, also, to highlight the leadership that takes place every single day in this country: men and women who volunteer their time to make sure that the Boy Scouts of America are prepared and ready to meet not only the times that we live in but the advances of young people and the challenges that they have. Tonight, as an Eagle Scout of the Eagle class of 1970, it is my opportunity to introduce Members of Congress and then to follow up at the end as we talk about how important Scouting is. Today, there are 1,262,311 boys in Scouting from ages 6 to 10 in Cub Scouts. There are 822,999 boys aged 11 to 17 in Boy Scouts of America and Varsity Scouts. There are 119,268 young men and young women between the ages of 10 to 20 who are engaged in exploring based upon programs that may be STEM or other Scouting programs. As you see, Mr. Speaker, the Boy Scouts of America is important to the youth of this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Collins), who is the head of our Scouting Caucus, and the Eagle class of 1963.

Mr. SESSIONS. Eagle Scout Chris Collins, thank you very much. By the way, one of those presidents of the Boy Scouts of America was Ed Whitacre. When I was at AT&T, Mr. Whitacre led the Boy Scouts of America, understanding how important it is. Ladies and gentlemen, the gentleman from Texas, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, the gentleman from Dallas, Texas, is also an Eagle Scout. Jeb Hensarling not only is a bright, young, thoughtful, articulate leader in the United States Congress, he is Eagle Class of 1971. Chairman Hensarling, as an Eagle Scout, not only distinguished himself to Scouting, but also, that led him to Texas A&M University and then, further, to the University of Texas Law School. He is a young man who not only deeply believes in his country and his God, but he believes in the things that have brought him forward to become a leader in Congress. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Texas, Eagle Scout Jeb Hensarling.

Mr. SESSIONS. Chairman Hensarling, Eagle Scout, class of 1971, thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I hold a Scoutbook, something I call the second good book. Of course, we know in Scouting, the good book is the Bible; but to Scouters, also the second good book is the Boy Scout Handbook. This was given to me in 2010 by Bob Mazzuca, who is our chief Scout executive, and he gave it to me with really a guide to my life to continue down that pathway of talking about Scouting in great ways. And that is what we are doing tonight. I acknowledge that we not only have John Garamendi, who is an Eagle Scout, class of 1960, who will be speaking in a bit, but on a bipartisan basis, this body has young people, young men who understood why they got into Scouting. They understood about their life. They certainly understand it now. At this time I would like to bring forth Eagle Scout French Hill, 1972, from Arkansas, a relatively new Member of Congress, not only a mature man, but a man who comes with the proxy of knowledge of what Boy Scouting has helped provide him. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hill), an Eagle Scout.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, Eagle Scout Congressman French Hill, Eagle class of `72, thank you very much. It is with great distinction now that I recognize Congressman Eagle Scout Jim Bridenstine, 1991. It was about a week ago that Eagle Scout Bridenstine came up to me and said: Pete, I want you to know that my son is involved in Scouting, and I deeply believe in it, but I think we ought to get together here. So it actually is Eagle Scout Jim Bridenstine who said: Let's get together our Eagle Scouts and talk about it. And I hope that the gentleman will have a chance to come on July 24 or so, as Eagle Scout Members of Congress, along with Senator Mike Enzi, and perhaps others--my Down syndrome son, Eagle Scout Alexander Gregory Sessions, Troop 890, Lake Highlands, Texas, will join me--that you, too, with your son, may be able to go with us to the reserve and do that. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Bridenstine), a distinguished Eagle Scout.

Mr. SESSIONS. Eagle Scout Jim Bridenstine, Member of Congress from Oklahoma, Eagle Class 1991, thank you very much. The Scouting stories of leadership, of character, and of opportunity began in my life with my father, who was an Eagle Scout. His father, Dr. Will A. Sessions, in 1947 wrote the original God and Country Award Handbook. I wanted to be an Eagle Scout because of my dad. I have two young sons: William Steele Sessions II, who is an Eagle Scout, age 27; and Alexander Gregory Sessions, a Down syndrome young man, an Eagle Scout, who is 23. Scouting is in our blood, we believe it, but it is also in family blood. Jim Bridenstine spoke about it, and Chris Collins spoke about the Eagle Class of `63. This other next young man who is here will talk about Scouting and what a difference it makes. I wish we had hours, Mr. Speaker, but the rules allow 1 hour. He is a young man from Pennsylvania, Eagle Scout Glenn ``GT'' Thompson. I had an opportunity to go to Pennsylvania with the Chief Scout Executive and give GT Thompson his National and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and pin him. Glenn's wife is a Scouting widow. She is proud of her Eagle Scout sons, but she knows that the weekends are made for Scouting. GT Thompson is a man who will be with me again at the Summit Bechtel Reserve this year for the Scouting Jamboree. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Eagle Scout Glenn Thompson, Eagle Scout 1977. On behalf of Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh and Members of Congress who gathered together this evening to tell another story, I intend to do it again next month. I intend to get John Garamendi, who is one of our dear friends from California, Eagle Class of 1960. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Eagle Scouts of Congress who had time to come tonight, myself, Chris Collins, Jeb Hensarling, French Hill, Jim Bridenstine, GT Thompson, I am thankful for the hour you have allowed us to tell the story about the Boy Scouts of America, about exceptionalism, about the Order of the Arrow, and about the opportunity for character to lead a great nation. Mr. Speaker, we are thankful for the time. We will be back. We hope that we leave our campsite better than the way we found it. That is what we try to do every day. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the gentleman who has just given our invocation, Dr. Bruce Hargrave. As a faith leader, a city council member in Rowlett, Texas, and a trusted member of his community, he has dedicated his life to helping others. He has served in the Baptist and United Methodist churches for more than 40 years and continues to help those not only in need in his community, but those who seek him out and who he seeks through spiritual and emotional guidance. As a civil servant, Bruce has played an integral role in his community. He is a member of the Rowlett Chamber of Commerce and the Rowlett Rotary Club, where he is a Paul Harris Fellow. In the wake of the devastating tornados that hit north Texas over a year ago on December 26, Bruce decided that he wanted to do more than just help but rather to rebuild the city that he called home. So he ran for the city council and was elected to serve in May. It truly is a distinct honor not only to have a well-respected person from Rowlett, Texas, in the 32nd Congressional District with us today, but it highlights how important it is that each of the Members of Congress who are so proud of those that we represent come to our great Nation, our Nation's Capital, and not only give us best wishes but pray for our success. I would like to thank the Honorable Dr. Bruce Hargrave for his service to not only Rowlett, Texas, to his country, but also to our Lord. And I thank him very much. God bless Texas, and God bless America.

Mr. SESSIONS

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 289 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), my friend, the ranking member of the committee, pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. General Leave

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule. It is a fair rule that enables this body to continue working in a bipartisan fashion to get our work done for the American people. Essentially, it is to fund the government for one more week as final preparations are made and as the Appropriations Committee finalizes its work. It enables us to continue to serve our constituents. It enables the American people to have confidence not only in what we are doing, but to provide the necessary resources so that this Nation can continue to protect itself also. I also rise in support of the underlying legislation that is in this rule. This short-term CR, while being far from ideal, is exactly what we need to do so that we can allow our colleagues in the House, as well as the Appropriations Committee and this body, to move forth a bill that will find its way to the United States Senate and to the President's desk. For months now, our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, under the great work of our brand-new chairman, Chairman Frelinghuysen from New Jersey, have been working towards funding a government agreement while they are trying to reach a long-term bridge. Yesterday at the Rules Committee, the young chairman, along with the ranking member, Mrs. Lowey from New York, came and spoke to the Rules Committee not only with great confidence about the work that they are doing, but with great confidence about how they worked well together. It was once again another opportunity for Members of Congress in the performance of their duties to have confidence not only in their working relationship, but in the product that they would wish to move forward. The Rules Committee was quite blunt to them that, while we were pleased to see them, we wanted to see them get their work done a week from now. I think the American people feel the same way. I think they are willing to take the time to do it right, but it is now time to feel a little bit of pressure towards completing the work that needs to be done. Mr. Speaker, today we are going to have one of the most distinguished members of the Rules Committee who will speak with us. He shares a role not only as vice chairman of our committee, but he also has an opportunity to sit on the Appropriations Committee; a person responsible as a cardinal for a massive part of not only the Federal Government spending, but the authority and responsibility for the Federal Government to deliver in so many areas in support of the American people. I will be introducing the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) in just a few minutes, who will also provide detail and information not only in support of the great work that is being done, but why we are doing that for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I am confident that my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee are going to continue their work. We are asking this body today to consider this rule to move forth legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.