Kurt Schrader

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in complete support of H.R. 5376, the Inflation Reduction Act. During my time in Congress, I have dedicated my service to improving our healthcare system and working to lower the cost of prescription drugs. I am ecstatic that the bill before us today includes my and Representative Peters drug price reduction framework that will finally rein in the cost of prescription drugs for our seniors and protect pharmaceutical innovation, contrary to what the other side will tell you. The Medicare drug cost reductions will be transformative. The bill will allow Medicare to finally negotiate drug prices and the practice of raising prices in the Medicare program beyond the rising inflation and provide lasting financial relief to our most vulnerable seniors by establishing a $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for spending on prescription drugs. The prescription drug cost portions of this bill will also preserve scientific creativity and the innovation ecosystem that has been essential to the domestic job-preserving development of life changing and lifesaving treatments and cures. And the close to $300 billion in deficit reduction from this portion of the bill will be huge for the overall viability of our troubled Medicare system going forward. This will be the biggest improvement to Medicare since the inception of part D almost 20 years ago. I am proud to have been a leading advocate to deliver relief on the high cost of prescription drugs. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues in both Chambers who worked with me directly to get this across the finish line.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Ralph Grolener. Ralph served Oregonians as a Clackamas County Commissioner, state legislator and was a leader in Oregon's labor movement with AFSCME, helping make Oregon one of the most union states in the country. Ralph was a Christmas baby, born Dec. 25, 1941, to George and Mary Groener in Oregon City, Oregon. He attended local schools and graduated from West Linn High School in 1960. He spent four years in the U.S. Air Force and was awarded the Airman's medal for heroism. In 1965 he married Sharon Rich, of Oregon City. Initially attending Portland Community College, they moved to Eugene where Ralph attended and graduated from the University of Oregon. While in college, Ralph worked part-time at a local Safeway, and became a member of the retail clerk's union. Upon graduation in 1969 he worked as a community organizer for the war on poverty, taking his first steps on a lifelong pathway fighting for the underprivileged and working families. Ralph was elected to the state legislature in 1972, where he served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives. In 1973 Ralph was an original co-sponsor of the first Gay Rights Legislation to be introduced in the nation. He was also instrumental in the passage of SB 100, Oregon's landmark land conservation legislation, as the bill's carrier on the House Floor. Ralph was then elected to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners, where he served tirelessly for eight years advocating for children and senior citizens. In 1990 Ralph found his way back to the Capitol, where he served as a political coordinator and lobbyist for AFSCME for nearly three decades. One of Ralph's favorite bible passages was Matthew 25:40--Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me. It is not hard to see this principle guided him for over three decades fighting on behalf of working Oregonians. Ralph was a force of nature. He loved to talk. He could out-talk anyone, anytime, anywhere. A familiar sight and sound roaming the halls of the state capitol, he was rarely without his trademark smile or partner Mary Botkin. His son, Chris shared with me that he used to say--keep your chin up and never let them see you sweat. I never saw Ralph without his chin up. Ralph retired from AFSCME in 2018. Ralph's career was filled with dozens of awards and accomplishments: United States Air Force Airman's Medal, 1963; Oregon State Sheriffs Association Award of Valor--Three-time recipient; Outstanding Youth Leader of Clackamas County, 1972; Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Retired Persons, 1972; One of the Outstanding Young Men of America, 1973 and 1975; Oregon's Outstanding Educator- Statesman Award, 1975; Oregon League of Cities ``Friend of Cities Award, 2005; NW Senior and Disability Services Advocacy Award, 2018 Ralph passed away on June 1, 2022, losing a dogged fight to cancer. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter Hilary Groener; son Chris Groener; and granddaughter Cassidy Hedger and her husband, Corey Hedger. Ralph is also survived by hundreds of his union brothers and sisters, friends and colleagues from the political and legislative world. I mourn with them on his passing.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pulp and Paperworkers' Resource Council on its 30th anniversary. The PPRC is a grassroots organization made up of hourly employees of the U.S. forest products industry whose members work in mills and converting plants, manufacturing sustainable paper and wood products that Americans rely on every day. Founded in 1991, the PPRC works to ensure real-world perspectives are considered in all policy and regulatory decisions that impact their jobs and our communities. As co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral House Paper and Packaging Caucus, I am honored to meet with the PPRC representatives every year when they come to Washington, D.C., to advocate for their priorities and promote this important sector of our economy. I am pleased to congratulate the PPRC for 30 years of hard work on behalf of such an essential industry.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to former Sheriff John O'Brien, who passed away on June 1 at the age of 74. John was a beloved fixture of the Lincoln County community in my district, where he was known for his dedication to the people he served. A dedicated Oregon State Beaver, after graduating from OSU, John was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1970, and served in Vietnam where he earned a Vietnam Service Medal and Bronze Star. He returned home and joined the Lincoln County Sheriff's office as a patrol deputy in 1973. It was here that John would find his calling, serving his community and the department for 30 years, the last 9 as sheriff, until his retirement in 2003. After retiring from the Sheriff's office, John worked for the Pacific Northwest region of FEMA, assisting with disasters in Oregon, Alaska, Washington, and New York City. All who were close to John could attest that he cared about people in an extraordinary way. His generous spirit touched everyone in his life. John dedicated his time to making life better for those he served. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Priscilla, as well as his kids, Eric and Erin, and his four grandchildren. I hope they can all find peace during this difficult time as well as mourn the loss of an extraordinary member of this great family.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this year's Water Resources Development Act, which includes funding for several critical priorities for my State and my district. I am very proud to share that this bill authorizes funding to help the city of Newport replace its woefully outdated and dangerous Big Creek Dam. This dam holds the city's water supply; sits right above the city; could completely wipe out the city in an earthquake. Funding is also designated for wastewater treatment and dredging along the Oregon coast, particularly in our areas that are facing a lot of issues with the Pacific Ocean. I really appreciate the opportunity to present on this report and urge its passage.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Affordable Insulin Now Act. The bill before us today will finally deliver the financial relief Oregonians whose lives depend on insulin so desperately need. By capping the costs to no more than $35 month in Medicare part D and commercial insurance, Congress is making it clear that no one should have to cut back, ration, or skip doses of lifesaving medication. I am proud that this policy is a central tenet of my own drug pricing bill that I have worked on with leadership, secured in the House, and passed in the Build Back Better bill. We need to rein in all drug price prescriptions. That is why it is important to negotiate drug prices without stifling innovation, like we do in our bill. Limit the price increases of everyday drugs to the price of inflation, and perhaps more importantly, limit out-of-pocket costs to seniors to $2,000 or less.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the America COMPETES Act of 2022. This comprehensive bill tackles the challenges everyday Oregonians face right now with supply chain and consequent rising consumer prices. It is a huge investment in our competitiveness on the global stage for the 21st century. It invests $45 billion to strengthen and improve our supply chains while incentivizing manufacturing of critical security goods that should be made right here in the United States. As the pandemic has shown us, active ingredients of lifesaving pharmaceuticals and PPE gear should not be all made overseas. I am also glad that leadership included the $52 billion in emergency CHIPS Act funding, a priority for my Problem Solvers Caucus and the State of Oregon. Without this Federal investment, our semiconductor problems would only grow worse. We will continue to see critical shortages, hindering a wide range of industries in my district and across the Nation. Passage here will strengthen our domestic supply and lead to good-paying jobs for our citizens and companies as they move to expand and set up our domestic manufacturing facilities. This bill contains bipartisan proposals to keep us innovating and creating in critical industries and makes sure that the United States is not at the mercy of a tenuous international supply chain.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I would just point out, as Chairman Smith said in last year's NDAA, some people believe that no matter what you spend on the Pentagon and defense spending, you should always spend more. And they are trying to push us down that road towards more, which is wrong, because it is waste. It is also wrong because it is bad for national security. We need to make choices, not imagine that the budget is unlimited. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I think the good gentleman on the other side of the aisle is confused. We are not talking about restricting the appropriations process or the Armed Services Committee from making the decisions and the priorities based on what is submitted by the Defense Department agencies, as well as congressional districts themselves. This merely just says, if we abide by some of the decisions, we should abide by the decisions that are made by the Appropriations Committee, as the good gentleman points out. Actually, abide by the decisions that are made by the appropriators, based on their input, the intel that was just described. We are talking about the unfunded priorities list, which is basically a slush fund for mission creep that we no longer need. We have to respect the will of the people, the congressional districts that we represent, and should abide by their wishes in our budgetary allocations. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer an amendment to this year's National Defense Authorization Act to help rein in a practice that has existed from the 1990s known as the unfunded priorities list or unfunded requirements list. The practice originally had good intent, to allow some flexibility for the Armed Services for issues that came up outside of the normal appropriations process, but it has grown to become embedded to encompass larger areas in the Pentagon budget that were never considered to be part of that mandate at the time. Mr. Speaker, we are getting out of Afghanistan. We have decided that we are not going to be pursuing every war overseas, trying to protect American servicemen and -women. Our budget should reflect that. We have tried to be honest in our budget this year. The overseas contingency budget has been eliminated. Let's be honest in our budget request. We go through an extensive process, both in the authorizing committee of the Armed Services and in our Committee on Appropriations, to make sure that the budget requests are reasonable and reflect the interests of the American people and the congressional districts that we represent. Let's be honest here. The budget has changed. It is time to rein in some of the spending. The Defense Department has showcased $125 billion in waste and inefficiencies within its own budget. It is time to rein that in. The unfunded requirement list, the unfunded priorities list, is part of that. My amendment does not eliminate it. I want to repeat that. It does not eliminate it. It just restricts its use back to the services and SOCOM, like it was originally intended. It still gives the Pentagon the ability to showcase additional needs not included in the main budget request, but it eliminates that budgetary creep that we have seen over the past several years. Mr. Speaker, this issue crosses party lines. Former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain said, ``I am not really big on unfunded priority lists. I think they are sort of a backdoor way of getting things done.'' We have actually seen what happens when the Pentagon stops this from happening. With Roberts Gates as Secretary, we cut down on the use of these UPLs drastically during his tenure, and the DOD budget continued to operate just fine. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, very simply put, my colleagues and friends, if the priorities did not make it into the largest piece of the discretionary budget that we vote on, how big a priority can it really be? Let's restrict, but not eliminate, the unfunded priorities list. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my amendment to ask the FDA to move forward with rulemaking on cannabidiol. Despite the 2018 farm bill being signed into law legalizing cannabidiol, hemp farmers, including those in my home State of Oregon, have faced economic burdens from the regulatory uncertainty by lack of action. We have legalized the sale of hemp derivatives like CBD, but the marketplace adoption has not taken off like Congress and hemp farmers alike expected. Lack of clarity in legal purchasing of CBD is a big part of the problem. The FDA has the authority to conduct the necessary rulemaking to establish a regulatory pathway for CBD as a dietary supplement and food ingredient. This amendment, with my colleague Representative Griffith, calls on the FDA to proceed in doing so, as the livelihoods of hemp farmers and safety of consumers across the country reside in the hands of the agency. There is no reason for the FDA not to be moving forward since the 2018 farm bill. To that end, I have also introduced with Representative Griffith H.R. 841 on a bipartisan basis. My bill will require the FDA to do what they have the authority to do and should have done already to craft the necessary rules and guidance to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement. No regulatory system is perfect, but congressional intent has been clear on hemp and CBD. The livelihoods of the farmers and agriculture jobs hang in the balance. It is long past time the FDA and Congress move forward with making CBD legal and safe for consumers.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his assurances that the intent of this bill is to protect consumers and not to hurt honest small businesses by subjecting them to excessive penalties.

Mr. SCHRADER. I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I ask that Chairman Pallone engage in a colloquy with me on the effect of this bill on small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I support the purpose of the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act to allow the FTC to get money back for consumers who have been harmed by violations of FTC laws. I am concerned that small business owners who inadvertently harm customers will, on top of paying restitution, however, get hit with unreasonable penalties for what was essentially an honest mistake. As a small business owner, I know how difficult it can be to keep up with all the rules and regulations that small businesses must abide by. And I think we should only allow civil penalties for punitive damages where bad actors knowingly violate the law. Mr. Speaker, I ask the chairman to clarify the extent of this bill with respect to small businesses.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the energy and commerce provisions in the INVEST in America Act. I would like to speak briefly about the surface transportation side. An amendment I have in there adds a goal to the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program that these investments increase the resiliency of bridges, including the ability to withstand disruptions from a seismic event. The Pacific Northwest is due for a major seismic event, and our communities need to be able to take the necessary steps to ensure our infrastructure can withstand these disasters. This amendment will make that a possibility and ensure that projects focusing on seismic resiliency are prioritized by the U.S. Department of Transportation when they submit applications. In my district, Interstate 205 is set for a massive retrofitting to improve the vital passenger and freight corridor and mitigate the awful congestion many of our communities currently face. One of the key components of this project is to retrofit the Abernathy Bridge and make it seismically resilient. This bridge is a critical span over the Willamette River and will be essential in the event of a major disaster to coordinate first responders and supplies to affected Oregonians. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to offer the amendment.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of S. 415, a bill that has the same policy as my own and Mr. Guthrie's here in the House, H.R. 1857, the Protecting Access to Safe and Effective Medicines Act. This bill is a simple fix, providing clarity around the drug approval process by increasing the specificity of the language companies may use when submitting these complex and often lengthy applications. Simply put, utilizing the term ``active ingredient'' opens the unintended opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to make minor, relatively nonpharmacological changes to the same chemical and prevent generic alternatives from coming to the marketplace. By changing this language, as this bill does, to ``active moiety,'' we will be able to close another loophole that can be exploited by companies to inappropriately obtain exclusivity and hold back competition in the marketplace, the key mechanism for lowering drug prices. While this is good policy, it is one small piece of the larger drug- pricing conversation that we need to have. It demonstrates, yet again, that the policies to lower drug prices are bipartisan and bicameral. In fact, there are many such policies that did not get done in the last Congress that offer a starting point for a comprehensive approach addressing drug pricing, and now is the time to continue this important work. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for the help in supporting this important bill before us today, and I urge its passage.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak against the CASH Act. This is an ineffective and poorly targeted approach to aiding Americans in distress. It is clearly a last-minute political maneuver by the President and extremists on both sides of the political spectrum who have been largely absent during months of very hard negotiations. They have chosen to tweet their opinions instead of coming to the table to get aid in the hands of Americans and small businesses who need it most. Over the last 6 months, and especially in the last few weeks as the holidays loomed and COVID cases skyrocketed, the Problem Solvers Caucus worked with Senators on both sides of the aisle and House and Senate leadership to craft legislation that includes vetted programs like the PPP and unemployment compensation that have been improved upon since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel for all of those who are suffering today due to financial hardship and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on a bipartisan, bicameral basis to continue to find ways to help provide relief. People who are making six-figure incomes who have not been impacted by COVID-19 do not need checks. We have had 9 months to fix this program to get aid to the people who need it most. That has not happened. Let's reverse course and target those in need.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Bill Jackson, a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, lifetime member of the African American community in Portland, Oregon, and an exemplary hard worker at Pepsi for the past 50 years. After Bill ended his service as a Marine in 1970, he took jobs at both Pepsi and Fred Meyer. For the next 30 years, Bill diligently worked two full time shifts, carrying out his tasks at Pepsi during the night before waking up to report for duty at Fred Meyer during the day. Bill's work ethic became so legendary and he had become such a beloved member of the Pepsi family, that he received a rare and distinct honor. At his 40th work anniversary, Pepsi released a run of 12 oz. cans, about 3,500 cases, with his picture proudly displayed on each can. His legacy further became enshrined when Pepsi named a street on its property in Portland, Bill Jackson Way. Bill has that special ability to connect with people and inspire them. During his time at Pepsi Bill mentored many new hires and skillfully engaged his colleagues in meaningful conversations around race. He also leads those conversations in the Portland community and generously shares his time mentoring underprivileged African American teens. There is a tireless nature to Bill. It was only five years ago that he stopped working two full time jobs; security at Portland Public Schools and night loader at Pepsi. As Bill enters his well-deserved retirement, I am proud to recognize him for his service to our country, and for his loyalty, work ethic, and ongoing dedication to others. Bill has made this world a better place.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, over the last week, historic wildfires have ravaged my home State of Oregon. I have three major fires in my congressional district alone. These fires continue to burn at an alarming rate. The extent of loss of life and property is still unknown. However, without the heroic lifesaving work of our firefighters, police, and sheriffs' offices, the sheer magnitude of that loss would have been far greater. First responders from Lincoln, Marion, Polk, Clackamas, and Tillamook Counties have been working around the clock to evacuate families while the winds have changed most rapidly and dangerously, putting their own lives in peril. Currently, Oregon experiences the worst air quality in the world and has been enveloped in absolute dense smoke for 1 week. Many of those battling these fires live in impacted communities and have continued their work as their families evacuate and their homes are lost. There are not enough words of thanks to give to these heroes, but I know that I speak on behalf of all Oregonians when I say that we are forever grateful to you.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Oregon State University president, Dr. Ed Ray, who officially retires today after 17 years of dedicated service to the school, the faculty, and, most importantly, the students. During his tenure at Oregon State University, President Ray set a course for the school that made huge impacts in teaching, research, outreach, and engagement. Under Ray's leadership, Oregon State University has undergone an incredible transformation, which has seen: student enrollment increase from 19,000 in 2004 to over 32,000 this year; completion of 96 major facility renovations and new buildings at OSU campuses, in excess of $1.1 billion; and a capital fundraising campaign that successfully raised nearly $1.15 billion. President Ray leaves Oregon State with a legacy and vision for the future that will continue in service to student success, faculty and research excellence, outreach, and a 21st century mission. Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Beaver Nation, we say thank you to Ed. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Oregon State University President Dr. Ed Ray, who is officially stepping down today after 17 years of dedicated service to the school, faculty, and most importantly the students. President Ray is a passionate advocate for higher education--it is his life's work in which he has dedicated the last 50 years as a teacher and administrator. Prior to his arrival at Oregon State University in 2003, Ray spent over 30 years at Ohio State University where he was a member of the economics faculty from 1970 to 2003, served as economics department chair from 1976 to 1992, served as associate provost then senior vice provost and chief information officer from 1992 to 1998, and finally executive vice president and provost from 1998 to 2003. Upon his arrival at OSU, President Ray set a course for the school to make substantial impacts in teaching, research, and outreach and engagement. Focusing on inclusive excellence through student access, learning, and success, as well as leading a campus community that is safe, inclusive, and diverse. Under President Ray's leadership, OSU has become an internationally recognized public research university, undergoing an incredible transformation which has seen: Student enrollment increase from 19,000 in 2004 to 32,744 students this year--making OSU the state's largest university for the sixth straight year. Of that number, 5,978 were first-generation students, 8,327 were students of color and 3,492 were international students. The percentage of historically under-represented students at OSU has nearly doubled from 13.5 percent to 26.3 percent. The school has completed over 96 major facility renovations and new buildings at OSU campuses in excess of$1.1 billion A capital fundraising campaign that successfully raised nearly $1.15 billion for OSU's foundation. The development of the Student Success Initiative, a comprehensive, university-wide effort led by Ray which has raised $150 million for scholarships, fellowships, and student experience funds. In 2016, the development of OSU Cascades to enhance access to an OSU four-year degree for the underserved central Oregon region. This is the first new university expansion to be built in Oregon in 50 years. The development of OSU E-campus into a consistent national top-ranked institution for distance learning. This year, U.S. News & World Report ranked OSU's online undergraduate program number five in the nation-- the school's sixth straight year ranked in the top-10 nationally. A reflection of OSU's commitment to providing students with high quality options for attaining an OSU degree that meets their needs. The expansion of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport that, starting this fall, will provide a coastal campus location for undergraduates, expand student access to marine studies, enhance the marine laboratory, and provide a safe haven for community members in case of a tsunami. The expansion of OSU's dual-enrollment program to all 17 of Oregon's community colleges, making it easier for students to access and complete four-year degrees. OSU's research enterprise continues to grow in scope and impact. Awards to OSU faculty in 2019 totaled $439.7 million--OSU's second largest award year ever. In addition to his work at OSU, President Ray has consistently served on executive boards of national associations including: the NCAA, American Council on Education, the Association of American Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. His leadership in higher education has been recognized with the CASE District VIII Leadership Award (2013), an honorary doctorate from the University of Portland (2014), and the Oregon History Makers Medal (2018) presented by the Oregon Historical Society. President Ray has also been active locally in Oregon communities and currently serves as board chair of Special Olympics Oregon. President Ray's final State of the University address in February he said, ``I guarantee the best is yet to come for OSU''. I couldn't agree more and that is in no small part due to his exceptional leadership and dedication for the last 17 years. President Ray leaves OSU with a legacy and vision for a future that will continue in service to student success, faculty and research excellence, outreach, and OSU's mission as a 21st'' century land grant university. Ed, on behalf of a grateful Beaver Nation we say, `thank you'.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. The bill before us today has a variety of provisions that I have been a longtime supporter of, and now, given the current healthcare crisis with COVID-19, many of these provisions are more important than ever before. Negotiating drug prices to save people money, we do it in all aspects of our life, we need to do it here. I am also proud to colead an effort with Representative Harder, included in today's bill, to ensure that folks who are losing their employer-sponsored healthcare coverage are aware that options to maintain that healthcare include both COBRA and the marketplace. It also maintains State flexibility and has a mechanism to ensure resources get to the individuals that need the help the most. My home State of Oregon has a State innovation waiver reinsurance program under Section 1332 of the ACA, and within the first year it already started saving money for families by preventing a 10 to 15 percent premium increase. These reinsurance provisions in H.R. 1425, widely bipartisan, will bolster and augment efforts States like mine who are already doing it, and provide other States additional opportunity to afford this type of program. While the impact of the marketplace may not be seen immediately, we know that the uncertainty around COVID-19 will likely drive rates up and may consolidate the options available in the marketplace that we have worked so hard to build robust, quality options for coverage. Since the ACA went into effect, we have seen positive trends in coverage and utilization. We must continue to build on the parts we know that are working, and in no small part, it is the Medicaid expansion that is helping so many. All of our States are facing budget crises right now, and more folks are shifting over to Medicaid as they lose their jobs. While providing healthcare is an investment upfront, it pays dividends on the back end by driving preventative care and reducing costly treatments. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to consider supporting the comprehensive bill before us today.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Mr. Speaker, last night during Roll Call No. 51, I was inadvertently recorded as voting ``no'' on H. Res. 826, Expressing Disapproval of the Trump Administration's Actions Towards Medicaid, when it was my intention to vote ``yes.'' I respectfully request this be officially reflected in the Record, and ask my full written statement be entered in the Record as well. Madam Speaker, last night during a long series of votes, I was inadvertently recorded as voting ``no'' when it was my intention to vote ``yes'' on rollcall No. 51. H. Res. 826, a resolution ``Expressing disapproval of the Trump Administration's harmful actions towards Medicaid.'' I rise today to correct the record and make it clear to my constituents and colleagues that I unequivocally oppose the Trump Administration's proposal to block grant Medicaid and gutting a critically important piece of the Affordable Care Act. The Trump Administration's proposal which will cap federal funding and cut coverage and benefits, is exactly the opposite of what I've championed during my time in congress. The proposal will harm low- income parents and children, people with disabilities, and many older Americans. It would make it more difficult for states to finance their Medicaid programs which would ultimately and inevitably lead to reductions in benefits for our most vulnerable citizens. The administration's proposal also turns its back on the commitment Congress and the federal government made to states to cover 90 percent of the cost of Medicaid if those states agreed to expanding the program. As a steadfast supporter and defender of the Affordable Care Act, it is undeniable that the expansion of Medicaid under that law has provided us the greatest opportunity to provide tens of millions of uninsured Americans health coverage. This expansion has resulted in the lowest uninsured rate in our country's history leading to better coverage, access, and quality of care and I would never do anything to undermine this important law. Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to address the House and make clear my opposition to the Trump Administration's attacks on our critically important Medicaid programs.

Mr. SCHRADER

Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the career of Cary Jones of Oregon for his 44 years of public service to our nation and our Veterans as he retires on January 31, 2020 from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Cary began his service to our nation when he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and served honorably for twenty-six years before retiring as a Senior Chief Yeoman. On July 1, 2001, Cary started working with VA Portland Health Care System as Personal Support Assistant in the Public Affairs, Release of Information and Patient Advocates, Release offices. It was during this time that Cary began working with members of the Oregon delegation and responding to congressional inquiries. During my time in Congress, Cary has always been the point of contact for my office. He was responsible for helping the countless veterans who reached out to my office for assistance, often out of pure desperation, to get a response to grievances with their care. I will always be grateful for Cary's approach to the job. His professionalism and dedication to our men and women in uniform showed in the way he treated every inquiry with the utmost urgency they deserved to ensure our veterans concerns were addressed. The VA Portland Health Care System, our Veterans, and the Congressional delegations of Oregon and Washington will be losing an institution on January 31st when Cary officially retires. I would like to once again thank Cary and wish him and his wife Linda a well- deserved retirement after forty-four years of dedicated federal service. I hope he can finally enjoy some much-earned time in his workshop.