Abigail Spanberger

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the 340B program. I rise today to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 340B drug discount program, which has supported health providers in their mission to care for the most vulnerable and low-income patients in our communities, all at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Tonight, the House will hear stories from both Democrats and Republicans about how 340B supports the healthcare safety net in districts across the country, including in Virginia's Seventh District. In 1992, Congress started the 340B program with a simple goal. The 340B program has helped hospitals, community health centers, and Federal grantees stretch their scarce resources as far as possible, helping them reach more eligible patients and provide more comprehensive services. The way it works is simple: 340B requires pharmaceutical companies to make drugs more affordable for healthcare providers serving vulnerable communities and low-income patients. By discounting the drugs, these providers can stretch their resources further and reach even more patients. The 340B program is especially important for providers in rural America. In these areas, lower incomes lead to higher rates of uncompensated care and a disproportionate number of patients with Medicare and Medicaid. Hospitals struggle to maintain costly services such as maternity wards and trauma centers, and patients at federally qualified health centers lack the resources to access high-cost drugs for HIV/AIDS, hemophilia, or diabetes. Unfortunately, since the summer of 2020, at least 16 pharmaceutical companies have announced or implemented restrictions on 340B pricing. Both the current Biden administration and the previous Trump administration have found these restrictions to be unlawful, yet HHS has taken no serious enforcement action to prevent or penalize these illegal actions. Let me be very clear: Every time a pharmaceutical company withholds a 340B discount from an eligible pharmacy, that company is unlawfully overcharging the healthcare safety net and withholding resources from the most vulnerable patients in our communities. And, in response, we need to defend 340B. I commend HHS for its commitment to protecting the integrity of the 340B program, but I urge the agency to penalize the companies that refuse to comply with Federal law. It is the right thing to do for the people we serve. Madam Speaker, I yield to my colleague from Tennessee (Mr. Rose).

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for his comments. Certainly, his comments focus so much on the importance of the 340B program. We know that rural hospitals are the lifeblood of their communities. They often serve as the largest employer in a town and a way to keep and attract young people to that community. Rural hospitals are already in crisis, and since 2005, more than 180 rural hospitals have closed their doors. One reason why that number is not higher is the 340B program. Savings from 340B discounts and community pharmacies are half of all the savings for rural hospitals. If these losses are allowed to stand and grow bigger, we will face a real crisis across rural America. Recent actions by the pharmaceutical companies threaten the ability of rural hospitals to stay open, costing them, on average, $229,000. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. O'Halleran).

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Arizona for speaking about this important program and the value that it has across his district. I am now grateful for the opportunity to yield to my colleague from Pennsylvania.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania for his comments. They are so important because he was talking about the impact that we see when pharmaceutical companies do not abide by the 340B program. We know that hospitals that serve more urban areas report that, on average, they have lost nearly a quarter of the 340B resources they receive through partnerships with community pharmacies. That is a median loss of $1 million. For critical access hospitals that are the only source of hospital care for their remote, rural communities, this loss is nearly 40 percent, and the median loss is $220,000. These losses of millions of dollars are harmful to hospitals with razor-thin operating margins, especially the more than half that operate in the red even with 340B support, echoing and illustrating the point made by my colleague from Pennsylvania. To be clear, these losses are going to drug companies that continue to report excellent results to their shareholders, many of whom report double-digit profit margins. We know that that impacts hospitals across our communities and their ability to serve patients and provide care. I am now pleased to yield time to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas).

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Pappas for sharing the stories that he is hearing directly from his district. When I asked pharmacists about how this program works in practice, we were overwhelmed with responses related to how patients have been able to access care through the 340B program. I will just give one example as follow-up to Mr. Pappas' comments. We had a pharmacist say, ``I have countless numbers of patients who are now able to get their insulin and control their diabetes because of the 340B program.'' When their local pharmacy prices put their insulin costs into the range of hundreds of dollars each month, this pharmacist, because of the 340B program, is able to meet the needs of these community members with diabetes who otherwise would not be able to afford their lifesaving medication. We have story after story from pharmacists who recognize the value of this program and depend on it in order to serve patients throughout Virginia, New Hampshire, and throughout the country. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Danny K. Davis).

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Davis for his comments and certainly for bringing up the important role that federally qualified health centers raise in providing care. We know that they stretch their scarce resources. In fact, one of the federally qualified health centers in my district in Louisa County has shared with us some stories about the impact of this program. Louisa County is one of the most rural counties in my district, and the Louisa County Health and Wellness Center is a federally qualified health center, and it is an invaluable resource for Louisa County and our local community. Discounts through the 340B program allows the Central Virginia Health Services and the Louisa County Health and Wellness Center to offset the costs of providing nonprofitable services, such as dental and behavioral health. The savings from 340B allows Central Virginia Health Services to have a strong clinical pharmacy team that provides extensive support with Medicare annual wellness visits, medication compliance with complex patients, managing its hepatitis C program, and overseeing diabetic initiatives. Most importantly, the 340B savings allows Central Virginia Health Services and other federally qualified health centers to offer substantial sliding fee discounts to patients regardless of whether or not they have insurance. The Federal grant only covers about 40 percent of the cost of treating a patient, and the rest comes from 340B savings. So let me be clear on that: It is the savings that federally qualified health centers receive because they are able to participate in this program. Because the drugs that they are prescribing and giving to their patients cost less, those savings they are able to invest elsewhere. In the case of Louisa County, they are putting those dollars into dental and behavioral health. The intent of the 340B program for the past 30 years has been to help stretch Federal resources for the benefit of the taxpayer, and this is a great example of exactly how that is happening back home in Virginia's Seventh District. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia) to speak on this important program.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Illinois for providing such an important story, illustrating the value of the 340B program in Illinois, and those stories exist across the country. I now yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose), as we continue our discussion about the value of this program.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Tennessee. I appreciate his talking about the PROTECT 340B program. I was so proud to lead this effort. And certainly, as we have heard today, Congress' intention for the 340B program is to support safety net providers and their ability to stretch their scarce resources and provide more comprehensive services to vulnerable patients. Congress certainly did not intend for the 340B program and those discounts to subsidize the profits of Fortune 100 pharmacy benefit managers, and I thank Mr. Rose for recognizing that. I was proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to introduce PROTECT 340B to stop PBMs from, frankly, pickpocketing 340B discounts so that we can ensure the benefits of 340B reach the community health centers, the HIV/AIDS clinics, and the rural hospitals that Congress intended to support. I thank the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley), who has been an absolute champion of this issue. I have been so grateful to work with him and his team every step along the way. His commitment to West Virginia, the safety net hospitals, the rural hospitals, and the communities that rely on 340B is apparent through his dedication to this. Our bill is in response to the stories that we have heard from pharmacists across our districts. PBMs have established two tiers of payment for pharmacy-dispersed drugs, one for chain and retail pharmacies unassociated with 340B providers, and another significantly lower rate for 340B pharmacies. Years of market consolidation have given the three leading PBMs incredible market power, and they can effectively dictate terms to smaller 340B pharmacies. What that means is PBMs are essentially pickpocketing 340B savings from safety net providers. Instead of helping the healthcare safety net reach more patients, the 340B savings are subsidizing the profits of some of the largest, most profitable companies in America, and that means that those safety net hospitals, those rural hospitals, those federally qualified health centers are not able to put those savings toward care to patients. Our PROTECT 340B Act would hold PBMs accountable and prevent them from applying these predatory business practices to the local health centers, the rural hospitals, and other Federal grantees. It would also create a national clearinghouse to track 340B discounts and make sure 340B drugs are not included in States' Medicaid rebate requests. Together, these changes would restore the integrity of the program and protect the healthcare safety net so many of our constituents rely on. I am proud that for over the past 2 years many States, including Virginia, have passed laws to protect the healthcare safety net from these predatory business practices, but it is not enough. A Federal standard is necessary to ensure consistent and broad protections for healthcare providers and, importantly, to actually ensure that we are enforcing the law, and we are seeing momentum toward that moment. Currently, our bill has more than 90 cosponsors, and I welcome the rest of our colleagues to join our effort. Certainly, from tonight, people should be able to see this is an issue that many people from across the country and across the aisle certainly can get behind, and I urge my colleagues to consider joining us in this legislation. Madam Speaker, I am happy to yield time back to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose) to continue this conversation and education about the value of the 340B program.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank and appreciate the gentleman. Madam Speaker, we have been joining together to recognize the importance of this program, ensuring that it is there to serve our communities. And I will give an example. Virginia Commonwealth University, or VCU, is the largest safety net hospital in Virginia, and it serves the greatest number of uninsured and Medicaid patients in our Commonwealth. Nearly three-quarters of VCU's payor mix is public or uninsured. I am proud that VCU has been a good steward of the discounts it receives through the 340B program, consistent with Congressional intent that the 340B program be used to ensure these discounts can stretch Federal resources. The 340B program supports VCU's health systems' commitment to serving all members of the community, regardless of their ability to pay. And in 2020 alone, the program's savings helped VCU Health provide nearly 2,100 patients with $27,300 discounted or free medications and over $64 million in uncompensated care in fiscal year 2021. I am going to repeat that. The program savings, the savings that VCU was able to get through the 340B program, allowed them to provide $64 million in uncompensated care. VCU has used its 340B discounts to stretch its resources and expand patients' access to care. For example, in just one year, one patient visited VCU's Emergency Department nearly 50 times. He was homeless, and he had multiple chronic conditions; so the emergency department referred him to VCU's Health Complex Care Clinic. There, thanks to 340B discounts, the patient received significantly discounted medications from the hospital pharmacy. Meanwhile, the clinic staff helped the patient find transitional housing and apply for Medicaid coverage. Over the next 3 years, the patient only had four emergency department visits. In 1 year, this man visited the emergency room 50 times because it was how he was able to get the healthcare that he needed. But thanks to the 340B program and how well it is utilized by hospitals like VCU and hospitals across the country, this man was able to get the medicine he needed through this program at a discounted rate. And the hospital was able to invest its resources in providing care and ensuring that this gentleman could get the medication he needed for his chronic illness and also find his way into transitional housing, apply for Medicaid coverage, and over 3 years, he had four emergency department visits. That is investing in the community, in better health outcomes, and this is exactly why this program was created. The discounts available through 340B helped providers like VCU meet the needs of their patients and certainly uphold the intent of 340B and the program as it was created 30 years ago. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Rose), my colleague.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Rose and his commitment to this issue, and I thank him for joining me in this Special Order hour. It has really been a wonderful experience to hear from our colleagues from across the country and across the aisle talk about the value of this program. Certainly, we heard Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania talk about the impact that the 340B program has on hospitals; their ability to operate, their ability to provide their service, and their ability to be there for their patients, the importance that this program has to the operation of our healthcare system here in the United States. We heard from Mr. Pappas of New Hampshire, stories of particular people's experience, that thanks to the 340B program, patients with a need in communities wanting to serve their constituents have been able to ensure that people who need medication can get it through the 340B program. Mr. O'Halleran of Arizona highlighted the value of this program in rural communities across the United States. And Mr. Davis of Illinois talked about the creation of Federally qualified health centers and how vital the 340B program is to their ability to serve their patients, their communities, and our communities. Mr. Garcia of Illinois told a really specific story about the impact of 340B on a patient with diabetes and what he is hearing directly from constituents. And certainly, Mr. Rose, in our comments back and forth, my colleague and I have talked about the value of this program, the intent of this program, and our efforts to ensure that pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers are not breaking the law and are not raiding the coffers of the 340B discount program. Madam Speaker, I close out tonight by just thanking all of the Members who came to the floor, all of the Members who support legislation to support this vital program, and all of the Members who recognize the value of the 340B program within their district. Again, I give a very special thanks to my friend from Tennessee that helped manage the floor during this Special Order hour. Since it came into being nearly 30 years ago, 340B has enabled a strong healthcare safety net that has served thousands of communities and millions of patients. It has been a lifeline for hospitals, health centers, and clinics that serve patients with low incomes, especially those who are uninsured or on Medicaid and those in rural areas. It has done so with strong bipartisan support and without costing any taxpayer dollars. Again, these savings allow our communities' hospitals to stretch those Federal dollars, to save those Federal dollars. This program does not cost a single taxpayer dollar. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is a success story for patient access to care. We should celebrate it. We should protect it. We should defend 340B. Madam Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, During National Police Week, Virginians have reflected on the sacrifice of the men and women who keep our communities safe--and they honor those who never came home. As part of these commemorations, the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy in Fredericksburg, Virginia held their fallen officer memorial service alongside family members of the fallen and those they proudly served alongside. Today, I am honored to remember the names of the officers who were recognized and remembered by the Academy: Sergeant Harry V. Smeeman--Ashland Police Department; Deputy Strother W. Lewis, Sr.--Caroline County Sheriff's Office; Sheriff Thomas G. Thornton--Caroline County Sheriff's Office; Deputy George R. Lillard, Jr.--Culpeper County Sheriff's Office; Captain James A. Sisk--Culpeper County Sheriff's Office; Sergeant Charles E. Murray, Jr.--Fauquier County Sheriff's Office; Deputy John H. Walter--Fauquier County Sheriff's Office; Officer Todd A. Bahr--Fredericksburg Police Department; Officer William F. Mines--Fredericksburg Police Department; Officer Ellsworth A. Moore--Fredericksburg Police Department; Sergeant Roy G. Wright--Fredericksburg Police Department. Sheriff Joel L. Powers--Goochland County Sheriff's Office; Investigator Chadwick A. Carr--Greene County Sheriff's Office; Deputy Craig L. Brooks--King George County Sheriff's Office; Sergeant Donald C. Benson, Sr.--Lancaster County Sheriff's Office; Deputy James A. Brent--Lancaster County Sheriff's Office; Sergeant John D. Conner, III--Manassas City Police Department; Deputy John W. Sanford, Jr.-- Northumberland County Sheriff's Office; Sheriff Willie C. Bond--Orange County Sheriff's Office; Sheriff Willie B. Young--Orange County Sheriff's Office; Sergeant Julian F. Boyer--Orange Police Department; 1st Sergeant Michael J. Krueger--Rappahannock Regional Jail. 1st Sergeant Challoughlczilczise Randle, II--Rappahannock Regional Jail; Deputy Bryan M. Berger--Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office; Deputy Dean Ridings--Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office; Detective Richard L. Samuels--Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office; Deputy Ford T. Humphrey--Stafford County Sheriff's Office; Deputy Jason E. Mooney-- Stafford County Sheriff's Office Marine; Patrol Officer Peter Crockett--V.M.R.C.; Trooper Adam M. Bowen--Virginia State Police; Trooper Jose M. Cavazos--Virginia State Police; Trooper Jessica J. Cheney--Virginia State Police; Trooper Rannie DeWitt Kennedy--Virginia State Police. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I am humbled to present their names before the U.S. House of Representatives. On behalf of a grateful Commonwealth and country, I thank them for keeping our communities safe. They will be remembered.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this important legislation of which I am a cosponsor and intend to vote for. Firefighters are routinely exposed to high stress, smoke, heat, and various toxic substances. As a result, they are far more likely to contract cardiovascular disease, lung disease, and cancer than other workers. I strongly support extending workers' compensation to America's Federal civilian firefighters as we will do with the Federal Firefighter Fairness Act, but I want to use this opportunity to call on House leadership and the Veterans' Affairs Committee to bring forward another related bill, the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act. I strongly support extending workers' compensation to our civilian firefighters, but we must extend the same benefits to our military firefighters. Not doing so would be nothing short of a dereliction of our sacred duty to them. One such military firefighter was Michael Lecik, an Air Force firefighter. He deployed twice to the Middle East, and after coming home to central Virginia some years later, Mike was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer linked to the dangerous conditions of his service as a military firefighter, a connection we are acknowledging for Federal firefighters with our votes for the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act. While I am grateful that we are moving this bill forward, I am deeply concerned and disappointed that we are not remedying this issue for the brave servicemembers like Mike who had similar exposures. Mike died in March 2021 at the age of 41, leaving behind a loving wife and three school-age daughters. As he faced down his illness, he worked and advocated to ensure that other military firefighters would have their service-connected illnesses recognized. In his honor and in service to military firefighters like him, I will continue to work to ensure an acknowledgment of harm is extended to all affected populations, including veterans dying from cancer without any acknowledgment of their service-connected injury.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here to recognize the service of Marcus Tuck of Crewe, Virginia. During the Korean war, Mr. Tuck served in the United States Army. He was part of E Company, 223rd Infantry Regiment, 40th Division. He served honorably and dutifully, but for decades, Mr. Tuck never received the medals he was owed, the medals he earned. This year, my office worked with Mr. Tuck and fought to get Mr. Tuck the medals he rightfully earned nearly 70 years ago. For his brave service to our country, Mr. Tuck earned the Good Conduct Medal. He earned the National Defense Service Medal. He earned the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and he earned the United Nations Service Medal. On behalf of a grateful Seventh District, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and our country, I thank Marcus Tuck for his commitment to our beloved Nation. I am humbled to call him a constituent, and I am honored to be able to deliver these physical reminders of his service to him and his family. I also want to recognize the Crewe Gold Star Memorial VFW Post 7189 for getting Mr. Tuck in touch with our office and for making sure he received the medals and the recognition that had long been deferred. As an American people, we are stronger when we honor our veterans, remember their stories, and carry onward the torch of their legacy. Thank you for your service, Mr. Tuck.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to honor the life of Henrico County Police Officer Trey Marshall Sutton. Officer Sutton was described as kind, confident, and someone who devoted his life to others. Originally from Chesterfield County, Officer Sutton graduated from the police academy earlier this year, and he was training to serve in the Henrico County PD's patrol bureau. He was also soon to be married. Last week, Officer Sutton's life was cut tragically short in a car crash during field training. In an instant, Virginia lost one of our best, someone who demonstrated both bravery and compassion through his actions. We will remember Officer Sutton for his service to our community. We will remember his commitment to our Commonwealth. And we will remember his story as one of purpose and inspiration for our country. In the words of the ``Hero's Welcome'': ``And through your selfless actions, others will hear the call.'' My prayers are with Officer Sutton's fellow officers in the Henrico County Police Department, his classmates at the academy, his fiance, Zoe, and all of his loved ones. Please join me in honoring the life of Officer Trey Marshall Sutton.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the remarkable contributions of Phil Jenkins, who recently finished serving as managing and executive editor at the Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Phil gave his time, his energy, and his dedication to the Free Lance- Star for 24 years. ``Equally wise and unflappable,'' that is how his colleagues describe him. ``A trusted leader, gifted editor, and generous mentor.'' When he arrived at the paper in 1998, Phil made sure the paper stayed at the top of its game. As the years went on, his determination guided the paper through difficult stretches and through thousands of local news developments. He oversaw critical investigations, including those related to the D.C. sniper trial. He managed major transitions, such as shifting from an afternoon to morning production cycle and moving the paper's offices to downtown Fredericksburg. Under Phil's leadership the Free Lance-Star was nine times judged as Virginia's best midsize daily between 2011 and 2020, winning first place for its writing, design, and photography. In Fredericksburg, Phil supervised dozens of people, including writers, photographers, designers, editors, web producers, and clerical staff. Those who worked with him over the years said that ``few knew a more journalistically savvy, more evenhanded or more calming influence in the newsroom.'' When asked to describe Phil's tenure at the paper, a former colleague said that Phil showed ``unparalleled leadership'' as well as ``an uncanny ability to measure and satiate the community's hunger for the news that makes it unique.'' Today, Phil's staff and the entire greater Fredericksburg region and the Free Lance-Star readership will greatly miss Phil's hand at the helm of the Free Lance-Star. One former Free Lance-Star editor said, ``Working with such a gifted journalist and wonderful person as Phil Jenkins was one of the highest honors of my life. There is no way to adequately thank him for the contributions he has made to the paper and to the community.'' Phil's service to the Fredericksburg area and Virginia overall speaks to the enduring importance of local news, including print journalism. Local news keeps us informed about the day-to-day events in our communities. It allows us to share the triumphs of our neighbors. It holds those in power to account, and it brings to light the challenges we face together, as a community, as a Commonwealth, and as a country. As another former colleague said, ``Nobody gave more to the cause of community journalism than Phil Jenkins.'' Today, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, I would like to thank Phil Jenkins for his service to the people of Virginia. We thank him for his devotion to his colleagues, his commitment to accuracy, and his love of a good story founded on the truth. Recognizing Bill Shugarts

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Seventh District constituent and U.S. Army veteran Bill Shugarts. Bill is a Vietnam veteran who served with the 23rd Infantry Division. In Vietnam, Bill planned and ran convoys, and one day, while doing command and control above the Hiep Duc Valley, Bill was in a helicopter crash. Thankfully, he suffered only minimal injuries. Bill was honorably discharged in 1971 with various commendations and medals, including a Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters. He began a successful corporate career spanning three different Fortune 500 companies. But never forgetting his experiences in Vietnam or with his soldiers, Bill has devoted himself to his fellow veterans and our Nation's allies who have stood by our servicemembers. In service to the community and local veterans, Bill founded the Northern Virginia Military Ministry Outreach, and he cofounded the Fawn Lake Veterans Group. He is a docent at the U.S. Army Museum, and he is a lay leader of the Methodist Wilderness Community Church's military ministry. In my earliest days in office, and well before the final exit of American forces from Afghanistan, Bill was working to bring attention to the urgent needs of the SIV program. As a founding member of No One Left Behind, Bill focused on increasing the number of visas available, speeding up processing, and bringing refuge to those in danger. Bill worked closely with my office as we strived to make progress, get questions answered, and ultimately get SIVs home to America, their new home. Now, through their church, Bill and his wife, Margene, continue their tireless work to help Afghan evacuees resettle and build community in their new home in Virginia. Bill represents the best of Virginia, a Commonwealth made stronger through our ability to keep our promises to our veterans, our military families, and our allies. As the U.S. Representative for Virginia's Seventh District, I thank Bill Shugarts for his advocacy, his compassion, and his deep and abiding sense of service to our country and our Commonwealth.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I have been so pleased to hear colleagues across the aisle speak in favor of competition and price negotiations. I hope that they will follow through in their commitment to supporting competition and negotiation and co-sponsor Lower Drug Costs Now, H.R. 3. But that is not the bill we are talking about today. Today, we are talking about the Affordable Insulin Now Act, a bill that would make changes in the lives of the more than 630,000 Virginians who are living with diabetes. The Affordable Insulin Now Act would finally make sure that every affected child, teenager, family member, every American can afford the insulin that they need. People living with diabetes do not have the choice of whether to purchase insulin or not. They depend on it to stay alive. People like my constituent, Joshua Davis, a 13-year-old Virginian with type 1 diabetes who accompanied Dr. Jill Biden to the State of the Union Address earlier this year. I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation to make sure that no American is skipping lifesaving doses of their insulin or making choices between whether they take their insulin or put food on the table. I am grateful to my colleagues for leading this effort.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my Better Cybercrime Metrics Act and its companion bill in the U.S. Senate, S. 2629. And I thank the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for that introduction and for her support of this bill since the moment we introduced it. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is under constant attack from cybercriminals. And with the range of new threats emanating from adversaries around the world, including the Russian Federation, Congress has an obligation to move legislation forward that can better protect the American people, their data, their finances, and their personal information. Over the last few years, we have seen massive rates of cybercrime. Millions of Americans have had their personal data compromised, their money stolen, their identity taken, or their safety put at serious risk. In fact, cybercrime remains the most common crime in America, and this trend was only exacerbated by the pandemic and the many fraudsters looking to scam vulnerable Americans in a moment of crisis or make a quick buck off of a global catastrophe. Unfortunately, a vast majority of these crimes are not properly reported or tracked by law enforcement. Far too often, they are not measured or even documented. And to make matters worse, our government lacks the preparedness required to fully address the next generation of cybercrime and cyberattacks. Our legislation would give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to better track and identify cybercrime, prevent attacks, and hold perpetrators accountable. Our bill would require Federal reporting on the effectiveness of current cybercrime mechanisms. And it would go one step further--it would also highlight disparities in reporting data between cybercrime data and other types of crime data. This is such an important step for strengthening our understanding and our defenses against the phishing attempts, extortion, identity theft, and ransomware attacks that are plaguing everyday Americans in communities and across our country. Additionally, our bill would make sure America's law enforcement is prepared for the next generation of cyberattacks. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud former Federal law enforcement officer, and I understand that local and State police and sheriff's departments are often strained for resources. And I know that their time is precious, so I recognize the importance of having their backs and making sure that we have as much information as possible about potential threats. This legislation follows through on that commitment and it is why I am glad to see it endorsed by several national organizations--including the National Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and the National White Collar Crime Center, which has a presence in Virginia's Seventh District. In fact, this legislation--bipartisan and bicameral--was partially inspired by the attack on the Colonial pipeline last year, something that impacted many communities across my district. After thousands of Virginians, their gas tanks, and their wallets were impacted by this disruptive ransomware attack, I was proud to build a bipartisan coalition focused on improving America's efforts to undercut hackers, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen existing cybercrime prevention efforts. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives who joined this bipartisan coalition. I thank Congressman Blake Moore, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for their partnership. Clearly, there is still bipartisan consensus for cybersecurity reforms and protections. Mr. Speaker, I also thank our friends across the Capitol complex for ushering the Senate version through the process. Thank you to Senators Schatz, Tillis, Cornyn, and Blumenthal for your cooperation and leadership on this important bicameral effort. When our bipartisan bill passes the House tonight, it will head to the President's desk to be signed into law. And with a stroke of a pen, we will ensure that our national crime classification system can properly identify cybercrimes and prevent future attacks. Once our legislation is signed into law, we will be protecting more families who bank online. We will be protecting more businesses who manage their employees' payroll information over the internet. We will be protecting more seniors who are using the internet to communicate with their loved ones far away or rely on the internet to manage their Federal benefits, such as Social Security. Together, we will thwart cybercriminals. And together, we will prevent more Americans from becoming targets or victims online.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I stand here to recognize the incredible achievement of Midlothian resident Keira D'Amato. Earlier this year, Keira broke the American record for the women's marathon, winning the Chevron Houston Marathon with a 2-hour, 19- minute, and 12-second finish. For those of you keeping score, that is 24 seconds faster than the previous record set back in 2006. This new record demonstrates Keira's remarkable resiliency, it shows her undeniable passion, and it highlights her proven ability to overcome injuries and adversity. As a mother of two, Keira is not just a winner, she is an ambassador for her sport. Her enthusiasm is already inspiring the next generation of Virginia marathon runners. Today, on behalf of Virginia's Seventh District, I want to congratulate Keira for making Chesterfield County, central Virginia, and our entire Commonwealth proud. We are honored to be the home of a true American champion.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, my commitment to supporting veterans suffering from toxic exposures has been ironclad since I first met the late Michael Lecik, a father, a husband, a firefighter, and a veteran who died of cancer related to his exposures. It continued when I met Gillie Jenkins, an atomic war veteran from Chesterfield, Virginia, who in his 90s is still fighting for the recognition of his brothers in arms and the sacrifices that they made. Today, when I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 3967, I am doing so inspired by William G. Collins, a veteran from Louisa County, Virginia. My amendment would require the VA to investigate the long- term health impacts of jet fuel exposures on our country's servicemembers. Mr. Collins, a veteran from Louisa County, Virginia, is living with Parkinson's. As a former Air Force crew fire chief, his years of constant exposure to jet fuel put him at risk, but now the VA does not recognize Mr. Collins' condition as having a service connection. Mr. Collins served honorably, and he should know that his country has his back. Mr. Speaker, this amendment would bring us one step closer to ensure that veterans like William have the healthcare benefits they deserve and the acknowledgment of their sacrifice. Mr. Collins says, ``This disease has impacted my health, my economic security, and potentially my wife and I's dream of spending our last years on our beloved farm where we raised our family.'' Mr. Speaker, today I urge my colleagues to support this long overdue amendment as we support all of our Nation's veterans.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 381.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to recognize the Kristallnacht Remembrance Service that has taken place in the community I represent for more than 60 years. In 1938, during Kristallnacht, the night of broken glass, more than 90 Jews were killed, murdered, and 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Hundreds of synagogues were burned, and thousands of Jewish homes and businesses were ransacked. It was a prelude to the horrors to come. Every year, central Virginians come together on the anniversary of Kristallnacht at the Emek Sholom Holocaust Memorial Cemetery in Henrico County, a cemetery that serves as the final resting place for so many Virginians with ties to the Holocaust. At the service, our community joins to remember what took place, honor loved ones, and remind us that we can never forget. I am immensely grateful to the local leaders in central Virginia's Jewish community who bring people together for this remembrance service. This community is committed to education and celebrating Jewish culture, and the Kristallnacht Remembrance Service is indicative of that spirit and that commitment.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak on the House floor about Summer Barrow. Summer was born on July 4 and was named for the season. Her mother, Carey Colvin, said that Summer was a firecracker, she was vivacious, she loved to dance, she loved to sing, and she loved music. But Summer died of a fentanyl overdose in January of 2020. Summer's substance use disorder began after she was prescribed oxycodone after a car accident, and when the prescription ran out, she turned to heroin. This vibrant young woman lost her life to a substance use disorder, and amid her loss, her mother, Carey, has turned to advocacy. In her honor, I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Support Recovery for Addiction Act, legislation that would create a guaranteed funding stream for recovery support services and community organizations. Of her daughter, Carey said: ``I know what she would want to say is: `Please get help.''' This bill would help deliver that help to others, just as Summer and so many others that we have lost to substance use disorder would have wanted.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the FRIENDS Association for Children on their 150th anniversary of service to Central Virginia. The FRIENDS Association for Children first began in 1871 as an orphanage in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. Today, it operates two multi-service licensed child development centers in the Richmond area, which offer exceptional care and education to children ages six weeks to 12 years of age in a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment. A broad array of services allows children to gain critical literacy and developmental skills needed to succeed in school and in life--including family support services, developmental childcare, youth development, music and performing arts, and health education. Through these programs, FRIENDS responds wholistically to the needs of families, prepares children to succeed in their academic and life goals, and helps children to achieve a greater understanding and appreciation of their community and the world around them. For a century and a half, the FRIENDS Association for Children has touched countless lives through their mission to serve Virginia's children and families. I am grateful for the tireless and selfless work of the many volunteers and staff at FRIENDS who have provided vital, compassionate care to our children and families over the years. Their commitment is inspiring and deserving of commendation and celebration. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the 150th anniversary of the FRIENDS Association for Children.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. The repeal of this policy allowed thousands of American servicemembers to live and serve without fear. Finally, brave Americans are able to defend their country--our country--without worrying about both the stigma and the punishment that they could face because of whom they loved. This decision, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, impacted many of my constituents in Virginia's Seventh District, including Stephanie Merlo, an Army veteran. With her permission, I am honored to share her story tonight on the floor of the House of Representatives. Stephanie begins by explaining that: ``A year after 9/11 happened, I enlisted as an Active Duty servicemember in the Army. My mom cried; my brother was proud; and I was honestly excited and scared both at the same time. ``Was I scared of deploying? Sure, a little. Was I afraid of failing? Of course. ``But my overall fear, that which consumed me beyond the point of depression, was the fear of being `ousted' and discharged for being a lesbian. In February of 2004, that fear showed its face, and I was backed into a corner with deciding how I wanted to proceed with my military career.'' How many servicemembers had this fear? How many brave soldiers served honorably but with a secret, a secret that they knew could end their career in the military, their career of service to our Nation? And Stephanie had two secrets: her sexuality, a secret she kept to protect her military career, and a secret regarding the sexual assault she suffered while in the Army. You see, reporting it could also mean revealing the secret of her sexuality. Stephanie couldn't seek justice as a victim because seeking justice would mean she could potentially bring an end to her career. She could potentially be identified as gay in the military. Stephanie was faced with this horrible choice, this horrible reality, and all the while, her intention had been to bravely serve our Nation, as so many brave LGBTQ Americans have. I am proud to share this story because Stephanie reflects on the fact that had Don't Ask, Don't Tell not been in place, perhaps a bit of her story would have gone differently. She says that she never regretted her decision to join the Army, but she still lives with the regret of not allowing herself to live her truth. Stephanie's story is emblematic of the struggles, the hardships, and, most importantly, the triumphs of so many who have served in our Air Force before the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. During that time, members of our military showed tremendous courage, selflessness. They served our country with the utmost honor and valor, and they put their service to country above even living their own truth. But our military is stronger because of the repeal. Our military has always been strong because of brave servicemembers, brave soldiers like Stephanie, and our Nation is better because it has been protected by people like Stephanie and so many of the stories we have heard today. Our Nation is better protected because of the protections afforded to those who put on the uniform. Tonight, we have the opportunity to reflect on the importance of this decision on the 10th anniversary of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. For thousands of servicemembers and veterans like Stephanie, this decision was long overdue. May we always look to defend and support those who are willing to serve our country, sacrifice on behalf of our fellow Americans, and build a stronger Nation. I am grateful to every LGBTQ servicemember who has served, past or present. I thank them for their sacrifice to our country, and I am so grateful that as they serve today, they can do it celebrating their full selves.