Paul Tonko

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Maine for yielding. I support the Pingree-Spanberger amendment, which would expand the voluntary label for PFAS-free products to include carpets, rugs, clothing, and upholstered furniture. The PFAS-free label created under this bill was developed by Representative Soto to help consumers who are trying to protect themselves from PFAS risks. I thank Mr. Soto for his work on that provision. Expanding that label to cover carpeting, rugs, clothing, and upholstered furniture makes great sense. Recent data suggests that those consumer products can be a significant source of PFAS exposure and that PFAS-free products are available on the market. Currently, consumers have no clear way to know which rugs have PFAS and which do not. Manufacturers that are taking steps to produce these items without PFAS have no way of distinguishing their products in the marketplace. This amendment will give them that tool. I congratulate both Representatives Pingree and Spanberger for their sensitivity to consumers by placing this amendment before us. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the overall bill.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chair, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. While I am grateful that congressional Democrats worked very hard to improve the initial agreement, it still falls short in some critical areas. Let me address one. There is an undeniable and unbreakable link between trade and climate pollution. Unfortunately, this agreement does not adequately address the ongoing and immediate climate crisis that we face. For 25 years, we have watched as NAFTA painfully outsourced American jobs. Under this agreement, we will see the continued outsourcing of pollution, undermining our domestic and international efforts to address climate change. The United States must get serious about this challenge and build international cooperation and commitments through all vehicles available to us, including our trade agreements. Trade negotiations do not happen frequently, but their impact is felt for generations. I cannot support a deal which fails to even acknowledge the global climate crisis that future generations will be left to bear.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Despite the passage in 2010 of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act through the Affordable Care Act, which created the modern pathway for bringing biosimilar drugs to market, consumers in the United States are still not reaping the cost-saving benefits that a full, mature biosimilars market would provide. As of May, only 19 biosimilars had been approved by the FDA, and many of those that have been approved are not on the market for a number of reasons. Economics 101 teaches us that, when more competition is introduced into the market, prices come down. We have seen this with the overwhelming success of the generic pharmaceuticals market here at home, and we are seeing it with biosimilars in other parts of the globe. In Europe, for example, the introduction of biosimilar competition for Humira led to the brand manufacturer dropping the price by more than 80 percent in some countries. Unfortunately, here in the United States, biosimilars still face very low market share and utilization, despite the fact they could generate much-needed savings for patients and for taxpayers. If we want to continue to meaningfully lower drug costs for American patients, Congress can, and should, do more to create a policy environment that is ripe for greater biosimilar adoption. That is the underlying rationale behind my amendment, which is based on legislation I introduced with Congressman Bob Gibbs, known as the Star Ratings for Biosimilars Act. This amendment would require the Department of Health and Human Services to incorporate into the existing Star Ratings system for Medicare Advantage and part D plans a measure that evaluates how plans promote access to biosimilar drugs. In creating such a measure, HHS would look at things such as coverage on a plan's formulary, tier placement, cost sharing, and other utilization management techniques. By evaluating plans on biosimilar access, this amendment would motivate health plans to improve performance and implement changes to improve access to biosimilars, creating a policy environment ripe for further biosimilar development. A similar measure has already been adopted by the Senate Finance Committee as they worked through their prescription drug legislation. I have heard from some criticism that the Star Ratings system has traditionally not been used for this type of measure. To that, I would contend that star ratings have already been used in several ways to influence plan behavior and improve plan quality, such as evaluating plans on how well they provide cancer screenings, care coordination, and Medicaid management, for example. All of these metrics are designed to incent plans into behavior that will improve plan transparency and beneficiary health. Likewise, access to affordable medications has significant implications for beneficiary health, as patients will abstain from needed medications if costs are simply too high. The CBO score for the underlying legislation makes this connection crystal clear. By evaluating plans on biosimilar access, we are ensuring that patients have the information they need that will allow them to live healthier lives. In closing, Mr. Chair, I would simply urge my colleagues to support this important amendment that will help lay the groundwork for greater biosimilar adoption and continue to lower drug costs for patients, obviously a common cause for each and every person in this Chamber. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chair, we have no further speakers on this side, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Chair, I respect the opinions of Mr. Walden. We have worked in a bipartisan fashion on several issues before in Energy and Commerce, but I believe the claim that this would increase costs is simply false. Like the Senate Finance Committee that is moving forward with this proposition on biosimilars, we believe it is a way to lower costs. To date, the nine biosimilars accessible to patients are at an average discount of 28 percent. It is simply a false claim that a biosimilar would not launch at a lower price. Certainly, we must do better. We are reminded constantly that we can do better and we must do better. As the namesake of this legislation had constantly implored, Representative Elijah Cummings always knew that we must score for the public. That is why we must pass this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Mark Covall, who, after 34 years with the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, is retiring. For the past 24 years, as the president and CEO of the association, Mark has been a steadfast partner to me and others in Congress in the fight to improve our Nation's behavioral health system. Under Marks's leadership, NABH was the leader in the fight to secure mental health parity, paving the way for the Paul Wellstone and Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. More recently, Mark's advocacy was critical in the passage of CARA, the 21st Century Cures Act, and the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. Mark's leadership in coalition building as well as his work to develop strong relationships, both in the field and in Congress, explain why he has been so effective during his time at NABH. Today, I join others in the mental health community in thanking Mark Covall for his decades of leadership, dedication, and passion for ensuring that millions of Americans have access to quality mental health and addiction treatment services. We will certainly miss Mark's contributions and wish him well in his next phase of life.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, this month marked the painful anniversary of one fateful afternoon in Schoharie, New York, when 20 precious souls were lost in the preventable crash of a limousine that should never have been allowed on the road. The families of those lost--many from my hometown of Amsterdam, New York--the families of eight young people devastated by the Cutchogue crash on Long Island in 2015, and countless others touched by these preventable tragedies have raised their voices to demand action. Last week we introduced bipartisan legislation that answers their call. It is important, I believe, to respond to that call and to that request. The SAFE Limos Act, the Take Unsafe Limos Off the Road Act, and the End the Limo Loophole Act have responded to them with great sensitivity. I thank my friend, Antonio Delgado, for joining me in sponsoring this lifesaving legislation, and I thank our colleagues on both sides of the aisle who have signed on in support. These commonsense measures will save lives and ensure that this never happens to another family. Madam Speaker, I urge this body to raise our Nation's limousine safety standards without delay.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2181, the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act of 2019. One thousand years ago, Chaco Canyon was the center of a vibrant ancestral Puebloan culture that became the focal point for ceremonies, for trade, and for political activity in the prehistoric Four Corners area. Today, thousands of ancestral sites and cultural resources are spread across the Chaco region, while at the same time pump jacks, such as the one shown here, have become increasingly present across the landscape. Currently, only a small portion of the region's sacred sites and abundant cultural resources are protected within the Chaco Cultural National Historical Park, with much of the surrounding land available for oil and gas development. The greater Chaco region is a prime example of how sacred sites are facing increased threats from encroaching oil and gas development and the Trump administration's energy dominance agenda. The Bureau of Land Management has already leased over 90 percent of the public land in the larger San Juan Basin for oil and gas extraction, and under the Trump administration, BLM has proposed to lease parcels near Chaco on three different occasions. Increased fossil fuel extraction not only threatens the region's cultural resources, it also threatens clean air and water, as well as the health and safety of surrounding communities. New Mexico's methane emissions are already the highest in the country, and it will only get worse if the region is open to increased extraction. That released methane--a greenhouse gas that is 34 times more impactful than CO2--is a significant contributor to the ongoing climate crisis. I urge my colleagues to safeguard our Nation against the threat of continued climate change and vote to protect Chaco's unparalleled collection of ancient ruins and the health of local communities from the impacts of oil and gas extraction.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, 3 in 10 adults in America today have reported not taking medicine as prescribed because of the cost. Our seniors and families should not have to choose between paying their monthly bills and affording their prescription drugs. That is why I introduced the Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act with my friend from New Hampshire, Chris Pappas, to simplify how low-income seniors get the help they need affording their medications. That is why I introduced the Star Rating for Biosimilars Act with my friend from Ohio, Bob Gibbs, to drive down costs and provide greater access to generic biosimilar drugs treating cancer, arthritis, and many other conditions. And that is why the House is moving forward with H.R. 3, the Low Drug Costs Now Act, which will use competitive price negotiation to save Medicare some $345 billion and save United States households nearly $160 billion, combined. Private businesses would save some $46 billion under our bill. Across America, seniors and families are struggling to afford the prescription drugs that they need to stay healthy and alive. It is time for Congress to act. Let's act now.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, for years Republicans in Congress and the White House have made it a top priority to end healthcare protections for millions of Americans. They voted more than 60 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but when the time came, they had no replacement to offer. Since President Trump took office, more than 3 million fewer Americans have health insurance. They have removed healthcare information from government websites and arbitrarily shut down the Federal marketplace website at peak times to drive down enrollment. Now the Trump administration is at it again, pushing the extreme Texas v. U.S. lawsuit that would repeal the entire ACA and throw America's healthcare system into total disarray. More than 130 million Americans with preexisting conditions would lose their healthcare protections, out-of-pocket costs would jump for millions of America's seniors and families, and some 53 million more Americans would lose access to quality, affordable health coverage before 2024. My Democratic colleagues and I are fighting back to improve coverage and lower more Americans' health premiums, bring down prescription drug costs, and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid for this generation and the next. The American people are right not to trust this Republican Congress or President with their healthcare. Let's stop this endless repeal without replace effort and get back to solutions that will work for the people.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 404.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, our neighbors and low-income households pay three times more as a share of their income on energy bills than those in higher income strata. The fiscal year 2020 Energy and Water appropriations bill marks an important step to reduce that energy burden for America's most vulnerable people by increasing investments in the Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program. This program helps families make their home healthier and safer. It promotes energy efficiency and reduces utility bills, which means more money in the pockets of these families for healthcare, groceries, and other basic expenses. For each dollar the American people invest in the weatherization program, we see an estimated $4.50 in energy and nonenergy benefits. This additional funding will ensure that even more families are able to experience the benefits of the program. The Energy and Water bill also recognizes America's need for clean energy innovation by significantly increasing funding for essential DOE research programs, including the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the State Energy Program and ARPA-E. The work done by DOE and State energy offices is absolutely critical to accelerate our Nation's transition to a clean energy economy. This bill recognizes the need for the United States to continue to be the global leader in clean energy innovation, technology development, and deployment. I thank and express my gratitude to Chairwomen Lowey and Kaptur for their leadership on these issues.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Chris Martell, President of Druthers Brewing Company of Saratoga Springs, on being named this year's Small Business Person of the Year by the Syracuse regional office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Founded in 2009, Druthers is a craft beer success story in New York's 20th Congressional District. This thriving company has opened three brew pubs in our region in less than ten years, serving award-winning beer and inspiring all who take smart chances and invest their energy and passion into their work. On behalf of their many patrons and fans across New York's Capital Region, including those of us who enjoy their beer cheese and hamburgers, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Chris and the entire team who make Druthers Brewing Company so special. I am honored to share the accomplishments of Druthers during National Small Business Week, and I hope that Chris's passion and vision ignite in us a renewed appreciation for supporting our local small business community.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate National Nurse Appreciation Week. Since 1993, this week from May 6 through May 12, ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday, has allowed us to express our deepest gratitude and admiration toward our nurses, the beating heart and a major driving force of America's healthcare community. Despite its critical importance to our healthcare system, nursing continues to face critical staffing shortages from rapid job growth and a significant number of nurses approaching retirement--in fact, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing projects that we will need more than 200,000 additional Registered Nurses by 2026. Having enough nurses to do the job results in lower mortality rates, safer conditions for patients and a decrease in the average stay at hospitals. The fact is, nurses save lives, make healthcare safer and more efficient, and provide us with comfort and compassion during some of our most painful times. America's nurses are also on the front lines of our nation's growing opioid epidemic. In 2016, my team and I worked to grant buprenorphine prescribing privileges to Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, allowing them to provide needed medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. Since that expansion, more than 5,000 nurse practitioners and physician assistants have become waivered providers of medication-assisted treatment, greatly expanding our treatment capacity, particularly in rural areas where doctors can be few and far between. If we invest in and empower our nursing workforce to their full potential, they can be powerful agents of change to help us turn the tide in this epidemic. We must champion and empower our nursing professionals. This week we celebrate America's nurses, whose endless dedication uplifts our families, heals our neighbors, and betters our communities.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1328) to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 1328, as amended.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 1328, the Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act, or the ACCESS BROADBAND Act. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank my good friend, Representative Brooks, for partnering with me on this legislation. I also thank the bipartisan group of Members who have cosponsored and supported this legislation, including the many members of the Energy and Commerce Committee who agree that these simple steps can make a big difference for the local communities that our Federal broadband programs are meant for. Let me be clear: This bill is about serving the people. While a number of valuable Federal broadband initiatives exist, they are siloed in different agencies and are not often coordinated with one another. As a result, the process for local community and business leaders can be confusing. H.R. 1328, the ACCESS BROADBAND Act, would establish a coordinating office for Federal broadband resources by creating an Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the Department of Commerce. Helping these constituents gain access to broadband internet in the capital region is one of the reasons I sought to join the Energy and Commerce Committee and why I have worked to advance this legislation. Access to high-speed broadband internet service is increasingly essential. Today, people rely on baseline internet access for banking, to find a job, to do their homework, to communicate with their doctor or other healthcare provider, to communicate with their loved ones, to petition their government, and so much more. Yet, many Americans still do not have reliable high-speed internet service at home. While a number of valuable Federal broadband initiatives exist, they are siloed in different agencies and are not often coordinated with one another. As a result, the process for local community and business leaders can be confusing. H.R. 1328, the Advancing Critical Connectivity Expands Service, Small Business Resources, Opportunities, Access, and Data Based on Assessed Need and Demand Act, or ACCESS BROADBAND Act, would establish a coordinating office. This new office would hold regional workshops to share best practices and strategies for supporting local business and community leaders interested in expanding broadband access and its adoption. Our bill would also direct the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth to consult with any agency offering Federal broadband support to streamline the application process and, to the greatest extent practicable, to create one universal application regardless of which Federal agency or office is involved. Most importantly, this new office, Mr. Speaker, will be charged with coordinating broadband support provided by all of our Federal agencies that are working to solve this problem, including support offered at the Federal Communications Commission and the Rural Utility Service at the Department of Agriculture. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that nothing in this act would alter or amend any provision of the section of law that authorizes the FCC's Universal Service Fund. H.R. 1328 is an important bill that would indeed help speed up broadband deployment to unserved and underserved areas and promote broadband adoption. There is still much more work to be done on this issue, and I do hope that this can serve as a starting place for us to open doors of opportunity and access to millions of Americans by investing in broadband expansion. Mr. Speaker, I thank all the Members and staff working together on ACCESS BROADBAND to help ensure that our communities can access the broadband resources that they need to grow and prosper. The ACCESS BROADBAND Act is a bipartisan, commonsense bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1328. It underscores the very relevance and importance of broadband in today's society. It speaks to fairness for all communities, certainly for all households, businesses, and the like. It is a way for us to offer a greater partnership with government, more effective governance, with this given phenomenon of technology. I encourage my colleagues to support that. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise to mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of the University at Albany on the principles ``wisdom both for its own sake and for the sake of teaching'' sapientia et sua et docendi causa. The University at Albany was founded by the New York State Legislature on May 7, 1844 as the New York State Normal School, dedicated to ensuring that New York's next generation of teachers would be highly trained. Through the 19th century, the New York State Normal School educated teachers and school administrators and provided opportunities for social and economic mobility. Between 1890 and 1905, the school was transformed from a two-year teacher training school into a four-year liberal arts college, granting its first bachelor's degree in 1893. In 1914, the school was renamed the New York State College for Teachers, and by the 1950s started offering a Ph.D. program in education. In the early 1960s, the college broadened from its focus on teaching to a university with a more comprehensive scope. In 1962, a major expansion of the broader SUNY system heralded the University at Albany's first class of undergraduate students in liberal arts programs without required study in teacher education. The University at Albany continued its evolution into a leading research university in the decades that followed. Today, the University at Albany is a nationally respected Research 1 university and a major employer and economic driver of the surrounding economy with a $1 billion annual impact on New York's Capital Region. The school maintains 18 NCAA Division I athletic teams that share in the school's legacy of excellence; in 2018, the University at Albany Men's Lacrosse team became the first State University of New York Division I team to be ranked No. 1 in the nation. And with an enrollment level of nearly 18,000 students today, the University at Albany has earned national recognition for supporting students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds on college campuses. The University at Albany continues to build on its strong tradition as one of our nation's leading and most diverse research institutions. I am incredibly proud of the students, faculty, staff and alumni who have made the University at Albany what it is today. May they carry their success forward for another 175 years and beyond.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership as chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Certainly, as chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change, I understand the prioritization that we need to make as a House with climate change. We are doing it with this caucus, with the Democratic Caucus. We have languished without a policy or hearings in the committee for quite some time and, finally, the Democrats are showing their forcefulness. Global problems require global cooperation, and we accept this as a given when it comes to countless security, health, and economic challenges. And climate change will impact all of these areas, and more. But global climate action will not succeed without America at the table, leading by example. Other nations understand this, as do thousands of United States cities, businesses, universities, and nonprofit organizations. That is why the ``We Are Still In'' campaign was formed, and why its many members support this bill. The contributions of subnational actors can achieve two-thirds of our 2025 national commitment, but we need Federal action to fill the gap. President Trump has made it clear that he does not appreciate the previous administration's policies to achieve America's Paris target. Therefore, Mr. President, we have a very fair question of you. What is your plan? Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have taken the opposite approach, throwing up their hands and saying this bill is a waste of time because the President would veto it. I could not disagree more. This vote will show the American people and the international community who in Washington understands and acknowledges the threat of climate change; who recognizes the importance of building global cooperation to address it; and who will work to enact the policies that will result in a safer, healthier planet, a planet that will be safer for future generations. Based on the President's statements, the answer is clearly, not him. And the clock is ticking. I hope next time we are on the floor, we will be debating concrete solutions that will lead to meaningful emissions reductions and accelerate the clean energy transition. We can start that process today by stating in clear and resounding fashion: We Are Still in. Support this bill.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of beloved community leader, veteran and educator Ernest D. Steck who passed away in February. Mr. Steck was a symbol of virtue and discipline to many in our Capital Region Our community owes him a debt of gratitude for his commitment to educating and shaping the minds of the young men under his tutelage, both in his history classroom and on the football field. Ernest was born in Rock Island, Illinois and grew up in Chicago and Brooklyn during the Great Depression He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II and fought in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he went back to school to earn his undergraduate and advanced degrees in physical education at the University of Iowa. After brief stints teaching in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island, Ernest moved to Albany and brought his love of teaching to the Albany Academy, where he taught from 1953 to 1991. He also coached football, basketball, track, and tennis Each discipline provided a welcome opportunity for Ernest to share the principles that guided his life: the importance of hard work, discipline, and integrity. These earned him the respect of his colleagues and students. Classrooms were known to fall silent before he arrived while students waited eagerly for him to speak. Ernest's legacy of service earned him a promotion to athletic director and a spot in the Capital Region Hall of Fame in August of 2014. If not reminding his teams that ``cool heads win games,'' he could be found virtually silent on the sidelines He believed in allowing the students to call their own plays, giving them a chance to develop team unity and trust. His creative approaches worked time and time again. In 1970, the Albany Academy football team won the State Championship for small high schools. He led a record-achieving championship streak until 1982. Students he coached referred to themselves as ``Ernie's Boys,'' a moniker that denoted their respect and appreciation Even to people who never stepped foot on a court or entered an arena, Ernest was legendary. Above all, Ernest was a proud family man His legacy lives on in his sons David and Phillip and grandchildren Kaylee, James, Alexandra, and Aaron He was laid to rest in late February alongside his wife Roselyn. To those who knew him, loved him, and were made better by his presence, I offer my sincere condolences. May we all take inspiration from the incredible service and courage of Ernest Steck and honor his legacy for years to come.

Mr. TONKO

Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bid a fond farewell to Lombardo's, a historic Albany, New York restaurant that was a beloved community staple for nearly a century until its close earlier this year. Charley Salvatore Lombardo opened what would become this legendary family restaurant in 1919 after making the journey to the United States from Southern Italy. For decades, Lombardo's weathered the changing landscape of the Albany area, generation after generation, never wavering in its service to neighbors and cherished ability to bring people together. Whether looking for a bite to eat or a brief respite from the demands of daily life, Lombardo's provided a hub of connection and familiarity for the surrounding area. Many Albany residents chose this establishment as the setting to celebrate their milestones, from birthdays to anniversaries to reunions. Artists and authors found inspiration behind its doors. Local entrepreneurs cite Lombardo's as a model that guided their ventures. Lombardo's memorable Art Deco design and tiled floors saw their last public visitors in December of 2018, but the spirit of the establishment lives on in the stories and memories of its owners, its many servers and staffs, patrons and friends. Thank you to everyone who made Lombardo's such a special place for our community.