Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1839, which extends the important Medicaid Money Follows the Person program until September.

The Medicaid Money Follows the Person program allows certain Medicaid beneficiaries, such as the elderly or individuals with disabilities, to transition from a healthcare facility to receiving care in their own homes. It does not force patients to leave a facility if they don't want to.

Since the Money Follows the Person program was created over a decade ago, it has successfully helped over 88,000 individuals receive care in their own homes.

I have worked with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell on the bipartisan EMPOWER Care Act, which extends the Medicaid Money Follows the Person program for 5 years.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1839 to extend the program until September, and I will continue to work with Congresswoman Dingell to get the EMPOWER Act across the finish line.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, my motto as the class of '87: Our Country We Strengthen, '87.

It is great to be here, and I want to start with a story.

After I went through the Academy, graduated from West Point, spent time in the 101st Airborne Division, I decided to do something different with my life and went into business. I went to business school. I was in New England in business school.

One time, I was driving back from a visit to Franklin Roosevelt's home on the Hudson River and was at a grocery store--Stew Leonard's, some people know from Danbury, Connecticut. I was standing outside with a kid, and a guy walks by, and he says: Well, Kentucky plates. What are you doing here in Connecticut?

I said: Well, I am up here in graduate school, and we just went to Franklin Roosevelt's home. I just love the Hudson River. The Hudson Valley is just stunningly beautiful.

The guy looked at me. He didn't know my background, didn't know who I was. So he said: Well, if you love the Hudson River, let me suggest you ought to spend a weekend at West Point. Let me suggest you go on Saturday, on a football Saturday, because you are not going to believe this, but they actually go to class on Saturday.

I said: Are you kidding me? I mean, people actually go to a school that goes to class on Saturday?

And he said: Yeah. And then they have a parade, and all the cadets are standing--and I didn't have the heart to tell them, tell him we were telling jokes to each other, and said--look pristine, you know, from 100 yards away.

But he went through the day at West Point, and he walked through it. And he said a picnic and tailgating and football, and all the great stuff and the fun times you have here. But you do have good times even though you have very difficult times.

And when he finally finished, I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth and tell him the story. So as soon as he finished, I just looked at him and said: I have always heard about West Point, and I have always heard this: ``It is a great place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there.''

And the reason that you wouldn't want to live there is because it is tough. It is hard. It is not something you can do just simply. It is something you sacrifice for and you move towards.

One of my great thrills is you get to nominate people who attend our academies--all of our academies--and to call them and tell them when they have received an appointment.

I just talked to a young man this week, he is going to West Point, and a couple, unfortunately, to the Navy--but a couple at West Point and a couple at the Air Force Academy. They are deciding to do something big and different with their lives than their classmates.

But I want to talk about, just real briefly, you do run across some great people.

I always say the reason that H. R. McMaster was probably, I think, the greatest soldier of our generation is his very first challenge was teaching me how to march correctly. He was my squad leader at Beast Barracks, and I was a challenge to him, I am sure, so his first leadership challenge.

We heard my previous speaker talk about his classmates, Mark Esper, who was in my company and now Secretary of the Army; got to serve on Energy and Commerce with Mike Pompeo, now Secretary of State.

My class actually entered West Point in 1983, so I got my appointment in February of '83. In March of '83, Ronald Reagan gave his speech in Orlando, Florida, about the evil empire, and then during my time in the 101st, the Berlin Wall came down. So I literally served from the evil empire to the fall of the Berlin Wall.

A lot of my classmates--me being one of them, and this shows what a great prognosticator I am--and all of us thought the Army was going to be boring for the next 20 years. And, man, my prayers that that was absolutely--would have come true, but it wasn't.

So my commemoration today is a lot of my classmates did leave the Army in the early nineties. Those who spent time in a career--whether 20 years, 30 years, some still serving--they really have sacrificed for this country more than I could ever imagine.

My one experience with it as a Member of Congress--not as a combat soldier, but a Member of Congress--I took my first trip into a combat zone to Iraq. I remember sitting in the headquarters waiting for General Barbero to come give us a briefing, and an '06 colonel comes walking in. Some of us may know because he did congressional affairs after this.

It was Joe Simonelli, who was a big, blustery, great guy who served, just kind of a leader of our class. And he comes walking in, and it just struck me that he has been doing this for the last--then it would have been the last almost 20 years, spending half of his life going overseas to serve our country. I was just there for a day and a half and was ready to get home, and he was there for a year. It just struck me.

So my hat is off to my classmates--and not to just people who graduated from West Point, but every man and woman who has the courage and the conviction and the strength and everything about them to put on our uniform. And every single one of them, every single person serving in our uniform volunteered to do so. It is just amazing that we have young men and women like that.

So my hat is off for my classmates because we are talking about our time at West Point, those who served 20 and 30 years, who have made a difference for this country and have sacrificed like no other has over the course of time.

We have, certainly, people in more combat-type style conflicts, but I would dare say, in the history of our country, a group of people who graduated the time that we have have not spent more time in active combat back and forth.

Mr. Speaker, my hat is off to them. They are my brothers and sisters. I love them dearly, and I appreciate their service.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Joel Miller and his wife, Megan Bel Miller, on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Frances Miller.

Caroline was born on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 8:25 p.m. Joel and Megan's pride and joy came into this world weighing in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 20 inches in length.

With Joel, my previous Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director as her father, and Megan, also a long-time Capitol Hill staffer, as her mother, I trust Caroline will have a bright and successful future ahead of her.

Joel recently went on to a new opportunity after being an integral part of the legislative operation in my office for over five and a half years. I am thrilled to witness him continue in his most important role yet, as a father. I have no doubt that Joel and Megan will be wonderful and inspiring parents, who are devoted to their daughter's well-being.

Congratulations and best wishes to the Miller and Bel families.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Margie Wilson Bridges, a constituent who passed away on January 4, 2019. The daughter of the late T.B. and Lorene Morris Wilson, she was also preceded in death by her infant brothers, Thomas Daniels Wilson and Steven Morris Wilson. She is survived by her cherished husband of fifty-six years, Gary Bridges and her beloved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was devoted to her family, and her warmth and compassion were without measure. She is remembered for the many and generous contributions she made to her family, friends, and her community. Margie Wilson Bridges will be deeply missed by all whose lives were touched by her remarkable presence.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the Danville-Boyle Chamber of Commerce 100-year celebration.

I am proud to represent the City of Danville and Boyle County in Congress. Danville is one of the most vibrant communities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, boasting a family-friendly environment with many thriving businesses. Danville has been named the Most Beautiful Small Town in America and one of the best places to retire in America. This would not be possible without the great work of the Danville-Boyle Chamber of Commerce, which has supported the local business community for 100 years.

I want to congratulate the Danville-Boyle Chamber of Commerce for their success and commitment to the Danville community over the last century. Here's to the next 100 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, which is celebrating its bicentennial this year. Officially chartered by the Kentucky Legislature on January 21, 1819, Centre has been an important institution in the Danville community and in our Commonwealth for the last 200 years.

What began as a small Presbyterian college with only two professors and five students, Centre has grown into one of the top liberal arts schools in our country. Given the name Centre to reflect its location in the center of Kentucky, Centre College has become a true center of academic excellence in the Commonwealth. From its beginning, Centre has emphasized personal education, and in keeping with that tradition, currently maintains a 10-1 student to faculty ratio. A leader in study abroad programs, Centre also promotes a global education, with 85 percent of Centre students studying abroad at least once.

Centre offers more than fifty majors and minors across the liberal arts spectrum, and its alumni include two United States vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. I have had Centre graduates on my staff and have always been impressed by their diligence and the quality of their work. My colleagues may recognize Centre College as the host of not one, but two vice presidential election debates, both in 2000 and, because the 2000 debate was handled so well, again in 2012.

I commend Centre College for its commitment to education, and to the success of its students. I am proud to represent Centre College in Congress. Congratulations to Centre College--here's to the next 200 years.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019. The Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019 includes legislation that I worked on, the EMPOWER Care Act, which will extend the vital Money Follows the Person program.

The Money Follows the Person program allows certain Medicaid beneficiaries, such as the elderly or individuals with disabilities, to transition from healthcare facilities to receiving care in their own homes or communities, if they choose to do so. This program empowers patients to choose the care that makes the most sense for them while saving taxpayers money.

Kentucky Transitions, which operates the Money Follows the Person in my home State, has helped hundreds of Kentuckians transition to receiving care in their homes or their communities.

I thank Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for working so hard on this legislation and working together on this bipartisan piece of legislation. I thank the chairman's kind words as he was talking about this legislation. I encourage my colleagues to vote for this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019, which includes legislation to update the over-the-counter monograph system.

Our healthcare system is innovating rapidly, and the Food and Drug Administration can't keep up. The FDA's approval system for over-the- counter medications has not been updated since the 1970s. By updating the monograph approval system, we make it easier for over-the-counter medicines to reach the market, providing an affordable way for Americans to access healthcare treatment.

I was proud to work on over-the-counter monograph reform last Congress with a number of my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee, with the efforts being led by Congressman Bob Latta, and it was bipartisan.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 767) to establish the Stop, Observe, Ask, and Respond to Health and Wellness Training pilot program to address human trafficking in the health care system.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Gianforte), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I enjoyed working with my colleague from New Mexico in moving this bill forward.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 767, the SOAR Act, will head to the President's desk after passage today. It is critical in ensuring adequate treatment of victims of human trafficking.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2322) to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to define the term natural cheese.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, before us today is a bill to define the term ``natural cheese.'' The House sponsor is our Speaker from Wisconsin, obviously, from the cheese State and the dairy State. What we are debating is S. 2322, the CURD Act.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support its passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support S. 2322, the CURD Act, which would define the term ``natural cheese'' within the Federal statute and, with passage, head to the President's desk.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act.

It has been great to work with my good friend from New York (Mr. Tonko). We came here together as classmates in the 2008 election. We worked together because we wanted to create a public health infrastructure to help those with Alzheimer's and other

dementias receive the care they so desperately need.

Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, making it the most costly disease in America. In the Second District, I have met countless Kentuckians who have been affected by this disease in some way.

I, too, have shared similar experiences with a great-uncle, when I was a child, having early onset Alzheimer's and seeing my family having to try to understand and deal with it. When I was a child, it wasn't understood as well as it is even now.

I watched my wife's grandfather go through it and saw my mother-in- law being the primary caretaker and saw how it consumes the family.

So what it does to the person with the disease, what it does to the family caring for the disease is of utmost importance in trying to move towards a cure. But, also, it is fiscally responsible what we are doing today because, by 2050, it is estimated it will cost the Federal Government over $1 trillion if we do not have some advances in caring for and delaying this onset.

I used to say that is for my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren, but, actually, in 30 years, I will be in my eighties, so it will be affecting my children. So we need to move forward, and it is fiscally responsible to do so.

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act would direct the CDC to establish a network to support the prevention, treatment, and care of Alzheimer's disease. In doing so, we hope to take care of those who have Alzheimer's and other dementias now and, hopefully, find a cure for these debilitating diseases in the near future.

This important bill has passed the Senate. I urge my colleagues to support it today, and I look forward to seeing the President sign this bill into law.

Before I close, I do want to thank all the staff for their hard work. This legislation wouldn't be done without them.

Sophie Trainor in my office has worked tirelessly on this and other bills at the end of this session, and I appreciate her assistance and help.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my legislation, the EMPOWER Care Act, which is included in H.R. 7217. It will ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries can receive the best long-term care possible in their communities or in their own homes.

The EMPOWER Care Act will extend the Medicaid Money Follows the Person program, which allows certain Medicaid beneficiaries, such as the elderly or individuals with disabilities, to transition from a healthcare facility to receiving care in their own homes. It does not force patients to leave a facility if they don't want to.

My home State of Kentucky is currently working to transition 50 individuals from healthcare facilities back into their own communities, empowering these individuals who have chosen to receive care in their community.

I thank my friend, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, for working with me on this bipartisan bill. I look forward to working with her to make the Money Follows the Person program permanent in the future.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Helena Chase Birdwell of Barren County, Kentucky, who is moving on from my congressional office after almost seven years serving Kentucky's Second District.

Helena has spent her entire career serving others. After graduating from Glasgow High School and Eastern Kentucky University, she worked for the Barren River Area Development District, where she helped people find training and work opportunities. In 2012, she joined my office as a Constituent Services Representative. In this role, she has helped countless Second District residents navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government. Whether it's someone who needs a last-minute passport or someone trying to get Social Security benefits, Helena will make it happen. She will be missed not only by the many people she has helped, but also by the people at the federal agencies who love to work with her.

I want to congratulate Helena as she embarks on her new role as Barren County Clerk. I wish her the best of luck in this new endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my constituent Jill Tanner, an ovarian cancer survivor from Owensboro, Kentucky. September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer accounts for 2.5 percent of cancers in women, and sadly, the American Cancer Society estimates that this year, about 22,240 new cases will be diagnosed in the United States. Jill has taken her experience fighting ovarian cancer and has become a fierce advocate for funding and research to fight this disease. I have met with Jill on a number of occasions to discuss what more Congress can do to help those with ovarian cancer, and I want to thank her for her advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.

One of the main things I hear back home is how our Nation's ongoing opioid crisis has affected either themselves, their loved ones, or their community.

Mothers, fathers, children, bankers, dentists, bus drivers, or high school athletes, anyone can fall victim to opioid use disorder. That is why I am proud to work with my colleagues in support of the act so that we can help these people who are suffering from this terrible epidemic.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation so that we can deliver relief to those communities.