Leonard Lance

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in very strong support of the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act. My partner in this effort over several years has been the distinguished Congresswoman from California, Anna Eshoo.

There may be no greater calling than to help infants thrive in the early days of their lives. Working together and getting this legislation signed into law is a matter of essential importance. This is good and important work and the kind of positive difference Federal efforts can make in the lives of many.

We have a tremendous partner in the March of Dimes. For many families, the March of Dimes and its network and advocates across the country are beacons of light at dark moments. I thank the March of Dimes and their supporters for being the great defenders and fighters for mothers and for their infants.

This legislation will keep up the momentum to help pregnant women. We need to reauthorize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's research and data collection efforts and improve the Health Resources and Services Administration. Doctors and the public need to have the best information and care options available, and this bill does that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6, which delivers greater resources, treatment, and mitigation tools to fight opioid addiction.

I am especially pleased that a bill that I sponsored related to infectious diseases is included in the final package. I commend the Congressman from Massachusetts, Mr. Joe Kennedy, for being my lead cosponsor on this part of the overall whole.

Infectious diseases complicate the lifelong path toward addiction recovery. H.R. 6 is one of the most important measures to pass this Congress. It should be supported unanimously.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 2926, a bill originally introduced by Representative Meehan of Pennsylvania, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.