Floor Statements

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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2345) to require the Federal Communications Commission to study the feasibility of designating a simple, easy-to-remember dialing code to be used for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2345, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act of 2018. This critical legislation seeks to designate a new, easy-to-remember, three-digit dialing code for a national suicide prevention hotline.

We all know by heart to dial 911 during an emergency, and we have faith and confidence that somebody who can help will be on the line. It shouldn't be any different for someone in a mental health crisis.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is on the rise across the country. Sadly, more than half of those who die by suicide do not have a known mental health condition.

We also want to make note of the number of servicemembers and veterans in need of prevention services. We will work with our minority on this study to review how these patriots can seek help, whether stateside or overseas.

You never truly know what battles an individual is fighting, and that is why a national three-digit suicide hotline could help make the difference between life and death.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to advancing this potentially lifesaving legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Stewart), the sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, this is important legislation. It is completely bipartisan in nature.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a distinguished member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that this bipartisan piece of legislation has reached the floor of the House. I hope and trust that it will be voted on in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion, and I commend the sponsors, a Republican and a Democrat, for working together on this needed legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4881) to require the Federal Communications Commission to establish a task force for meeting the connectivity and technology needs of precision agriculture in the United States, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am proud, today, to rise in support of H.R. 4881, authored by my colleagues, Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta and Congressman Dave Loebsack.

New and exciting technologies are improving efficiency in nearly every sector of our economy. Rural America should not be left behind.

The bill before us today focuses on the broadband needs of rural economies, our farmers and ranchers, to help take advantage of precision agriculture with improved internet access, GPS, and emerging technologies.

Cutting-edge innovation like the Internet of Things, drones, and self-driving machines can assist in monitoring crops, reading soil, and more. Precision agriculture connects rural communities to the 21st century economy.

This bill is a prime example of how the Energy and Commerce Committee is leading the way to close the digital divide. I thank Mr. Latta and Mr. Loebsack for their good work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Latta), the sponsor of the legislation and the distinguished chairman of the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I hope that everyone supports this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5709) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for enhanced penalties for pirate radio, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume because, in my judgment, this is an important bill that we should all support.

The Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act, or PIRATE Act, combats the very serious issue of unlawful broadcasting, often called ``pirate radio,'' and gives the Federal Communications Commission additional powers to issue fines on any person who willfully and knowingly broadcasts radio transmissions over AM or FM frequencies without a license from the Federal Communications Commission.

I thank my colleague, Congressman Tonko of New York, for joining me in offering this bipartisan legislation.

New Jersey, where I live, has one of the largest concentrations of pirate radio operators in the country. Pirate radio signals have been found to interfere with the emergency alert system and Federal Aviation Administration operations, causing significant harm to public safety. They also disrupt the business of licensed broadcasters who comply with the multitude of FCC regulations. Minority-owned broadcasters are disproportionately harmed by pirate radio operators in urban areas.

Knocking down pirate radio broadcasts prevents these bad actors from interfering with the licensed broadcasters public safety officials rely on to transmit communications during times of emergency. These unlawful broadcasts are interfering with the news and information programming people count on and needlessly clogging the information highway at important times.

It is time to take these pirates off the air by hiking the penalties and working with the Federal Communications Commission on enforcement. Chairman Pai and Commissioner O'Rielly have been able partners in

making sure these broadcasts are stopped. This bill will give the FCC even more tools to take down these illegal broadcasts.

This act increases fines tenfold for illegal pirate operations to $100,000 in an effort to boost the deterrent against these broadcasts.

The bill further holds those who facilitate pirate operations liable, while also streamlining the enforcement process. It also takes a further step in instituting enforcement sweeps by requiring the FCC to conduct biannual enforcement sweeps in the top five radio markets with significant illegal pirate operations, which would include the New Jersey and major New York media market.

I commend Chairman Pai for his leadership on this issue. Since 2017, the FCC has significantly cracked down on this illegal activity, and this bill will ensure future commissions continue this rigorous enforcement, helping to ensure that these illegal operators stay off the air.

The issue of pirate radio operators is a more pressing public issue than it seems. We have to clean up the airwaves to make way for public safety announcements, Federal Aviation Administration conversations, and other important information. Radio frequencies are not toys for unlicensed broadcasters.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this important legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3994) to establish the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the ACCESS BROADBAND Act, which Congressman Tonko and I introduced last year. This bill would streamline the Federal grant programs related to broadband deployment, and track how Federal funds are used to a greater extent than is now the case. I thank Congressman Tonko for his leadership on this important issue.

Broadband internet is the lifeblood of the American economy, a critical tool for students, and an incubator for the next great innovation. This bill takes the right steps to ensure Federal broadband resources are working to expand access in underserved areas.

Being able to have access to the internet means being able to unlock tremendous potential, and we have to make sure that all Americans share in this success. Many local economies are relying on Congress to get this right.

In many areas of the country, the cost to deploy broadband infrastructure is prohibitive, which creates a need for Federal funding in cases where a market solution is not possible.

With several different broadband support programs across several Federal agencies, there is no single, comprehensive system tracking where and how Federal funds are being spent.

Access broadband creates an office within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, with the task of simplifying the application process for the various support programs, coordinating between the various agencies, and tracking the use and effectiveness of Federal broadband funding.

By ensuring coordination, the office will help prevent overbuilding of broadband and make sure Federal funds are going where they are needed most, which should be unserved and underserved areas of the country.

This bill and the other bills we have been considering reflect the broad and encompassing jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the important day-to-day work and oversight we maintain over a significant portion of the Federal Government.

This type of work counts and these bills are important. Energy and Commerce accomplishments like reauthorizing the successful CHIP program, the Ray Baums Act, safely disposing of nuclear waste, and improving consumer protections, have been the pillars of our accomplishments this Congress, and this has occurred in a bipartisan capacity.

Bills like the ones we are considering today, keep the wheels of many critical government functions moving. The ACCESS BROADBAND bill is excellent legislation and will improve broadband for many Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), who is a member of our committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I thank Chairman Calvert for his leadership on this legislation and for recognizing the critically important work of cleaning up Federal Superfund sites across the United States.

The remedial program for cleanups will see a $40 million increase in this package, bringing the Superfund total to $1.17 billion. This funding is well spent. One cleanup project in the congressional district I serve, the American Cyanamid Superfund site in Bridgewater, New Jersey, is a worthy project, indeed.

The American Cyanamid site has been a hazard for too long, and the project was placed on the Superfund list in 1983. It is time to have the 44,000 tons of hazardous waste on this site safely and permanently destroyed.

This is why we have a Superfund program and why the work of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Appropriations Committee is so important. Federal officials and resources with the know-how and expertise have tackled these problems in other parts of the country and now need to focus on Bridgewater and other worthy projects across the Nation.

This is a good project. I rise to call attention to its great merits and to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen, Chairman Calvert, the committee, and the EPA for their involvement and support thus far.

Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, I rise today to offer an amendment increasing funding for the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program.

Protecting our Nation's water supply is one of the major accomplishments of this legislation, and the Delaware River is a strong priority for the country.

I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and Chairman Calvert for their support of this program and support of my bipartisan amendment I offer tonight with Congressman Gottheimer, also of New Jersey.

The Delaware River supplies water to over 15 million people and serves as the major source of drinking water for New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Indeed, of the major cities across the globe, New York is considered to have the best quality water, and that is due to the Delaware River Basin.

Federal policies governing our Nation's waterways affect every State and the lives and health of every American. The interstate commerce generated by these multistate natural resources is squarely an important Federal prerogative. But the Delaware River's national significance is only part of the story. This is a wise Federal investment.

The Delaware River Basin generates $25 billion annually in economic activity, including agriculture, recreation, and ecotourism. Protecting our water and contributing to at least 600,000 jobs and over $10 billion in annual wages gives taxpayers a return on the investment we make with this vote.

I have the honor of representing communities on the Delaware River in Hunterdon and Warren Counties in western New Jersey; and Congressman Gottheimer, my Democratic cosponsor, also represents municipalities on the Delaware River in Warren and Sussex Counties.

The Delaware River is a national asset. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the Lance-Gottheimer amendment, and I am deeply grateful for the support of the committee chair and the subcommittee chair.

Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).

Madam Chair, unfortunately, the offset is larger than the increase because of the differences in outlay rates. Amendments must be outlay neutral, per House rules.

Due to the work of Chairman Frelinghuysen and Chairman Calvert, the underlying bill already includes the second year of a 2-year, $100 million funding surge in Fish and Wildlife Service construction funding, making it one of the best offsets possible as an option.

This bipartisan amendment is crucial for preserving the Delaware River watershed, which is already subject to cuts in the Senate's Interior Appropriations bill.

Madam Chair, due to the importance of the Delaware River, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the chairman for his strong support of these programs.

I rise in opposition to the gentleman's amendment. Cuts to these programs may be penny-wise, but I think they are pound-foolish.

I am the Republican chair of both the Arts Caucus and the Humanities Caucus in this House, and these programs do wonderful work throughout the entire Nation, in every hamlet in America and, of course, supporting our veterans.

For every dollar the United States spends on Federal arts initiatives, nine non-Federal dollars are leveraged, generating roughly $600 million in matching funds. Last year's Federal arts appropriation was under $150 million, but the industry returned $10 billion to the Federal Treasury in income taxes.

I understand the gentleman's argument about government spending and our national debt. I take these matters seriously and have opposed a recent measure in this body that will increase our national debt over the next decade.

But on these programs, I trust that my colleagues from the Arts and Humanities Caucuses will expand on the incredible cultural and educational importance of supporting these programs as well.

I urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of this bipartisan package, H.R. 6.

The Energy and Commerce Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Walden, has again delivered for the American people on the pressing public health challenges facing the Nation. From combating childhood cancer, to improving mental health care, to fighting the scourge of drug addiction, the Energy and Commerce Committee produces results.

The menace of drug abuse and addiction has manifested itself in opiates. Every corner of this country has known the heartache of losing a life from this terrible problem. Congress has acted before with passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, but CARA needs reinforcement. H.R. 6 delivers more resources, treatment, and mitigation tools to fight opiate addiction.

Included in this package is the Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Act, legislation I have authored with my colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III.

Infectious diseases compound and complicate the lifelong path toward recovery from substance abuse, and threaten the lives and safety of the loved ones of those addicted, especially children.

This is how Congress is supposed to work, both sides coming together to confront a national crisis, going through the committee process with bipartisan bills, and getting to the root of the country's challenges.

Mr. Chair, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

Every June, this Nation is reminded of the great public health challenge of Alzheimer's, and we redouble our efforts to combat this terrible disease.

The numbers are sobering. The lives lost to this grave illness have increased 123 percent over the last decade. Many families have lost loved ones, and many more struggle with family or friends who fight this awful disease.

The work of loved ones to provide high-quality healthcare and comfort is extraordinary. Advocates on the front lines deserve our deepest gratitude, and they include Jeanee Castilles of Lambertville, New Jersey, and Dali Serrano of Wharton, New Jersey, in the district I serve, who work every day in the cause of research, of treatment, and of support.

There is new hope, thanks to the work of people like Jeanee and Dali and those of us who serve in Congress. Together, we are committed to more research funds and knocking down barriers to 21st century innovation.

Together, during this awareness month, and, indeed, throughout the entire year, we must continue to raise our voices about Alzheimer's and ensure that the fight to find a cure is a national priority of the highest order.

It will take a united effort across this great country, and I believe that we are up to the task.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Reverend Dr. Daniel Cube Gunn, who has so eloquently opened our session in the daily prayer. Father Gunn joins us in the House Chamber from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and School in New Providence, New Jersey, a beautiful community in the district I have the honor of serving.

Father Gunn's professional ministry, education, and service to his and my faith of Christianity has spanned several States and experiences. He graduated from Lee College, earned his master's degree in divinity at the Church of God Theological Seminary and a master's degree in philosophy at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Father Gunn later completed a master's degree of sacred theology in

Anglican theology and ethics at Yale University's Divinity School.

Father Gunn heard the call of ministry at a young age. During service in Tennessee, he served the Department of Corrections, bringing hope and wisdom to those incarcerated. He then brought his ministry to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, completing a clinical residency where he brought comfort to patients and their families.

Father Gunn was ordained to the deaconate and priesthood in 2002, and his assignments brought him to Bronxville, New York; Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Clarksboro, New Jersey; and Ridgewood, New Jersey. Father Gunn was then named priest-in-charge and superintendent of St. Andrew's in New Providence, New Jersey.

I thank him for his stewardship at St. Andrew's. Its mission statement gives the church the welcoming moniker of ``a big heart, making God's love known to the world.''

I thank Father Gunn for being here and for offering our daily prayer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer legislation to combat another front in our battle against the scourge of opioid addiction.

I commend Chairman Walden and Dr. Burgess, Mr. Pallone, and Mr.

Green for their leadership in bringing 26 bills to the floor addressing the many sides of the far-reaching opioid crisis. This epidemic has challenged every community and every walk of life in this Nation.

Today, I offer the Eliminating Opioid Related Infectious Diseases Act, legislation I have had the honor of authoring. My cosponsor is our colleague on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III of Massachusetts.

We must do more to stop the spread of infectious diseases resulting from opioid abuse. I know this is a difficult subject because we are discussing HIV and other related topics, but we need to be honest and realistic about these public health challenges because this is not just about helping those with addiction. Families, including children, are being exposed to terrible infections at an alarming rate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must implement a plan to turn this tide and combat the public health consequences of these deadly trends. According to surveillance data released last month by the CDC, new cases of hepatitis C rose by a staggering 350 percent nationwide between 2010 and 2016. The time to move, obviously, is now.

This bipartisan endeavor makes sure that the CDC has the tools it needs and that those facing an opioid addiction are educated for the safety of themselves and their families. Our efforts provide the CDC with $40 million, annually, to carry out this mission.

The Energy and Commerce Committee has produced results for the American people in response to many public health challenges, but especially recently against opioid addiction. The Opioid State Targeted Response grants created by the 21st Century Cures Act delivered $13 million to my home State of New Jersey and additional resources across the United States. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act was one of the most important pieces of legislation last Congress.

This bill and the others we are discussing today are in the public health interest of the American people. This is the way Congress should operate: in a bipartisan capacity.

I am very proud to have been involved in this effort. Those who have fallen victim to addiction must be able to reclaim their lives. Stopping the spread of deadly infections will mean one fewer hurdle to overcome.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on this piece of legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

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

I rise today in support of the Lance-Gottheimer amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2018. I thank Chairman Shuster and his committee for the tremendous work they have done on the underlying bill.

This amendment would direct the Secretary of the Army to expedite the completion of the Warren Glen Dam Removal Feasibility Study in the Musconetcong River, an important waterway in the congressional district I serve.

The 30-foot-high, 150-feet-wide Warren Glen Dam is currently one of the largest and most detrimental dams on the Musconetcong River in the State of New Jersey. The dam poses downstream safety risks, worsening the quality of drinking water in the region. The dam also blocks migratory fish from the Delaware River, including shad, alewife and herring. In 1981, the Army Corps classified this dam as a hazard to public safety. It must be removed.

The Musconetcong River is an important natural resource in our region of the country, and is well recognized for its scenic beauty, environmental significance, and diversity of wildlife. The restoration of the Musconetcong watershed will improve the water quality by creating a stronger freshwater flow to push down the salt line to enhance the protection of drinking water.

Removing the Warren Glen Dam would also open an additional 5 miles

to the Musconetcong as a free-flowing river for migratory fish. The Musconetcong watershed has the potential to become an even greater site for outdoor recreation and wildlife.

Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Gottheimer for joining me yet again on a bipartisan, problem-solving collaboration. I urge a ``yes'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the en bloc amendments and in support of the underlying bill.

Passing this defense bill is one of the most important constitutional responsibilities of Congress. I commend Chairman Thornberry for his leadership, and I thank him for his support of my amendments.

I was pleased to join with my bipartisan colleagues, Congressman Michael Burgess and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, in offering an amendment auditing the Pentagon fully. This has been promised for many years, and I am pleased that it is in this bill.

I thank Chairman Thornberry for including my bipartisan amendment that would officially create th first-ever Department of Defense commendation for military working dogs and their handlers.

Nine military working dog handlers from the home State I represent, New Jersey, have been killed in action, and one of my constituents from Short Hills, New Jersey, was among these.

Mr. Chairman, I think we should be voting on the en bloc amendments favorably and also voting favorably for the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, one of the most comprehensive pieces of childhood cancer legislation ever taken up by the Congress and another major bipartisan accomplishment of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. I certainly congratulate Dr. Burgess.

It is heartbreaking when a child is stricken with one of these life- threatening diseases. I have met with families who have faced these terrible circumstances, and I have been touched by their stories of perseverance and hope.

There is more work to be done. We need to improve Federal services for the pediatric cancer community, from research and access to treatment and survivorship. Federal healthcare and research entities must do all they can. The Childhood Cancer STAR Act delivers more resources and reform to make sure we are winning the fight against pediatric cancer by expanding grants for promising and expanded programs.

Last week I stopped by the Hunterdon County Relay for Life event in Ringoes, New Jersey. The event brought together cancer patients, survivors, and their families. The crowd was large and enthusiastic in the fight against these terrible diseases.

We owe it to those participants to ensure that federally supported research entities are doing all that they can do in this area. The Energy and Commerce Committee has made the cause of Cures a centerpiece of our work. This bill provides greater hope for all of the Nation's youngest patients and their loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.