Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the students of South Glens Falls. Here they go again, as they celebrate another year of extraordinary commitment to their community.

Earlier this month, they hosted their 47th annual South High Marathon Dance, a student-led event to raise money for worthy causes, from dedicated community organizations to local families in need.

This year they raised nearly $750,000, adding to an astonishing total of more than $11 million raised since 1978.

I was honored to join them at this year's event where I saw firsthand the enthusiasm and compassion that keep this tradition alive.

United by music, dance, and a spirit of giving, these leaders of today and tomorrow demonstrate the power that lies in a commitment to community and a desire to do good--tremendous good.

To the students of South Glens Falls, I extend my congratulations on another incredible year of giving and my heartfelt thanks for filling me with inspiration and hope for our collective future.

Go Bulldogs. They are a loving and caring inspiration and strength for our future.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand with our allies in Ukraine--action that my Republican colleagues have repeatedly failed to take.

Over the 2 long years since Putin's brutal war against Ukraine, I have been heartbroken to hear the personal stories of so many Ukrainian Americans in my district and beyond who are living in fear for their families and their friends.

Yet evidently heedless to this call to action on Ukraine from our constituents and from many of our Nation's allies, Republicans in the House continue to obstruct the Senate-passed bipartisan national security bill which would deliver military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Their GOP gridlock plays directly into Putin's hands.

At the top of his State of the Union Address last week, our President, President Biden, said: ``If the United States walks away now, it will put Ukraine at risk. Europe at risk. The free world at risk, emboldening others who wish to do us harm.''

Enough is enough. It is past time to stop this gamesmanship and at last rise together to oppose tyranny and defend democracy. The Senate has acted. Put that Senate bill to a vote in the House.

The world is watching.

Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I congratulate the remarkable team from Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland, New York, in New York's 20th Congressional District, on its outstanding achievement in winning the grand prize at this year's national DiscoverE's Future City Competition.

These students, together with educator Kelly Werner and volunteer mentor

Jennifer Smith, showed extraordinary innovation, dedication, and skill in crafting their future city. Their vision and hard work exemplified the value of STEM education and showcased the limitless potential of our youth.

I congratulate the Dutchman Ducks team and everyone involved in this impressive accomplishment and thank them for representing our great capital region with excellence on this national stage.

I wish them all success in their future endeavors as they continue to electrify our world with ingenuity and passion.

Let's hear it for today's leaders amongst the young people in this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to mourn the heavy loss of Matt Peter, a friend to all and a rising star in our community whose light was cut short far too soon.

As a former chief of staff to the mayor of Albany, an Albany County legislator, and executive director of the Albany Parking Authority, Matt was a public servant in the truest sense of the word. His passion and love for his community shone through in everything he did, and he had a determination and the know-how to get things done to improve people's lives.

He accomplished so much during his years as a legislator, from helping modernize the parking authority to championing policies that provide mental health and substance use treatment. While his impact will continue

to resonate with all across Albany city and Albany County, Matt will be best remembered for his kindness, his intelligence, and immense spirit of service.

My prayers and deepest condolences go out to his fiancee, Corinne, his parents, Bill and Nancy; his siblings, Brian and Sara; and all of his many family and loved ones.

Rest in peace, my dear friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible students and faculty from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for their stellar first-place ranking in the 2023 National Cyber League competition.

The National Cyber League is a cybersecurity skills competition that reinforces learning, encourages collaboration, and develops students' necessary skills for future careers within the cybersecurity field.

The students at RPI, coached by Dr. Brian Callahan, placed first in the Nation out of a pool of more than 8,500 students and more than 500 colleges and universities around our great country.

Their achievement is truly remarkable, and I offer my hearty congratulations to these students and my thanks to the dedicated coaches and professors whose support and encouragement enabled this terrific success.

I congratulate Team RPI, and I appreciate the great work they have done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Chief Master Sergeant Chuck Powers, an exceptional member of the Air National Guard, for his distinguished service and dedication to furthering the mission of the National Guard.

A native of Albany, New York, Chief Master Sergeant Powers enlisted in the Air Force in December 2000. He has served for 23 years in the Active-Duty Air Force and now the New York Air National Guard in a broad range of assignments, including six deployments to Iraq, Oman, Afghanistan, and Antarctica in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Deep Freeze, and Operation New Dawn. Most recently, he served as a military personnel liaison for the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison and Senior Enlisted Advisor, working diligently to improve the quality of life for our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen and to enhance the relationship between the National Guard and offices like mine. In November 2023, he took on a new role as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the National Guard Bureau Manpower and Personnel Directorate.

Chief Master Sergeant Powers' responsibilities as legislative liaison have had an impact on the National Guard Bureau and the work of all congressional offices. He demonstrated expertise in developing technical solutions, which modernized how the National Guard Bureau Office of Legislative Liaison engages with Members of Congress. His attention to detail and responsiveness strengthened the relationship between congressional offices and the National Guard immeasurably. He formulated a congressional engagement plan and prepared National Guard leadership for over 60 meetings and hearings, informed Members on the National Guard Bureau's legislative priorities, and answered hundreds of congressional inquiries, which provided critical information related to the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

Chief Master Sergeant Powers' efforts were also pivotal to improve quality of life for his fellow National Guard members, including the development of new guidelines for maternity and paternity leave. He embodies the qualities that one can expect from Non-Commissioned Officers.

I am grateful to Chief Master Sergeant Powers for his service in support of my office and others in the furtherance of National Guard missions. I would also like to express my appreciation to his supportive husband, Jamie Richards. I wish this National Guard family all the best in their next chapter of service to our Nation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act.

These past few years, I have been honored to champion this legislation on behalf of the more than 1 million Americans living with Parkinson's.

I first learned more in-depth about Parkinson's from a friend who suffered with the disease. When the opportunity arose to partner with Congressman Bilirakis on this meaningful effort, I jumped right in and made it my personal mission to get this done on behalf of the millions of people living with Parkinson's.

Mr. Speaker, currently, there are no treatments to cure, prevent, or significantly slow down its progression. Parkinson's is the second most common neurological disease and is, unfortunately, growing and growing fast.

Mr. Speaker, I will highlight that there is hope on the horizon. Earlier this year, researchers discovered a new biomarker for Parkinson's disease. This is an exciting step forward, but much more research and coordination is needed.

Our bipartisan, no-cost legislation will, for the first time, unite our Federal Government in a mission to cure and prevent Parkinson's, alleviate financial and health burdens on American families, and reduce government spending over time.

This pioneering legislation is greatly needed. This bill will bring Federal stakeholders and non-Federal experts together to implement a national plan to prevent and cure the disease, improve diagnosis and treatment options, and lessen the burden for caregivers and their families.

The bill's text is modeled off the successful National Alzheimer's Project model which brought together many parts of our Federal Government to improve the Federal response.

Once signed into law, this bill will do for Parkinson's what the national plan did for Alzheimer's and bring together coordination, care, and research all to help those with Parkinson's, as well their loved ones.

This will help bring a strong focus on a cure, a treatment, and also prevention. It will shine a needed light on the suffering related to Parkinson's.

Sadly, we recognize that environmental triggers are likely a part of Parkinson's, but so much is still unknown. More research and more coordination are critical to getting answers to these questions.

I thank The Michael J. Fox Foundation for everything that it does, but especially all of the work that they provided on behalf of this bill.

I thank the New York-based groups and advocates who stood by my side demanding action on this bill and giving a face to Parkinson's. That mission and their journey was over a series of years.

Together with patients, with families, and with medical professionals we learned about the challenges of Parkinson's and why this bill is so desperately and urgently needed.

I thank my good friend, Gus Bilirakis, for working on the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act with me. It is an honor to work with the gentleman on this, and I know how much this means to him personally. I thank him for his relentless work to push this forward. The loss of his brother and mother-in-law in this last year, indeed, has been a devastating blow for their family. I admire how my friend has channeled that pain and committed to making a difference so that we can bring hope to those with Parkinson's.

I thank Chair Rodgers and Representative Pallone for staying with us and finding the resolution to move this meaningful bill forward. I thank Congressman Guthrie and Congresswoman Eshoo for their support, as well.

Additionally, I thank our committee staff for their hard work on bringing this together. Special thanks go to Tiffany Guarascio, Una Lee, Waverly Gordon, Shana Beavin, and Jacquelyn Bolen for all of their efforts.

From my personal office, I thank Emily Silverberg, our legislative director, for the resolve to continue until we pass that finish line.

I thank Congressman Bilirakis' team, especially Chris Jones, for her hard work on this effort.

I also thank our good friend, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. We love

Jennifer. She has been there. She has faced a devastating diagnosis, and she not only joined this fight but became one of the most vocal advocates fighting for the Parkinson's community.

Mr. Speaker, as many of us know, Congresswoman Wexton was first diagnosed with PSP this year which she describes as a kind of Parkinson's on steroids.

Today and every day, Jennifer gives a face to Parkinson's, and she is changing the future for those who have not yet received the diagnosis and those who will benefit from the National Plan to End Parkinson's. I thank my friend for her advocacy and for bravely sharing publicly about her journey. I value her friendship and am in awe of her determination and her journey. I understand that receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis has got to be truly devastating for individuals and their loved ones.

It is, indeed, incumbent upon Congress to ensure Americans know they will be supported during this frightening and life-altering time. Our legislation does just that and offers a dose of hope.

This is a commonsense, compassionate bill that will establish a robust response to address Parkinson's and ensure that patients and their families receive the care that they need and deserve. By moving this forward, we will make a positive difference, improve lives, and even save lives.

For the millions of Americans living with Parkinson's, as well as their loved ones, I hope this brings much-needed hope. Hope has finally arrived. Hope is on the way, and that has been the message of this whole effort.

To all my colleagues, I thank them for their strong support and commitment to the Parkinson's community. I urge my colleagues to support this meaningful bill. It will make a difference totally to those who are impacted and to the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Barragan), who is an active member on our Energy and Commerce Committee and a very strong supporter of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Ms. McClellan), who is a great supporter of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).

Mr. Speaker, this is a very emotional journey, and in the words of Jennifer Wexton, this could happen to anyone, so any one of us could be touched by the impact of this legislation that will deliver efforts to search for better diagnoses, sounder treatment, and ultimately find a cure, but it is also about hope, and hope rings eternally here with this effort so that folks like Jennifer will know and folks from Gus Bilirakis' family will know that America cares, that she cares deeply.

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

Mr. Speaker, during rollcall vote No. 710 on the previous question on H. Res. 922, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation. I thank my colleagues and friends, Representative Guthrie and Representative Kuster, for their work on the Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act.

As you may know, I serve as co-chair of the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus, or better known as the ATR Caucus.

The ATR Caucus is a bipartisan group of over 70 members committed to advancing bipartisan solutions to the country's multifaceted addiction crisis. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the caucus, the first in Congress to recognize that addiction, indeed, is a disease.

As a longtime champion for those facing addiction, I am all too familiar with the devastating impact of the disease for individuals, their families, and their communities. This is a loss many of us know too well--the loss of a daughter, a son, a father, a mother, a sister, or brother. The loss of a neighbor dying much too young and leaving behind a grieving family and communities being ripped apart by poison seemingly beyond their control.

Last year, in our Nation, there was an estimated 109,680 overdose deaths. That is 109,680 lives lost.

Let's think of how many people that is every day needlessly dying and having their lives cut so short. Think of the magnitude of all those impacted by those 109,680 loved ones. For each of those individuals, there is a whole universe of friends, of family, and, of course, communities impacted.

As we consider the SUPPORT Act reauthorization, let me share that clearly there are some good policies we are moving forward. I am glad that we are reauthorizing several programs that have been successful. I am pleased that we are including my Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act that I was proud to work on with my friend, Representative Armstrong.

As you may know, medication-assisted treatment for addiction significantly reduces the risk of overdose death. However, despite the effectiveness, approximately 87 percent of individuals with opioid use disorder who may benefit from lifesaving medication-assisted treatment simply do not receive it.

My Extending Access to Addiction Treatment Act makes permanent the requirement that Medicaid provide coverage for addiction medication for Americans who need it. I also think we are taking a step in the right direction by requiring States to suspend rather than terminate coverage of Medicaid for justice-involved individuals making it easier to restart those benefits upon release.

We also include a provision to allow pregnant incarcerated individuals who are being detained pretrial to maintain their Medicaid coverage. I fully support the legislation and remind everyone that we have a lot more work to do in order to take the necessary steps to address the deep need of this crisis.

We all know the scale of the devastating disease of addiction. We also know that our justice system is a revolving door for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Over one-half of people in State prisons and two-thirds of individuals in jails have substance use disorder, or SUD.

To truly address it, I urge us to take bold action and move forward as soon

as possible with the Reentry Act and the Due Process Continuity of Care Act. By allowing inmates to receive addiction treatment and other services before returning home, my Reentry Act would bring targeted treatment to those at the highest risk of overdose.

The Reentry Act would be a game changer for reducing overdose deaths and suicides by allowing all States to provide prerelease care to Medicaid-eligible individuals up to 30 days prior to release from incarceration.

The Due Process Continuity of Care Act would make certain that pretrial detainees are not kicked off Medicaid prior to even being found guilty of a crime.

Mr. Speaker, we know the human cost of inaction. To be precise, last year it was 109,680 lives we lost. Is that a cost we are willing to bear?

With that in mind, our work is not done, and I hope we can find the will to truly meet the moment.

This legislation is a good step forward, but it is not the end of the road. Again, this disease of despair requires hope, and we can provide that hope to the individuals who look to us to be the agents of that hope.

Mr. Speaker, again, I would urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to celebrate the life and service of Mr. Ron Byrne, a pillar of New York's Capital Region community who sadly passed away on November 8.

When Ron's mother experienced a debilitating fall, he saw a group of local retirees come together to assist her with her daily needs.

Inspired by that outpouring of support, Ron devised an idea: an organization that would connect handy retirees and certified contractors with elderly homeowners who need help with errands, home repairs, or landscaping.

In 1995, Ron brought this idea to life and founded the Umbrella of the Capital District.

Today, this organization serves more than 500 homes in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Rensselaer Counties, enthusiastically helping seniors and people with disabilities to maintain their homes, their independence, and, yes, their dignity.

His unwavering commitment to service and community was a beacon to us all, and his impact will continue to be felt by all in my district.

Ron Byrne, rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, when Americans get behind the wheel, when they want to drive their cars, they put it in ``R'' to go reverse and then they put it in ``D'' to go forward. Just as in the House here, the Rs want to take us backward, and the Ds want to drive us forward.

That is why I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4468. This bill would block the EPA from finalizing its proposed medium- and light-duty vehicle rule to strengthen tailpipe standards for future model years.

As we know, the transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, and it is also a major emitter of other harmful air pollution.

It should not surprise anyone that the EPA is working to fulfill its obligation to protect Americans from harmful air pollution.

This bill prejudges the outcome of that process and will stifle technological innovation, despite the fact that the proposal will save lives, save consumers money, and bolster American manufacturing.

More and more Americans are choosing to go electric. They realize that EVs are not only good for the environment but also provide major consumer savings over the life of the vehicle.

Thanks in large part to the incentives included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, even more of these vehicles and their components will be made here in America.

The legislation before us will undermine the tens of billions of dollars of planned investments to develop and produce American-made clean vehicle technologies by injecting uncertainty into these standards.

For over 100 years, America has been the greatest auto manufacturing nation in the world. If we want to continue to retain that title, we need to embrace the changes that are occurring in the sector. That means supporting the regulatory policies and incentives that would drive us forward to a cleaner and healthier future.

Unfortunately, this bill will stifle America's next great industrial revolution before we even seriously get into the race with China and dozens of other foreign competitors.

For the sake of promoting American innovation and to address our pollution challenges and supporting our long-term national economic competitiveness, I urge Members to oppose this bill.

Put it in ``D'' to go forward.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Transgender Awareness Week. This is an important time to celebrate, honor, and uplift trans people--their history, their stories, and their culture.

It is also a time to stand up against ongoing hate and discrimination. Extremist politicians around our country and in this Chamber continue to work to strip away the rights and liberties of the trans community.

In ongoing appropriations debates, House Republicans have brought forward unserious proposals with riders targeting and demonizing the trans and broader LGBTQ+ communities. These riders include limiting access to essential and safe gender-affirming healthcare; bans on art forms, including drag; and allowing broad licenses to discriminate.

The trans community deserves so much better. They deserve the ability, like all of us, to live fully and authentically without facing violence, discrimination, or harassment.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the trans community and oppose these cruel and relentless attacks. As a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I vow to continue to fight for the cause.

Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise to recognize October as National Spina Bifida Awareness Month and to pay tribute to my constituents with Spina Bifida and their loved ones. Additionally, I recognize October 25th, as World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day.

There are currently an estimated 166,000 individuals in the United States living with Spina Bifida. According to the CDC, each year approximately 1,400 babies born in the United States have spina bifida. Those diagnosed with Spina Bifida can expect to spend most of their lives in a wheelchair, or walking with braces, and face the prospect of dozens of surgeries they turn 18.

I have been honored to attend numerous events in the Capital Region, including the Spina Bifida Walk and Roll and the Spina Bifida Dare to Dream Gala, both of which are held by the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) of Northeastern New York, that have raised funds for research, brought awareness to the public, and told the stories of those in our community with this disease. I am heartened to attend events like these. which do so much to honor those with spina bifida, as well as their friends, families, and caretakers.

I am so impressed with the breakthroughs in research that have helped to give those living with this disease a more fulfilling life. Thanks to the work of organizations like SBA, new medical treatments and technologies have been developed that allow most people with Spina Bifida to live a normal life span, ensuring they can have a full career, get married, and start a family--no different than those without this disease.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that organizations like the Spina Bifida Association continue to receive the funding and support they have earned. I also will continue to support federal research funding for better understanding the condition, the cause, and treatments. I hope that together we can continue to raise awareness.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 402.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise in opposition to H.R. 1435. Make no mistake, we are at a critical moment in history. The climate crisis is here, and over 100 million Americans

live in counties with unhealthy levels of traditional air pollution.

Thanks to vehicle standards, incentives, and R&D policies, the U.S. auto industry is poised to lead the world in clean transportation innovation.

We should focus on supporting these policies, not weakening them.

Sadly, H.R. 1435 would toss aside decades of legal precedent, upending the California waiver process and threatening the innovation already underway.

Rather than restate what my Californian colleagues have said and will say about the history of the Clean Air Act and the importance of the waiver process to protecting public health, I want to look forward.

For over 100 years, America has been the greatest auto manufacturing nation in the world. This is largely because we have embraced innovation and we have embraced our skilled unionized workforce.

If we want to continue to retain this title, we need to embrace the changes that are occurring in that sector.

The transportation revolution is here. It is already creating jobs and reducing pollution, in large part thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

When we hear concerns about inadequate charging options, we need to remember that charging infrastructure is going to become much more widespread and better performing in the near future thanks to the $7.5 billion enacted in the infrastructure law.

When we hear about stresses on the grid, let's remember that there are tens of billions of dollars in the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act to make our electric system smarter, more resilient, and, yes, more capable of meeting these new demands.

When we hear that clean vehicles will support China, let's acknowledge that this will only be true if we fail to develop our own domestic supply chains.

Just 2 weeks ago, DOE announced $15.5 billion in grants and loans to support retooling existing factories for the transition to EVs. This will be complementary to so many public and private investments that are enabling critical mineral processing and battery manufacturing here in the U.S.

We can continue to be the world's leader in automotive innovation for the next century, but only if we embrace the regulatory policies and the incentives that will drive us forward to a cleaner and healthier future, which is why I urge Members to oppose this bill.