Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, in regards to Division P, Title III--Medicare, Subtitle A--Telehealth Flexibility Extensions, Sec 308. Reports on Telehealth Utilizations, an analysis of racial and ethnic minorities as well as dual Medicare and Medicaid eligible beneficiaries should be considered by the Commission. By not including racial and ethnic minorities in this study, Congress will be unable to identify potential health inequities that occur with regard to accessing telehealth services. Furthermore, the inclusion of dual eligible populations will allow Congress to account for differences in socio- economic status with telehealth services. By including racial and ethnic minorities and dual eligible beneficiaries, we can ensure vulnerable populations have equitable access to telehealth services.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and her committee for all of their hard work.

Passing the America COMPETES Act will help small businesses and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in scientific development.

This bill funds STEM programs to develop the next generation of diverse scientists and inventors and funds the CHIPS Act to bring back semiconductor manufacturing to U.S. shores.

Companies large and small across industries are confronting new supply chain challenges. In my district, I have visited companies like Plochman's. They are doing their best to produce delicious mustards, despite current production challenges.

The bipartisan Supply CHAIN Act included in this bill will create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response within the Department of Commerce to monitor supply chains of critical goods and materials to mitigate future challenges.

I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this bill and bring relief to small businesses across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to pass the Build Back Better Act.

The Build Back Better Act will bring transformational change to the American people, create a more equitable healthcare system, and save lives.

One of the greatest ongoing injustices in our country is just how many people do not have access to affordable healthcare. That population is overwhelmingly made up of people of color and rural Americans.

Policymakers and medical institutions have not prioritized the healthcare needs of communities of color and rural communities. The Build Back Better Act will help these communities by closing the healthcare coverage gap, create more affordable coverage options, expand benefits for seniors, invest in improving access to mental health and substance use disorders, attack the gun violence epidemic with public-health focused interventions, invest in addressing the Black maternal mortality crisis, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

Investing in affordable care, preventative care, and targeted reductions in violence will result in fewer extreme health scenarios, fewer emergency room visits, and over time, will save us money and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.

Healthcare is a human right. Passing the Build Back Better Act is a step in the right direction.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 315.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Build Back Better Act, which includes significant investments in the fight for health equity.

As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I know all too well that, for centuries, Black Americans and people of color have been systematically denied affordable healthcare access and left behind when it comes to our healthcare policies. No more.

Healthcare access is an essential right, and we must do more to ensure

that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or ZIP Code, have access to quality, affordable healthcare.

I am proud that our draft of the Build Back Better Act takes a step toward that goal. We have included several key investments that are going to make a real difference in healthcare available to folks. These investments will prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, ensure earlier detection and treatment of certain cancers, and tackle the Black maternal health crisis.

There is so much good included in the Build Back Better Act, but today I want to highlight just three of the most urgent health equity issues this bill will address.

The first of those priorities is saving the lives of mothers. The Build Back Better Act provides for a mandatory extension of postpartum care for new mothers utilizing Medicaid. In the American Rescue Plan, we included an option for States to extend postpartum care for 12 months after delivery. While some States have taken up that option, it will expire in 5 years.

The Build Back Better Act goes a step further in making that expanded postpartum coverage mandatory and permanent. Research shows that one- third of all pregnancy-related maternal deaths occur between 1 week and 1 year of delivery, and Black women are at an increased risk of experiencing severe complications or death. No more.

New mothers should have access to postpartum care, regardless of which State they live in. Extending postpartum care under Medicaid will save lives and ensure that mothers are able to see their babies grow up.

Additionally, the Build Back Better Act includes a solution to permanently close the Medicaid coverage gap. There are still 12 States that have refused to expand Medicaid, and as many as 4 million people currently lack access to healthcare because of the coverage gap. No more.

Ensuring that Medicaid is available to everyone who needs it will reduce emergency room visits, allow for an increased focus on preventive care and save us money in the long run. Closing the coverage gap will also help address the Black maternal health crisis.

Because of the Medicaid coverage gap, many women are not eligible for care until they become pregnant, and by the time they get approved, they have missed out on weeks or even months of prenatal and early pregnancy care during these critical early days of pregnancy.

Access to healthcare in the early days of pregnancy is crucial in detecting and treating pregnancy-related complications with both mother and baby. Closing the coverage gap will ensure that new mothers have access to care when they need it most.

With Build Back Better, we are tackling health equity issues from babies to older adults. Once we pass the Build Back Better Act, we will begin including dental, vision, and hearing coverage for seniors through Medicare Part B.

Dental coverage will include cleaning and x-rays, extractions, oral disease management services, and dentures--all vital dental procedures and care that seniors both need and deserve. Many people may not realize it, but oral health has significant impacts on your overall health, and poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, and dementia.

Including dental coverage will help so many people, but it will be especially important for people of color. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, 71 percent of Black Medicare beneficiaries and 65 percent of Hispanic beneficiaries went without a dental visit in the past year, compared to 43 percent of White beneficiaries. No more.

Ultimately, these policies are not just about saving lives, but improving lives. We are investing in the health and safety of our constituents and their ability to live long, happy, and healthy lives with their families.

Our healthcare system has been pushed to its limits throughout the past 18 months, and we have been shown, under a bright light, the cracks in its foundation. But it is not beyond repair. Through meaningful investment, we can rebuild our healthcare system in a way that works for everyone and addresses centuries-long challenges to achieving health equity.

The Build Back Better Act presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to advance health equity. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a valued member of my team, Charles Bolden, who recently departed my office for a new challenge.

Charles began working in my office in 2016 and has proven himself time and again to be a vital and integral part of the team. He started out as a staff assistant in the office enthusiastically greeting guests and savoring every conversation with constituents. His dedication to serving the people of Illinois' Second Congressional District, which is also his home, stood out.

Charles handled the gun violence portfolio for the office, which is personal to him as he personally lost close friends to gun violence. This is an issue that is so important to both Charles and me, and I am grateful for his many years of service working to save lives and bring gun violence prevention resources to the people of Chicagoland.

While I am so sad to see Charles Mackie Bolden, aka Charlie, to me, move on, I am very grateful for his years of service, and I wish him the best in his next endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of en bloc No. 2, which includes three amendments I worked on.

Amendment No. 217 establishes a pilot transition assistance program for military spouses, offering similar services to those available for members of our Armed Forces.

This includes mental health first aid training since military spouses are well positioned to notice warning signs for any mental health or subsequent abuse struggles a new veteran might experience.

Amendment No. 218 will improve interagency communication as the low Earth orbit becomes more crowded with defense, civil, and commercial space assets.

Finally, amendment No. 158 with Representative Gonzales will create a National Digital Reserve Corps to bring private sector talent into the Federal Government to work on short-term projects. We need more cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and developer expertise in the Federal Government if we are going to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Center for Audit Excellence and its mission in supporting and assisting auditing organizations domestically and internationally.

A part of the Government Accountability Office, the Center for Audit Excellence provides training and assistance to auditing organizations, fostering accountability from local governments in the United States and foreign governments across the globe.

One of the Center's most essential missions is aiding supreme audit institutions of nations that receive U.S. foreign assistance. This helps instill good governance and ensures that U.S. tax dollars are being used efficiently.

Currently, the Center for Audit Excellence is funded almost exclusively by fees. They do not have dedicated funding and must rely on USAID missions or local and foreign governments approaching them for their services. Providing dedicated funding will allow for the Center to have more predictable budget cycles and will expand their reach in helping governments establish sound audit practices.

Not only is there a need for dedicated funding, but there is also a need for more funding at the Center for Audit Excellence. Providing more funding will expand the Center's global footprint and reach more countries' supreme audit institutions. This critical funding would help ensure that governments around the globe and here at home in the United States have the training and assistance to strengthen oversight capacity and reduce government waste.

Helping to build auditing capacity cuts down on government corruption and promotes good governance. Within the U.S., enhanced auditing capacity

strengthens local government practices so they better respond to their citizens' needs. Internationally, greater auditing capacity helps low- income and developing nations increase accountability and the responsible use of public funds.

The United States provides billions of dollars of foreign assistance each year, and even more is sent to State and local governments. Providing dedicated funding for the Center for Audit Excellence will help ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent wisely and as intended.

Madam Speaker, today marks the 200th day of this Congress and of House Democrats working for the people.

Working together with the Biden administration, we have put our economy back on track, curbed the spread of COVID-19, and put money into the pockets of our constituents. It was only Democrats that voted for the American Rescue Plan, which helped create 3 million jobs, deliver stimulus checks, and extend the child tax credit.

The American Rescue Plan also delivered on one of my most urgent priorities, ending the maternal mortality crisis. Allowing States to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum care from 60 days to one full year postpartum will save lives.

Outside of the recovery package, we have continued working on other priorities, like advancing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and passing commonsense gun violence prevention measures to protect and improve the lives of everyday Americans.

Madam Speaker, in just 200 days, we have accomplished so much, but rest assured, we are just getting started.

Mr. Speaker, ``My husband was shot in the stomach during a robbery attempt in front of our house. Gun violence ruined his life. He was left with grievous residual injuries that have put a huge dent in my family's finances, emotions, sense of security, and our well-being. My family has suffered a lot, but most especially my husband, who has suffered both impaired emotional and physical bodily function. He has so many medical issues as a result of his shooting. We have experienced pain and suffering like so many more families out there. There is horrible residual pain left behind by gun violence. We have become prisoners in our own home.''

``My younger brother took his own life with a handgun he legally obtained. He had a long history of mental illness, and I disagreed with his ability to purchase a firearm for this very reason. If there had been better background checks in place, he may not have been able to purchase the firearm. I wish that these restrictions were in place. I want you to know that real stakes are involved in a simple issue like background checks. If universal background checks were in place, my little brother might still be alive.''

``My fiance's son, James, was shot and killed in 2018 after attending a get-together. He was not the intended target. He was a straight-A student in his senior year of high school, trying to decide if he was on his way to college or the Navy. But he didn't get a chance to make his choice. There were nearly 100 witnesses, but no arrest has been made.''

``I am a trauma therapist working with young children who have been exposed to violence. These children are under the age of 5. Through play, they have demonstrated their experience with the sounds of gunfire. Some have even seen deceased people outside their front door. There is even less funding provided to address the trauma that gun violence produces for the most vulnerable--our children--who are living in the most violent areas.''

These are just a handful of the more than 700 stories about the devastating impacts of gun violence that my constituents have recently shared with me. Each of these stories is heartbreaking, and they highlight both the complexity and the far-reaching consequences of the gun violence epidemic.

Every single day in my district and communities across the country, children are traumatized by the sounds of unpredictable gunfire, the sight of blood on pavement, or more ambulance lights in their neighborhoods.

Families are becoming financially ruined by the cost of continued surgeries and therapy after being shot.

Grandparents write to tell me that their elementary school-aged grandchildren are scared to go and play outside for fear of being gunned down like their classmates and their neighbors.

When will enough be enough?

America's gun violence epidemic is a slow-motion massacre that is rapidly gaining speed. Just this weekend, 77 people were shot in Chicago, 77 people in just one city in just one weekend.

We must act now to stop the steady drip of daily gun violence. Mr. Speaker,

2020 was one of the deadliest gun violence years on record, and we are already on track to outpace those grim statistics. More than 21,000 people are dead in just the first 6 months of this year.

We need to step up to the plate and do something to protect our constituents.

We need to make straw purchasing and gun trafficking Federal crimes. We need to expand background checks. We need to support more evidence- based community violence prevention programs. We need to build opportunity for youth to get a good education and good jobs. We cannot go on letting mothers bury their children.

This week, we mark the end of Gun Violence Awareness Month. But for far too many families, there is no end to this month of awareness and advocacy. These families are painfully aware of the impacts of gun violence because they carry the weight of this epidemic with them every single day.

I rise to implore my colleagues to exercise some courage and responsibility by advancing gun violence prevention legislation.

Madam Speaker, we are in the midst of a shameful healthcare crisis. In 2021, there is no reason that giving birth should be more dangerous for women today than it was for their mothers.

Despite declining rates and maternal mortality around the world, in the United States, the rates have been climbing in recent years. Decades of institutional racism in our society and our healthcare system have brought us to this moment.

Data released by the CDC last month shows that the maternal mortality crisis is only worsening, and the risks are even greater for Black women and other women of color. Black women are three times more likely, and indigenous women are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as non-Hispanic women. Even worse, more than two-thirds of the deaths are preventable.

Additionally, the rates of pregnancy-related complications are on the rise. And for every maternal death in the United States, there are approximately 100 women who experience severe maternal morbidity, or a ``near miss.''

As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and co- chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, I have seen so many examples of how the healthcare system fails Black women.

Maternal mortality is a complex crisis with inequities stemming from many factors, including access to care, standardization of care, bias, and racism. Pregnancy and birth should be one of the happiest times for a family, but for Black women that is too often not the case, and we must take action now to begin saving the lives and protecting the health of Black women.

One of the most pressing issues related to the maternal mortality crisis we must address is access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. We know there are major risks associated with becoming uninsured shortly after pregnancy.

That is why I fought to have extended Medicare coverage included in the American Rescue Plan, so that women are able to receive postpartum care up to 1 year after birth instead of the existing 60 days of coverage.

But we need to take additional steps to incentivize every single State to permanently implement this policy. That is why, today, I am introducing the Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act, or Helping MOMS Act of 2021.

This bipartisan legislation will amend the American Rescue Plan to provide a permanent State option to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days after delivery to a full year. The Helping MOMs Act would also authorize a 5 percent Federal medical assistance percentage rate for the first year that States adopt extended coverage.

Ensuring healthcare coverage for the entirety of the postpartum period will save lives and prevent needless complications that endanger the health of mothers and their babies. This is an important step forward, but is not the only change that is needed.

The Black maternal health crisis is a multifactorial epidemic, and solving it will require a multifaceted approach. That is why, tomorrow, I will reintroduce my Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act, or the MOMMA Act.

This comprehensive bill tackles a growing maternal mortality crisis and severe morbidity in five ways. The MOMMA Act will standardize maternal mortality and morbidity data collection across States and authorize a designated Federal agency to aggregate that data.

Maternal heath advocates agree that standardization of data across the country is critical in fully understanding this crisis and informing future decisions about how to improve women's healthcare.

This bill will empower the CDC to provide technical guidance and publish best practices to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity. It will authorize evidence-based national obstetric emergency protocol to save mothers' lives.

The MOMMA Act will expand healthcare coverage through the full postpartum year after giving birth.

Finally, the MOMMA Act will ensure improved access to culturally competent care training and workforce practices throughout the entire delivery continuum.

This aspect, in particular, is so important in addressing the harmful biases and misconceptions that are, unfortunately, persuasive through our healthcare system, but especially rampant when it comes to Black maternal health. We have already lost too many mothers to this crisis.

While many of us celebrated Mother's Day just a few weeks ago, families across the country mourned lost mothers and babies and remembered traumatic and unacceptable birth stories.

I have talked with husbands who are so frustrated with the way their wives were treated, and wonder if there is something else they could have done to protect them. I have heard the heartbreaking stories of tragedy and loss directly from these fathers. I have cried with them and shared their pain.

I introduce these bills, the Helping MOMS Act and the MOMMA Act, in honor of those mothers and families, and recommit myself to always fighting for the health and safety of women.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 154.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Allred (Wexton)

Beatty (Lawrence)

Buchanan (Dunn)

Cardenas (Gallego)

Carter (TX) (Calvert)

Crenshaw (Pfluger)

Deutch (Rice (NY))

Grijalva (Garcia (IL))

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Kirkpatrick (Stanton)

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lieu (Beyer)

Lowenthal (Beyer)

McEachin (Wexton)

McHenry (Banks)

Mullin (Lucas)

Napolitano (Correa)

Ocasio-Cortez (Bush)

Payne (Pallone)

Ruppersberger (Raskin)

Rush (Underwood)

Sewell (DelBene)

Slotkin (Axne)

Waters (Barragan)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Wilson (SC) (Timmons)

Young (Joyce (OH))

Mr. Speaker, the past year has been tough for many of us but especially difficult for seniors. Many have lost friends and loved ones from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased isolation and dependence on digital resources have put extra burdens on millions of Americans.

From frantic calls of, ``Grandma, I am in the hospital sick with COVID. Please wire money right away,'' to calls from supposed Good Samaritans offering to run errands and then pocketing the money, scammers are using the pandemic to take advantage of vulnerable populations. They are preying on fear and uncertainty to steal money and personal information or sell fraudulent services or products.

One of the best ways to prevent seniors from falling victim to scams is to supply them with the information they need. That is why H.R. 446 requires the FTC to report on the number and type of scams that target older adults. It also will have the Commission's web portal updated with current information about such scams and coordination with media outlets and law enforcement to disseminate scam information. Seniors need to know what scams are happening in their areas so they can protect themselves.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Balderson for joining me in leading this legislation and Chairman Pallone for his support in advancing legislation to protect our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, soon we will take a bipartisan vote on the Background Checks Act, a bill which could save lives in every district of our Nation. Expanding background checks will help prevent guns from getting into the hands of those who may be a danger to themselves or others. This is a simple commonsense solution to a worsening problem in our Nation.

Even in 2020, when many people were at home during the raging COVID- 19 pandemic, we lost more than 41,000 people to gun violence. That number includes nearly 300 children under the age of 11. My heart breaks for their parents. But heartbreak will do little to comfort those mourning families, and we know well enough by now it will do nothing to prevent any future tragedies.

It is time for us to step up to say enough is enough. It is time for our families to be able to play in the park, drive a car on the expressway, or on a bus, or other things we take for granted without fear of gun violence. We need to pass legislation that will save precious lives.

I ask: How many funerals have you attended?

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8, expand background checks, and make our Nation safer.