[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY ACT OF 1994--MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I ask that the Chair lay before the 
Senate a message from the House of Representatives on a bill (S. 725) 
to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the conduct of 
expanded studies and the establishment of innovative programs with 
respect to traumatic brain injury, and for other purposes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the House of Representatives:

       Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 725) entitled 
     ``An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide 
     for the conduct of expanded studies and the establishment of 
     innovative programs with respect to traumatic brain injury, 
     and for other purposes'', do pass with the following 
     amendment:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause, and insert:

     SECTION 1. PROGRAMS OF CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
                   PREVENTION.

       Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 241 et seq.), as amended by section 703 of Public Law 
     103-183 (107 Stat. 2240), is amended by inserting after 
     section 317F the following section:


                 ``prevention of traumatic brain injury

       ``Sec. 317G. The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
     the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may carry out 
     projects to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain injury. 
     Such projects may be carried out by the Secretary directly or 
     through awards of grants or contracts to public or nonprofit 
     private entities. The Secretary may directly or through such 
     awards provide technical assistance with respect to the 
     planning, development, and operation of such projects.
       ``(b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) 
     may include--
       ``(1) the conduct of research into identifying effective 
     strategies for the prevention of traumatic brain injury; and
       ``(2) the implementation of public information and 
     education programs for the prevention of such injury and for 
     broadening the awareness of the public concerning the public 
     health consequences of such injury.
       ``(c) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other agencies of the Public Health Service 
     that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
       ``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning. The Secretary may revise the definition of such 
     term as the Secretary determines necessary.''.

     SEC. 2. PROGRAMS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

       Section 1261 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300d-61) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following paragraph:
       ``(4) the authority to make awards of grants or contracts 
     to public or nonprofit private entities for the conduct of 
     basic and applied research regarding traumatic brain injury, 
     which research may include--
       ``(A) the development of new methods and modalities for the 
     more effective diagnosis, measurement of degree of injury, 
     post-injury monitoring and prognostic assessment of head 
     injury for acute, subacute and later phases of care;
       ``(B) the development, modification and evaluation of 
     therapies that retard, prevent or reverse brain damage after 
     acute head injury, that arrest further deterioration 
     following injury and that provide the restitution of function 
     for individuals with long-term injuries;
       ``(C) the development of research on a continuum of care 
     from acute care through rehabilitation, designed, to the 
     extent practicable, to integrate rehabilitation and long-term 
     outcome evaluation with acute care research; and
       ``(D) the development of programs that increase the 
     participation of academic centers of excellence in head 
     injury treatment and rehabilitation research and training.''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) The term `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired 
     injury to the brain. Such term does not include brain 
     dysfunction caused by congenital or degenerative disorders, 
     nor birth trauma, but may include brain injuries caused by 
     anoxia due to near drowning. The Secretary may revise the 
     definition of such term as the Secretary determines 
     necessary.''.

     SEC. 3. PROGRAMS OF HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       Part E of title XII of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300d-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following section:

     ``SEC. 1252. STATE GRANTS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 
                   REGARDING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
     Administration, may make grants to States for the purpose of 
     carrying out demonstration projects to improve access to 
     health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury.
       ``(b) State Advisory Board.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make a grant under 
     subsection (a) only if the State involved agrees to establish 
     an advisory board within the appropriate health department of 
     the State or within another department as designated by the 
     chief executive officer of the State.
       ``(2) Functions.--An advisory board established under 
     paragraph (1) shall advise and make recommendations to the 
     State on ways to improve services coordination regarding 
     traumatic brain injury. Such advisory boards shall encourage 
     citizen participation through the establishment of public 
     hearings and other types of community outreach programs.
       ``(3) Composition.--An advisory board established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be composed of--
       ``(A) representatives of--
       ``(i) the corresponding State agencies involved;
       ``(ii) public and nonprofit private health related 
     organizations;
       ``(iii) other disability advisory or planning groups within 
     the State;
       ``(iv) members of an organization or foundation 
     representing traumatic brain injury survivors in that State; 
     and
       ``(v) injury control programs at the State or local level 
     if such programs exist; and
       ``(B) a substantial number of individuals who are survivors 
     of traumatic brain injury, or the family members of such 
     individuals.
       ``(c) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to the costs to be incurred 
     by a State in carrying out the purpose described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may make a grant under such 
     subsection only if the State agrees to make available, in 
     cash, non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an 
     amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of Federal funds 
     provided under the grant.
       ``(2) Determination of amount contributed.--In determining 
     the amount of non-Federal contributions in cash that a State 
     has provided pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may not 
     include any amounts provided to the State by the Federal 
     Government.
       ``(d) Application for Grant.--The Secretary may make a 
     grant under subsection (a) only if an application for the 
     grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in 
     such form, is made in such manner, and contains such 
     agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary 
     determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
       ``(e) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other agencies of the Public Health Service 
     that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
       ``(f) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives, and to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources of the Senate, a report describing the findings and 
     results of the programs established under this section, 
     including measures of outcomes and consumer and surrogate 
     satisfaction.
       ``(g) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning. The Secretary may revise the definition of such 
     term as the Secretary determines necessary.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1995 
     through 1997.''.

     SEC. 4. STUDY; CONSENSUS CONFERENCE.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting 
     through the appropriate agencies of the Public Health 
     Service, shall conduct a study for the purpose of carrying 
     out the following with respect to traumatic brain injury:
       (A) In collaboration with appropriate State and local 
     health-related agencies--
       (i) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic 
     brain injury; and
       (ii) develop a uniform reporting system under which States 
     report incidences of traumatic brain injury, if the Secretary 
     determines that such a system is appropriate.
       (B) Identify common therapeutic interventions which are 
     used for the rehabilitation of individuals with such 
     injuries, and shall, subject to the availability of 
     information, include an analysis of--
       (i) the effectiveness of each such intervention in 
     improving the functioning of individuals with brain injuries;
       (ii) the comparative effectiveness of interventions 
     employed in the course of rehabilitation of individuals with 
     brain injuries to achieve the same or similar clinical 
     outcome; and
       (iii) the adequacy of existing measures of outcomes and 
     knowledge of factors influencing differential outcomes.
       (C) Develop practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of 
     traumatic brain injury at such time as appropriate scientific 
     research becomes available.
       (2) Dates certain for reports.--
       (A) Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives, and to the Committee on Labor and Human 
     Resources of the Senate, a report describing the findings 
     made as a result of carrying out paragraph (1)(A).
       (B) Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
     specified in subparagraph (A) a report describing the 
     findings made as a result of carrying out subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C) of paragraph (1).
       (b) Consensus Conference.--The Secretary, acting through 
     the Director of the National Center for Medical 
     Rehabilitation Research within the National Institute for 
     Child Health and Human Development, shall conduct a national 
     consensus conference on managing traumatic brain injury and 
     related rehabilitation concerns.
       (c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``traumatic brain injury'' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning. The Secretary may revise the definition of such 
     term as the Secretary determines necessary.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may 
     be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 1997.

     SEC. 5. STATE STANDARDS.

       (a) Preemption.--Section 403A(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, 
     and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343-1(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting at the end the 
     following: ``except that this paragraph does not apply to a 
     standard of identity of--
       ``(A) a State or political subdivision of a State for maple 
     syrup which is of the type required by sections 401 and 
     403(g), or
       ``(B) a State for fluid milk which is of the type required 
     by sections 401 and 403(g) and which specifies a higher 
     minimum level of milk components than is provided for in the 
     corresponding standard of identity promulgated under section 
     401,'',
       (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting at the end the 
     following: ``except that this paragraph does not apply to a 
     requirement of a State or political subdivision of a State 
     which is of the type required by section 403(c) and which is 
     applicable to maple syrup,'',
       (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting at the end the 
     following: ``except that this paragraph does not apply to a 
     requirement of a State or political subdivision of a State 
     which is of the type required by section 403(h)(1) and which 
     is applicable to maple syrup,'', and
       (4) by adding at the end the following: ``For purposes of 
     paragraph (1)(B), the term `fluid milk' means liquid milk in 
     final packaged form for beverage use and does not include dry 
     milk, manufactured milk products, or tanker bulk milk.''.
       (b) Procedure.--Section 701(e)(1) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 
     371(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``or maple syrup (regulated 
     under section 168.140 of title 21, Code of Federal 
     Regulations)''.

     SEC. 6. SELENIUM.

       The stay (published at 58 Fed. Reg. 47962) of the 1987 food 
     additive regulation relating to selenium (21 Code of Federal 
     Regulations 573.920) is suspended until December 31, 1995.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I move that the Senate concur in the 
House amendment with the amendment I now send to the desk on behalf of 
Senators Kennedy and Hatch; that the motion to reconsider be laid on 
the table, and that any statements appear thereon at the appropriate 
place in the Record as though read.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the amendment.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. Feingold], for Mr. Kennedy 
     and Mr. Hatch, proposes an amendment numbered 2654.
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
     thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. PROGRAMS OF CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
                   PREVENTION.

       (a) In General.--Part B of title III of the Public Health 
     Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 et seq.), as amended by section 
     209 of the Minority Health Improvement Act of 1994, is 
     amended by inserting after section 317G the following 
     section:


                 ``prevention of traumatic brain injury

       ``Sec. 317H. (a) The Secretary, acting through the Director 
     of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may carry 
     out projects to reduce the incidence of traumatic brain 
     injury. Such projects may be carried out by the Secretary 
     directly or through awards of grants or contracts to public 
     or nonprofit private entities. The Secretary may directly or 
     through such awards provide technical assistance with respect 
     to the planning, development, and operation of such projects.
       ``(b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) 
     may include--
       ``(1) the conduct of research into identifying effective 
     strategies for the prevention of traumatic brain injury; and
       ``(2) the implementation of public information and 
     education programs for the prevention of such injury and for 
     broadening the awareness of the public concerning the public 
     health consequences of such injury.
       ``(c) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other agencies of the Public Health Service 
     that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
       ``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning.''.

     SEC. 2. PROGRAMS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

       Section 1261 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300d-61) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following paragraph:
       ``(4) the authority to make awards of grants or contracts 
     to public or nonprofit private entities for the conduct of 
     basic and applied research regarding traumatic brain injury, 
     which research may include--
       ``(A) the development of new methods and modalities for the 
     more effective diagnosis, measurement of degree of injury, 
     post-injury monitoring and prognostic assessment of head 
     injury for acute, subacute and later phases of care;
       ``(B) the development, modification and evaluation of 
     therapies that retard, prevent or reverse brain damage after 
     acute head injury, that arrest further deterioration 
     following injury and that provide the restitution of function 
     for individuals with long-term injuries;
       ``(C) the development of research on a continuum of care 
     from acute care through rehabilitation, designed, to the 
     extent practicable, to integrate rehabilitation and long-term 
     outcome evaluation with acute care research; and
       ``(D) the development of programs that increase the 
     participation of academic centers of excellence in head 
     injury treatment and rehabilitation research and training.''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) The term `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired 
     injury to the brain. Such term does not include brain 
     dysfunction caused by congenital or degenerative disorders, 
     nor birth trauma, but may include brain injuries caused by 
     anoxia due to near drowning.''.

     SEC. 3. PROGRAMS OF HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES 
                   ADMINISTRATION.

       Part E of title XII of the Public Health Service Act (42 
     U.S.C. 300d-51 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following section:

     ``SEC. 1252. STATE GRANTS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 
                   REGARDING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
     Administration, may make grants to States for the purpose of 
     carrying out demonstration projects to improve the 
     availability of health services regarding traumatic brain 
     injury.
       ``(b) State Advisory Board.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make a grant under 
     subsection (a) only if the State involved agrees to establish 
     an advisory board within the appropriate health department of 
     the State or within another department as designated by the 
     chief executive officer of the State.
       ``(2) Functions.--An advisory board established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be cognizant of findings and concerns of 
     Federal, State and local agencies, citizens groups, and 
     private industry (such as insurance, health care, automobile, 
     and other industry entities). Such advisory boards shall 
     encourage citizen participation through the establishment of 
     public hearings and other types of community outreach 
     programs.
       ``(3) Composition.--An advisory board established under 
     paragraph (1) shall be composed of--
       ``(A) representatives of--
       ``(i) the corresponding State agencies involved;
       ``(ii) public and nonprofit private health related 
     organizations;
       ``(iii) other disability advisory or planning groups within 
     the State;
       ``(iv) members of an organization or foundation 
     representing traumatic brain injury survivors in that State; 
     and
       ``(v) injury control programs at the State or local level 
     if such programs exist; and
       ``(B) a substantial number of individuals who are survivors 
     of traumatic brain injury, or the family members of such 
     individuals.
       ``(c) Matching Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--With respect to the costs to be incurred 
     by a State in carrying out the purpose described in 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may make a grant under such 
     subsection only if the State agrees to make available, in 
     cash, non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an 
     amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of Federal funds 
     provided under the grant.
       ``(2) Determination of amount contributed.--In determining 
     the amount of non-Federal contributions in cash that a State 
     has provided pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may not 
     include any amounts provided to the State by the Federal 
     Government.
       ``(d) Application for Grant.--The Secretary may make a 
     grant under subsection (a) only if an application for the 
     grant is submitted to the Secretary and the application is in 
     such form, is made in such manner, and contains such 
     agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary 
     determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
       ``(e) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that activities under this section are coordinated as 
     appropriate with other agencies of the Public Health Service 
     that carry out activities regarding traumatic brain injury.
       ``(f) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the effective 
     date under section 901 of the Minority Health Improvement Act 
     of 1994, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and to 
     the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a 
     report describing the findings and results of the programs 
     established under this section, including measures of 
     outcomes and consumer and surrogate satisfaction.
       ``(g) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     `traumatic brain injury' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, 
     $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and such sums as may be 
     necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996 and 1997.''.

     SEC. 4. STUDY; CONSENSUS CONFERENCE.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting 
     through the appropriate agencies of the Public Health 
     Service, shall conduct a study for the purpose of carrying 
     out the following with respect to traumatic brain injury:
       (A) In collaboration with appropriate State and local 
     health-related agencies--
       (i) determine the incidence and prevalence of traumatic 
     brain injury; and
       (ii) develop a uniform reporting system under which States 
     report incidence of traumatic brain injury, if the Secretary 
     determines that such a system is appropriate.
       (B) Identify common therapeutic interventions which are 
     used for the rehabilitation of individuals with such 
     injuries, and shall, subject to the availability of 
     information, include an analysis of--
       (i) the effectiveness of each such intervention in 
     improving the functioning of individuals with brain injuries;
       (ii) the comparative effectiveness of interventions 
     employed in the course of rehabilitation of individuals with 
     brain injuries to achieve the same or similar clinical 
     outcome; and
       (iii) the adequacy of existing measures of outcomes and 
     knowledge of factors influencing differential outcomes.
       (C) Develop practice guidelines for the rehabilitation of 
     traumatic brain injury at such time as appropriate scientific 
     research becomes available.
       (2) Dates certain for reports.--
       (A) Not later than 18 months after the effective date under 
     section 901, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and to 
     the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a 
     report describing the findings made as a result of carrying 
     out paragraph (1)(A).
       (B) Not later than 3 years after the effective date under 
     section 901, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees 
     specified in subparagraph (A) a report describing the 
     findings made as a result of carrying out subparagraphs (B) 
     and (C) of paragraph (1).
       (b) Consensus Conference.--The Secretary, acting through 
     the Director of the National Center for Medical 
     Rehabilitation Research within the National Institute for 
     Child Health and Human Development, shall conduct a national 
     consensus conference on managing traumatic brain injury and 
     related rehabilitation concerns.
       (c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``traumatic brain injury'' means an acquired injury to the 
     brain. Such term does not include brain dysfunction caused by 
     congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma, but 
     may include brain injuries caused by anoxia due to near 
     drowning.
  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, As the 103d Congress is drawing to a close, 
it is important that we approve S. 725, the Traumatic Brain Injury Act. 
This bill is critically important to the millions of Americans who 
suffer from traumatic brain injuries, and those who will have the 
misfortune of this type of injury in the future. There is no reason 
this legislation should not be enacted into law this year.
  The Traumatic Brain Injury bill will provide visibility to the silent 
epidemic of brain injuries, which currently plague an additional 2 
million Americans per year. Traumatic brain injuries have become the 
number one killer and cause of disability of young people in the U.S., 
far outdistancing all other causes.
  Because of the serious consequences of traumatic brain injury and the 
failure of human services systems and educational programs to properly 
meet the needs of sufferers of these injuries, S. 725 will make large 
strides toward helping these people to be identified as people with a 
brain injury, and not labeled as having some other disability. This is 
important if appropriate services are to be developed and targeted and 
prevention efforts are to be conducted.
  With the passage of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act will come funding 
for research, not only for the treatment of TBI, but also for 
prevention and awareness programs which will help decrease the 
occurrence of such tragedies.
  Specifically, S. 725 will authorize the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention to conduct projects to reduce the incidence of traumatic 
brain injury.
  It will also authorize the National Institutes of Health to conduct 
basic and applied research on traumatic brain injury.
  It will provide matching grants to the states through the Health 
Resources and Services Administration for demonstration projects to 
improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain 
injury.
  And, S. 725, will provide for an HHS study of a number of factors 
relating to traumatic brain injury and for a national consensus 
conference on traumatic brain injury.
  The Traumatic Brain Injury Act should be high priority legislation, 
and at the top of our legislative Agendas. As my colleagues are aware, 
this bill was passed in the Senate in April of this year and as part of 
H.R. 3869, ``The Minority Health Improvement Act'' in the House. 
Because this bill has been passed by members from both sides of the 
aisle and by both legislative bodies, we know it isn't controversial.
  However, because of the popularity of this bill, it became a target 
for unrelated amendments. I do not want to argue for or against any 
amendments at this time, but I feel that in order to get the Traumatic 
Brain Bill enacted into law this year, we must move it through the 
Senate today, without amendments. Let them stand on their own merit, 
and not on that of a good bill like S. 725.
  Mr. President, let's not forget that traumatic brain injury is the 
leading cause of death and disability among Americans under the age of 
30. There are 8 million Americans who currently suffer from traumatic 
brain injuries and an additional 2 million Americans who suffer brain 
injuries each year. Many of these people would be helped by this 
legislation. We need to make passage of this bill an immediate 
priority.
  Let's proceed in this manner, by encouraging the passage of S. 725 as 
a clean bill, without unrelated amendments. There are millions of 
Americans in need of this legislation this year. I ask my colleagues' 
support in speedily enacting the Traumatic Brain Injury Act. I am 
hopeful the House will be able to take it up in the future.
  The motion was agreed to.

                          ____________________