[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         H.R. 1270, RESTORING ACCESS TO MEDICATION ACT OF 2015

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                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the misnamed 
Restoring Access to Medication Act of 2015, H.R. 1270.
  Once again, the Republican leadership has decided to bring a bill to 
the House floor that is harmful to Americans instead of doing the 
people's business and voting on a life saving bill that would decrease 
the ever-rising toll of gun violence. Our constituents are urging and 
counting on Congress to pass commonsense laws to establish universal 
criminal background checks and prevent terrorists from buying guns. 
Instead, Republicans have scheduled a vote for the 64th time to 
undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA)--a law that has given 20 
million additional Americans access to health care, eliminated 
discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and reduced health 
care spending.
  This bill repeals funding mechanisms that help pay for the ACA. 
Defunding these provisions would have devastating effects and put 
millions of Americans at risk of losing access to affordable health 
coverage.
  Rather than considering commonsense gun legislation or raising the 
minimum wage, House Republicans choose to fight old battles by once 
again voting to repeal the ACA. I oppose this bill and urge my 
colleagues to vote no.

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