[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 11, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4399-H4400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         CLIMATE HEALTH PROGRAM

  (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, in Illinois, the spring rains have meant 
that less than one-half of the normal amount of corn had been planted 
this year. We are seeing catastrophic floods, record-setting tornadoes, 
and longer and more devastating fire seasons.

[[Page H4400]]

  Climate change is not a future threat; it is a threat now, and we 
need to take urgent action. The decisions we make today will determine 
the future we leave to our children.
  We also need to prepare for the consequences of climate change, which 
are already affecting our environment, our infrastructure, our economy, 
and, yes, even our health.
  More frequent and intense heat waves are leading to higher rates of 
heat stroke. Warmer temperatures are also directly affecting vector-, 
food-, and waterborne diseases and causing longer allergy seasons.
  We need to understand and prepare for these changes. That is why I 
led a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging support for 
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Climate and Health 
Program to help our city and State health departments address and 
prepare for the effects of climate change.
  I am pleased that funding for their important work has increased to 
$15 million in this year's bill. I urge my colleagues to support this 
provision to help vulnerable communities adapt to the health threats of 
climate change.

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