[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 24, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REPEAL THE MEDICAL DEVICE TAX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah 
(Mr. Curtis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the medical 
device tax.
  Utah has earned a reputation as a thriving hub for innovation in life 
sciences, leading the Nation in technology breakthroughs. Each year, 
medical device manufacturers in Utah pioneer new, exciting medical 
technologies that help patients live longer and more productive lives.
  Unfortunately, the culture of collaboration and innovation has been 
threatened by the medical device tax, a tax on device manufacturers 
that has stalled medical technology investment across the country.
  Although Congress has come together on a bipartisan basis time and 
time again to delay its implementation, the continuous threat of heavy, 
onerous taxation has stifled job growth among medical technology 
innovators and has delayed cutting-edge research that could potentially 
lead to breakthroughs in patient care and treatment.
  As it stands today, this tax will come into effect January 1, 2020. 
The impact would be devastating in Utah, where the med tech industry 
employs thousands of Utahns and contributes approximately $5 billion to 
the local economy. One local company estimated the tax would cost them 
over $7 million, money that would otherwise be reinvested into 
workforce and technology development.
  As we approach this January deadline, I call upon my colleagues to 
come together and finally repeal the tax on innovation once and for 
all.


                      Our Relationship with Israel

  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight our critical 
relationship with Israel, an alliance not only important to our two 
countries, but to the tectonic plates of global geopolitics.
  I was pleased to both cosponsor and vote in favor of the United 
States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act and the 
resolution opposing the efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and 
the Global Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions movement targeting 
Israel, two important legislative priorities, because I believe 
Israel's safety and security is critical to our own safety and 
security. More importantly, it is the right thing to do.
  I have shared with my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee that Israel holds a special place in my heart. As a college 
student 40 years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in 
Jerusalem and get to know the people and cultures. I developed a unique 
appreciation and understanding for the struggles they face on a daily 
basis.
  As many of us know, the BDS movement exists solely to delegitimize 
Israel's very existence, and I am proud of the House of Representatives 
coming together on a bipartisan basis with a unified voice that we will 
not stand idly by while one of our closest allies is targeted and 
vilified. The path to peace between Israel and Palestine will not be 
hindered by that kind of blind hatred.
  Although this BDS resolution sends a critical message, it falls short 
of what is ultimately needed to address the long-term challenges. I am 
hopeful that the House will consider stronger legislation with actual 
binding policy provisions to help the United States stand with Israel 
against BDS.
  I am prepared to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
to address these issues and those facing our allies.

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