[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H574-H575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                OUR RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, with more than 4,500 people confirmed 
infected in China, and over 100 deaths, the coronavirus certainly has 
my attention. But as the outbreak of the coronavirus strain originating 
in China continues, I want to remind Kansans that U.S. health officials 
remain on high alert and are fully prepared for any situation.
  The Centers for Disease Control currently has teams on the ground, 
both domestically and internationally. Domestically, the CDC is working 
closely with local public health departments to identify potential 
cases early and make sure patients get the best and most appropriate 
care. To control the spread of the outbreak, the CDC has preventive 
screening measures in major U.S. airports.
  Last year, President Trump signed into law the reauthorization of the 
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Innovation Act. This bill has 
been critical for improving preparedness and response, and bolstering 
the emergency response workforce, as well as increasing communication 
and efforts in medical countermeasures.
  The administration has also consistently prioritized funding to build 
on investments to protect the civilian population in the event of 
public health emergencies related to infectious disease outbreaks.
  As a physician, I understand the uncertainty and fear infectious 
disease outbreaks can have. But first, I want to encourage Kansans to 
follow recommendations from your own doctor. And if you have any 
concern about the situation, you should call your doctor's

[[Page H575]]

nurse and talk to them about the situation and your concerns.
  But all that being said, I might offer these tips: First of all, make 
sure you have gotten your flu shot. Now, the flu shot won't protect you 
from a coronavirus, but it is a much bigger threat to you right now 
than the coronavirus is.
  Children, pregnant women, and our senior citizens, who are most 
susceptible to viruses should avoid public places where exposure risk 
is high.
  Thorough handwashing is a great best practice as we continue to work 
through the flu and cold season.
  And, finally, follow the CDC and State Department's recommendations 
regarding travel to China.
  If you are at all concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, 
especially if you are having new onset of wheezing or shortness of 
breath, you should contact your primary care doctor.
  Now, thus far, only 5 cases have been confirmed in the United States, 
and all cases include recent travel to China. While testing can now 
only be done at the CDC, we hope that a commercially-available test 
will soon be available in February, which will help us contain and 
monitor this virus.
  These global outbreaks impact us here at home, and that is why we 
respond to infectious disease outbreaks with urgency and as a global 
community. Efforts by President Trump and this administration have 
ensured our health agencies have the funding and resources necessary to 
combat outbreaks and protect Kansans.
  I am confident in the measures being taken by our national healthcare 
officials and agencies, as well as by our local health departments, our 
local doctors, nurses, and our local hospitals.


              New Navigable Waters Protection Regulations

  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, last Friday, I was honored to join EPA 
Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford at the Kansas Commodity Classic in 
Manhattan, Kansas, to announce the EPA's new Navigable Waters 
Protection Rule. The rule provides a clear definition of Waters of the 
United States, otherwise known as WOTUS, delivering on President 
Trump's promise to cut burdensome regulations and slash bureaucratic 
red tape to empower farmers, ranchers, builders, small businesses, and 
other landowners.

  Kansas farmers and ranchers are the original and best 
conservationists in the world, and I have heard from them about this 
issue since I came into office. This new rule will tremendously reduce 
the burden on Kansans who work in dairy, cattle, and crop operations, 
and allow them to implement conservation methods without Federal 
overreach.
  The EPA's new Navigable Waters Protection Rule will continue to 
protect our environment without stifling economic growth and rebalance 
the relationship between the Federal Government and States in managing 
our land and water resources.
  The Navigable Waters Protection Rule ends decades of uncertainty over 
where Federal jurisdiction begins and ends. It also ensures that 
America's water protections, among the best in the world, remain 
strong, while giving our States and Tribes more flexibility in 
determining how best to manage their land and water resources to 
protect the environment and local economies.
  Go Chiefs.

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