[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 142 (Monday, August 10, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5380-S5382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 2643. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 2499 proposed by Mr. McConnell to the bill S. 
178, to condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims 
in Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, 
and harassment of these communities inside and outside China; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

       It is the sense of the Senate that it is the duty of the 
     Federal Government to protect and promote individual choice 
     in health insurance for the American people and prevent any 
     ``Medicare for All'' proposal that would outlaw private 
     health plans, such as job-based coverage and Medicare 
     Advantage plans.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2644. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 2499 proposed by Mr. McConnell to the bill S. 
178, to condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims 
in Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, 
and harassment of these communities inside and outside China; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. __. FREEZE IN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOME PT/INR 
                   MONITORING SERVICES FURNISHED TO INDIVIDUALS ON 
                   WARFARIN THERAPY DURING THE COVID-19 PUBLIC 
                   HEALTH EMERGENCY.

       (a) In General.--Section 1848(b) of the Social Security Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new paragraph:
       ``(12) Treatment of home pt/inr monitoring services 
     furnished to individuals on warfarin therapy.--In the case of 
     home prothrombin time/international normalized ratio (PT/INR) 
     monitoring services furnished to an individual on warfarin 
     therapy (identified as of January 1, 2020, by HCPCS G-codes 
     G0248 and G0249) during any portion of the emergency period 
     described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) beginning on or after the 
     date of the enactment of this paragraph, the payment amount 
     for such services under the fee schedule established under 
     this subsection shall be equal to the payment amount for such 
     services under the fee schedule established for services 
     furnished during 2019.''.
       (b) Exemption From Budget Neutrality.--Section 
     1848(c)(2)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     1395w-4(c)(2)(B)(iv)) is amended--
       (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subclause (IV), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subclause:

       ``(V) subsection (b)(12) shall not be taken into account in 
     applying clause (ii)(II) during any portion of the emergency 
     period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) beginning on or 
     after the date of the enactment of such subsection.''.

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2645. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 2499 proposed by Mr. McConnell to the bill S. 
178, to condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims 
in Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, 
and harassment of these communities inside and outside China; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

[[Page S5381]]

  


     SEC. __. NATIONAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED 
                   PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``Securing America's Medicine Cabinet Act'' or the ``SAM-C 
     Act''.
       (b) Amendment.--Chapter X of the Federal Food, Drug, and 
     Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 391 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 1015. NATIONAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN ADVANCED 
                   PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall designate 5 
     institutions of higher education as National Centers of 
     Excellence in Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, 
     including continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing.
       ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program under this 
     section are to--
       ``(1) improve the competitiveness of domestic 
     pharmaceutical manufacturing and increase the production of 
     pharmaceutical goods manufactured predominantly within the 
     United States;
       ``(2) stimulate United States leadership in advanced 
     pharmaceutical manufacturing research, innovation, and 
     technology;
       ``(3) facilitate the transition of innovative technologies 
     into scalable, cost-effective, and high-performing 
     manufacturing capabilities;
       ``(4) accelerate the development of an advanced 
     pharmaceutical manufacturing workforce;
       ``(5) facilitate peer exchange of, and the documentation 
     of, best practices in addressing advanced manufacturing 
     challenges;
       ``(6) leverage non-Federal sources of support to promote a 
     stable and sustainable business model without the need for 
     long-term Federal funding; and
       ``(7) create and preserve jobs in the United States.
       ``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible for designation under 
     subsection (a) an entity shall--
       ``(1) be an institution of higher education;
       ``(2) demonstrate--
       ``(A) the physical and technical capacity for research and 
     development of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing;
       ``(B) a record of transferring scientific knowledge to the 
     marketplace;
       ``(C) scalable manufacturing knowledge, which may be 
     through collaborations of other institutions of higher 
     education, biopharmaceutical manufacturers, or other 
     entities;
       ``(D) the ability to train a future workforce for research 
     on and implementation of advanced pharmaceutical 
     manufacturing;
       ``(E) the ability to support Federal agencies with 
     technical assistance for advanced pharmaceutical 
     technologies, with an emphasis on creating a secure national 
     pharmaceutical stockpile and the ability to rapidly address 
     drug shortages; and
       ``(F) the potential to--
       ``(i) improve the competitiveness of domestic 
     manufacturing;
       ``(ii) accelerate non-Federal investment in advanced 
     manufacturing production capacity in the United States; and
       ``(iii) enable the commercial application of new 
     technologies or industry-wide manufacturing processes;
       ``(3) agree to carry out the activities described in 
     subsection (d) with the active participation of 
     representatives from multiple industrial entities, research 
     universities, community colleges, and such other entities as 
     the Secretary determines appropriate; and
       ``(4) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, 
     in such form, and in such manner as the Secretary may 
     require.
       ``(d) Activities.--An entity designated under subsection 
     (a) shall--
       ``(1) assist pharmaceutical manufacturers in retaining or 
     expanding industrial production and jobs in the United 
     States;
       ``(2) conduct research, development, and demonstration 
     projects, including proof-of-concept development and 
     prototyping, to reduce the cost, time, and risk of 
     commercializing new technologies and improvements in existing 
     technologies, processes, products, and research and 
     development of materials to solve precompetitive industrial 
     problems with economic or national security implications; and
       ``(3) develop and implement education, training, and 
     workforce recruitment courses, materials, and programs with 
     respect to pharmaceutical manufacturing.
       ``(e) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the 
     designation of an entity designated under subsection (a) upon 
     a determination that the entity no longer meets the 
     requirements of subsection (c).
       ``(f) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     on which the first designation is made under subsection (a), 
     and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
     to Congress on the activities of the entities designated 
     under such subsection.
       ``(g) Advanced Manufacturing.--In this section, the term 
     `advanced manufacturing' means pharmaceutical product 
     development and manufacturing that incorporates novel 
     technology or uses an established technique or technology in 
     a new or innovative way that can improve pharmaceutical 
     product quality, address shortages of medicines, and speed 
     time-to-market.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this 
     section, there are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 
     for the period of fiscal year 2021 through 2025.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2646. Mr. CORNYN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 2499 proposed by Mr. McConnell to the bill S. 178, to 
condemn gross human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims in 
Xinjiang, and calling for an end to arbitrary detention, torture, and 
harassment of these communities inside and outside China; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

        At the appropriate place, insert the following:

     SEC. ___. CLARIFICATION OF TREATMENT OF BUSINESS EXPENSES.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (i) of section 1106 of the 
     CARES Act (Public Law 116-136) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1986, any amount'' and inserting ``1986--
       ``(1) any amount'',
       (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, 
     and'', and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) no deduction shall be denied or reduced, no tax 
     attribute shall be reduced, and no basis increase shall be 
     denied, by reason of the exclusion from gross income provided 
     by paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply as if included in the enactment of section 1106 
     of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 2647. Mr. McCONNELL (for Ms. Duckworth) proposed an amendment to 
the bill S. 1014, to establish the Route 66 Centennial Commission, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

        Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Route 66 Centennial 
     Commission Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) Route 66 was the first all-weather highway in the 
     United States connecting the Midwest to California, and has 
     played a major role in the history of the United States;
       (2) Route 66 has become a symbol of the heritage of travel 
     and the legacy of seeking a better life shared by the people 
     of the United States, and has been enshrined in the popular 
     culture of the United States; and
       (3) the year 2026 will be the centennial anniversary of 
     Route 66, and a commission should be established to study and 
     recommend in a report to Congress activities that are fitting 
     and proper to celebrate that anniversary in a manner that 
     appropriately honors the Mother Road of the United States.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

       There is established a commission to be known as the 
     ``Route 66 Centennial Commission'' (referred to in this Act 
     as the ``Commission'').

     SEC. 4. DUTIES.

       The Commission shall--
       (1) study activities that may be carried out by the Federal 
     Government to determine whether the activities are fitting 
     and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of the 
     centennial anniversary of Route 66, including activities such 
     as--
       (A) the issuance of commemorative coins, medals, 
     certificates of recognition, and postage stamps;
       (B) ceremonies and celebrations commemorating specific 
     events; and
       (C) the production, publication, and distribution of books, 
     pamphlets, films, electronic publications, and other 
     educational materials; and
       (2) recommend to Congress--
       (A) the activities that the Commission considers most 
     fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (B) 1 or more entities in the Federal Government that the 
     Commission considers most appropriate to carry out those 
     activities.

     SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP.

       (a) Number and Appointment.--The Commission shall be 
     composed of 15 members appointed as follows:
       (1) 3 members, each of whom shall be an eligible individual 
     described in subsection (b), appointed by the President based 
     on the recommendation of the Secretary of Transportation.
       (2) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Illinois.
       (3) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Missouri.
       (4) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Kansas.
       (5) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Oklahoma.
       (6) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Texas.
       (7) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of New Mexico.

[[Page S5382]]

       (8) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of Arizona.
       (9) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual described 
     in subsection (b), appointed by the President based on the 
     recommendation of the Governor of California.
       (10) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual 
     described in subsection (b), appointed by the President based 
     on the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (11) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual 
     described in subsection (b), appointed by the President based 
     on the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (12) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual 
     described in subsection (b), appointed by the President based 
     on the recommendation of the Majority Leader of the Senate.
       (13) 1 member, who shall be an eligible individual 
     described in subsection (b), appointed by the President based 
     on the recommendation of the Minority Leader of the Senate.
       (b) Eligible Individual.--An eligible individual referred 
     to in subsection (a) is an individual with--
       (1) a demonstrated dedication to educating others about the 
     importance of historical figures and events; and
       (2) substantial knowledge and appreciation of Route 66.
       (c) Time of Appointment.--Each initial appointment of a 
     member of the Commission shall be made before the expiration 
     of the 120-day period beginning on the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (d) Terms.--Each member shall be appointed for the life of 
     the Commission.
       (e) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall not 
     affect the powers of the Commission but shall be filled in 
     the manner in which the original appointment was made.
       (f) Basic Pay.--Members shall serve on the Commission 
     without pay.
       (g) Travel Expenses.--Each member shall receive travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
     accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United 
     States Code.
       (h) Quorum.--7 members of the Commission shall constitute a 
     quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
       (i) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Commission shall select a 
     Chair and Vice Chair from among the members of the 
     Commission.
       (j) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chair.

     SEC. 6. DIRECTOR AND STAFF.

       (a) Director.--The Commission may appoint and fix the pay 
     of a Director and such additional personnel as the Commission 
     considers to be appropriate.
       (b) Applicability of Certain Civil Service Laws.--
       (1) Director.--The Director of the Commission shall--
       (A) be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 
     5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
     competitive service; and
       (B) be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
     and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
     Code, relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
     rates, except that the rate of pay for the Director may not 
     exceed the rate payable for level IV of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5315 of that title.
       (2) Staff.--The staff of the Commission shall--
       (A) be appointed without regard to the provisions of title 
     5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
     competitive service; and
       (B) be paid without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 
     and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
     Code, relating to classification and General Schedule pay 
     rates.
       (c) Source of Compensation.--In accordance with section 
     10--
       (1) no Federal funds may be expended to compensate a 
     Director or staff member of the Commission under this 
     section; and
       (2) any compensation paid to a Director or any staff of the 
     Commission appointed under this section shall be derived 
     solely from donated funds.

     SEC. 7. POWERS.

       (a) Hearings and Sessions.--The Commission may hold such 
     hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such 
     testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission 
     considers to be appropriate to carry out this Act.
       (b) Powers of Members and Agents.--Any member or agent of 
     the Commission may, if authorized by the Commission, take any 
     action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 
     Act.
       (c) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
     in the same manner and under the same conditions as other 
     Federal departments and agencies.
       (d) Administrative Support Services.--
       (1) In general.--On the request of the Commission, the 
     Administrator of General Services shall provide to the 
     Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
     support services necessary for the Commission to carry out 
     this Act.
       (2) Detailees.--
       (A) Federal employees.--
       (i) In general.--At the request of the Commission, the head 
     of any Federal agency or department may detail to the 
     Commission, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, any 
     employee of the agency or department.
       (ii) Civil service status.--The detail of an employee under 
     clause (i) shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
     service status or privilege.
       (iii) No additional compensation.--A Federal employee who 
     is detailed to the Commission under this subparagraph may not 
     receive any additional pay, allowances, benefits, or other 
     compensation by reason of the detail of the employee to the 
     Commission or any services performed by the employee for the 
     Commission.
       (B) State employees.--The Commission may--
       (i) accept the services of personnel detailed from a State; 
     and
       (ii) reimburse the State for the services of the detailed 
     personnel.
       (e) Volunteer and Uncompensated Services.--Notwithstanding 
     section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission 
     may accept and use such voluntary and uncompensated services 
     as the Commission determines to be necessary.
       (f) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of 
     gifts, grants, bequests, or devises of money, services, or 
     property from any public or private source for the purpose of 
     covering the costs incurred by the Commission in carrying out 
     this Act.

     SEC. 8. REPORTS.

       (a) Interim Reports.--The Commission may submit to Congress 
     such interim reports as the Commission considers to be 
     appropriate.
       (b) Final Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
     which all members of the Commission are appointed, the 
     Commission shall submit to Congress a final report 
     containing--
       (1) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of 
     the Commission;
       (2) the recommendations of the Commission; and
       (3) any other information that the Commission considers to 
     be appropriate.

     SEC. 9. TERMINATION.

       The Commission shall terminate on December 31, 2026.

     SEC. 10. EXPENDITURES OF COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--All expenditures of the Commission, 
     including any reimbursement required under this Act, shall be 
     made solely from donated funds.
       (b) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds 
     are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

                          ____________________