[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4023-H4033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3617, MARIJUANA OPPORTUNITY
REINVESTMENT AND EXPUNGEMENT ACT; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R.
6833, AFFORDABLE INSULIN NOW ACT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules,
I call up House Resolution 1017 and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 1017
Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 3617) to
decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for
reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War
on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis
offenses, and for other purposes. All points of order against
consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the
amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the
Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, an
amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the
text of Rules Committee Print 117-37, modified by the
amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on
Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as
adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read.
All points of order against provisions in the bill, as
amended, are waived. The previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any
further amendment thereto, to final passage without
intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally
divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority
member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their respective
designees; (2) the further amendments described in section 2
of this resolution; and (3) one motion to recommit.
Sec. 2. After debate pursuant to the first section of this
resolution, each further amendment printed in part B of the
report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered only in
the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a
Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read,
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report
equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an
opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time
before the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to
amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division
of the question. All points of order against the further
amendments printed in part B of the report of the Committee
on Rules are waived.
Sec. 3. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in
order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 6833) to amend
title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, and the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 to establish requirements with respect
to cost-sharing for certain insulin products, and for other
purposes. All points of order against consideration of the
bill are waived. An amendment in the nature of a substitute
consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-38,
modified by the amendment printed in part C of the report of
the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be
considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be
considered as read. All points of order against provisions in
the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall
be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any
further amendment thereto, to final passage without
intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally
divided among and controlled by the respective chairs and
ranking minority members of the Committees on Education and
Labor, Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, or their
respective designees; and (2) one motion to recommit.
Sec. 4. House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021 (as
most recently amended by House Resolution 900, agreed to
February 2, 2022), is amended by striking ``April 1, 2022''
each place it appears and inserting (in each instance)
``April 29, 2022''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado is recognized
for 1 hour.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs.
Fischbach), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume.
During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the
purpose of debate only.
General Leave
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House
Resolution 1017, providing for consideration of two bills. The rule
provides for consideration of H.R. 3617, the MORE Act, under a
structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment from
Chairman Nadler, provides 1 hour of debate equally divided and
controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
the Judiciary, makes three amendments in order, and provides one motion
to recommit.
The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 6833, the Affordable
Insulin Now Act, under a closed rule. The rule self-executes a
manager's amendment from Chairwoman DeLauro, provides 1 hour of debate
equally divided among and controlled by the chairs and ranking minority
members of the Committees on Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce,
and Ways and Means, and provides one motion to recommit.
Finally, the rule extends recess instructions, suspension authority,
and same-day authority through April 29, 2022.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are here today to provide for
consideration of Chairman Nadler's MORE Act, which would end decades of
failed and unjust marijuana policy.
Today, 18 States, two territories, and the District of Columbia have
laws legalizing and regulating commercial cannabis, and a total of 37
States, three territories, and the District of Columbia have laws
allowing cannabis for medical purposes. An additional 11 States have
low-THC medical cannabis laws.
This means a total of 47 States, four territories, and the District
of Columbia have laws allowing some use of cannabis; 97.7 percent of
the U.S. population live in these States and territories. It is clear
Prohibition is over.
Today we have an opportunity to chart a new path forward on Federal
cannabis policy that actually makes sense. The MORE Act is about
justice, safety, equity, and States' rights. The bill would
decriminalize cannabis at the Federal level by removing the substance
from the Controlled Substances Act, but the bill does not force a State
to legalize any form of cannabis. It is still up to the States to set
their own policy.
The bill also contains provisions on resentencing and the expungement
of criminal records. There is no reason why people should still be in
prison for low-level, nonviolent cannabis convictions, or have their
future predetermined by a cannabis conviction. The war on drugs has
torn many families and communities apart and has had a disproportionate
impact on people of color. The MORE Act would allow communities to
start the healing process.
By removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, the bill
also addresses the cannabis banking problem that I have been working on
for nearly
[[Page H4024]]
10 years in the form of the SAFE Banking Act. Under current law, banks
and credit unions providing services to State-licensed cannabis
businesses are subject to criminal prosecution and regulatory penalties
under Federal law. Therefore, businesses which legally grow, market, or
sell cannabis in States where it is legal are generally locked out of
the banking system, making it difficult for them to maintain a checking
account, access credit, accept credit and debit cards, meet payroll, or
pay tax revenue.
This has created a significant public safety risk, as these
businesses are forced to operate as cash-only businesses in an industry
with billions and billions of dollars in transactions. These high-
volume cash businesses are being targeted by violent criminals and
putting our communities at risk.
I want to share a few examples of how bad the public safety issue has
become.
In November 2021, over the course of one week in Oakland, California,
more than 25 cannabis businesses had their stores vandalized and robbed
and lost upwards of $5 million.
A Colorado dispensary chain saw 15 burglaries during a 90-day period
in mid-2021, with criminals driving vehicles into their buildings,
cutting holes through rooftops and walls, and attacking the stores with
pry bars and sledgehammers.
Washington State is averaging more than a robbery per day at
dispensaries. In fact, recently in The Seattle Times, it was reported
that there were three deaths related to robberies of dispensaries--the
robber, a policeman, and owner of a store. This is just last week.
This is an untenable situation for these businesses, their employees,
and their customers. If Congress fails to align Federal and State law,
crimes targeting dispensaries will only get worse. The cannabis
industry remains one of the fastest-growing industries and now supports
more than 428,000 jobs, with nearly $25 billion in State-legal cannabis
sales per year. The time to pass the MORE Act and right the injustices
in our community is now.
This rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 6833, the
Affordable Insulin Now Act, to address skyrocketing insulin costs. Over
37 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and in Colorado
there are over 300,000. The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require
Medicare Part D and health insurance plans to cover insulin and cap
out-of-pocket cost-sharing at $35 per month.
Prescription drugs like insulin force Coloradans to make difficult
financial decisions. In a 2020 report from the Colorado Attorney
General, approximately 40 percent of all survey respondents reportedly
using insulin are forced to ration their use of this lifesaving product
at least once a year.
{time} 1230
I am proud of the steps Colorado has taken to ensure individuals have
greater access to insulin. In 2021, Colorado became the second State in
the country to limit insulin prices by enacting an insulin
affordability program.
No one should have to pay more than $35 a month for insulin. The
passage of this legislation will lower costs for insulin users and save
money for hardworking Americans. I commend Representative Angie Craig
and all of my colleagues for their work on this bill.
I urge all of my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying
bills, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Representative from Colorado
for yielding me the customary 30 minutes, and I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
Today, we are here to consider House Resolution 1017, a rule
providing for consideration of H.R. 6833 and H.R. 3617. This rule makes
in order no Republican amendments, completely ignoring the flaws of
each underlying bill and the thoughtful concerns raised by my
colleagues. Not only do my colleagues not want to debate these issues,
but they also don't appear to even want to acknowledge them.
First, I want to address H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now Act,
which would require health insurers to cover selected insulin products
without applying any deductible or imposing any cost-sharing in excess
of $35.
This bill is just a partisan exercise that will only reshuffle the
decks for how patients pay for insulin. It is not a serious attempt to
address rising prices. The price controls in this legislation would be
an expansive intervention into the free market and will most likely
lead to an increase in premiums for everyone.
Let's not forget, one of the reasons drug prices are rising is
because of Washington and the majority's runaway spending leading to
the greatest deficits in American history. Instead of admitting that
their wildly expensive spending bills have caused inflation, my
colleagues claim that companies have suddenly decided now is the time
to raise prices arbitrarily.
Congress cannot keep dumping money into the economy and then blaming
American companies for the problems it creates. We need to be focusing
on getting our debt under control and stop the war on American industry
so that we can reduce prices not just on drugs but on everything.
Furthermore, addressing only insulin establishes a problematic
precedent and fails to take into account the high prices associated
with countless other necessary drugs, like those for cancer, heart
disease, and a slew of other conditions.
A sincere attempt by Congress to solve this problem would be to focus
on ways to reduce pricing through market-based forces. For example,
Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee have offered several
proposals which would improve price transparency so that Americans
could see the real cost of their drugs and make choices accordingly.
Instead of working with Republicans to advance these solutions, the
majority has yet again elected a go-it-alone approach that has yet to
achieve any results for the American people.
Next is H.R. 3617, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and
Expungement Act, a broad bill that would remove pot from the list of
scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminate
criminal penalties for individuals who manufacture, distribute, or
possess marijuana. This rule makes no Republican amendments in order,
which is proof that the Democrats just want to push this bill as a
messaging bill.
That said, there are several concerns with this bill. First, it fails
to set any standards to prevent marijuana use by those most vulnerable
to abuse: minors. In fact, back in September, when Mr. Fitzgerald
offered an amendment to alter the definition of the term ``minor'' to
align with other provisions of U.S. Code, the majority voted against
it.
Without this amendment, crucial protections for our youth are left
out of this bill. In committee, I even offered a motion to consider an
amendment that would maintain existing penalties for selling pot to
minors. It was defeated along party lines, a stunning position for
Democrats to take.
But not only does this bill legalize pot; it creates a new government
program to assist people in opening pot stores. Let me repeat that:
This bill creates a government program to help people open pot stores.
This bill also ignores the issue of driving under the influence, even
though driving under the influence of marijuana can have deadly
consequences, something law enforcement officers across America have
warned about.
Additionally, what happens if an illegal immigrant is arrested for
driving under the influence of marijuana? This is not addressed.
Republicans on the committee sought to ensure that this bill would
not impede the deportation of illegal immigrants who have been arrested
for driving under the influence. That was also rejected along party
lines.
There are so many issues our constituents are facing today. Yet, we
are here, spending time considering legislation to legalize pot that is
not only flawed, but it is also dangerous.
We could be working on lowering gas prices, tackling the snowballing
Federal debt, or addressing the inflation affecting every American
today. But instead, I guess the majority wants us to get as high as
today's gas prices and spend tax dollars on pot stores.
Mr. Speaker, I oppose the rule and the underlying bill. I ask Members
to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
[[Page H4025]]
I remind my friend from Minnesota who was talking about party-line
votes, we want to bring down the cost of prescription drugs, whether it
is insulin or across the board, which we have done in the Build Back
Better bill that is sitting in the Senate, and I can say I
think virtually every single Republican voted against negotiating
prescription drug prices.
If you want to talk about a free market, then you ought to be able to
negotiate prescription drug prices so that Americans across the board
get the best possible prices for their drugs.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Morelle), a prominent and distinguished member of the Rules Committee.
Mr. MORELLE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished and, by his own
admission, highly caffeinated gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Perlmutter),
my Rules Committee colleague and great friend, for yielding me time.
I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation.
In particular, I would like to say a few words about the Affordable
Insulin Now Act.
Over the past two decades, the costs of prescription diabetes drugs
like insulin have artificially skyrocketed by more than tenfold.
A few years ago, I was proud to commission a report by the House
Committee on Oversight and Reform to determine the extent of this price
gouging and how it is affecting communities across the country,
including my own in Rochester, New York, and the impact it is having on
patients, especially older adults, and our uninsured population. The
results of that review were staggering.
In communities across the country, out-of-pocket costs have risen by
400 percent for the Medicare program and beneficiaries over the last
decade. The average price for a standard unit of insulin in the United
States was more than 10 times the average price in a sampling of 32
other countries.
These excessively inflated prices have real consequences on how
patients manage this chronic disease. I have talked with many patients
and families in my own district that have had to ration their dose or
stop taking this lifesaving and life-sustaining medication altogether.
For the richest and most powerful nation in the world to allow this
to continue is nothing less than shameful.
In passing this bill, we are taking the first step of many to rein in
these inflated costs and protecting patients to ensure the best
possible health outcomes.
I am so proud to deliver for my constituents back home, and I look
forward to voting for this rule and getting one step closer toward
seeing the bill passed into law.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, I will offer an
amendment to the rule to provide for consideration of Congresswoman
McMorris Rodgers and Congressman Westerman's American Energy
Independence from Russia Act.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include the text of my
amendment in the Record, along with extraneous material, immediately
prior to the vote on the previous question.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Minnesota?
There was no objection.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, while the majority is continuing to
prioritize things like legalizing marijuana, constituents in my
district continue to send me photos of their energy bills and the
prices they are paying at the gas pumps.
Since President Biden took office, gasoline prices are up by more
than 50 percent, natural gas is up more than 25 percent, and diesel
fuel is up more than 47 percent. These price increases are on top of
crippling, record-high inflation that is a tax on the American people
of every stripe, class, and creed.
When adjusted for these factors, wages and salaries are below
prepandemic levels. My constituents are pleading with Congress to focus
on this issue and are being ignored by the out-of-touch majority.
Mr. Speaker, to speak further on the previous question, I yield 3
minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Hern).
Mr. HERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that
we can immediately consider H.R. 6858.
This administration has sent desperate requests for oil from
oppressive regimes like Iran and Venezuela. It is past time the Biden
administration start making those frantic calls to Oklahoma instead of
OPEC or even my friends in Texas instead of Tehran. Until that happens,
gas prices will continue to soar, and hardworking Americans will
suffer.
While Putin continues to wage war on Ukraine, exposing our dependence
on Russian energy, Biden continues to wage war on our domestic oil and
gas industry that provides sustainable, reliable energy to the American
people.
This week, Biden doubled down his attack by releasing a budget that
includes an astonishing $45 billion in tax hikes on American energy
producers.
Seventy percent of goods in America are moved by trucks. An increase
in gas prices will continue to be passed down on the food and products
that all Americans buy. Let me be clear: Biden's energy policy is
hurting all Americans and not just at the pump.
Whether you like it or not, traditional energy powers our country.
Oil and gas are essential to power our homes and, yes, provide the
energy to power electric vehicles.
Biden's war on energy poses a threat to all of us. It is imperative
that the Federal Government stop villainizing the industry that powers
our world.
Global energy markets are complicated, but one thing is certain: If
policymakers continue to impose barriers on domestic energy production,
prices will continue to rise. Therefore, we need to instill confidence
in the industry that plays such a crucial role in our economy by
restoring stability and consistency with policies that prioritize
American energy production.
Investors and business leaders make their decisions based not only on
the policies debated and voted on in D.C. but also on the rhetoric from
public officials. What happens in this Chamber impacts businesses, but
also what we go out and say on cable TV.
Trust me, I was a business leader for 35 years. Today's political
climate will directly influence future investment decisions, especially
in heavily regulated industries like energy.
The Biden administration has been sending mixed messages. My
colleagues on the other side of the aisle say they are concerned about
the high prices reflected by the weak oil and gas supply, but their
actions tell a different story. They aggressively push a plan to crush
oil and gas production entirely.
Their video simply doesn't match their audio, which is why the
American people have lost faith in Democratic leadership.
We must restore sanity and pursue energy dominance once again on the
world stage.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, just a couple points in response.
One, we are trying to bring down the price of insulin--that is one of
the bills here that we are talking about--from the outrageous amounts
that are required for this lifesaving drug down to $35. Yet, my
Republican colleagues oppose reducing that.
They worry about inflation at the pump, which we all do, but it is
Putin's price hike. We know where this came from, this increase, and
the President is working to release millions of barrels of oil from our
underground storage, and he wants to place a price on leases that
aren't being used. We have 12 million acres that are under lease and
are not being used. That will bring down the price at the pump. But we
have to defeat Putin. It is his price hike.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 5\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern), the chairman of the Rules Committee.
{time} 1245
Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize someone who has
made a truly exceptional contribution to this institution and to the
work that goes on here, the amazing Peggy Fields.
Peggy has served in the Clerk's Office since 2008, first as assistant
bill clerk and now as bill clerk, where she oversees an amazing team
that works late
[[Page H4026]]
nights and long hours to literally keep the House of Representatives
running.
I can spend hours talking about how incredible everyone in the
Clerk's Office is:
How they have an incredible eye for detail and never drop the ball;
How they seamlessly process the hundreds of daily submissions into
the hopper;
How they rose to the challenge of keeping this body running during a
pandemic--implementing proxy voting and the e-hopper so our work could
go on, even when it wasn't safe for all of us to be here;
And, of course, how much they believe in this institution and all
that it represents.
But I only have a few minutes, so let me just say to everyone in the
Clerk's Office that your work does not go unnoticed. It is recognized
by so many of us here in the congressional community and beyond.
Mr. Speaker, Peggy Fields started her journey to Capitol Hill 33
years ago when she went to work for former Congressman ``Bud'' Cramer,
who was then the district attorney of Madison County, Alabama.
Congressman Cramer told me that when he was sworn into Congress in
January 1991, the first employee in his Washington office was Peggy
Fields. Peggy helped run that office for 18 years, and unsurprisingly,
she was beloved by everyone. In the Congressman's office, Peggy proudly
represented her hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.
He told me that Peggy and her family are renowned in Huntsville, and
that she is and always has been devoted to the people of Huntsville, as
well as her friends and family back home.
In 2008, she joined the Office of the Clerk as an assistant bill
clerk. And her dedication and exceptional work ethic earned her the
promotion to bill clerk in July of 2021.
As if all this were not enough, Peggy will soon graduate from Wesley
Theological Seminary with a doctorate of ministry degree in church
leadership. And I want to congratulate her on that incredible
achievement.
Peggy and her team have the daunting task of processing every single
bill and cosponsor form for the House.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, the bill clerks work especially closely
with the Parliamentarian's office, because the Parliamentarian is
responsible for referring all bills on the day that they are
introduced. And the bill clerks process those referrals on the same day
as well.
Now, sometimes that means that the bill clerks and Parliamentarians
share late nights together and they get to know each other quite well.
I want to read a note sent over to me by the Parliamentarian's office
about Peggy.
``Peggy is always such a welcoming presence to us, both on the floor
and in our offices. However, Peggy is so welcoming and kind that there
is always a noticeable uptick in bill introduction whenever she is
stationed on the floor. That is why we came to know her by the nickname
`The Bill Magnet,' we know that our workload increases whenever she is
on the floor.
``However, always thinking of others, Peggy would make up for this
increased bill count by singing a cappella renditions of popular songs
in our office while we finished up our referrals. She is one of a kind,
the consummate public servant, and truly irreplaceable to this
institution.''
Mr. Speaker, at a time when there are a lot of challenges and
uncertainties in the world, here is someone who is doing everything she
can to make everyone's day a little bit brighter and to give back to
her community and to her country; someone who, through her dogged
willpower, incredible knowledge, and decades of experience, tackles
every challenge she faces with poise, talent, and a great sense of
humor.
Even on her team's busiest days, during their longest hours, and on
their latest nights, and during the historic and often unprecedented
times that we are living through, Peggy is a beacon of light, bringing
camaraderie and positivity to everything she does.
She has served this institution, and the people it represents, with
integrity, with honor, and with skill for the past 33 years.
Mr. Speaker, Peggy Fields is an inspiration, and her career in public
service has been nothing short of remarkable. She set out to make a
difference, and what a difference she has made.
On behalf of all of my colleagues and staff on both sides of the
aisle, past and present, and the countless people in whose lives Peggy
has made an immeasurable difference, I would like to extend this
institution's deepest and most sincere thanks to Peggy and wish her all
the best as she begins this new chapter.
Thank you, Peggy.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman from Massachusetts
and the entire body in congratulating Ms. Fields on her retirement and
thank her for her service.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Joyce).
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the
previous question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the
American Energy Independence from Russia Act.
As Congress debates legalizing marijuana, Americans in the real world
are facing an energy crisis that we in Congress cannot afford to
continue to ignore.
In my hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania, the cost of gasoline is now
$4.28 a gallon; over 50 percent higher than it was just one year ago.
In rural communities, these skyrocketing prices are forcing families
to make hard choices about what they can afford and what they cannot
afford. Instead of working to support the needs of these Pennsylvanian
families, President Biden and his administration have continued to work
against American energy producers.
On day one of his Presidency, President Biden made good on a longtime
liberal wish list item. He canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. Now, in
his budget, President Biden has chosen to put solar panels ahead of
natural gas. He has chosen to put windmills ahead of coal. He has
chosen the Green New Deal ahead of Pennsylvanians.
Now, the President has decided to recklessly release oil from our
strategic reserves without a concrete plan to refill them. This stopgap
measure does not support our national security and it will do little to
help lower the cost of fuel for American families.
It is time to invest in American energy. It is time to return to
American energy dominance.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous
question.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, we are here about reducing prices on
insulin, something that so many Americans need. Yet, my colleagues want
to talk about a bill that is not even before the House of
Representatives today. We ought to be talking about reducing the price
of prescription drugs, like insulin, for Americans who need it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania
(Ms. Scanlon), my friend, and another prominent member of the Committee
on Rules.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Perlmutter for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of today's rule. The two bills
in the rule provide for important, long overdue reforms that most
Americans are in favor of. The MORE Act will reform our Federal drug
laws to bring Federal laws in line with the majority of States which
are now legally and responsibly regulating cannabis.
Mr. Speaker, 37 States, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
have successfully legalized medicinal cannabis, creating a thriving,
safe, and legal market for cannabis, creating thousands of jobs and
billions in new tax revenue. This is a rare win-win scenario for
everyone--government, businesses, patients, and consumers.
However, the ongoing conflict between our State and Federal laws
creates daily legal issues for businesses, banks, doctors, and
consumers. The MORE Act will address these problems by removing
cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act. This will allow veterans
to use medicinal cannabis without losing their VA benefits.
It will allow legal businesses to access financial services. It will
allow scientists and government agencies to research cannabis, and it
will not prevent States from regulating or even criminalizing misuse of
cannabis.
[[Page H4027]]
More importantly, the MORE Act includes a comprehensive package of
criminal justice reforms to give a second chance to those whose lives
have been upended by the excesses of the war on drugs.
Mr. Speaker, today's rule also includes the Affordable Insulin Now
Act, which will cap insulin costs at $35. This is a much-needed reform
that will provide financial relief to the millions of Americans who
rely on insulin to manage their diabetes. While I am glad that we are
able to find compromise on capping insulin costs, Americans are
demanding that we pass comprehensive legislation to lower prescription
drug costs for all Americans. And we continue to invite our Republican
colleagues to help us to do that.
Prescription drug prices are way too high. Insulin is ten times more
expensive in the U.S. than in other countries. Across the board,
Americans pay more for their drugs than people in other countries pay
for the exact same drugs. There is no justification for this
difference.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the
gentlewoman.
Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, the prescription drug market is broken, and
insulin is just one example of how bad the problem is. We urgently need
prescription drug price reform so all Americans can afford the
medications they need to manage their health.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote for today's rule and
the underlying bills when they are considered on the floor.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Colorado (Mrs. Boebert).
Mrs. BOEBERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to defeat the
previous question so that we can immediately consider the American
Energy Independence from Russia Act.
Gas prices are at $5 and even $6 a gallon. The average household is
now spending $2,000 more a year because of increased gas costs on
Biden's watch. Biden and the Democrats think that now is the time to
add $45 billion in new taxes on the oil and gas industry. Many
Americans have been and are being regulated into poverty in an
unnecessary sacrifice at the altar of climate change.
Instead of unleashing our domestic oil and gas industry, Biden is
``simp'' to radical environmentalists and not-in-my-backyard
extremists, and literally begged OPEC to drill more oil instead of
relying on the hardworking American roughneck.
On day one, he canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, killing 11,000
good-paying American energy jobs. But that didn't stop the big guy from
approving the Nord Stream 2 pipeline and benefitting our enemies.
Because of Biden's fake ban on Russian oil and gas, that won't even
go into effect for 22 more days and is littered with waivers to keep
Russian energy flowing, the U.S. continues to import 100,000 barrels of
Russian oil and send them roughly $10 million each day. We folks are
funding the Kremlin.
Why does Biden favor foreign energy over domestic energy? We know
that American natural gas is 42 percent cleaner than Russian gas, so it
is not for environmental reasons. But maybe there is another reason we
don't know about. Perhaps there is 10 percent in this tucked away for
the big guy.
How about this: Instead of funding both sides of the war and playing
Biden and Pelosi's con games, we should restart construction of the
Keystone XL pipeline, overturn Biden's energy leasing moratorium, and
expedite permits for pipelines and natural gas exports.
We need the American Energy Independence from Russia Act and stop
playing Biden's energy-from-anywhere-but-America game.
Mr. Speaker, America should not only have affordable energy for our
own use, but we should be exporting it abroad. We can literally export
strength and freedom to our allies.
In short, the solution is very simple. Drill, baby, drill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 90 seconds to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Green).
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, and still I rise. In the richest country in the world,
we cannot allow healthcare to become wealth care; available to those
who can afford it.
Mr. Speaker, this is why I support H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin
Now Act, because diabetes can kill, and insulin can save lives, if you
can get it.
Some things bear repeating. Insulin saves lives if you can get it.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will ensure that millions who need it will be
able to get it. In the richest country in the world, Mr. Speaker, we
cannot allow healthcare to be wealth care.
{time} 1300
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Bucshon).
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous
question so that we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the American
Energy Independence from Russia Act.
Just 1 year ago, our country was comfortably meeting our energy
needs, and we were a net exporter of energy for the first time in 50
years. However, under the Biden administration, we have seen a
continued assault on American energy that has killed jobs, increased
our dependency on foreign energy sources, and most recently jeopardized
our national security.
The administration continues to block new oil and gas lease sales
from moving forward, all while placing undue regulatory burdens on
American energy development. Just this week, President Biden proposed
$45 billion worth of tax increases on fossil fuels in his budget to
further weaken America's ability to power our country.
These proposed tax increases are just another example of the
administration doubling down on the anti-American-produced energy
policies that have sent prices skyrocketing here at home. The
administration's energy agenda has not only undermined our country's
energy security, but has also forced our European allies to become even
more dependent on Russia to meet their energy needs.
Instead of turning to America's own energy sector to meet our energy
needs, this administration is asking countries like Iran and Venezuela
to compensate for the ban on Russian imports and ignoring American
energy producers. In doing so, they are prioritizing oil produced by
dictators over American energy producers who support jobs and
businesses here at home.
The administration must reverse course and stop depending on foreign
dictators to ship oil to the United States.
Mr. Speaker, now is the time to flip the switch and reduce our
dependence on foreign energy by unleashing American energy. I urge a
``no'' vote on the previous question.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, could I inquire how much time each side
has remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado has 10 minutes
remaining and the gentlewoman from Minnesota has 13\1/2\ minutes
remaining.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman
from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).
Ms. TLAIB. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Affordable Insulin
Now Act and the underlying rule.
It is unconscionable that in the richest country the planet has ever
seen, millions of Americans, our neighbors, are forced to choose
between buying medicine and paying their gas bill. Americans pay more
than 10 times the price of insulin compared to other similar countries;
10 times.
In fact, one in four of our neighbors who rely on insulin have
rationed or skipped doses due to costs. I want folks to think about
that. A quarter of the people prescribed insulin for their medical
condition have risked their life to be able to afford another month's
worth of insulin. This is shameful.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6833 caps out-of-pocket costs for insulin at no
more than $35 per month in Medicare and commercial health insurance.
This cap will be a lifesaver for millions of our neighbors who
currently pay 10 times more the price of insulin compared to similar
wealthy nations.
How can these companies sell the exact same drug here for 10 times
the
[[Page H4028]]
price of other nations? Because corporate greed and price gouging are
not just permitted in our country, but encouraged. The bill is not the
complete fix, Mr. Speaker, and we must do more to help our uninsured.
So many are hurt and getting sicker and even dying because of corporate
greed and monopolies of Big Pharma.
This bill is the beginning in reining in corporate greed and putting
people over profits. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Moore).
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous
question so we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the American Energy
Independence from Russia Act.
I am a proud cosponsor of this bill that will strengthen our energy
security, bolster our economy, and position ourselves to counter
Russian aggression in Ukraine.
This morning, gas near my district office in Ogden, Utah, is $4.30.
For the average family driving the average vehicle in Utah, this means
that each fill-up will cost over $110. For Utah's hardworking
agricultural industry, this means thousands of dollars more will be
spent on fuel so they can feed the rest of America.
These skyrocketing prices are unacceptable. I share my constituents'
outrage over how the Biden administration's policies have contributed
to this painful situation. This is a self-imposed tax on all Americans.
For those of us who come from energy producing States, we know we can
do better.
It is past time we get back to what we were doing in 2019 when the
United States was a net exporter of energy. It is better for our
economy and our environment when we produce domestically. In Utah, we
understand this because we do this.
Instead of allowing Americans to do their jobs, the Biden
administration has shut down new oil and gas leasing. Instead of
helping our communities grow, he has asked the oil cartels in the
Middle East to pump more oil. Instead of investing in America, he has
made us more dependent on energy imports from Russia and other foreign
adversaries. We can do better.
Passing the America Energy Independence from Russia Act today will
put us on a path toward energy independence. I encourage my colleagues
to join me in rejecting the previous question so we can lower prices
for all.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Doggett).
Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill's relief for Mary in
Austin whose grandson, like so many others, will be able to get some
relief. They are paying up to $300 per month for insulin, and now they
would pay $35 per month.
But 5\1/2\ million Texans and 28 million Americans are uninsured.
This bill offers them no help whatsoever. In our upside-down healthcare
system, those who have the least continually get asked to pay the most
for essential pharmaceuticals. Sixty-eight percent of those without
health insurance are forced to pay full monopoly prices for their
essential insulin. They are being denied any relief today, despite the
fact that I and 12 of my colleagues offered a simple amendment that
could have provided that assistance.
Nor does this bill represent the slightest progress toward preventing
prescription price gouging. It is so true, as many have said, that many
Americans are paying 10 times the price for insulin as do consumers in
other countries. This bill does not do anything, however, to lower it
to nine times. Indeed, this bill does not lower the price of insulin by
one penny, it just shifts the burden of paying for the insulin off the
shoulders of insured insulin users, and shifts it on to the rest of us
who are paying insurance premiums, and will pay higher premiums because
of this, and $11 billion more in costs to the taxpayers.
Mr. Speaker, I assume Big Pharma supports this bill because it is not
facing any additional duty to lower its prices for this lifesaving
product. Some day this Congress will break free of the shackles of Big
Pharma, which fills these halls with more lobbyists than there are
Members of Congress.
Some day we will provide genuine relief to all Americans burdened by
soaring drug prices, but that day, sadly, is not today.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Arrington).
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so
that we can immediately consider H.R. 6858, the America Energy
Independence from Russia Act. That would not only strengthen our
security and independence, it would lower gas prices by approving the
Keystone pipeline, removing restrictions on LNG exports, restarting
production on Federal lands and waters, and overall encouraging more
American energy development.
In the midst of skyrocketing inflation and surging prices at the
pump, along with the geopolitical context where Europe is dependent on
Russian oil and gas, you would think the Biden administration would
abandon their whole-of-government approach to targeting American energy
production. Since Biden took office, he has used every tool at his
disposal to undermine the oil and gas industry and our energy
independence along with it.
In addition to the onslaught of his unilateral attacks, his first
Presidential budget was released and called for $35 billion in punitive
tax increases on the oil and gas industry. His administration has
weaponized and abused their regulatory authority to attack the industry
at every turn; SEC reports for permitting on the directives, and EPA
radical regulations.
What is more astonishing is Biden's latest budget, which is $4
trillion in taxes, and includes $45 billion in taxes on oil and gas.
These are the same provisions that his own party rejected and had to
abandon their build back broke proposal.
Just like he has done with the regulatory regime, it appears our
President is weaponizing the tax code to cancel an entire sector of our
economy, one that is paramount to our prosperity and security. As
events around the world constrain supply, he seems hellbent to ensure
that anyone but American energy producers, the most efficient, the
cleanest producers in the world, are positioned to supply the United
States and our people and our allies around the world.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I remind my friend, Mr. Arrington, that
there are 12 million acres of nonproducing Federal land with 9,000
unused but already approved permits for production.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to wish Mr. Arrington a happy
birthday.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Jackson Lee).
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 6833, and I
acknowledge Ms. Craig and Mrs. McBath. I tell my friends on the other
side of the aisle that we can walk and chew gum at the same time, but
right now people are dying because they are apportioning or putting in
proportion their insulin that they need--not taking the full amount,
but doing it proportionately. That is a death sentence.
Let me indicate: Native Americans, 14.7 percent diabetic; Hispanic,
12.5 percent; Black Americans, 11.7 percent. Many of them are on
Medicare and many of them are on Medicaid. We can do both. I do rise to
support this legislation--$35 in 2023, regardless of whether a
beneficiary has reached the annual out-of-pocket spending; $35
beginning in 2024.
It is well-known that those who had diabetes suffered more with
COVID-19. This is an important step. In the 18th Congressional District
uninsured residents paid 23 times more for the brand of insulin, and we
must begin to work on that. I join with my colleagues in making that
the next step. I rise for this.
Mr. Speaker, I also rise to support the new response to marijuana,
and to insist that we pass the MORE Act that came out of my
subcommittee on the Judiciary Committee.
Public support for legalization of marijuana has surged in the past
two decades. A total of 47 States have reformed their laws. We must
reform the banking aspect of it. We need to open the door to research,
therapeutic treatment for veterans, better banking and tax laws, and we
need to help fuel the economic growth within the industry.
We need to do this by sending dollars out to help our respective
communities bring down the cost of crime, be able to
[[Page H4029]]
help those who are in business. We must do this and spend Federal
resources to end criminalization, build the economic engine, and to
ensure that we are in step with 47 of our States.
Thousands of men and women have suffered needlessly from the Federal
criminalization of marijuana with mandatory minimums, particularly
Black and Brown. All these persons incarcerated need to be able to be
constructive, but they are in there on the false war on drugs.
Mr. Speaker, I support both the insulin bill and the MORE Act, and I
ask my colleagues to support the underlying rule.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of the Rule governing House
consideration of H.R. 3617, the ``Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment
and Expungement Act of 2021,'' or the ``MORE Act of 2021.''
The Rule that is being considered is carefully crafted and provides
Members of the House an opportunity to address the existing conflict
between federal and state laws regarding marijuana, or cannabis, and to
provide reasonable solutions to resolve this conflict.
The bill is straightforward and responds to the need to leave the
question of the legality of cannabis to the individual states while
attempting to restore and reinvest in communities that have been
ravaged by the War on Drugs.
Specifically, the bill decriminalizes cannabis on the federal level,
provides a taxation structure for the sale of cannabis that will
support a community reinvestment trust fund, and provides for
expungement of convictions and arrests for federal cannabis offenses.
The Rule provides for debate and full consideration of the solutions
and opportunities for cannabis reform offered by H.R. 3617 by the
Congress.
The subject of the bill is public knowledge and well known by members
of this body.
I have worked to provide sensible reforms to our criminal justice
system.
Our outdated federal laws and policies unwisely require the
expenditure of scarce law enforcement resources on cannabis offenses
while conflicting with many states' laws regarding cannabis.
Cannabis does not fit the definition of a Schedule One drug and
federal law must be updated to reflect this reality--just as most
states have already begun to do.
Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam
have adopted laws allowing medical use of cannabis.
Eighteen states, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Mariana
Islands have adopted laws for legalizing cannabis for adult
recreational use.
As public support for the legalization of marijuana has surged in the
past two decades, a total of 47 States have reformed their laws in one
form or another pertaining to cannabis, despite its federal
criminalization.
We need to open the door to research, therapeutic treatment for
veterans, better banking and tax laws, and we need to help fuel
economic growth within the industry.
We need to do this without continuing to spend federal resources on
criminalization and unjust incarceration for marijuana offenses.
Thousands of men and women have suffered needlessly from the federal
criminalization of marijuana, particularly in black and brown
communities.
These individuals have borne the burden of collateral consequences
that have damaged our society across generations--such as the denial of
affordable housing, educational opportunities, employment, and the
right to vote.
Meanwhile, the laws enacted for the purpose of perpetuating the ``War
on Drugs'' have led America to imprison more people than any other
country.
The Rule allows the House to address these historical wrongs by
voting on H.R. 3617.
I thank the Committee on the Judiciary, on which I serve, for the
work it has done to bring H.R. 3617 to the floor for a vote.
I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in
support of the Rule and the underlying bill H.R. 3617.
Mr. Speaker, I rise also to speak in strong support of the Rule
governing House consideration of H.R. 6833, the Affordable Insulin Now
Act.
The Rule that is being considered is well crafted and provides
Members of the House an opportunity to address an urgent need of
constituents who require life saving insulin.
The bill is simple and gets to the urgent need to limit cost-sharing
for insulin under private health insurance and the Medicare
prescription drug benefit.
Specifically, the bill caps cost-sharing under private health
insurance for a month's supply of selected insulin products at $35 or
25 percent of a plan's negotiated price (after any price concessions),
whichever is less, beginning in 2023.
The bill caps cost-sharing under the Medicare prescription drug
benefit for insulin products at: $35 in 2023 regardless of whether a
beneficiary has reached the annual out-of-pocket spending threshold,
and $35 beginning in 2024 for those who have not yet reached this
threshold.
The Rule provides for debate and full consideration of the benefits
offered by H.R. 6833 by the Congress.
The subject of the bill is public knowledge and well known by members
of this body.
I have worked closely with the healthcare community that serve
Houstonians to ensure that programs are receiving the appropriate level
of federal support.
One of the most difficult challenges are the hurdles to healthcare
created by lack of health insurance such as a lack of access to
necessary medications due to the high costs of many prescription drugs.
Diabetes is a life-threatening disease that disproportionately
affects communities of color.
Diabetes is associated with serious health problems, including heart
disease and stroke, kidney failure, and blindness.
There are 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Eighteenth
Congressional District who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
These individuals are my constituents and I know that on average,
each of them pays 4.8 times the cost of similar medication in
Australia, 3.6 times the cost in the United Kingdom, and 2.6 times the
cost in Canada.
Additionally, in the Eighteenth Congressional District, 26.7 percent
of residents are uninsured.
For example, an uninsured resident of this congressional district
pays 23 times more for this brand of insulin than their counterparts in
Australia, 15 times more than they would in the United Kingdom, and 13
times more than they would in Canada.
The consequences of these staggering costs are not benign.
Many patients often speak of having to make heart-wrenching decisions
about what to buy with the commonly fixed incomes attendant to seniors.
Many medical professionals indicate that the high prices for
prescription drugs are a function of a lack of competition, and
authorizing Medicare to create a program to negotiate drug prices may
be an estimable way to lower the cost of prescription drugs.
All told this reflects a disturbing trend: in our country, the cost
of branded drugs tends to go up, whereas in other countries, the costs
tend to go down.
Before insulin the prognosis for diabetics was bleak.
Over the past two decades, manufacturers have systematically and
dramatically raised the prices of their insulin products by more than
tenfold--often in lockstep.
In 2017, diabetes contributed to the death of 277,000 Americans--and
was the primary death for 85,000 of those individuals.
That same year diagnosed diabetes cost the United States an estimated
$327 billion--including $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90
billion in productivity losses.
Diabetes drugs, including insulin and oral medications that regulate
blood sugar levels, play a critical role in helping people with
diabetes manage their condition and reduce the risk of diabetes-related
health complications.
Although insulin is the most well-known diabetes medication, diabetes
patients are often prescribed other oral drugs to use in place of or
alongside insulin.
Many of these non-insulin products used to regulate blood sugar
levels are brand drugs that lack generic alternatives.
In recent years, the high prices of diabetes drugs have placed a
tremendous strain on diabetes patients as well as the federal
government, which provides diabetes medications to more than 43 million
Medicare beneficiaries.
Because Medicare lacks the authority to negotiate directly with drug
manufacturers, Medicare beneficiaries pay significantly more for their
drugs than patients abroad.
Patients who are uninsured or underinsured and must pay for their
drugs out of pocket bear an even greater cost burden.
The Rule allows the House to address this urgent need by voting on
H.R. 6833.
I thank the committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and
Education and Labor for the work they have done to bring H.R. 6833, the
Affordable Insulin Now Act to the floor for a vote.
I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in
support of the Rule and the underlying bill H.R. 6833.
Thank you.
{time} 1315
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, the American people should be asking--
no, they should be demanding--that this body address energy
independence. But the majority refuses to hear or even discuss the
Republican solution that we have been talking about. Instead, we do
have before us today a bill to legalize pot.
[[Page H4030]]
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Tiffany).
Mr. TIFFANY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the MORE
legislation both for what it does and what it does not do.
For starters, the bill authorizes the collection of detailed
demographic information on marijuana-sector employees, including their
race and ethnicity, for a massive, publicly accessible government
database. This is another attempt by Democrats to promote their
destructive identity politics agenda and lay the groundwork for a rigid
quota system that picks winners and losers based on skin color.
The database will also put more sensitive personal data at risk and
open the door to mischief by Federal bureaucrats who have repeatedly
weaponized access to Americans' private information to promote a
partisan political agenda. Hello IRS.
I am also disappointed that the majority refused to allow votes on
two commonsense amendments I proposed. The first would have required
child-resistant packaging and a Surgeon General's warning label
detailing the dangers these products pose to pregnant women and their
unborn babies. Investigative reports have revealed multiple instances
of pot shop clerks recommending marijuana to expectant mothers as safe,
despite well-documented risks. Few, if any, of these retail clerks have
any medical training and should stick to dispensing pot, not prenatal
advice.
The second would have banned the use of ingredients or flavor
additives in marijuana-infused products such as fruit, chocolate,
vanilla, or candy. For years, we have been told by many on the other
side that such flavors appeal to children and should be banned from
tobacco products. If this standard is good enough for JUUL and Puff
Bar, shouldn't it also apply to Cheech and Chong?
Mr. Speaker, this legislation will make an already complicated
situation worse. I ask for a ``no'' vote on the rule and a ``no'' vote
on the bill.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I just remind my friend from Wisconsin
that 47 States, every territory, and the District of Columbia now allow
for some level of marijuana use, and this Congress is going to have to
catch up to what the States are doing.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I
thank him for his leadership in bringing this important legislation to
the floor.
Mr. Speaker, in his outstanding State of the Union Address earlier
this month, President Joe Biden presented Democrats' visionary agenda
to build a better America with lower healthcare costs for American
families, and with justice in all that we do.
House Democrats have long led the charge to lower the costs of
prescription drugs. So it is with great pride that the Democratic House
today will advance one of the pillars of this vision: capping the cost
of insulin at $35 a month. In doing so, we take another important step
in the fight to bring down drug prices across the board for every
American family.
I thank the lead sponsors of this legislation who have been
relentless, dissatisfied, and persistent in this fight: Congresswoman
Angie Craig, Congressman Dan Kildee, and Congresswoman Lucy McBath of
Georgia.
I salute the chairs of the committees of jurisdiction for helping
steer this vital legislation to the floor: Chairman Frank Pallone of
the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Chairman Richie Neal of the
Committee on Ways and Means, and Chairman Bobby Scott of the Committee
on Education and Labor.
Everyone knows that the cost of insulin--a lifesaving drug that has
been around for a century--is outrageous and out of control. That cost
is outrageous and out of control. On average, Americans pay more than
10 times for insulin compared to what consumers around the world pay.
Here in the United States the price of insulin skyrocketed by 54
percent from 2014 to 2019. Meanwhile, Big Pharma is reaping record-
breaking profits; producing insulin at about $10 a vial, while charging
families up to 30 times that amount.
This affordability crisis is taking a severe human toll. One in four
Americans who rely on insulin have been forced to ration or skip their
dose--a practice that can be dangerous and even deadly. And working
parents with a family member on insulin are reporting higher levels of
stress and anxiety and are often forced to choose between paying their
bills and protecting the health of a loved one.
Indeed, across the country, as I have said on this floor before, I
have seen grown men cry about how they cannot meet their family's needs
when it comes to prescription drugs. This crisis is a kitchen-table
issue for millions of families, and it is a medical, economic, and
moral imperative that Congress take action.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act not only requires Medicare and
commercial users to cover lifesaving insulin on their plans, but also
caps the out-of-pocket costs for families at $35 per month. In doing
so, we put more money back in the pockets of hardworking families and
vulnerable seniors. This is crucial right now, as so many Americans
struggle to keep up with the burdensome, everyday costs. Of course,
this has even been exacerbated with COVID which has, in many instances,
spread diabetes more.
House Democrats proudly passed a cap on insulin's cost in the Build
Back Better legislation last year. We already did this last year.
Today, we, again, take this strong step toward lower health costs for
the people. To be clear, comprehensive reform is urgently needed to
lift the crushing burden of prescription drug prices weighing on our
families.
Democrats will never ever relent, Mr. Speaker, until we realize our
longstanding goal of lowering drug prices across the board. And we are
continuing our fight to empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug
prices--we have been working on that for decades--and make these lower
prices available to Americans with private insurance, too.
We do so in honor of the late Chairman Elijah Cummings, the North
Star in Congress and a relentless warrior for lower drug prices, with
the Lower Drug Costs Now Act.
Mr. Speaker, as you know, this rule applies not just to lowering the
cost of insulin but also to the very important MORE Act.
I also rise today in support of this urgent legislation that will
help pave the path toward racial and economic justice.
I thank Chairman Jerry Nadler for his steadfast voice for equity and
opportunity for all at the helm of the Judiciary Committee.
I salute Congressman Ed Perlmutter for his tireless and longstanding
leadership on this issue, a relentless persistence to satisfy, as the
gentleman says. Thank heaven, we are passing it today.
I also want to commend Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Earl
Blumenauer for their persistence as well.
For far too long, Mr. Speaker, failed Federal drug policies have torn
apart families and devastated communities of color. People of color are
four times more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges and are often
targeted for longer prison terms than others. Tragically, the
communities most harmed by criminalization are benefiting the least
from the legal cannabis marketplace as prior cannabis convictions are
barring too many of them from entering the industry. As a result, only
one-fifth of cannabis businesses are minority owned, and only 4 percent
of owners are Black. Meanwhile, more than 600,000 Americans are still
arrested each year on cannabis charges, threatening to perpetuate this
vicious cycle.
With the MORE Act, which the Democratic House proudly passed last
Congress, we take strong actions to correct these injustices.
This landmark legislation is one of the most important criminal
justice reform bills in recent history: delivering justice for those
harmed by the brutal and unfair consequences of criminalization;
opening the doors of opportunity for all to participate in this rapidly
growing industry; and decriminalizing cannabis at the Federal level so
we do not repeat the grave mistakes of our past.
Those of us from California take pride in our State's long leadership
in this justice effort, and in recent years,
[[Page H4031]]
46 more States have reformed cannabis laws. As the distinguished
gentleman from Colorado mentioned in his remarks, 47 States have taken
this act. Now it is time for the Federal Government to follow suit.
Both of the bills that the House will pass today that are covered by
this rule, the insulin bill and the MORE Act, are overwhelmingly
popular with the American people, and they represent strong steps
toward building a brighter and fairer future for our children.
Mr. Speaker, I urge strong, bipartisan ``yes'' votes on both bills
and on the rule.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber).
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, as a law enforcement officer for over 23
years, I have had to make the devastating visit to unsuspecting family
members to tell them that their loved one has died because a driver was
driving under the influence. We can all sit here and pretend that
marijuana is a harmless drug, but it is not. It clouds your judgment
and inhibits your reaction time.
The unfortunate reality is if we take steps to legalize marijuana, we
will, without question, increase the number of people who will drive
under the influence of marijuana on our roads. As we know all too well,
there are many angel families in this country who have lost their sons
and daughters to people who are unlawfully in this country and drove
under the influence.
My amendment would have ensured the MORE Act does not prohibit the
deportation of illegal immigrants who are convicted of driving under
the influence of marijuana. Unfortunately, Democrats blocked my
commonsense and potentially lifesaving amendment.
Mr. Speaker, shouldn't we, at a minimum, ensure this legislation is
not weaponized and used as a tool to get criminals who are in this
country illegally out of trouble and out of deportation proceedings?
It seems to me that the safety of the American people continues to be
a low priority for this Democrat majority.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the rule.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask my friend from Minnesota if she
has any other speakers.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. No, I do not, and I am prepared to close.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I continue to be disappointed in the priorities of my
colleagues. They have chosen to spend precious time that could be spent
addressing the national debt, inflation, gas prices, or any number of
serious issues facing Americans today. Instead, they chose to talk
about legalizing marijuana and spending tax dollars on pot stores--
which does not take into consideration important elements like how to
protect minors or how to address laws surrounding driving under the
influence--and an insincere attempt to address the rising cost of
insulin.
Mr. Speaker, I oppose the rule and the underlying bills, I ask
Members to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Colorado has 3 minutes
remaining.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for joining me here today
to speak on the rule, the MORE Act, and the Affordable Insulin Now Act.
I especially want to thank Mr. Nadler, Ms. Lee, and Mr. Blumenauer with
respect to the MORE Act.
Data is clear that patients in the United States pay more than 10
times for their insulin than what patients in other countries pay for
this lifesaving drug. There are reports of people paying up to $1,000 a
month just to keep themselves alive. Nobody should face these kinds of
difficult decisions about affording their medication and keeping
themselves healthy or putting food on the table.
The Affordable Insulin Now Act puts a reasonable cap of $35 a month
on this important drug, and I hope we can advance this bipartisan idea
this week.
{time} 1330
On marijuana, we are long past due for the reforms in the MORE Act.
The MORE Act is about justice, safety, equity, and States' rights. We
must decriminalize marijuana at the Federal level and take meaningful
steps to address the effects the war on drugs has had, particularly in
minority and disadvantaged communities.
To my friends on the other side of the aisle who claim this isn't an
important issue to American families, I encourage them to talk to
individuals who can't pass a background check to get a job, visit with
people who spent time in prison for a low-level marijuana conviction
whose lives have been changed forever, talk to a State-legal business
owner or employee who faces armed robberies or threats of violence due
to all the cash they have since the business can't access the banking
system.
The House is acting again this week to urge the Senate to finally
pass meaningful cannabis reform legislation. As this body knows, my
SAFE Banking Act has passed the House six times now without any Senate
action, with big bipartisan numbers. The House will pass the MORE Act
this week. It is clear Congress needs to reform our broken cannabis
laws to better respond to the 37 States across the country that have
some level of legal marijuana use.
The material previously referred to by Mrs. Fischbach is as follows:
Amendment to House Resolution 1017
At the end of the resolution, add the following:
Sec. 5. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the
House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the
bill (H.R. 6858) to strengthen United States energy security,
encourage domestic production of crude oil, petroleum
products, and natural gas, and for other purposes. All points
of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The
bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against
provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question
shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any
amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion
except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled
by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on
Energy and Commerce; and (2) one motion to recommit.
Sec. 6. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the
consideration of H.R. 6858.
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on the rule
and the previous question.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the
previous question on the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on ordering the previous
question.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 219,
nays 202, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 98]
YEAS--219
Adams
Aguilar
Allred
Auchincloss
Axne
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bourdeaux
Bowman
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brown (MD)
Brown (OH)
Brownley
Bush
Butterfield
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson
Carter (LA)
Cartwright
Case
Casten
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Cherfilus-McCormick
Chu
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Craig
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Davids (KS)
Davis, Danny K.
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Evans
Fletcher
Foster
Frankel, Lois
Gaetz
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Golden
Gomez
Gonzalez, Vicente
Gottheimer
Green, Al (TX)
Grijalva
Harder (CA)
Hayes
Higgins (NY)
Himes
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Huffman
Jackson Lee
Jacobs (CA)
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (TX)
Jones
Kahele
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim (NJ)
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster
Lamb
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Leger Fernandez
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lieu
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
[[Page H4032]]
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Manning
Matsui
McBath
McCollum
McEachin
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Mfume
Morelle
Moulton
Mrvan
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newman
Norcross
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Omar
Pallone
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Payne
Perlmutter
Peters
Phillips
Pingree
Pocan
Porter
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Rice (NY)
Ross
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sewell
Sherman
Sherrill
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (WA)
Soto
Spanberger
Speier
Stansbury
Stanton
Stevens
Strickland
Suozzi
Swalwell
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tlaib
Torres (CA)
Torres (NY)
Trahan
Trone
Underwood
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wexton
Wild
Williams (GA)
Wilson (FL)
Yarmuth
NAYS--202
Aderholt
Allen
Amodei
Arrington
Babin
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Banks
Barr
Bentz
Bergman
Bice (OK)
Biggs
Bilirakis
Bishop (NC)
Boebert
Bost
Brooks
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Calvert
Cammack
Carey
Carl
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cawthorn
Chabot
Cline
Cloud
Clyde
Cole
Comer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Curtis
Davidson
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Donalds
Duncan
Dunn
Ellzey
Emmer
Estes
Fallon
Feenstra
Ferguson
Fischbach
Fitzgerald
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Foxx
Franklin, C. Scott
Fulcher
Gallagher
Garbarino
Garcia (CA)
Gibbs
Gimenez
Gohmert
Gonzales, Tony
Gonzalez (OH)
Good (VA)
Gooden (TX)
Gosar
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TN)
Greene (GA)
Griffith
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Harris
Harshbarger
Hern
Herrell
Herrera Beutler
Hice (GA)
Higgins (LA)
Hill
Hinson
Hollingsworth
Hudson
Huizenga
Issa
Jackson
Jacobs (NY)
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (SD)
Jordan
Joyce (OH)
Joyce (PA)
Katko
Keller
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Kim (CA)
Kustoff
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
LaTurner
Lesko
Letlow
Long
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Mace
Malliotakis
Mann
Massie
Mast
McCarthy
McCaul
McClain
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
Meijer
Meuser
Miller (IL)
Miller (WV)
Miller-Meeks
Moolenaar
Mooney
Moore (AL)
Moore (UT)
Mullin
Murphy (NC)
Nehls
Newhouse
Norman
Obernolte
Owens
Palazzo
Palmer
Pence
Perry
Pfluger
Posey
Reed
Reschenthaler
Rice (SC)
Rodgers (WA)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose
Rosendale
Rouzer
Roy
Rutherford
Salazar
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Simpson
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smucker
Spartz
Stauber
Steel
Stefanik
Steil
Steube
Stewart
Taylor
Tenney
Thompson (PA)
Tiffany
Timmons
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Drew
Van Duyne
Wagner
Walberg
Walorski
Waltz
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Williams (TX)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
Zeldin
NOT VOTING--10
Armstrong
Brady
Bustos
Cheney
Davis, Rodney
Fortenberry
Hartzler
Kinzinger
Moore (WI)
Tonko
{time} 1406
Messrs. JACOBS of New York, STEWART, COLE, NEWHOUSE, LAMBORN, WILSON
of South Carolina, and SMITH of Missouri changed their vote from
``yea'' to ``nay.''
Mr. McEACHIN changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
So the previous question was ordered.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
Stated against:
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. I was unavoidably detained. Had I been
present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 98.
Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress
Baird (Walorski)
Bilirakis (Fleischmann)
Bowman (Meng)
Cawthorn (Nehls)
Comer (Fleischmann)
Crist (Wasserman Schultz)
Cuellar (Pappas)
Curtis (Stewart)
DeGette (Blunt Rochester)
Espaillat (Correa)
Harder (CA) (Gomez)
Jayapal (Gomez)
Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)
Joyce (OH) (Garbarino)
Kahele (Mrvan)
Krishnamoorthi (Beyer)
Lawson (FL) (Wasserman Schultz)
Mace (Rice (SC))
Manning (Beyer)
McClain (Fitzgerald)
Newman (Beyer)
Owens (Stewart)
Roybal-Allard (Wasserman Schultz)
Salazar (Gimenez)
Sanchez (Gomez)
Scott, David (Jeffries)
Sessions (Babin)
Sires (Pallone)
Soto (Wasserman Schultz)
Steel (Obernolte)
Strickland (Takano)
Suozzi (Beyer)
Taylor (Carter (TX))
Thompson (MS) (Evans)
Trone (Beyer)
Waltz (Mast)
Wilson (FL) (Jeffries)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the resolution.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 219,
nays 202, not voting 10, as follows:
[Roll No. 99]
YEAS--219
Adams
Aguilar
Allred
Auchincloss
Axne
Barragan
Bass
Beatty
Bera
Beyer
Bishop (GA)
Blumenauer
Blunt Rochester
Bonamici
Bourdeaux
Bowman
Boyle, Brendan F.
Brown (MD)
Brown (OH)
Brownley
Bush
Butterfield
Carbajal
Cardenas
Carson
Carter (LA)
Cartwright
Case
Casten
Castor (FL)
Castro (TX)
Cherfilus-McCormick
Chu
Cicilline
Clark (MA)
Clarke (NY)
Cleaver
Clyburn
Cohen
Connolly
Cooper
Correa
Costa
Courtney
Craig
Crist
Crow
Cuellar
Davids (KS)
Davis, Danny K.
Dean
DeFazio
DeGette
DeLauro
DelBene
Delgado
Demings
DeSaulnier
Deutch
Dingell
Doggett
Doyle, Michael F.
Escobar
Eshoo
Espaillat
Evans
Fletcher
Foster
Frankel, Lois
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia (IL)
Garcia (TX)
Golden
Gomez
Gonzalez, Vicente
Gottheimer
Green, Al (TX)
Grijalva
Harder (CA)
Hayes
Higgins (NY)
Himes
Horsford
Houlahan
Hoyer
Huffman
Jackson Lee
Jacobs (CA)
Jayapal
Jeffries
Johnson (GA)
Johnson (TX)
Jones
Kahele
Kaptur
Keating
Kelly (IL)
Khanna
Kildee
Kilmer
Kim (NJ)
Kind
Kirkpatrick
Krishnamoorthi
Kuster
Lamb
Langevin
Larsen (WA)
Larson (CT)
Lawrence
Lawson (FL)
Lee (CA)
Lee (NV)
Leger Fernandez
Levin (CA)
Levin (MI)
Lieu
Lofgren
Lowenthal
Luria
Lynch
Malinowski
Maloney, Carolyn B.
Maloney, Sean
Manning
Matsui
McBath
McCollum
McEachin
McGovern
McNerney
Meeks
Meng
Mfume
Moore (WI)
Morelle
Moulton
Mrvan
Murphy (FL)
Nadler
Napolitano
Neal
Neguse
Newman
Norcross
O'Halleran
Ocasio-Cortez
Omar
Pallone
Panetta
Pappas
Pascrell
Payne
Perlmutter
Peters
Phillips
Pingree
Pocan
Porter
Pressley
Price (NC)
Quigley
Raskin
Rice (NY)
Ross
Roybal-Allard
Ruiz
Ruppersberger
Rush
Ryan
Sanchez
Sarbanes
Scanlon
Schakowsky
Schiff
Schneider
Schrader
Schrier
Scott (VA)
Scott, David
Sewell
Sherman
Sherrill
Sires
Slotkin
Smith (WA)
Soto
Spanberger
Speier
Stansbury
Stanton
Stevens
Strickland
Suozzi
Swalwell
Takano
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Titus
Tlaib
Torres (CA)
Torres (NY)
Trahan
Trone
Underwood
Vargas
Veasey
Vela
Velazquez
Wasserman Schultz
Waters
Watson Coleman
Welch
Wexton
Wild
Williams (GA)
Wilson (FL)
Yarmuth
NAYS--202
Aderholt
Allen
Amodei
Arrington
Babin
Bacon
Baird
Balderson
Banks
Barr
Bentz
Bergman
Bice (OK)
Biggs
Bilirakis
Bishop (NC)
Boebert
Bost
Brooks
Buchanan
Buck
Bucshon
Budd
Burchett
Burgess
Calvert
Cammack
Carey
Carl
Carter (GA)
Carter (TX)
Cawthorn
Chabot
Cline
Cloud
Clyde
Cole
Comer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Curtis
Davidson
Davis, Rodney
DesJarlais
Diaz-Balart
Donalds
Duncan
Dunn
Ellzey
Emmer
Estes
Fallon
Feenstra
Ferguson
Fischbach
Fitzgerald
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Foxx
Franklin, C. Scott
Fulcher
Gaetz
Gallagher
Garbarino
Garcia (CA)
Gibbs
Gimenez
Gohmert
Gonzales, Tony
Gonzalez (OH)
Good (VA)
Gooden (TX)
Gosar
Granger
Graves (LA)
Graves (MO)
Green (TN)
Greene (GA)
Griffith
Grothman
Guest
Guthrie
Harris
Harshbarger
Hern
Herrell
Herrera Beutler
Hice (GA)
Higgins (LA)
Hill
Hinson
Hudson
Huizenga
Issa
Jackson
Jacobs (NY)
Johnson (LA)
Johnson (OH)
Johnson (SD)
Jordan
Joyce (OH)
Joyce (PA)
Katko
Keller
Kelly (MS)
Kelly (PA)
Kim (CA)
Kustoff
LaHood
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Latta
LaTurner
Lesko
Letlow
Long
Loudermilk
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Mace
Malliotakis
Mann
Massie
Mast
McCarthy
McCaul
McClain
McClintock
McHenry
McKinley
Meijer
Meuser
Miller (IL)
Miller (WV)
Miller-Meeks
Moolenaar
Mooney
[[Page H4033]]
Moore (AL)
Moore (UT)
Mullin
Murphy (NC)
Nehls
Newhouse
Norman
Obernolte
Owens
Palazzo
Palmer
Pence
Perry
Pfluger
Posey
Reed
Reschenthaler
Rice (SC)
Rodgers (WA)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rose
Rosendale
Rouzer
Roy
Rutherford
Salazar
Scalise
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Sessions
Simpson
Smith (MO)
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smucker
Spartz
Stauber
Steel
Stefanik
Steil
Steube
Stewart
Taylor
Tenney
Thompson (PA)
Tiffany
Timmons
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Van Drew
Van Duyne
Wagner
Walberg
Walorski
Waltz
Weber (TX)
Webster (FL)
Wenstrup
Westerman
Williams (TX)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Womack
NOT VOTING--10
Armstrong
Brady
Bustos
Cheney
Fortenberry
Hartzler
Hollingsworth
Kinzinger
Tonko
Zeldin
{time} 1417
So the resolution was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I was detained by legislative business. Had
I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 98 and
``yea'' on rollcall No. 99.
Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress
Baird (Walorski)
Bilirakis (Fleischmann)
Bowman (Meng)
Cawthorn (Nehls)
Comer (Fleischmann)
Crist (Wasserman Schultz)
Cuellar (Pappas)
Curtis (Stewart)
DeGette (Blunt Rochester)
Espaillat (Correa)
Harder (CA) (Gomez)
Jayapal (Gomez)
Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)
Joyce (OH) (Garbarino)
Kahele (Mrvan)
Krishnamoorthi (Beyer)
Lawson (FL) (Wasserman Schultz)
Mace (Rice (SC))
Manning (Beyer)
McClain (Fitzgerald)
Newman (Beyer)
Owens (Stewart)
Roybal-Allard (Wasserman Schultz)
Salazar (Gimenez)
Sanchez (Gomez)
Scott, David (Jeffries)
Sessions (Babin)
Sires (Pallone)
Soto (Wasserman Schultz)
Steel (Obernolte)
Strickland (Takano)
Suozzi (Beyer)
Taylor (Carter (TX))
Thompson (MS) (Evans)
Trone (Beyer)
Waltz (Mast)
Wilson (FL) (Jeffries)
____________________