[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7101-H7103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BRYCEN GRAY AND BEN PRICE COVID-19 COGNITIVE RESEARCH ACT
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 7180) to authorize the Director of the National Science
Foundation to award grants to support research on the disruption of
regular cognitive processes associated with COVID-19 infection, and for
other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7180
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Brycen Gray and Ben Price
COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the
National Science Foundation;
(2) the term ``National Academies'' means the National
Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; and
(3) the term ``eligible entity'' means an institution of
higher education (as such term is defined in section 102 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)) or a
consortium composed of non-profit organizations and
institutions of higher education.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect
of life across the globe. Furthermore, it has produced major
disruptions of individual's physical and mental health,
including with respect of children and adolescents.
(2) Historical epidemiological perspectives suggest an
association between exposure to general respiratory viruses
and subsequent disruption of regular cognitive processes.
(3) Early research suggests that one in three individuals
diagnosed with a COVID-19 infection experiences a disruption
of regular cognitive processes within six months of such
diagnosis.
(4) Research is urgently needed to better understand why
disruption in regular cognitive processes occur in patients
as a consequence of a COVID-19 infection and how long such
disruptions can continue after recovery.
(5) The National Science Foundation has a deep history of
supporting interdisciplinary, basic research that spans the
social, behavioral, and fundamental biological sciences and
paves the way for scientific advancements.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH.
The Director shall award grants to eligible entities,
including through the RAPID funding mechanism, on a
competitive, merit-reviewed basis to support
interdisciplinary research on the disruption of regular
cognitive processes associated with both short-term and long-
term COVID-19 infections, including with respect to children
and adolescents. Such research may include the following:
(1) Foundational studies on the effects of cognition,
emotion, and neural structure and function relating to any
disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with
COVID-19 infection.
(2) Analysis of findings on the disruption of regular
cognitive processes associated with COVID-19 infection,
including the development of predictive theoretical
frameworks to guide future research.
(3) Development of physical and conceptual tools needed to
evaluate cognition, emotion, and neural structure and
function of the brain as a consequence of a COVID-19
infection, and the potential relevance of such infection to
the disruption of regular cognitive processes.
(4) Studies on the relevance of psychological and
psychosocial factors, including major disruptions of physical
health, mental health, and economic stability associated with
the COVID-19 pandemic, on the disruption of regular cognitive
processes, including an identification and evaluation of such
factors.
(5) Any other activities the Director determines will
support interdisciplinary research and collaboration on the
disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with
COVID-19 infection, including with respect to children and
adolescents.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY ON THE DISRUPTION OF
COGNITIVE PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19
INFECTION.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director shall enter into an
agreement with the National Academies to study and produce a
report on the disruption of cognitive processes associated
with COVID-19 infection. The study shall--
(A) review the research literature and identify research
gaps regarding Federal programs and activities with roles in
addressing both short-term and long-term consequences
associated with COVID-19 infection;
(B) assess the necessity of establishing causal inference
approaches into research on the impacts of COVID-19 infection
on cognitive processes to determine reverse causation;
(C) evaluate and make recommendations regarding the
coordination of research and data collection, including with
respect to children and adolescents, to identify the
disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with
COVID-19 infection, including long-term COVID-19;
(D) evaluate impacts of COVID-19 infection on populations
under-represented in cognitive literature, such as poor,
rural, and minority populations; and
(E) make recommendations regarding ways to coordinate
engagement with researchers and stakeholders from
universities, industry, public health organizations, State
and local governments, elementary and secondary educational
organizations, and non-profit organizations to ensure that
research, information, and best practices relating to the
disruption of regular cognitive processes associated with
COVID-19 infection, including long-term COVID-19, are shared
among such entities.
(2) Completion.--The study required under paragraph (1)
shall be completed by not later than the date that is 16
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Reports.--
(1) By the national academies.--Upon completion of the
study under subsection (a), the National Academies shall
transmit to the Director and Congress a report on such study.
(2) By the director.--Not later than three months after
receipt of the report under paragraph (1), the Director shall
transmit to Congress a summary of the Director's plans, if
any, to implement the recommendations of the National
Academies contained in such report.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Director to
carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2023, to
remain available through fiscal year 2025, of which
$1,000,000 is authorized to carry out the study and produce
the reports under section 5.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
General Leave
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 7180, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Virginia?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7180, the Brycen Gray and
Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act. I thank Representative
Gonzalez for introducing this important bill.
The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted our lives in countless ways over
the past 2 years. As many of us continue to pick up the pieces and
settle into a new normal, we can't lose sight of those who haven't been
as fortunate.
Early research results indicate that a COVID-19 infection may leave
individuals with an increased risk of developing mental health
conditions. Millions who have been infected with COVID-19 now find
themselves saddled with crippling anxiety, depression, and sleep
problems, and they may be at an increased risk of death by suicide and
drug overdose.
{time} 1530
While researchers are raising alarms about these risks, improved data
collection and additional research is needed to better understand the
mental health implications of a COVID-19 infection. This bill directs
the National
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Science Foundation to rally the research community to take on this
task.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 7180, and I thank my colleague, Mr.
Gonzalez, for introducing and championing this important legislation.
The Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act directs
the National Science Foundation to support research on the long-term
neurological effects of COVID, particularly in adolescents. It also
instructs NSF to commission a National Academies study on the
disruption of cognitive processes associated with COVID.
This bill is named for two men who died by suicide after suffering
neurological problems caused by COVID-19.
Tragically, there have been numerous instances of psychosis developed
after COVID illnesses. The neurological effects of this disease is not
well understood, and H.R. 7180 will help to change that.
Research on this issue has been progressing as we continue to learn
more about the long-term effects of the disease. This bill will help
accelerate these efforts to better inform the public and medical
community; and hopefully, it will prevent more tragic deaths from
occurring.
I again thank Representative Gonzalez for his hard work on behalf of
his constituents.
Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Gonzalez).
Mr. GONZALEZ of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill,
the Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act. I was
proud to introduce this legislation alongside my friends Ms. Wild, Mr.
Kinzinger, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Meijer, Mr. Peters, Mr. Joyce, and Mr.
Gibbs, and I thank each of them for their leadership on the issue. I
also thank the two wonderful leaders of our committee, Chairwoman
Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas, and their staffs for moving this
important legislation forward.
Before I get into the heart of the bill, I will take a minute to
share a little bit about who Brycen Gray and Ben Price were.
Brycen Gray was a 17-year-old young man from my district in northeast
Ohio. Adored by his parents, Shawn and Tara, as well as his brothers,
Ricky and Patrick, Brycen sadly passed a little over a year ago. Known
for his quick wit and sense of humor with just the right amount of
sarcasm, Brycen could inspire the kind of laughter that makes you cry.
Brycen was loving, charismatic, and selfless. Brycen was the kind of
kid every parent dreams of.
Ben Price was a 48-year-old loving husband to his wife Jennifer, and
a devoted father to their two amazing children Jett and Maya. Sadly, we
lost Ben at the beginning of last year. Ben was a busy small business
owner and farmer from the outskirts of Chicago, but his life revolved
around his family, friends, and community. One of his passions was to
jump-start the Special Connections of Grundy County, whose mission is
to connect people with disabilities, like his beloved son Jett, to
their community. Ben led by example and loved without reservation.
Both Brycen and Ben tragically passed after battles with cognitive
impairments caused by COVID-19. Despite having no history of mental
illness, each of them began to battle symptoms such as anxiety, panic,
and paranoia. The disease took Brycen and Ben from two of the
healthiest, most vibrant people you could find to individuals so
debilitated that they could not bear to live another day. While they
fought to the bitter end, each chose to end their pain.
There is no greater joy than being a parent. For those of us blessed
to have children, we know it is the most important job any of us will
ever have. To be sure, there are plenty of challenges attributed to the
job. There is nothing more rewarding than watching your children grow,
while at the same time there is nothing more terrifying than watching
your children experience the tragedies that befell Brycen and Ben.
That is why the health and safety of our children should always come
first. That is exactly why I started working on this bill. If we
believe in protecting our families, we need to act now and start
finding answers to why COVID-19 can have such a significant impact on
the brain.
The legislation before us today is another important step in that
effort. Thus far, we have learned that as many as one in three COVID-19
survivors experience a cognitive impairment following their acute
infection. More alarming, nearly one in eight COVID-19 survivors are
diagnosed with an illness for the first time. With nearly 80 million
documented cases of infection in the U.S., the health implications
could be massive.
While anxiety, mood, and brain fog are among the most common
symptoms, researchers have also uncovered a prevalence of serious
complications such as psychosis, dementia, paralysis, and brain
hemorrhages. Moreover, additional impairments related to cognitive
syndrome like impairments in memory, executive function, attention, and
speed of information are common among COVID-19 survivors.
Despite the significant progress made by researchers to improve our
understanding of COVID-19, it remains unclear how the virus alters
brain function, who is most at risk, and what can be done to quickly
diagnose and treat impacted patients.
The Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act aims to
close these gaps by accelerating our research efforts. Specifically, it
authorizes the NSF to award grants on a competitive basis to support
interdisciplinary research on the disruption of regular cognitive
processes associated with both short-term and long-term COVID-19
infections.
Grantees will be tasked with carrying out foundational studies on the
effects of cognition, emotion, neural structure, and function related
to COVID-19 infections, developing new tools to evaluate cognitive
disruptions from COVID-19, and examining the relevance of psychological
and psychosocial factors. In addition, the bill stands up a team at the
National Academies to study and produce a report on the issue.
We can't bring Brycen and Ben back, but we can ensure that their
memories live on. I don't want to lose any more Americans because we
weren't bold enough to take on an issue that might scare us, an issue
we don't fully understand, an issue that is far more common than many
in this body realize.
No family should have to endure the tragedy of losing a loved one
from COVID-19's cognitive impacts. The Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-
19 Cognitive Research Act ensures we will do everything in our power to
find answers and deliver solutions. We cannot afford to lose any more
time.
Again, I thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their
constant, incredible leadership on our committee. I urge my colleagues
to support the bill.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
This legislation reflects how Congress can work in a bipartisan way
to address difficult issues that our constituents are facing. The
deaths of Brycen Gray and Ben Price due to COVID psychosis were
unexpected and tragic.
While their memories will live on through their families and friends,
we can give them a further memorial through the passage of this
legislation and, hopefully, prevent more tragedies like this in the
future.
H.R. 7180 represents a grassroots effort to address the issue in a
thoughtful and meaningful way.
Again, I thank my friend Mr. Gonzalez for championing this
legislation. Many times, people who observe this body may think it is
all about political tit-for-tat or it is about making noise or
directing time and energy in a fashion that is less than productive.
What Congressman Gonzalez has demonstrated here today in the case of
both Brycen and Ben is that we are
[[Page H7103]]
people, too, as Members. This tragedy touched Mr. Gonzalez and
compelled him to respond legislatively to make sure that other families
can be spared what the Grays and Prices have gone through. It is a
testament to my colleague from Ohio (Mr. Gonzalez) and a statement that
we are basically good and decent people in this place. We just need to
focus on the priorities that are important to our fellow Americans as
Congressman Gonzalez is doing today.
Madam Speaker, I urge the passage of this legislation, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I, too, thank Congressman Gonzalez for
offering this bill. I suspect there is nary a family represented in
this body that has not been touched by a mental illness at one point or
another and the tragedy and the suffering that that involves. We have
all seen what happens with the loss of a child.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7180, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 7180.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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