[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 109 (Friday, June 28, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E684-E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2025

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2024

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of the 
inclusion of a pilot program for a national simulation-based emergency 
preparedness network in the Fiscal Year 2025 Homeland Security 
Appropriations Act. This pilot program will support the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Health Security's (OHS) mission to 
strengthen the Nation's health security through leadership and 
partnership, a safer and healthier Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS) workforce, and optimal care for patients.
  I worked on this language with my fellow co-chairs of the Modeling 
and Simulation Caucus, Reps. Bergman, Sorensen, and Rutherford and am 
pleased to see it included.
  The simulation-based emergency preparedness network will deliver 
simulation-based training that meets existing and emerging local and 
regional needs to licensed healthcare professionals, first responders, 
and volunteers. This network supports all five phases of emergency 
management by ensuring our vital healthcare workforce is prepared prior 
to an emergency, able to respond effectively, save lives, prevent 
further damage, and contribute to healing during recovery. The program 
will also serve the training needs of the greater U.S. healthcare 
system.
  Unfortunately, the underlying appropriations bill fails to invest in 
other national needs. It fails to fund effective strategies to keep our 
communities safe, much needed programs to

[[Page E685]]

assist migrants, and critical programs to combat public health threats. 
The bill also limits the ability of the department to counter 
misinformation, meet cybersecurity needs, and bans abortion services 
for individuals in U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 
custody. I urge my colleagues to maintain this program to further 
modeling and simulation-based emergency preparedness network as we work 
towards a mutually agreeable funding bill.

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