[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2390-H2392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
GERALD E. CONNOLLY ESOPHAGEAL CANCER AWARENESS ACT OF 2025
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 3490) to require the Government Accountability Office to produce
a report on esophageal cancer, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3490
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 ``Gerald E. Connolly
Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) esophageal cancer is the fastest increasing cancer
among American men;
(2) esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing cancer
diagnoses among all Americans, increasing more than 700
percent in recent decades;
(3) esophageal cancer kills 1 American every 36 minutes
every day;
(4) esophageal cancer is among the deadliest of cancers,
with only about 1 in 5 patients surviving 5 years;
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(5) esophageal cancer has tripled in incidence among
younger Americans in recent decades;
(6) esophageal cancer has low survival rates because it is
usually discovered at advanced stages when treatment outcomes
are poor;
(7) raising awareness about esophageal cancer empowers
individuals to seek preventive care, recognize symptoms, and
pursue early detection strategies;
(8) survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and
researchers have made tremendous strides in advancing
treatment options and improving the quality of life for those
affected by the disease;
(9) esophageal cancer can be prevented through early
detection of its precursor, Barrett's esophagus, which can be
eliminated with curative outpatient techniques;
(10) research indicates that patients diagnosed with early-
stage esophageal cancer have a significantly higher 5-year
survival rate (as high as 49 percent) compared to those
diagnosed at later stages, underscoring the critical need for
enhanced screening and awareness; and
(11) as of December 2022, the American Gastroenterological
Association recommends screening with a standard upper
endoscopy in individuals with 3 or more established risk
factors for Barrett's Esophagus and esophageal
adenocarcinoma, including--
(A) male sex;
(B) non-Hispanic white ethnicity;
(C) age of 50 years or older;
(D) a history of smoking, chronic gastrointestinal reflux
disease, or obesity; and
(E) a family history of Barrett's Esophagus or esophageal
adenocarcinoma.
SEC. 3. GAO REPORT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit a report to Congress that includes an evaluation of--
(1) the total impact of esophageal cancer-related health
care spending under the Federal Employee Health Benefits
Program for Federal employees and retirees diagnosed with
esophageal cancer; and
(2) how often individuals covered under the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program with medical records
indicating such individuals are high-risk for esophageal
cancer undergo screening according to the established
guidelines.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Kentucky (Mr. Comer) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Lynch)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.
General Leave
Mr. COMER. Mr. 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 this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Kentucky?
There was no objection.
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the House of Representatives has lost a true statesman.
Gerry Connolly was a father, a husband, friend, and a lifelong public
servant that dedicated his life to his constituents, his community, and
his country. I was deeply saddened to hear about his sudden passing.
From the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to 16 years in the U.S.
House of Representatives, Gerry Connolly was a devoted public servant
from Virginia's 11th Congressional District.
In Congress, Gerry Connolly was a friend to many of us. He was
steadfast in fighting for what he believed in, but he was always
committed to bipartisanship where he thought we could agree.
Over his tenure on this committee, I am proud to say we cosponsored
eight bills together, including the Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act,
the FedRAMP Authorization Act, and the Federal AI Governance and
Transparency Act.
Mr. Speaker, I know I am not alone in that.
Many of my Republican committee colleagues found Gerry Connolly to be
a partner and a friend. I extend my condolences to his family and also
to the members of his staff. We lost our colleague after a short but
courageous fight against esophageal cancer, one of the deadliest and
fastest growing cancer diagnoses among Americans today.
The symptoms of this cancer are often overlooked or misdiagnosed,
leading to late detection and limited treatment options.
Through this legislation, we hope to raise awareness about esophageal
cancer to improve the odds for those who contract this disease. I am
proud to have joined Ranking Member Gerry Connolly in cosponsoring the
Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act and look forward to
working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on its passage
into law.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I also thank the majority for their courtesy in moving
this bill expeditiously to the floor.
The Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act was introduced by our dear
friend, the late Ranking Member Gerry Connolly and by a bipartisan and
unanimous vote of our committee, the bill was renamed in his honor.
First of all, I acknowledge Gerry's wife, Smitty, and his daughter,
Caitlin Rose, who are in the gallery, along with many of Gerry's
current and former staff to witness the debate on this bill.
Our Ranking Member, Mr. Connolly, lived his life serving others and
making our country a better place. He was a steadfast advocate of the
disadvantaged and the voiceless, and he stood up for what was right and
what was just.
Gerry was a skilled statesman, an accomplished legislator, and a
fierce defender of democracy. I am sure he would want everyone here to
continue fighting like hell to stand up for those who cannot stand up
for themselves, to defend the rights of every American, and bring
accountability and transparency to power.
Esophageal cancer is the fastest increasing cancer among American
men. It is also one of the deadliest. This bill would direct the GAO to
report on key issues relating to esophageal cancer, including Federal
spending for it under the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program and
the screening rates among high-risk individuals within that program.
This bill will hopefully offer some significant amount of help in the
fight against esophageal cancer.
Mr. Connolly was the epitome of a public servant and will be deeply
missed. It is our job now to continue this fight in his memory.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair reminds Members not to refer to
persons in the gallery.
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Garcia) for his remarks.
Mr. GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank our acting ranking
member for his leadership here and to honor our incredible ranking
member.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill, which of course, supports
our fight against cancer and to improve healthcare for all Federal
workers.
This is such an important way to honor the legacy of our colleague,
our Ranking Member Gerry Connolly.
Gerry was a dedicated public servant, a fighter, and a mentor to all
of us on the Oversight Committee. Gerry worked to hold our government
accountable for over 30 years and was dedicated to improving the lives
of all Americans.
He was a champion of our Federal workforce, of transparency, and in
making government work for all the people that we serve.
He believed in the power of Congress and in fighting tirelessly for
the constituents that he served and, of course, for the rule of law and
our Constitution.
He served as a county executive where he fought to expand affordable
housing and to invest in infrastructure, and he always supported public
workers. He delivered for his community. He delivered for the country,
and he left a proud legacy.
Now, Gerry represented the best among us in public service, which is
why we strongly support this bill. We all miss him greatly, and I know
every single member of our committee will work to carry on his legacy.
Mr. Speaker, I urge every Member to honor Gerry by supporting this
bill.
Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge all Members to support
this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill
honoring the legacy of our friend and colleague, Gerry Connolly. I hope
that this legislation can shed some light on the impact of esophageal
cancer on Federal Government public servants.
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Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 3490, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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