Dear Friends,
The radical-Left’s policies have been a disaster for hardworking Americans across the country. Their out-of-control, big government spending has caused inflation to hit the highest level in 40 years, increasing the cost of food and everyday goods. The Democrat's war on American energy independence has fueled higher gas prices and their open-border policies have caused every community to become less safe. It’s time to take the country in a new direction, and the House Republican Conference stands united in our plan to get the nation back on track.
On Friday, we rolled out our Commitment to America, a four-pillar plan that will change course from the overbearing policies of the Democrat-led Congress and deliver real results for the American people. Our Commitment to America will bring an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a future that’s built on freedom, and a government that’s accountable.
The first pillar is to deliver an economy that is strong. We are committed to fighting inflation by curbing the wasteful government spending that is driving the prices of groceries, gas, housing, and literally all goods and services up, all while growing our national debt.
Along with fighting inflation, we will make America energy independent and strengthen our supply chains to end our dependance on Communist China.
The second pillar is to deliver a nation that is safe. We are committed to securing the southern border by fully funding effective border enforcement strategies, infrastructure, and advanced technology to prevent illegal crossings and trafficking by cartels.
With a secure border, we will further reduce crime by supporting 200,000 more police officers through recruiting bonuses, and we will continue to oppose all efforts to defund the police.
The third pillar is to deliver a future that is built on freedom. We are committed to giving parents a voice in their children’s education by advancing the Parents’ Bill of Rights and expanding parental choice so over a million more students can receive the education their parents know is best.
Our priority is the success of every student. We will also confront unfair practices by big tech, and help Americans achieve healthier lives by investing in lifesaving cures and access to telemedicine.
The fourth pillar is to deliver a government that is accountable. We are committed to conducting rigorous oversight to rein in government abuse of power, provide real transparency, and require the White House to answer for its incompetence at home and abroad.
Along with conducting oversight, we will preserve American’s Constitutional freedoms, and restore the people’s voice in Congress.
Click here to visit the Commitment to America website to learn more.
|
| Committee Update |
|
Last Tuesday, the Ways and Means Committee held a full committee mark-up. We discussed several topics including the need to safeguard America’s intellectual property (IP) rights and the need for more oversight over the Internal Revenue Service.
Instead of putting America – and Americans – first, the Biden administration gave away our vaccine patents and pharmaceutical innovation with their compromising TRIPS Waiver – a policy that waived restrictions on protecting U.S. IP and patents. This move only hurts American innovation, and Congress must ensure we safeguard our IP in order to maintain a competitive advantage. During the hearing, I joined my GOP colleagues in requesting information showing that this administration is doing their due diligence to protect our nation's IP. Democrats voted to reject this request for information. Click here to watch my remarks.
After discussing the need to protect America’s IP, I spoke about the need for transparency and oversight of the IRS. The IRS has refused to provide the Committee with a document that detailed its decision to destroy 30 million paper returns in 2021. Republicans sought a resolution to access this critical information but unfortunately Democrats voted to reject this request. With the agency set to add 87,000 new agents to their workforce, any security concerns within the agency should certainly be looked into and Congress should have access to that critical information. Click here to watch my remarks.
On Wednesday, the Committee held a mark-up on the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act. During the meeting, I spoke about my bill, the Behavioral Health Integration Awareness (BHIA) Act. This legislation increases access to underutilized mental health services that are available to patients who would greatly benefit from them. The BHIA Act, along with the overall Mental Health Package that passed out of Committee, will be extremely important in our efforts to combat this country’s mental health crisis. Click here to watch my remarks.
|
| Further Addressing the Baby Formula Crisis |
In the midst of a national baby formula crisis, Congress passed the Formula Act – a bill that temporarily lifted tariffs on safe imported baby formula. The bipartisan bill reduced the cost of imported formula for parents by over 25%. While the formula crisis has eased slightly from its 86% out-of-stock rate in May, it has only improved to 61%.
In order to further address this formula crisis, I joined a group of members on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee today to introduce the Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelves Act. This legislation would boost domestic baby formula production and get more product on shelves amid the continued shortage across the United States by temporarily lifting tariffs on safe imported ‘base powder’ – a key component that is mixed with nutrients and other ingredients to make the formula. Baby formula isn’t a luxury, it’s an absolute necessity and the sole source of nutrition for nearly one-fifth of our nation’s infants. As the formula crisis continues to impact families across America, this legislation will bring further relief and ensure this crisis doesn’t get worse.
Click here to read more about the Bulk Infant Formula to Retail Shelved Act.
|
| Thanks for Visiting! |
|
It was great to meet with the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) last week during their National Hindu Advocacy Day on the Hill. CoHNA does important work to improve the understanding of Hinduism in North America and to address matters impacting the Hindu community. We had a robust conversation around the growing concern of anti-Hindu sentiment, also known as Hinduphobia, across the U.S.
|
| Creative Rights Caucus |
The film industry continues to fuel one of America's greatest innovations—the creative arts. I was thrilled to speak at the Creative Rights Caucus event, the “Anatomy of a Television Show: Only Murders in the Building.” I discussed the importance of our creative community and the need for strong intellectual property protections to ensure this community continues to thrive.
|
| End of Week Colloquy |
|
On Thursday, I took to the House floor to speak for House Republicans during the end of week colloquy. During the debate, I highlighted Speaker Pelosi’s remote voting rule which allows members to continue proxy voting while not showing up for work. Since President Biden recently declared the pandemic over, I asked my Democrat colleague why the House of Representatives hasn’t ended this radical pandemic policy of remote voting. Americans expect Congress to lead, and it’s beyond time that we get back to normal.
Click here to watch the full floor debate.
|
| The Week Ahead |
|
This week, the House will consider the following pieces of legislation:
S. 4900 - SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022
H.R. 8956 - FedRAMP
H.R. 8466 - Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2022, as amended
S. 3470 - End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022
S. 2551 - AI Training Act
H.R. 6967 - Chance to Compete Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 6267 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15 Chestnut Street in Suffern, New York, as the ‘‘Sergeant Gerald T. ‘Jerry’ Donnellan Post Office’’
H.R. 6080 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5420 Kavanaugh Boulevard in Little Rock, Arkansas, as the ‘‘Ronald A. Robinson Post Office’’
H.R. 8163 - Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act, as amended
H.R. 5141 - Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act
H.R. 4081 - Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act
H.R. 6965 - Visit America Act
H.R. 6889 - Credit Union Board Modernization Act
H.R. 2710 - Banking Transparency for Sanctioned Persons Act of 2021
H.R. 6364 - To amend the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Improvement Act to extend the exception to the closure of certain roads within the Recreation Area for local businesses, and for other purposes
H.R. 7321 - Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, as amended
H.R. 3482 - National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2022, as amended
Senate Amendment to H.R. 5641 - SPEED Act
H.R. 5703 - Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act, as amended
H.R. 3304 - AUTO for Veterans Act, as amended
H.R. 8888 - Food Security for All Veterans Act
H.R. 8875 - Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act
H.R. 5918 - To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, as amended
H.R. 7589 - REMOVE Copays Act, as amended
S. 1198 - Solid Start Act of 2022
H.R. 8510 - Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act
S. 2794 - Supporting Families of the Fallen Act
S. 4791 - A bill to amend section 301 of title 44, United States Code, to establish a term for the appointment of the Director of the Government Publishing Office
H.R. 8681 - John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 8446 - Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 8463 - Millennium Challenge Corporation Eligibility Expansion Act
H.R. 4821 - Combating the Persecution of Religious Groups in China Act, as amended
H.R. 7780 - Mental Health Matters Act
H.R. 3843 - Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022
S. 3969 - PAVA Program Inclusion Act
Legislation Making Further Appropriations for FY23
Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to the STOCK Act
Additional Legislative Items Are Possible
As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!
Sincerely,
 |
|
|
| FOLLOW US |
|
|
| In This Edition |
- Commitment to America
- Committee Update
- Further Addressing the Baby Formula Crisis
- Thanks for Visiting!
- Creative Rights Caucus
- End of Week Colloquy
- The Week Ahead |
| Top News |
|
Medicare Mental Health Bills Get Boost From House Committee
Bloomberg Gov
H.R. 8910, introduced by Reps. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), and Drew FERGUSON (R-Ga.). It would direct the secretary of health and human services to provide outreach and reporting on certain behavioral health integration services offered through Medicare.
Schneider Votes to Advance Legislation to Expand Home Visiting and Mental Health Services
Foreign Affairs
Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, voted to advance legislation in the Ways and Means Committee that will help families in the 10th District and across the country receive critical health services. Representative Schneider helped introduce the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act and led the Behavioral Health Integration Awareness (BHIA) Act along with his colleagues, Representatives Jason Smith (MO-08) and Drew FERGUSON (GA-03).
Ways and Means Republicans Lead Package of Bipartisan Mental Health Bills
Ways and Means Committee
Improvements to the Medicare program related to physician services and education. (Committee Print #2). H.R. 8910, Behavioral Health Integration Awareness Act (Reps. J. Smith, FERGUSON, and Schneider). Direct the Secretary to better inform providers on how to best use underutilized Behavioral Health Integration services already covered by Medicare to better treat patients. These are services that integrate behavioral health care with primary care by performing mental health screenings and working to monitor and facilitate any further treatment.
The HEAT Report
Republican Whip
Representative Drew FERGUSON (R-Ga.) teamed up with colleagues to join Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) on her Iowa Energy Tour to observe the variety of innovative energy solutions in Iowa including renewable fuels, organic material, wind, and solar energy – which creates electricity and powers their state’s transportation sector.
|
|
