▶ 0:12:07provided to our nation's veterans. Although I have questions about a few of the bills being considered, I look forward to addressing our policy concerns and working with the minority on these bills moving forward. In accordance with the committee rules, the subcommittee has contacted the Congressional Budget Office seeking informal preliminary cost estimates for each of the bills being considered this morning. While many of the bills on our agenda will most likely have a score, we do not have estimates for all the bills on today's markup.
▶ 0:12:34None of the bills today, as introduced, include the offsets that would be necessary to move the bills forward. However, as we discuss what bills will go to the full committee markup and then to the floor, we will add offsets to ensure that we are in accordance with the House rules and that we are protecting the American taxpayer. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Brownley and the other members of the subcommittee to find offsets for the common sense proposals considered today. Of note, there are still multiple opportunities to improve and make changes to any of these bills.
▶ 0:13:02Ranking Member Brownley and I will continue working with our colleagues on the committee and any stakeholders that have feedback on these bills as we continue to work through the legislative process to bring the best bills forward. As I understand it, Ranking Member Brownley, uh are you going to forego uh opening I am in the interest of time. Uh thank you. Given uh the vote series coming up, it's greatly appreciated. Um in uh that case, Ranking Member Brownley, we're going to get started.
▶ 0:13:30HR 2283, the Recognizing Community Organizations for Veterans Engagement and Recovery Act. I now call call up HR 2283. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 2283
▶ 0:13:43circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for any amendment at any point. I recognize myself to offer an amendment in the nature of a substitute. The clerk shall report the amendment of a substitute.
▶ 0:13:56Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 2283
▶ 0:13:59consent that any further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it be considered base text for the purposes of of the markup. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself for 3 minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. The Recover Act, introduced by uh Chairman Bost, builds on the concept that we support veterans first. This is good work being done at the VA.
▶ 0:14:22There is good work being done at the VA, but the fact of the matter is that we have poured untold millions of dollars into suicide prevention, but the suicide rate, unfortunately, remains unchanged. It's not that the VA does not work, but that the VA's gold standard treatment doesn't always work well for everyone or every veteran. For those people, Recover Act is an important piece of legislation that would open new doors to health and healing.
▶ 0:14:46This bill would connect veterans to organizations that have shown they can implement innovative and proven approaches to mental health care where the standard therapies have My amendment in the nature of a substitute would require that grant recipients be fully licensed, certified, and accredited to deliver evidence-based results and that they would have a demonstrated track record of delivering It would also require that providers in this program must demonstrate an understanding of unique veterans issues.
▶ 0:15:13One of the key features of this ANS is the inclusion of family as a part of therapy by allowing grant funds to be used towards family or couples therapy. There is truly no better caretaker than our loved ones. A veteran's family is an integral part of his or her identity and sense of self, and I truly believe that healing those relationships are neces- necessary part of healing overall. For these reasons, I'm pleased to offer this ANS to such an important bill. I yield back the balance of my time.
▶ 0:15:41Do any members wish to be recognized to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Uh I wish Uh the chair recognizes Ranking Member Brownley for 3 minutes to speak on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Uh thank you, uh Madam Chair. I must reiterate uh this morning my strong opposition to this legislation, which I also expressed when it was considered at a hearing in January. Uh the VA also expressed significant concerns with this bill, which have not been addressed by this ANS.
▶ 0:16:11I must object to the very premise of creating a carve-out grant program for community providers of mental health when such providers are already eligible to participate in VA's community care program. Like VA, I do not think a grant program is an appropriate mechanism for expanding veterans' access to mental health care.
▶ 0:16:34If a community provider or nonprofit organization wants to be reimbursed for treating veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care, they should assist the veteran in enroll- in in enrolling in VA health care or any other federal or commercial health plan for which they are eligible and bill those payers for service.
▶ 0:16:55This bill serves no purpose but to drive more resources to community providers with fewer strings attached and even less accountability than currently exists under VA's existing uh community care program. While I appreciate that in the ANS, the majority has added provisions requiring grantees to be accredited and submit plans for their providers to complete uh to complete continuing education with respect to veterans' issues.
▶ 0:17:26It does not go far enough. What is What is training with respect to veteran issues? Are we talking about training suicide prevention and lethal means safety? I don't think the majority intends for the training to relate to military and veteran cultural competency because the ANS has inexplicably inexplicably removed all references to culturally competent care that appeared in the original bill.
▶ 0:17:54At our legislative hearing on this bill in January, concerns were raised by me, by VA's witnesses, and by the minority witness about the risk that this grant program would lead providers to double dip or even triple dip. In addition to receiving a grant, there was nothing barring barring them from also billing VA, Medicare, and other health plans for very same care for the very same veteran.
▶ 0:18:21I know that the chairwoman's ANS now prohibits grantees from using grant funds to duplicate payments made by by the VA, any other federal payer, or any other health plan. However, because this is a grant program without any claim submitted as veterans are receiving care, there's no way for VA or for this committee to conduct oversight to ensure that these providers are not still billing other payers.
▶ 0:18:50This also gives us less oversight into the quality and safety of care delivered by grantees. We'll have no claims, no returned medical records, and no insight at all into whether veterans are actually receiving evidence-based Furthermore, the ANS now allows grantees to support activities that are not billable, reimbursable, or otherwise authorized by law.
▶ 0:19:14That sounds to me like we'd be making grants of up to $1.5 million per year to cover administrative Are you gaveling me out? Madam
▶ 0:19:32Uh well, I will stop here. For these reasons, I simply cannot support this legislation and I yield back. Thank you, Ranking Member Brownley. Does any other member wish to be recognized to comment on the amendment in the nature of substitute? The chair now recognizes Dr. Conaway for 3 minutes. Uh thank you, Madam Chair, and I won't take 3 minutes. I I just uh can't I here as a a person of color and practice
▶ 0:19:55You can yield your time to ranking member Brownley if you want. Oh. I'll well, uh just continuing along. I I'm just a dismayed that the culturally competent care provisions have been removed from this bill.
▶ 0:20:09You know, that we have years and years of research uh telling us telling us physicians we physicians uh that as we deliver our our care plans present those care plans to patients as we discuss um you know, the um diagnosis that we need to understand uh the listener understand uh who the decision-makers are within a family. Some cultures it's a family decision these decisions others uh they are not.
▶ 0:20:40Others uh are going to be concerned about hearing bad news and when that should be delivered. Others uh have a different attitude about it. And so if we want people uh we if we want good outcomes and we want people to comply to agree with and buy into care plans we need to need to understand where people are coming from and that's what culture that's all culturally competent care does. Um it's been shown over and over again to prove outcomes then again I just have to express my dismay uh that those provisions were taken out of this Thank you. The gentleman has yielded.
▶ 0:21:10Uh does anyone else wish does any other member wish to speak to the amendment nature of substitute? Uh seeing none there were no amendments filed to the amendment in the nature of substitute. Does any member wish to offer an amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute? Hearing none the question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 2283. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:21:37All those opposed say In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Madam Chairwoman I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. I now call up HR 6993. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 6993
▶ 0:21:59was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection the first reading is dispensed with and the bill is now open for an amendment at any point. I now recognize General Bergman to offer an amendment in the nature of a
▶ 0:22:11The clerk shall report the amendment in the nature of substitute.
▶ 0:22:14Amendment in the nature of substitute to HR 6993
▶ 0:22:17consent that further reading of the amendment in the nature of substitute be dispensed with. I ask that it considered base text for purposes of the markup. Without objection so ordered. General Bergman you're recognized for 3 minutes to explain the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is extremely important that we're talking about the Beacon Act today. I want to start with this. The bill before the subcommittee today is the product of serious bipartisan work.
▶ 0:22:45There's been a lot of back and forth with member staff, stakeholders and experts to get this bill into a better place than where it started. This is not just the introduced version with a fresh coat of paint. This is a more disciplined, more accountable and more responsive product that reflects legitimate concerns raised by both sides.
▶ 0:23:06I hold up as an example here just the redlined original version that as you could go through every page here and the redline is a result of a bipartisan sit [snorts] down among people who wanted to make this better. Since 2000 hundreds of thousands of veterans have sustained a traumatic brain injury. And for far too many especially those suffering from chronic mild TBI the effects do not just go away.
▶ 0:23:35They linger, they affect mental health, day-to-day functioning, family life and long-term recovery. So the question is simple. Are we willing to responsibly test, evaluate and learn more about the approaches that may help veterans recover? I believe we should be. Isn't that what we're supposed to do is look at through research and experimentation better ways to do things no matter what the bill?
▶ 0:24:03The Beacon Act creates two targeted grant programs focused on the chronic mild TBI. One supports innovation and clinical evaluation. The other supports independent research aimed at identifying what actually works and what may warrant broader adoption. And let me address a few points directly. First this bill does not I repeat does not privatize VA care.
▶ 0:24:27It does not move veterans out of the VA and it does not replace VA's existing treatment or research. The text is clear that these efforts are meant to supplement not the department's work while coordinating with VA facilities for referrals continuity of care and dissemination of findings. VA stays in charge veterans stay connected to VA. Second the bill is not about chasing fringe treatments.
▶ 0:24:56It is built around randomized controlled trials, ethical studies, outcome measurement and independent evaluation. In plain English prove what works, prove what does not and follow the evidence. Third this bill includes real guardrails. It requires detailed applications, budget, evaluation plans, patient safety protections and reporting on outcomes, expenditures and adverse adverse events where collected.
▶ 0:25:25And if a grantee fails to comply the secretary can suspend, modify or terminate the grant. These programs also sunset after 3 years with annual review and reporting to Congress. So this is the time-limited accountable effort to build evidence and improve care.
▶ 0:25:43It is responsible, it is rigorous and focused on getting better answers for veterans living with the lasting effects of traumatic brain injury and most importantly I think as a committee it reflects a bipartisan effort to create what we have. I urge you to support this and I yield back. Do any members wish to be recognized to comment on the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Uh Madam Chair The chair now recognizes ranking member For 3 minutes.
▶ 0:26:14Got it. Um uh thank you uh Madam Chair. First want to note that I appreciate that this amendment in the nature of a substitute represents several improvements to the bill as drafted and that an effort was made to address several of the concerns committee Democrats have raised with this legislation since the legislative hearing where it was considered in January.
▶ 0:26:35Unfortunately this ANS does not reflect all of the changes that my staff have communicated to the sponsors that would be needed in order for Democrats and ranking member Takano to be comfortable moving forward with the legislation.
▶ 0:26:51In the absence of those changes in the ANS my colleagues and I will be offering what we believe are common sense amendments to address these outstanding concerns, improve the legislation and ensure that Congress can conduct necessary oversight of the grant programs this bill creates. I believe that in the pursuit of passing legislation that creates good policy this committee must take every opportunity to discuss and debate amendments to legislation.
▶ 0:27:19The subcommittee markup is an important opportunity to ensure that we have a robust discussion before this bill advances to consideration at the full committee level and I hope my colleagues will be willing to engage in this process and recognize these amendment amendments for what they are a good faith effort to improve this legislation and ensure that legislation that passes out of the subcommittee is as strong as possible and reflects bipartisan efforts to serve veterans.
▶ 0:27:47In that spirit I hope that all my colleagues will join us in discussing and supporting the amendments that we will offer to this ANS and with that I yield back. The gentlelady [snorts] yields. The chair now recognizes Representative Van Orden for 3 minutes for any comments on
▶ 0:28:04Madam Chair. Uh a couple months ago I I buried a guy named Matt Burns. He's the 22nd one of my friends and colleagues that have committed suicide. Uh he was a Navy SEAL as a machine gunner. He was a a rocketeer. He was a uh assistant preacher. Um I was a special operations independent duty corpsman. Uh and I was also his platoon chief. To my knowledge Matthew never sustained a concussion. He didn't.
▶ 0:28:33Uh he was honorably discharged after his service. But something was wrong with Matthew. And he wound up uh like I said killing himself. And we don't know why. And I'm I'm personally done with going to Is this legislation perfect? No. Is it an 80% solution? Yes. If I could get back 80% of my friends that have committed suicide it's worth it.
▶ 0:29:04We don't have time. I'm going to talk about another one of these bills later. We don't have time anymore for discussion and debate and all this you know. Th- this is a solid piece of legislation that could potentially save more of my friends' lives. And so I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation as written. I yield. The gentleman yields. The chair now recognizes Dr. Morrison for 3 minutes for any comments she may have on the ANS. Thank you, Madam Chair. I have an amendment at the desk. Um we're not yet on amendments.
▶ 0:29:34Oh, okay. Madam Chair I will wait until we The gentlelady yields. Does any other member wish to comment on the uh ANS? Seeing none does any member wish to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Excuse me. Did number one? This is on the ANS. And now we're going to offer amendments. So, I'm not It's not the amendment to the ANS.
▶ 0:30:06Yes, sir. We're going there now. If we may proceed, the chair now uh Representative Morrison to offer an amendment in the nature an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, Madam Chair. I do have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk.
▶ 0:30:24shall report the amendment. Morrison
▶ 0:30:26I I ask unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. Uh the gentle lady, Dr. Morrison, uh is now recognized for 3 minutes to explain the amendment to the ANS. Thank you, Madam Chair. My amendment would strengthen oversight requirements throughout the bill. VA and Congress need to be able to perform robust oversight of the grant program to ensure and protect VA's investment in TBI I appreciate the additions in the ANS offered to strengthen many of the oversight and reporting requirements in the bill.
▶ 0:30:56It's important to me that the language is enforceable, effective, and rooted in evidence-based science. This is especially true when establishing expectations for reporting adverse events related to any clinical trials or care provided outside of VA to veterans. My amendment strengthens the requirement for grantees to track adverse events and report them to the VA.
▶ 0:31:15My amendment also ensures that the grantees use use accepted clinical standards to evaluate the success of the program and ensures VA also considers the cessation of the grant program as part of its annual review if it is demonstrated that the program is not working as intended or delivering on VA's investment. Finally, my amendment also expands the reporting requirements in the bill to ensure Congress and VA receive all the information necessary to evaluate whether the grant program is an effective use of VA investment.
▶ 0:31:43I hope my colleagues will agree that my amendment further strengthens oversight and transparency for these grant programs with a clear focus on delivering for veterans. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment and recognize the value of due diligence when it comes to oversight of taxpayer dollars. Passing this amendment safeguards meaningful progress toward delivering on the important aims research at the VA has successfully pursued for decades. With that, Madam Chair, I yield back. The gentle lady yields.
▶ 0:32:08The chair now recognizes herself for 3 minutes in opposition to the amendment. At its core, this program is designed to expand access to innovative care and generate meaningful real-world outcomes for veterans. The amendment would pose additional prescriptive requirements and reporting layers that risk slowing down implementation and shifting the focus away from delivering care to veterans and towards compliance with process. From a policy standpoint, Republicans have consistently supported efforts that prioritize results over bureaucracy.
▶ 0:32:39And given that the suicide rate has not moved in decades for our veterans, um as has been previously stated, the time is now. This amendment would do the opposite. By mandating additional clinical standard language and expanding reporting requirements, it would insert federal micromanagement into what should be a flexible, outcomes-driven grant We already expect grantees to operate responsibly and deliver results.
▶ 0:33:01Overly rigid statutory requirements like those that would be added here can unintentionally exclude capable providers, delay program execution, and increase administrative burden without improving outcomes. At the end of the day, this program should be judged by whether it improves veterans' health outcomes, not by how many reports are generated or how tightly Washington dictates clinical processes.
▶ 0:33:22Does any member wish to other member wish to comment on the amendment to the Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Morrison amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. No, I'm not commenting on her amendment. This is not We're not done. We're doing her amendment. Okay. Uh seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Morrison amendment to the amendment in nature of substitute. All of those in favor say I. All of those opposed say no. No.
▶ 0:33:52In the opinion of the chair, the
▶ 0:33:53Madam Chairwoman, I request a recorded vote. A recorded vote has been requested. Per- Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. Does any other member uh have an amendment to the ANS? Madam Chair, I have an amendment to the The chair recognizes Representative Conway to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Thank you, uh Madam Chair. My amendment would simply lower the maximum grant amount per
▶ 0:34:20Dr. Conway has an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Conway amendment to the amendment
▶ 0:34:26unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The chair now recognizes Dr. Conway to uh uh for 3 minutes to report on his Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh my amendment will simply lower the maximum grant amount per grantee uh for the grant program created in section two of this bill from 5 million to 2 and 1/2 million per per fiscal year.
▶ 0:34:48This will ensure that the VA can invest in more clinical trial efforts to develop and improve treatments for mild TBI veterans while still respecting uh the investment necessary to ensure successful clinical trials. I agree wholeheartedly that we need to lean into this area as quickly as we can. And hopefully by bringing more um uh researchers to the table, we can do just that.
▶ 0:35:08Uh given that the bill authorizes 10 million in total grants under the first grant program setting setting the maximum allow- allowable award of $5 million would mean that this grant program may only fund two clinical trials per fiscal year if VA awards each grantee the highest amount possible. As a physician, I'm uh very aware that not every clinical trial is guaranteed to be successful. Therefore, I believe that the to give the VA the best possible chance of investing in successful trials, we should spread the wealth uh and fund as many trials as we can.
▶ 0:35:38I want to acknowledge that I'm also aware of the cost of clinical trials. However, I would note that under this grant program, the VA does not have to be the only funding stream contributing to clinical trials. I would hope that the grantees under this legislation would agree with me uh that this um effort will maximize VA investment in as many new trials as possible, and they would uh be able to pursue additional avenues of support uh for the clinical trials they pursue in order to ensure uh that the VA is is not
▶ 0:36:08the only responsible entity for um funding these contemplated trials. If we're serious about maximizing the developments and discoveries we make through this grant program, we need to ensure that we're investing this funding wisely and seeking breakthroughs through as many routes as possible. My amendment will do exactly that, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Thank you. Dr. Conway yields. And I yield. Uh the chair now recognizes herself uh for 3 minutes in opposition to the amendment.
▶ 0:36:37Uh I truly appreciate Dr. Conway got Dr. Conway's Excuse me, Dr. Conway. Dr. Conway's uh salient remarks and the need to ensure that more research can exist. However, uh this amendment that reduces the cap for an eligible uh entity uh that receives this grant from 5 million to 2 million dollars uh may uh not simply scale projects down.
▶ 0:37:00In many cases, it can force researchers to eliminate components of a study, reduce enrollment for clinical research, delay or restrict necessary milestones needed to complete the project. In research, underfunded projects often take longer to complete, require additional administrative cost, or fail to produce actionable outcomes, which is the point of these programs, actionable outcomes. After the legislative hearing when the bill was first discussed, our side committed to work with my colleagues our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to hear their concerns.
▶ 0:37:29Uh our staff worked with the minority to address those concerns and craft an ANS with all those in mind. The ANS reflects many changes from uh the original text, which I hope can demonstrate our collaboration during the negotiation Lowering the funding cap may discourage participation from smaller organizations, universities, and emerging research institutions. Many of these institutions or entities rely on adequate funding levels to offset the administrative, staffing, and infrastructure costs associated with federal research grants.
▶ 0:37:59If the available funding does not support a complete project, fewer organizations may apply, and fewer innovative ideas may be brought forward. The outcome would narrow the field of applicants in an area where innovation is critically important. At the end of the day, the goal of this program is not simply to fund research, it's to fund research that produces meaningful results. Cutting the cap in half risks slowing progress, discouraging participation, and reducing the effectiveness of a of a program as a whole. For this reason, I oppose this amendment.
▶ 0:38:28Does any other member wish to speak on the amendment to the ANS? Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the uh Dr. Conway amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion opinion of the chair, the noes have it. The amendment is not agreed to. I request a recorded vote, please.
▶ 0:38:51A recorded vote has been requested. Pursuant to committee rules, this vote will be postponed. Do any other members wish to offer an amendment to the ANS? Uh yes. Um Madam Chair, I have an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6993 at the desk. The chair recognizes uh the ranking member to um offer an amendment. She has an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall report report the amendment. Brownley amendment number one. Amendment to the
▶ 0:39:19unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The ranking member is now recognized for 3 minutes to explain the amendment. Uh thank you, Madam Chair. My amendment strikes provisions in the ANS that direct VA to pay for the two grant programs using the existing budgets of VA's National Center for PTSD and VA's Mental Health Services if Congress doesn't appropriate specific funds for the two grant programs.
▶ 0:39:46Creating a new pilot is not a cost-free undertaking for VA. If this bill becomes law, the department will be required to administer not one but two grant programs even in the absence of appropriated funding. Given that we are uh an authorizing committee and not an appropriating committee, we unfortunately have no direct control over whether sufficient funds will be appropriated to allow VA to carry out these grant programs.
▶ 0:40:14In the unfortunate event that sufficient funding is not appropriated, I worry the ANS leaves VA no choice but to divert funding from its existing funds for the National Center for PTSD and Veterans Mental Health Services to carry out these program these program grants.
▶ 0:40:33I support investing in new research, but we must ensure we are pursuing these investments in a responsible manner that protects resources from existing VA research programs and clinical services. I can't recall ever seeing provisions like this in any other legislation we've advanced during my time on this committee, and I don't think we should set that precedent now.
▶ 0:40:57I appreciate that uh Representative Bergman's ANS includes language directing VA to carry out the grant programs in a way that he says supplements and does not supplant other clinical care and research funding. However, I can't see how this can be possible given that VA could be required to repurpose funds that have already been appropriated for these purposes.
▶ 0:41:21As many of my colleagues across the aisle have pointed out, there is a massive need for mental health services and PTSD care and research for veterans. If we are serious about decreasing the annual suicide rate, as I know my colleagues are, we must protect VA's existing research investments and dedicated funding streams for the provisions of care.
▶ 0:41:43That is not to take away from the need for more research into improving TBI treatments, which certainly contributes to meeting the mental health needs of veterans. However, VA has a duty to ensure it can provide mental health care to all eligible veterans, not just those who may potentially receive experimental treatments through these grant programs.
▶ 0:42:05That is why it's important to ensure that this funding is new funding and that there is no risk that existing VA funding will be diverted to fulfill VA's requirement to administer this grant. I take uh Representative Bergman at his word that this is not his intent to divert that funding, and I appreciate the attempt to guard against that. However, removing the language entirely will also remove all doubt or uncertainty that existing programs would be impacted.
▶ 0:42:34I I would also note that the ANS not only includes language authorizing appropriations but also includes provisions to extend the authority to collect VA home loan fees to ensure that the cost of this legislation are covered. Given that we've we we're authorizing appropriations and we're including provisions to offset the cost of the legislation, language that directs VA to use its existing funding should no longer be necessary.
▶ 0:42:58I urge my colleagues to support my amendment to protect VA's existing funding for mental health and PTSD, and I yield back. The ranking member yields. The chair now recognizes General Bergman to speak in opposition to the amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair. This amendment to the ANS offered by Ms.
▶ 0:43:15Brownley would eliminate the secretary's to utilize existing mental health and traumatic brain injury programs even where those funds are used to supplement, not supplant, current That language was included in the ANS after conversations with the co-lead in us on this bill, uh Representative to address concerns raised by the that the bill could draw resources away
▶ 0:43:45from existing programs. We took those concerns seriously and worked in a good faith bipartisan manner to incorporate language that preserves existing services while giving the department the flexibility it needs to stand these programs up quickly and Striking that authority would create unnecessary funding uncertainty that could slow implementation and ultimately delay access to neurorehabilitation
▶ 0:44:15treatments for veterans suffering from Veterans should not be forced to wait because of unaffordable Excuse me, because of avoidable bureaucratic constraints caused by unnecessary funding restrictions. The ANS already includes strong safeguards, clear oversight, accountability measures, and reporting requirements to ensure that all taxpayer dollars are used appropriately.
▶ 0:44:44Removing this funding flexibility does not strengthen oversight. It only makes execution more difficult. At a time when we are working to expand treatment options, support research, and improve outcomes for veterans with TBI, this amendment moves us in the wrong direction. For these reasons, I strongly oppose this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back. The gentleman yields.
▶ 0:45:11Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Brownley amendment number one to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the no's have it, and the amendment is not agreed to. Do you wish to ask for a recorded vote?
▶ 0:45:33Yes, I do, Madam Chair. Thank you for helping me out. Uh a recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. Uh this vote will be postponed. I now recognize ranking member Brownley to offer amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Does the ranking member have an amendment at the desk? The ranking member has an amendment at the desk. The clerk shall report the amendment. Brownley amendment number two, amendment to the amendment
▶ 0:45:58unanimous consent that further reading of the amendment be dispensed with. Without objection, so ordered. The ranking member is now recognized for 3 minutes to explain the amendment. My amendment will prohibit grantees from receiving grants under both programs during the same fiscal year. As written, it's possible under the ANS for a single guarantee grantee to receive up to $6.5 million in a single fiscal year, 5 million under the first grant program and 1.5 million under the second.
▶ 0:46:29I don't believe the intent of the legislation is to allow one entity to double dip in both grant programs. Given that the two grant programs are structured very differently and have different objectives in terms of the outcomes they are designed to develop to develop, it would not make very much sense for one entity to receive both grants regardless.
▶ 0:46:52My amendment will simply ensure that the legislation is clear on this front and ensure that VA and any eligible entities understand the intent of the bill. I hope my colleagues will recognize this as a clarifying amendment that it is and and that it is and join me in supporting it without a yield back. The ranking member yields. I recognize myself for 3 minutes in opposition of the amendment.
▶ 0:47:17This amendment would limit entities receiving no more than one grant award through the Beacon Act per fiscal year. While I share uh the ranking member's sentiments towards {quote} "double dipping", this would undercut exactly the kinds of outcomes this bill is trying to achieve. This amendment would treat entire entities as a single program. When in reality, entities such as UCLA have multiple distinct programs regarding TBI and neurorehabilitation research.
▶ 0:47:46Programs like UCLA Operation Mend and the UCLA Brain Injury Research Center serve complementary but separate roles. One generates research, while the other provides care and generates evidence to improve care. Both play a meaningful role in improving veterans' mental health, and needlessly creating barriers to funding these programs and others like them could hinder the advancement of their research.
▶ 0:48:08A one grant cap would force internal competition between mutually beneficial programs rather than funding the full continuum of care and research, especially when there's limited programs available. This amendment would penalize high perform high performing research institutions that act as pillars of research and care in a complex and underfunded field. This amendment would force entities to fragment and thinly spread what is already limited funding across multiple programs.
▶ 0:48:34That alone will increase administrative overhead and reduce measurable impacts, lowering competition in the industry and increasing it among complementary programs. There is progress being made in TBI research, and this amendment would risk weakening the needs uh required to continue that progress for effective research and treatment. For these reasons, I oppose this amendment.
▶ 0:48:55Does any other member wish to comment on the amendment to the Seeing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to the Brownley amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of substitute. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the no's have it, and the amendment is not agreed Does the ranking member I do indeed request a recorded vote.
▶ 0:49:19A recorded vote has been requested pursuant to committee rules. This vote will be postponed. Are there any other amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, since there are votes pending, we will move to uh to the next item on the agenda. On block number one, HR 6652, HR 6444, HR 5999. I now ask unanimous consent to consider on block the following three bills, which each have an amendment in the nature of a substitute.
▶ 0:49:47HR 6652, HR 6444, and HR 5999. Hearing no objection, so ordered. The clerk shall report the bills. On block number one. The bills were circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. I ask that the reading of the bills be dispensed with and the bills be open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. Does any member wish to speak on any of the bills included in the on block? Madam chair, I wish to speak. Madam chair, I wish to speak on 6652.
▶ 0:50:13now recognizes the ranking member. Uh uh thank you um Madam chair. I'm glad that this on block concludes Dr. Conaway's bill HR uh 5999, the Veterans Opioid Emergency Treatment Act. This bill will help protect veterans from opioid overdoses by providing streamlined access to now uh naloxone naloxone. Thank you.
▶ 0:50:38For veterans at VA facilities, uh opioid opioid overdoses has been devastating for the veteran community, but quick access to can save lives. I thank Dr. Conaway for his work to improve access to life-saving opioid overdose medications for veterans. I'd also like to express my support for the ANS to Representative King's King Heinz's bill HR 6652, the US Vets of the FAS Act.
▶ 0:51:09This legislation will improve access to care for veterans living in the freely associated states and US territories, including Representative King Heinz's home of the Northern Northern Mariana Mariana Islands. I understand committee staff recently returned from traveling there to see firsthand the unique needs of veterans living in this US territory. I appreciate Representative King Heinz's leadership in meeting those needs through this legislation and very proud to support it.
▶ 0:51:38I also understand that a super type typhoon had impacted the Northern Mariana Islands. I think when I went to Mariana Islands many years ago, the same exact same thing happened. Um and my thoughts are with Representative King Heinz, her family, and the community there. I'm glad to support all of the legislation included in the on block and urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield back. The chair now recognizes Representative King Heinz for 3 minutes to speak on her amendment.
▶ 0:52:07Thank you, Chairwoman Miller-Meeks and Ranking Member Brownley, and and thank you uh for um remembering the people of the Northern Marianas during this difficult time. And thank you for including my bill HR 6652, the US Vets of the Freely Associated States Act in today's subcommittee market markup. The United States recruits heavily in the freely associated states, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, and residents of these nations served in our armed forces at exceptionally high rates.
▶ 0:52:35Yet, when these veterans return home, they face significant barriers to accessing the full benefits they have earned, particularly when it comes to medical care. Veterans in the freely associated states deserve dependable access to the care promised to them for their service. This bill reinforces the commitment Congress reaffirmed in 2024 renewal of the compact of freely of the free association and ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs fulfills that obligation.
▶ 0:53:02HR 6652 requires the VA to merely provide telehealth and mail order pharmacy services to veterans residing in FAS states. It's It also sets a clear timeline for finalizing agreements with FAS governments, enhances beneficiary travel support, and institutes regular reporting to Congress to ensure accountability and progress. There's no mandate to construct hospitals or other facilities, no commitment to assign VA personnel to these islands, and no requirement for significant new funding.
▶ 0:53:31When Congress renewed the COFA Act, the intent was clear: expand access to care and remove geographic or administrative barriers. Yet, implementation has lagged and too many veterans are still waiting. This legislation does not create new or burdensome programs. It simply ensures that long-standing commitments are honored. It provides clarity, consistency, and accountability so that these veterans and their families can depend on the care they were promised. Veterans in the freely associated states have held their end of the bargain through their honorable service.
▶ 0:54:00Congress acted with clear intent to improve VA services for FAS veterans in the renewal of the COFA. Now, it is time for the VA to do its part. This legislation sends a clear message the United States keeps its promises, especially to those who have served and to our closest allies. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 6652. Thank you and I yield back. Um the gentlelady yields. Uh thank you, Representative King Heinz.
▶ 0:54:28Does any other member wish to speak on any of the amendments in the nature of a substitute HR 6652, HR 6444, HR 5999 that are included in the on block? The chair now recognizes Dr. Conaway for 3 minutes to speak on uh his ANS uh HR 5999. Uh thank you uh Madam chair for the opportunity to speak on my bill uh HR 5999, the Veteran Opioid Emergency Treatment Act.
▶ 0:54:56Uh this bill would direct the VA to provide an opioid antagonist such as naloxone at no cost to veterans without need for a prescription. Earlier this year during uh testimony that this committee uh took, uh VA administrator stated that the VA already provides naloxone without requiring co-payment, uh although a prescription is still required.
▶ 0:55:16In the VA written testimony, they make it clear stating that all over-the-counter medications like naloxone dispensed by a VHA require a prescription, which allows for accountability of procured pharma- pharmaceuticals and stewardship of government resources.
▶ 0:55:32The current uh standard process at the VA for a veteran to obtain an opioid antagonist such as naloxone uh is that the veteran must receive a prescription from their VA health care provider, and only then will the veteran be able to obtain this life-saving treatment.
▶ 0:55:48While I appreciate the VA has taken steps to um access to naloxone at its facilities, I'm sure we can all agree that the current process is flawed uh and that uh prescription requirements set unnecessary barriers for many veterans trying to obtain access to Uh we must ensure that we eliminate as many obstacles as possible to allow veterans access to medication that may save their life in case of an opioid my common-sense legislation works to fix this process by eliminating prescription
▶ 0:56:18requirements and co-payments. Uh all veterans will have the ability to to obtain an opioid antagonist such as When studies show that 2.8 million veterans reported having at least one substance use disorder in the previous year, and one in four veterans on long-term opioid treatment will be diagnosed with substance use disorder, it remains clear that this timely legislation must be voted favorably out of the subcommittee. I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back. The gentleman yields.
▶ 0:56:47Does any other member wish to speak on any of the amendments to the on block? The chair now recognizes Dr. Morrison. Thank you, Madam chair. As one of the millions of physicians who did part of my training in the VA system, I've seen firsthand the unique challenges veterans face when it comes to mental health, substance use, and overdose risk.
▶ 0:57:06As our country continues to confront the opioid crisis, I remain deeply concerned for our veterans, who research consistently shows are at higher risk of overdose death, often compounded by chronic pain, service-related injuries, and trauma. My experience as a physician is a big part of what led me to serve in Congress, where I continue to see how difficult it is to navigate the health care system, especially for those with complex or stigmatized needs.
▶ 0:57:31Supporting veterans experiencing this elevated risk requires deliberate, sustained effort to break down barriers to care. I'm proud to help advance policies that reflect the continued urgency to prevent overdose deaths among those that have sacrificed so much for us. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Conaway on HR 5999, the Veteran Opioid Emergency Treatment Act. This initiative is an important step forward reducing barriers to accessing naloxone, a life-saving medication that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
▶ 0:58:01In critical moments, access to this medication should never be limited by cost or the difficulty of securing an appointment. I'm encouraged to see this bill move forward in the process and grateful for its inclusion in today's markup. I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Conaway and my colleagues to carry this legislation forward and hope each member of this committee will join us in meeting veterans where they are and helping save lives. I yield back, Madam chair. Thank you. The gentlelady yields.
▶ 0:58:26Does any other member wish to speak on the amendments in nature of Seeing none, does any member wish to offer an amendment to either of the amendments in the nature of a substitute included in the on Hearing none, the question now occurs on agreeing to each of the amendments in the nature of a substitute included on the on block. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.
▶ 0:58:54I now recognize Ranking Member Brownley for a Thank you, Madam chair. I move that the bills considered on block with amendments HR 6444 as amended, HR 6652 as amended, and HR 5999 as amended be favorably reported to the full There is a motion to favorably forward the bills included in the on block to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the bills are favorably forwarded to the full committee.
▶ 0:59:24The motion to reconsider My apologies. I now um bring up HR 6001, the Veterans with ALS Reporting Act. I now call up HR 6 6001. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 6001
▶ 0:59:39circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with. This bill is now open for an amendment at any Without objection, so ordered. Do any members wish to speak on the bill? Madam Chair, I wish to speak. The chair now recognizes ranking member Brownley for 3 minutes to speak on the bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.
▶ 1:00:02This bill will require VA to improve research access to clinical trials and data reporting on veterans with ALS to ensure we are doing all we can to support those fighting this devastating disease. ALS, sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a tragic and always fatal disease. It robs patients of their ability to control their muscles. To this day, neither the cause nor prevention of ALS is fully understood, and there is no cure.
▶ 1:00:32However, we do know that veterans are about 1.5 times more likely than non-veterans to get ALS. We still don't know enough about why veterans are at such higher risk. It's clear that VA as an agency and Congress as a matter of policy must take the prevalence of ALS very seriously.
▶ 1:00:52VA already takes steps to do this by recognizing ALS as a service-connected disability, and veterans diagnosed with ALS immediately receive a 100% disability rating. VA is also undertaking research into the causes and ways of treating ALS.
▶ 1:01:10Representative Crow's bill will simply require VA to take additional steps to collect data on the prevalence of ALS within veteran communities and to develop strategies to lower the incident of ALS among veterans. Perhaps most importantly, the bill requires VA to create a strategy for increasing access to clinical trials for veterans with ALS.
▶ 1:01:33For veterans with ALS and their families, access to a clinical trial can be a lifetime to hope and to living more comfortably in the face of a devastating disease. No veteran who has served their country should face an ALS diagnosis without being provided every possible to to fight it. I know every member of this committee wants to do everything we can to help veterans in this fight.
▶ 1:01:58I thank Representative Crow for his leadership on his legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this critical bill to show this committee's commitment to helping veterans with ALS. I yield back. The ranking member yields. The chair now recognizes Representative Van Orden for 3 minutes. Thank you, Madam Chair. I I do appreciate the sentiment for HR 6001, but honestly, it does nothing. It It is a study.
▶ 1:02:29Uh and it's not supposed to take place for another year. Uh that will be a year to get it done here, a year to study, another year to try to figure out this strategy and implementation. 50% of the veterans that are diagnosed with ALS today will be dead by then. So, I've been in Congress for 3 years, and I've realized that we study a lot of stuff, and we don't we don't we don't do And it's time to do something about this.
▶ 1:02:58So, I have a piece of legislation will be shortly introduced that actually forces the VA to act. Um Lou Gehrig died 85 years ago. And we've been studying ALS and and the ranking member very aptly pointed out that the fact that we already know that veterans are 1 and 1/2 times percent more likely to get ALS. We already know all these things, and it's time to time to start acting. I referenced this earlier. The one thing we can never get back is time. And And Congress is is fantastic at one thing, and that's wasting time.
▶ 1:03:28And And I appreciate Mr. Crow's sentiment. We're both special operations operators, and I understand what he's trying to accomplish, but I don't think we're going to accomplish anything by doing this. And I believe once you read the legislation will be very shortly introduced, you'll find out that within 90 days the VA is going to have to do something, and every single veteran that is diagnosed with ALS will have the VA will have 30 days maximum to get them involved in any type of potential program that can help them, including experimental treatments.
▶ 1:03:59And so, with that, I I'm I I strongly oppose this piece of legislation legislation for those stated reasons, and I encourage my colleagues to do so. I yield. The gentleman yields. Does any other member wish to speak on The chair now recognizes Dr. Dexter for 3 minutes. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. And And respect very much the intention of my colleague to take action. This is a very extraordinary disease.
▶ 1:04:27That all being said, the fact that we don't know why veterans are more likely to have ALS, the understanding that we still fail to have around the underlying etiology for the disease absolutely means we need ongoing study, and this is an important bill for us to have that information that is veteran-centered. I know you all know this, but I am a pulmonary and critical care doctor. That is what we diagnose.
▶ 1:04:56And if you don't know what the situation is that predisposes people to developing the illness, you cannot anticipatory or you cannot understand when someone comes in with shortness of breath to think about ALS. It is not one of the top things you think about because it is a relatively rare disease. But when you know, for instance, silicosis, when there are certain occupational predispositions that we know, we don't know what it is with ALS yet.
▶ 1:05:24So, it is absolutely imperative that study is in embarked upon. So, I I don't disagree that analysis paralysis is sometimes a way of kicking the can down the the road. That is not the situation here. We need to understand what the situational and occupational um
▶ 1:05:47issues or exposures are that predispose people to this illness. So, this is a very important piece of legislation, and I do absolutely agree with the ranking member that we all want the right thing for our veterans. We can do two things at once. We can consider whether taking action when we know the diagnosis is important and [clears throat] appropriate.
▶ 1:06:10We also need to know how physicians and clinicians can anticipate that somebody should be watched for evidence of it before it's ever diagnosed. And And this disease process is one that you can keep people high-functioning and independent for longer if you know the diagnosis before it's already too late. With that, I yield back. The gentle lady yields. Does any member wish to offer an amendment to any of these bills? Hearing none, I now recognize ranking member Brownley for a mo- for a motion.
▶ 1:06:41Madam Chair. For a motion? May I respond? The chair Does another member wish to speak on the amendment and yield their time to Representative Van Orden? The chair now recognizes Dr. Murphy. I'll yield my time. The chair now recognizes Representative Van Orden. Thank you. And I would just like to respond to my colleague. I agree with what you said, but that's not what this legislation says at all.
▶ 1:07:09That is not in the written word that you're discussing. It's just not there. So, that's the issue. we have to we When you say we can do two things at once, that's what my legislation does. This does one thing at once, and it kicks the can down the road. And again, as I said, by the time any action would be taken by the Veterans Affairs Administration, 50% of the veterans that are diagnosed with ALS today during this hearing will be dead. And that's unacceptable.
▶ 1:07:39But I I truly appreciate your sentiment, ma'am. It's just That's just not what the legislation says. I yield. The gentleman yields his time back to Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy yields back. I now recognize ranking member Brownley for a motion. Uh thank you, Madam Chair. I move that HR 6001 be favorably reported to the full committee. There is a motion to favorably forward the bill, HR 6001, to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:08:06All those opposed say In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it, and the bill is uh favorably forwarded to the full committee. I now call up HR 6848, the Whole Health for Veterans Act. The clerk shall report the bill. HR 6848 The text was circulated in advance pursuant to committee rules. Without objection, the first reading is dispensed with. The bill is now open for amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. I now recognize myself for 3 minutes to speak on the bill.
▶ 1:08:32Whole health can be an important part in complete and integrated view of a person's health. We support efforts that help veterans take a more proactive role in their health and their Uh and some of them are have already demonstrated their effectiveness uh in trials, and others have not. But supporting whole health does not mean we ignore real concerns with how the policy is structured.
▶ 1:08:53The bill would effectively eliminate meaningful copays for a broad category of services and replace them with either no cost sharing or a cap monthly fee when some of these events have not been proven to be uh clinically effective. This raises a serious concerning issue, cost and utilization. When you significantly reduce or eliminate cost sharing, utilization increases. That is not speculation. That's a well-established principle in health care policy.
▶ 1:09:21And when utilization increases without guardrails, costs rise Um without appropriate cost sharing, there is little or no mechanism to ensure these services are used efficiently or prioritized for those who need them the most or that they're effective. And I have heard repetitively uh in our hearings from the minority that they don't want to displace cost from the VA. There must be a responsible path forward that supports whole health while maintaining reasonable cost sharing, targeting access, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
▶ 1:09:52But eliminating copays without those safeguards is not that path. Um, and I'm willing to work with uh the minority to ensure uh that there are mechanisms uh for addressing these concerns. For these reasons, I have serious concerns with this legislation. That said, we do not have the cost estimate of this bill and are looking forward to working and hopefully collaborating um on this idea. Do any members wish to speak on this bill? Madam Chair, I wish to speak.
▶ 1:10:19The chair now recognizes ranking member Brownley for 3 minutes to speak on the bill. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. I support uh this bill, the Whole Health for Veterans Act, which will allow more veterans to access the integrative and complementary therapies available to veterans through VA's Whole Health program.
▶ 1:10:37The Whole Health program helps veterans take a holistic approach to their own health with the support of VA, which offers services like nutrition counseling, strength and mobility classes, yoga, tai chi, and even alternative therapies for pain management and mental health. From 2017 up until earlier this year, Whole Health services were non-billable. Veterans were exempt from paying copays for services like exercise classes and guided imagery and meditation.
▶ 1:11:07VA published a proposed regulation in January 2025 to formally exempt Whole Health services from copays. However, for reasons that have not been explained to us, VA later reversed course and started charging $15 copays per visit in October of 2025. This only applies to veterans in priority group six, seven, and eight, who are already responsible for outpatient copayments.
▶ 1:11:36This means that a veteran who has attended yoga classes three times a week to help improve their strength, mindfulness, and overall health was suddenly faced with paying $45 a week for an activity they had previously been While this doesn't affect all veterans, just those in lower priority groups, it's easy to see how quickly those copays will add up and how this will serve as a deterrent.
▶ 1:12:01I know my colleagues agree that veterans deserve access to any services or treatments that a veteran finds helpful to their mental or physical health, even those that may go beyond traditional health care services. Veterans shouldn't be subjected to burdensome copayments, especially as the cost of living continues to increase and veterans are stretched thinner financially than ever I thank Representative DeLuzio for his leadership in ensuring veterans can continue to afford the services
▶ 1:12:31they rely on, and I urge all my colleagues who believe and support the veterans' holistic health needs to support this Does any other member wish to speak on the bill? Seeing none, does any member wish to offer an amendment to any to this bill? Hearing none, I now recognize ranking member Brownley for a motion. Forward the bill. Yeah.
▶ 1:12:58I move that HR 6848 be reported favorably to the full committee. There is a motion to favorably forward the bill HR 6848 to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed say In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the bills are favorably forwarded to the full committee. The chair will will now proceed with the postponed votes. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 2283. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:13:28I. All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment in the nature of a substitute is agreed to. Is a reported I know. Is a reported vote requested? The ranking member is requesting a reported vote. The clerk will now call the roll. Madam Chair. Uh, yes. Madam Chair, I. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, I. Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, I. Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, I. Miss Mrs. Caggins.
▶ 1:13:59Mrs. Caggins, I. Mr. Hamadey. Mr. Hamadey, I. Miss King Hines. Madam Ranking Member. Madam Ranking Member, no. Miss Schiffling McCormick. Miss Schiffling McCormick, no. Dr. Dr. Dexter, no. Mr. Conaway. Dr. Conaway, no. Miss Morrison. Dr. Dr. Morrison, no. Have all members Does any member wish to change their Hearing none, the clerk will announce the total.
▶ 1:14:28Madam Chair, there are seven eyes and five nays. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 2283 as amended is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I now recognize Representative Bergman for a motion. Madam Chair, I move that the subcommittee favorably forward HR 2283 as amended to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 1:14:58All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The motion is agreed to. The question now occurs on the motion to favorably forward HR 2283 as amended. The clerk will call the We already did HR 2283 as amended is favorably forwarded to the full committee.
▶ 1:15:28Sorry, I have duplicate pages. The question now occurs to agree to the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Morrison to HR 6990 Oh, we No, we have to vote on those. A recorded vote was asked for. The clerk will call the roll. Madam Chair. Madam Chair.
▶ 1:15:58Madam Chair, no. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, no. Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, no. Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Mr. Van Orden, no. Mrs. Caggins. Mrs. Caggins, no. Mr. Hamadey. Mr. Hamadey, no. Miss King Hines. Miss King Hines, no. Madam Ranking Madam Ranking Member, I. Miss Schiffling Miss Schiffling McCormick, I. Dr. Dr. Dexter, I. Mr. Conaway. Mr. Conaway, I. Dr. Morrison.
▶ 1:16:28Dr. Morrison, I. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their Hearing none, the clerk will now announce the total. Madam Chair, the vote is five eyes and seven nays. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. Okay. HR 6993 is a um Excuse me. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 1:16:54The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Dr. Conaway to HR 6993. The clerk will call the roll. Madam Chair. No. Madam Chair, no. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, no. Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, no. Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, no. Mrs. Caggins. Mrs. Caggins, no. Mr. Hamadey. Mr. Hamadey, no. Mrs. King Hines. Mrs. King Hines, no. Madam Ranking Member. Madam Ranking Member, no. Or I.
▶ 1:17:25Miss Schiffling McCormick. Miss Schiffling McCormick, I. Dr. Dexter. Dr. Dexter, I. Mr. Conaway. Dr. Conaway, I. Dr. Morrison. Dr. Morrison, I. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk shall report the total. Madam Chair, there are five eyes and seven nays. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.
▶ 1:17:50The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the amendment in the nature of a substitute amendment number one offered by Representative Brownley to HR 6993. The clerk will call the roll. Madam Chair. No. Madam Chair, no. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, no. Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, no. Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, no. Mrs. Caggins. Mrs. Caggins, no. Mr. Hamadey. Mr. Hamadey, no. Miss King Hines. Miss King Hines, no. Madam Making Ranking Member.
▶ 1:18:20Madam Ranking Member, I. Miss Schiffling Miss Schiffling McCormick, I. Dr. Dr. Dexter, I. Mr. Conaway. Mr. Conaway, I. Dr. Morrison. Dr. Morrison, I. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their Hearing none, the clerk will now announce the total. Madam Chair, the vote is five eyes and seven nays. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.
▶ 1:18:47The question now occurs on agreeing to amendment number two to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Ranking Member Brownley to HR 6993. The clerk will report the roll. Madam Chair. No. Madam Chair, no. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, no. Dr. Dr. Murphy, no. Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, no. Mrs. Caggins. Mrs. Caggins, no. Mr. Hamadey. Mr. Hamadey, no. Mrs. King Hines. Mrs. King Hines, no. Madam Ranking Madam Ranking Member, I. Miss Schiffling McCormick.
▶ 1:19:17Miss Schiffling McCormick, I. Dr. Dexter. Dr. Dexter, I. Mr. Conaway. Mr. Callaway, I, Dr. Morrison. Dr. Dr. Morrison, I. Have all members voted? Does anyone wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will report uh the total. Madam Chair, there are five eyes and seven nays. The amendment is not agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. The question now occurs on agreeing to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 6993. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:19:47I. All those opposed say In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the
▶ 1:19:53Madam Chair, I request a roll call vote. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and the amendment of the nature of substitute, a roll call vote has been The clerk will call the roll. Madam Yes. Madam Chair, I, Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, I, Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, I, Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, I, Ms. Kiggans. Ms. Kiggans, I, Mr. Hamaday. Mr. Hamaday, I, Ms. King Hines. Madam Ranking Member. Madam Ranking Member, no. Ms.
▶ 1:20:22Shifflett Ms. Shifflett McCormick, no. Dr. Dexter. Dr. Dexter, no. Mr. Callaway. Dr. Callaway, no. Ms. Dr. Morrison. Dr. Dr. Morrison, no. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will announce the total. Madam Chair, the vote is seven eyes and five nays. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 6993 as amended is agreed to. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
▶ 1:20:53Madam Chair, I request a roll call vote. We just did a roll call vote.
▶ 1:20:57Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. That's okay. Um I I now recognize Representative uh Dr. General Bergman for a motion. Madam Chair, I move that the subcommittee favorably forward H.R. 6993 as amended to the full committee. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say no. No. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. That's why I say I'm requesting a recorded vote.
▶ 1:21:27The Ranking Member has requested a recorded vote. The clerk will call the roll. Madam Chair. Yes. Madam Chair, I, Mr. Bergman. Mr. Bergman, I, Dr. Murphy. Dr. Murphy, I, Mr. Van Orden. Mr. Van Orden, I, Mrs. Kiggans. Mrs. Kiggans, I, Mr. Hamaday. Mr. Hamaday, I, Ms. King Hines. Ms. King Hines, I, Madam Ranking Member. No. Madam Ranking Member, no. Ms. Shifflett McCormick. Ms. Shifflett McCormick, no. Dr. Dexter. Dr. Dexter, no. Dr. Callaway.
▶ 1:21:58Dr. Callaway, no. Dr. Morrison. Dr. Morrison, no. Have all members voted? Does any member wish to change their vote? Hearing none, the clerk will announce the total. Madam Chair, the vote is seven eyes and five nays. H.R. 6993 as amended is favorably forward to the full committee. I think uh that it's uh this is very timely.
▶ 1:22:22I ask uh unanimous consent that the committee staff be authorized to make technical, clerical, and conforming changes to the bill favorably forward today. Here Hearing no objection, so ordered. I thank the members for their attendance today. I thank the subcommittee for the markup and I thank all members for making sure we finish before votes are called. Thank you very much. The hearing is adjourned.