Congressional Record, Senate, July 21, 2020 — Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
Summary
Pages S4350 and S4351 of the Congressional Record, Senate, July 21, 2020. The pages begin with additions of cosponsors to amendments to S. 4049, an original bill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for military activities of the Department of Defense. Under Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions, Ms. COLLINS, for herself and Ms. SMITH, introduces S. 4233, a payment program for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that lost markets and revenues due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Mrs. LOEFFLER introduces S. 4238, relating to criminal street gangs. The text ends with Mr. CARDIN speaking about the World Health Organization.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, July 21, 2020 — Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2020-07-21-crec-2020-07-21-pt1-pgs4350-2ec99f2028/
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S4350 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 21, 2020
the Department of Energy, to prescribe (Mr. MARKEY), the Senator from Massa- S. 4233. A bill to establish a payment
military personnel strengths for such chusetts (Ms. WARREN) and the Senator program for unexpected loss of markets
fiscal year, and for other purposes. from Delaware (Mr. CARPER) were and revenues to timber harvesting and
AMENDMENT NO. 1702 added as cosponsors of amendment No. timber hauling businesses due to the
At the request of Mr. CARDIN, the 2252 proposed to S. 4049, an original bill COVID–19 pandemic, and for other pur-
name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. to authorize appropriations for fiscal poses; to the Committee on Agri-
MERKLEY) was added as a cosponsor of year 2021 for military activities of the culture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
amendment No. 1702 intended to be pro- Department of Defense, for military Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise
posed to S. 4049, an original bill to au- construction, and for defense activities to introduce a bill with my colleague,
thorize appropriations for fiscal year of the Department of Energy, to pre- Senator SMITH that will help the hard-
2021 for military activities of the De- scribe military personnel strengths for working loggers across this Nation
partment of Defense, for military con- such fiscal year, and for other pur- whose operations have suffered serious
struction, and for defense activities of poses. losses directly due to the pandemic. In
the Department of Energy, to prescribe AMENDMENT NO. 2455 Maine alone, logging has a roughly $650
military personnel strengths for such At the request of Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, million annual economic impact, and is
fiscal year, and for other purposes. the name of the Senator from Maine the backbone of the forest products
AMENDMENT NO. 1729 (Mr. KING) was added as a cosponsor of economy. The industry is made up of
At the request of Mr. GARDNER, his amendment No. 2455 intended to be pro- countless multi-generational family
name was added as a cosponsor of posed to S. 4049, an original bill to au- businesses, whose survival is being se-
amendment No. 1729 proposed to S. thorize appropriations for fiscal year riously threatened.
4049, an original bill to authorize ap- 2021 for military activities of the De- In Maine and in many places across
propriations for fiscal year 2021 for partment of Defense, for military con- the Country, the logging industry first
military activities of the Department struction, and for defense activities of felt the effects of COVID–19 in January
of Defense, for military construction, the Department of Energy, to prescribe as exports to foreign markets were sig-
and for defense activities of the De- military personnel strengths for such nificantly limited if not eliminated en-
partment of Energy, to prescribe mili- fiscal year, and for other purposes. tirely. Declines in demand for paper
tary personnel strengths for such fiscal AMENDMENT NO. 2457 products and other wood fiber based
year, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. MERKLEY, the products caused by the COVID–19 pan-
AMENDMENT NO. 1972
names of the Senator from Michigan demic have prompted shutdowns, slow-
(Ms. STABENOW), the Senator from downs, and closures across the globe.
At the request of Mr. TESTER, the
Pennsylvania (Mr. CASEY), the Senator As a result, Maine has seen declining
name of the Senator from Arizona (Ms.
from New Mexico (Mr. UDALL), the Sen- demand for wood from mills across the
SINEMA) was added as a cosponsor of
ator from New Hampshire (Mrs. SHA- board, and low prices and quotas driven
amendment No. 1972 intended to be pro-
HEEN), the Senator from Virginia (Mr. by that lack of demand. And while tim-
posed to S. 4049, an original bill to au-
KAINE), the Senator from Minnesota ber prices have remained relatively
thorize appropriations for fiscal year
(Ms. SMITH), the Senator from New stable, mills have drastically reduced
2021 for military activities of the De-
York (Mr. SCHUMER), the Senator from their processing capacity—resulting in
partment of Defense, for military con-
California (Mrs. FEINSTEIN), the Sen- a ripple effect that has hit loggers and
struction, and for defense activities of ator from Maryland (Mr. CARDIN), the
the Department of Energy, to prescribe timber hauling companies hard.
Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. WHITE- The Professional Logging Contrac-
military personnel strengths for such HOUSE), the Senator from Vermont (Mr. tors of Maine projects at least a 20 per-
fiscal year, and for other purposes. LEAHY), the Senator from Montana cent reduction in the annual harvest,
AMENDMENT NO. 2174
(Mr. TESTER), the Senator from Hawaii which would threaten more than 600
At the request of Mr. TILLIS, the (Mr. SCHATZ), the Senator from Nevada jobs and represent the potential loss of
name of the Senator from Connecticut (Ms. CORTEZ MASTO), the Senator from $86 million in economic activity in my
(Mr. BLUMENTHAL) was added as a co- Virginia (Mr. WARNER), the Senator State. The explosion of a pulp digester
sponsor of amendment No. 2174 in- from New Jersey (Mr. MENENDEZ), the earlier this year at a mill in Jay, cou-
tended to be proposed to S. 4049, an Senator from Nevada (Ms. ROSEN) and pled with the recent shutdown of a
original bill to authorize appropria- the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. paper machine at another mill in
tions for fiscal year 2021 for military HASSAN) were added as cosponsors of Westbrook, have compounded the harm
activities of the Department of De- amendment No. 2457 intended to be pro- imposed by the pandemic.
fense, for military construction, and posed to S. 4049, an original bill to au- Although the industry is certainly
for defense activities of the Depart- thorize appropriations for fiscal year not alone in its struggles during this
ment of Energy, to prescribe military 2021 for military activities of the De- time, it faces unique challenges, in-
personnel strengths for such fiscal partment of Defense, for military con- cluding high capital costs relative to
year, and for other purposes. struction, and for defense activities of payroll and the fact that payroll costs
AMENDMENT NO. 2244 the Department of Energy, to prescribe do not reflect the amounts paid to
At the request of Mr. CORNYN, the military personnel strengths for such independent contractors. And unlike
name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. fiscal year, and for other purposes. some of our farmers who have been
CRUZ) was added as a cosponsor of AMENDMENT NO. 2477 able to access direct payments from
amendment No. 2244 proposed to S. At the request of Mr. LEE, the name USDA and our fishermen who were al-
4049, an original bill to authorize ap- of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. located relief funding in the CARES
propriations for fiscal year 2021 for LEAHY) was added as a cosponsor of Act, our forestry professionals have
military activities of the Department amendment No. 2477 intended to be pro- not been provided targeted assistance.
of Defense, for military construction, posed to S. 4049, an original bill to au- The legislation we are introducing
and for defense activities of the De- thorize appropriations for fiscal year today would direct the Secretary of
partment of Energy, to prescribe mili- 2021 for military activities of the De- Agriculture to provide financial assist-
tary personnel strengths for such fiscal partment of Defense, for military con- ance to loggers and timber hauling
year, and for other purposes. struction, and for defense activities of businesses that have experienced at
AMENDMENT NO. 2252 the Department of Energy, to prescribe least a 10 percent loss in revenues from
At the request of Mr. SCHATZ, the January 2020 through July 2020 as com-
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military personnel strengths for such
names of the Senator from Delaware fiscal year, and for other purposes. pared to the same timeframe last year.
(Mr. COONS), the Senator from Vermont f The amount would be equal to 10 per-
(Mr. LEAHY), the Senator from New cent of 2019 gross revenues and could
York (Mrs. GILLIBRAND), the Senator STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED only be used for operating expenses, in-
from California (Mrs. FEINSTEIN), the BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS cluding payroll. I am grateful for the
Senator from New Mexico (Mr. HEIN- By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and American Logging Council’s support of
RICH), the Senator from Massachusetts Ms. SMITH): our legislation, and urge my colleagues
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July 21, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4351
to join in this effort to support one of ment. Additionally, we should forgive Georgia has led the way on confronting
our country’s core economic drivers. at least $10,000 of debt for each student gang violence, passing legislation that
Loggers and forestry industry profes- loan borrower to help speed the recov- gives prosecutors the tools they need
sionals were rightfully deemed essen- ery and reduce the drag of the roughly to disrupt and dismantle these terrible
tial workers during this public health $1.6 trillion in outstanding student gang networks.
crisis, and we must ensure that they loan debt on economic prospects for Today, I am introducing the Crack-
receive the support necessary to over 40 million Americans. Going for- ing Down on Gangs and Deporting
emerge from this downturn. ward, we must reduce the need for stu- Criminals Act to apply Georgia’s anti-
dent loan borrowing by expanding gang, pro-community measures across
By Mr. REED (for himself, Ms. need-based grants, such as the Pell our country. This legislation, based on
MURKOWSKI, Mr. JONES, and Mr. Grant, and ensuring that states and in- the Georgia law that Attorney General
TILLIS): stitutions do their part to lower the Carr has called ‘‘one of the strongest
S. 4237. A bill to extend zero interest cost to students and families. statutes in the Nation,’’ aims to deter
rate benefits and payment suspension We should work together to build on and punish criminals who set out to de-
to all Federal student loan borrowers, the important steps Congress took to stroy lives and communities. This in-
and for other purposes; to the Com- provide relief to student loan bor- cludes violent crimes like the murders
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, rowers in the CARES Act. However, we of Janina, Christopher, and Nicholas.
and Pensions. need to ensure that all Federal student In addition to violence, gangs run
Mr. REED. Mr. President, today, loan borrowers have access to this re- elaborate drug operations. One recent
along with Senator MURKOWSKI, we are lief. I hope that my colleagues will join bust in Pickens County last month re-
introducing legislation to provide re- us in cosponsoring the Student Loan sulted in the arrest of nearly 50 indi-
lief to all Federal student loan bor- Fairness Act and pushing for its inclu- viduals. Law enforcement confiscated
rowers during this public health and sion in the next COVID–19 relief pack- nearly $2 million worth of meth-
economic crisis. The bipartisan Stu- age. amphetamine from a drug ring run by
dent Loan Fairness Act, which is also three gangs.
cosponsored by Senators MURKOWSKI, By Mrs. LOEFFLER (for herself, They deal in the abhorrent world of
JONES, and TILLIS, will correct an in- Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Mr. COT- human trafficking. A study in San
equity in the CARES Act that left out TON): Diego County found that an astounding
millions of Federal student loan bor- S. 4238. A bill to amend title 18, 85 percent of those involved in human
rowers from benefits to ease the burden United States Code, relating to crimi- trafficking were actively involved in
of repayment as we continue to fight nal street gangs, and for other pur- gangs.
COVID–19. poses; to the Committee on the Judici- Current Federal gang statute has
The CARES Act benefits are re- ary. three strict criteria that are difficult
stricted to borrowers of student loans Mrs. LOEFFLER. Mr. President, this for prosecutors to meet in order to hold
that are held by the Federal govern- spring, 14-year-old Janina Valenzuela someone accountable for their partici-
ment. This leaves out the borrowers was riding a bike with a friend in Mari- pation in a street gang. The legislation
whose Federal Family Education Loans etta, GA, when she was killed as part I am introducing today will make it
(FFEL) are still held by commercial of an initiation into an MS–13 gang. In easier for Federal prosecutors to seek
and State agency lenders, and those 2016, Christopher Dean was brutally harsh sentences for gang activity. It
with Perkins Loans that are adminis- murdered by gang members in Atlanta. will facilitate the removal of criminal
tered by institutions of higher edu- The D.A. called it ‘‘the most horrific gang members who are in our country
cation. In fact, nearly 6 million bor- illegally, and it would create a na-
death’’ in recent history. His murder
rowers were left out under the FFEL tional gang database, making it easier
left two children without a father. In
Program and another 1.9 million under to eradicate these gang networks.
2010, 11-year-old Nicholas Sheffey was We need to take action now to take
the Perkins Loan Program. This dis- shot and killed sleeping in his bed dur- violent gang members off of our
parate treatment by loan type is as ing a drive-by shooting in Chamblee, streets. Across the country, violence is
confusing as it is unfair. GA. These are just three of the too skyrocketing in our cities, while radi-
In April, a broad group of more than many lives that have been lost, trag- cals call to defund and abolish the po-
two dozen organizations representing ically cut short due to senseless gang lice. The troubling decline in support
educators, borrower advocates, vet- violence. for law enforcement, coupled with the
erans, lenders, guaranty agencies, and In Georgia, there are over 71,000 effects of the pandemic and recent un-
student loan servicers implored Con- known gang members representing a rest, threatens the further spread of
gress to remedy this inequity. They variety of gangs, including the gang violence across communities in
wrote, ‘‘A Federal loan borrower—re- Ghostface Gangsters, an all-White gang America.
gardless of the origination of that loan, in Georgia; the Gangster Disciples, The Cracking Down on Gangs and De-
be it Part B, D, E, commercial, or gov- which formed in Chicago and quickly porting Criminals Act will help keep
ernment-held—should receive equal, spread to Georgia; and the Aryan our communities safe and support law
immediate, and critical support in this Brotherhood, a White supremacy gang. enforcement in their work to root out
unprecedented time . . . Already, bor- Nationwide, there are more than 1.4 gang activity. No family should have
rowers are confused as to why their million members and 33,000 gangs to go through what Janina, Chris-
Federal loans are treated differently across the U.S. According to the most topher, and Nicholas did. Parents
than others.’’ recent National Gang Report, half of should be able to send their children
The Student Loan Fairness Act will law enforcement officials reported that outdoors and off to school without wor-
extend the CARES Act relief to these gang-related violence has increased in rying that they won’t make it home,
borrowers by covering the cost of inter- each of their jurisdictions. Thankfully, and children shouldn’t fear that their
est and suspending monthly payments President Trump and Georgia leaders parents won’t return home. It is time
for the period of March 13 through Sep- have taken strong action to address that we hold gang members account-
tember 30, 2020, and suspending all in- the rising tide of gang violence and to able for their vile and evil actions and
voluntary collection, such as adminis- end the cycles of violence that they keep the American public safe.
trative wage garnishment or offsets cause.
from tax refunds, for this period. For the first time ever, the Depart-
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By Mr. DURBIN:
This legislation is one component of ment of Justice has brought terrorism S. 4242. A bill to establish programs
what should be a comprehensive pack- charges against a member of the MS–13 related to prevention of prescription
age of student loan debt relief. As the gang, taking action against their lead- opioid misuse, and for other purposes;
crisis continues, we should extend the er and 21 other gang members. to the Committee on Finance.
repayment relief until health and eco- Under the leadership of Georgia Gov- Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask
nomic conditions improve sufficiently ernor Brian Kemp and Attorney Gen- unanimous consent that the text of the
for borrowers to be able to begin repay- eral Chris Carr, my home State of bill be printed in the RECORD.
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S4352 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 21, 2020
There being no objection, the text of ‘‘(B) may coordinate with States, law en- (2) provide recommendations with respect
the bill was ordered to be printed in forcement agencies, water resource manage- to addressing any disparities identified
the RECORD, as follows: ment agencies, manufacturers, practitioners, under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph
pharmacists, public health entities, trans- (1) in order to bolster retention of substance
S. 4242 portation and incineration service contrac- abuse disorder providers and the provision of
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- tors, and other entities and individuals, as substance abuse disorder services.
resentatives of the United States of America in appropriate. SEC. 5. EXPANDING ACCESS TO SUBSTANCE USE
Congress assembled, ‘‘(3) The take-back program established DISORDER AND MENTAL HEALTH
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. under paragraph (1)— SERVICES FURNISHED THROUGH
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Addiction ‘‘(A) shall— TELEHEALTH UNDER THE MEDI-
CARE PROGRAM.
Prevention and Responsible Opioid Practices ‘‘(i) ensure appropriate geographic dis-
Act’’. tribution so as to provide— Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security
‘‘(I) reasonably convenient and equitable Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)) is amended—
SEC. 2. EXCISE TAX ON OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS.
access to permanent take-back locations, in- (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter E of chapter ‘‘AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES’’ after ‘‘SUB-
32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is cluding not less than 1 disposal site for every
25,000 residents and not less than 1 physical STANCE USE DISORDER SERVICES’’;
amended by adding at the end the following (2) by inserting ‘‘or, on or after the first
new section: disposal site per town, city, county, or other
unit of local government, where possible; and day after the end of the public health emer-
‘‘SEC. 4192. OPIOID PAIN RELIEVERS. gency described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), to an
‘‘(II) periodic collection events and mail-
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is hereby imposed eligible telehealth individual for purposes of
back programs, including public notice of
on the manufacturer or producer of any tax- diagnosis of a substance use disorder or diag-
such events and programs, as a supplement
able active opioid a tax equal to the amount nosis or treatment of a mental health dis-
to the permanent take-back locations de-
determined under subsection (b). order, as determined by the Secretary,’’ after
scribed in subclause (I), particularly in areas
‘‘(b) AMOUNT DETERMINED.—The amount ‘‘as determined by the Secretary,’’.
in which the provision of access to such loca-
determined under this subsection with re- SEC. 6. ENSURING PARITY FOR MENTAL HEALTH
tions at the level described in that subclause
spect to a manufacturer or producer for a AND ADDICTION TREATMENT SERV-
is not possible;
calendar year is 1 cent per milligram of tax- ICES.
‘‘(ii) establish a process for the accurate
able active opioid in the production or man- Title V of the Public Health Service Act
cataloguing and reporting of the quantities
ufacturing quota determined for such manu- (42 U.S.C. 290ll et seq.) is amended—
of controlled substances collected; and
facturer or producer for the calendar year (1) in part K, by redesignating section 550
‘‘(iii) include a public awareness campaign
under section 306 of the Controlled Sub- (42 U.S.C. 290ee–10), relating to sobriety
and education of practitioners and phar-
stances Act (21 U.S.C. 826). treatment and recovery teams, as section 553
macists; and
‘‘(c) TAXABLE ACTIVE OPIOID.—For purposes and transferring such section to appear after
‘‘(B) may work in coordination with State
of this section— section 552 in part D; and
and locally implemented public and private
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘taxable active (2) by adding at the end of such part D the
take-back programs.
opioid’ means any controlled substance (as following:
‘‘(4) From time to time, beginning in the
defined in section 102 of the Controlled Sub- ‘‘SEC. 554. COMPLIANCE WITH MENTAL HEALTH
second calendar year that begins after the
stances Act (21 U.S.C. 802), as in effect on the AND ADDICTION TREATMENT PAR-
date of enactment of this subsection, the ITY.
date of the enactment of this section) manu-
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer
factured in the United States which is ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in co-
from the general fund of the Treasury an
opium, an opiate, or any derivative thereof. ordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall
amount equal to one-half of the total
‘‘(2) EXCLUSIONS.— award grants to, or enter into cooperative
amount of taxes collected under section 4192
‘‘(A) OTHER INGREDIENTS.—In the case of a agreements with, States to ensure that
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to the
product that includes a taxable active opioid health insurance issuers in the State comply
Attorney General to carry out this sub-
and another ingredient, subsection (a) shall with section 2726.
section. Amounts transferred under this sub- ‘‘(b) USE OF GRANT.—A State shall use
apply only to the portion of such product
paragraph shall remain available until ex- amounts received under a grant or coopera-
that is a taxable active opioid.
pended.’’. tive agreement under this section to—
‘‘(B) DRUGS USED IN ADDICTION TREAT-
(b) FUNDING OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE PRO- ‘‘(1) establish clear guidelines for parity
MENT.—The term ‘taxable active opioid’ shall
GRAMS.—From time to time, beginning in the
not include any controlled substance (as so compliance for mental health and substance
second calendar year that begins after the use disorder benefits;
defined) which is used exclusively for the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary ‘‘(2) ensure parity compliance during pub-
treatment of opioid addiction as part of a
of the Treasury shall transfer from the gen- lic health emergencies with best practices
medication-assisted treatment.’’.
eral fund of the Treasury an amount equal to for delivering evidence-based mental health
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—
one-half of the total amount of taxes col- and substance use disorder treatment, in-
(1) The heading of subchapter E of chapter
lected under section 4192 of the Internal Rev- cluding to ensure virtual, video, internet,
32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
enue Code of 1986, as added by this Act, to telephonic, and other remote services are ap-
amended by striking ‘‘Medical Devices’’ and
the Director of the Center for Substance propriately covered, including alignment
inserting ‘‘Other Medical Products’’.
Abuse Treatment of the Substance Abuse with authorities, flexibilities, and coverage
(2) The table of subchapters for chapter 32
and Mental Health Services Administration promulgated by the Centers for Medicare &
of such Code is amended by striking the item
for programs of the Center, including the Medicaid Services;
relating to subchapter E and inserting the
Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment ‘‘(3) engage with health insurance issuers
following new item:
of Substance Abuse program under subpart II to ensure that they comply with the guide-
‘‘SUBCHAPTER E. OTHER MEDICAL PRODUCTS’’. of part B of title XIX of the Public Health lines promulgated and other provisions of
(3) The table of sections for subchapter E Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x–21 et seq.) and section 2726, including through audits, mar-
of chapter 32 of such Code is amended by add- Programs of Regional and National Signifi- ket conduct examinations, secret shopper
ing at the end the following new item: cance. Amounts transferred under this sub- programs, or other means;
‘‘Sec. 4192. Opioid pain relievers.’’. section shall remain available until ex- ‘‘(4) share information with other States
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments pended. who receive grants under this section;
made by this section shall apply to calendar SEC. 4. GAO STUDY. ‘‘(5) submit a report to the Secretary and
years beginning after the date of the enact- Not later than 1 year after the date of en- the Secretary of Labor on information, ac-
ment of this Act. actment of this Act, the Comptroller General tions, recommendations, and such other in-
SEC. 3. OPIOID CONSUMER ABUSE REDUCTION of the United States shall— formation as such secretaries may require;
PROGRAM. (1) conduct a study examining the coverage and
(a) OPIOID TAKE-BACK PROGRAM.—Section offered under commercial health insurance ‘‘(6) publicly post a summary of the report
302 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 plans and reimbursement rates under the submitted under paragraph (6) on the
U.S.C. 822) is amended by adding at the end Medicare program and State Medicaid plans websites of the Department of Health and
the following: with respect to— Human Services and the Department of
‘‘(h)(1) The Attorney General shall estab- (A) substance use disorder treatment serv- Labor.
lish a national take-back program for the ices, as compared to other health services, ‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
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safe and environmentally responsible dis- and how any disparity identified under this There are authorized to be appropriated to
posal of controlled substances. paragraph may contribute to differences in carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of
‘‘(2) In establishing the take-back program salary and turnover among substance abuse fiscal years 2021 through 2025.’’.
required under paragraph (1), the Attorney disorder providers; and SEC. 7. FEDERAL LICENSURE OF PHARMA-
General— (B) rates of coverage or reimbursement, as CEUTICAL REPRESENTATIVES WHO
‘‘(A) shall consult with the Secretary and applicable, for substance abuse disorder serv- PROMOTE CERTAIN OPIOIDS.
the Administrator of the Environmental ices provided via telehealth, as compared to Subchapter E of chapter V of the Federal
Protection Agency; and such services provided in-person; and Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C.
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July 21, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4353
360bbb et seq.) is amended by adding at the drug for which the daily dosage provided for Acting Opioid Analgesics’’, as published by
end the following: in the approved label exceeds the morphine the Food and Drug Administration in 2017.
‘‘SEC. 569E. FEDERAL LICENSURE OF PHARMA- milligram equivalents per day outlined in The Secretary of Education and the Sec-
CEUTICAL REPRESENTATIVES WHO the report entitled ‘‘CDC Guidelines for Pre- retary of Health and Human Services shall
PROMOTE CERTAIN OPIOIDS. scribing Opioids for Chronic Pain’’, published compile the reports submitted by such
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in con- by the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- schools and submit an annual summary of
sultation with the Attorney General, shall vention in 2016 (or any successor document). such reports to Congress.
establish a licensure program for pharma- SEC. 9. CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION AND SEC. 11. REQUIREMENTS UNDER PRESCRIPTION
ceutical representatives described in sub- PRESCRIPTION DRUG MONITORING DRUG MONITORING PROGRAMS.
section (b). PROGRAM REGISTRATION FOR PRE-
‘‘(b) LICENSURE PROGRAM.— SCRIBERS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning 1 year after
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENT.—Beginning on July 1, Section 303 of the Controlled Substances the date of enactment of this Act, each State
2021, no individual described in paragraph (2) Act (21 U.S.C. 823) is amended— that receives funding under any of the pro-
may engage in the marketing or promoting (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as sub- grams described in subsection (c) shall—
of opioid drugs unless such individual is li- section (l); and (1) require practitioners, or their des-
censed under this section. (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the fol- ignees, in the State to consult the database
‘‘(2) INDIVIDUALS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN LICEN- lowing: of the prescription drug monitoring program
SURE.—An individual required to obtain a li- ‘‘(k)(1) The Attorney General shall not reg- before writing prescriptions for controlled
cense under this section is any individual ister, or renew the registration of, a practi- substances (as such term is defined in sec-
who, on behalf of a drug manufacturer, en- tioner under subsection (f) who is licensed tion 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21
gaged, on more than 15 days in a calendar under State law to prescribe controlled sub- U.S.C. 802)) in schedule II, III, or IV under
year, in the marketing or promotion to stances in schedule II, III, or IV, unless the section 202 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 812);
health care professionals, including edu- practitioner submits to the Attorney Gen- (2) require dispensers of controlled sub-
cational or sales communications, meetings eral, for each such registration or renewal stances in schedule II, III, or IV, or their des-
or paid events, and the provision of goods, request, a written certification that— ignees, to input data into the database of the
gifts, and samples, of any opioid drug (other ‘‘(A)(i) the practitioner has, during the 1- prescription drug monitoring program with-
than methadone) that is listed in schedule II year period preceding the registration or re- in 24 hours of filling a qualifying prescrip-
of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances newal request, completed a training program tion, as required by the Attorney General
Act. described in paragraph (2); or and the Secretary of Health and Human
‘‘(3) LICENSURE PERIOD.—Each license ‘‘(ii) the practitioner, during the applicable Services, including patient identifier infor-
issued under this section shall be valid for 3 registration period, will not prescribe such mation, the national drug code of the dis-
years, and may be renewed for additional 3- controlled substances in amounts in excess pensed drug, date of dispensing the drug,
year periods. of a 72-hour supply (for which no refill is quantity and dosage of the drug dispensed,
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS.—An individual re- available); and form of payment, Drug Enforcement Admin-
quired to obtain a license under this section ‘‘(B) the practitioner has registered with istration registration number of the practi-
shall— the prescription drug monitoring program of tioner, Drug Enforcement Administration
‘‘(1) submit to the Secretary, at such time registration number of the dispenser;
the State in which the practitioner prac-
and in such manner as the Secretary may re- (3) allow practitioners and dispensers to
tices, if the State has such program.
quire— ‘‘(2) A training program described in this designate other appropriate individuals to
‘‘(A) such information as the Secretary paragraph is a training program that— act as agents of such practitioners and dis-
may require; and ‘‘(A) follows the best practices for pain pensers for purposes of obtaining and
‘‘(B) a registration fee in the amount of management, as described in the ‘Guideline inputing data from the database for purposes
$3,000; for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain’ as of complying with paragraphs (1) and (2), as
‘‘(2) certify that such individual has com- published by the Centers for Disease Control applicable;
pleted training on ethics, pharmaceutical and Prevention in 2016, or any successor (4) provide informational materials for
marketing regulations, the ‘CDC Guidelines thereto, or the ‘FDA Blueprint for Prescriber practitioners and dispensers to identify and
for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain’, Education for Extended-Release and Long- refer patients with possible substance use
published by the Centers for Disease Control Acting Opioid Analgesics’ as published by disorders to professional treatment special-
and Prevention in 2016 (or any successor doc- the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, or ists;
ument) or the ‘FDA Blueprint for Prescriber any successor thereto; (5) establish formal data sharing agree-
Education for Extended-Release and Long- ‘‘(B) includes information on— ments to foster electronic connectivity with
Acting Opioid Analgesics’, and applicable ‘‘(i) recommending non-opioid and non- the prescription drug monitoring programs
Federal laws pertaining to drug marketing, pharmacological therapy; of each State (if such State has such a pro-
labeling, and clinical trials, as the Secretary ‘‘(ii) establishing treatment goals and eval- gram) with which the State shares a border,
may require; uating patient risks; to facilitate the exchange of information
‘‘(3) certify that such individual will not ‘‘(iii) prescribing the lowest dose and few- through an established technology architec-
engage in any illegal, fraudulent, mis- est number of pills considered effective; ture that ensures common data standards,
leading, or other deceptive marketing of ‘‘(iv) addictive and overdose risks of privacy protection, and secure and stream-
schedule II opioid drugs; and opioids; lined information sharing;
‘‘(4) file with the Secretary annual reports ‘‘(v) diagnosing and managing substance (6) authorize direct access to the State’s
disclosing the names of providers visited and use disorders, including linking patients to database of the prescription drug monitoring
any drug samples or gifts such individual evidence-based treatment; program to all State law enforcement agen-
gives any such provider. ‘‘(vi) identifying narcotics-seeking behav- cies, State boards responsible for the licen-
‘‘(d) MANUFACTURER REPORTING REQUIRE- sure, regulation, or discipline of practi-
iors; and
MENTS.—The manufacturer who employs or tioners, pharmacists, or other persons au-
‘‘(vii) using prescription drug monitoring
contracts with any individual required to ob- thorized to prescribe, administer, or dispense
tain a license under this section shall in- programs; and
‘‘(C) is approved by the Secretary.’’. controlled substances; and
clude in reports required under section 1128G (7) in order to enhance accountability in
of the Social Security Act the name of each SEC. 10. REPORT ON PRESCRIBER EDUCATION
COURSES FOR MEDICAL AND DEN- prescribing and dispensing patterns, not
such licensed individual that provides pay- TAL STUDENTS. fewer than 4 times per year, proactively pro-
ments or other transfers of value required to
Each school of medicine, school of osteo- vide informational reports on aggregate
be reported under such section 1128G that re-
pathic medicine, and school of dentistry par- trends and individual outliers, based on in-
lates to an opioid drug that is listed in
ticipating in a program under title IV of the formation available through the State pre-
schedule II of the Controlled Substances
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a scription drug monitoring program to—
Act.’’.
et seq.), as a condition for such participa- (A) the State entities and persons de-
SEC. 8. WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL OF CERTAIN
OPIOIDS. tion, shall submit an annual report to the scribed in paragraph (6); and
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any Secretary of Education and the Secretary of (B) the Medicaid agency and the depart-
other provision of law, any ultra-high-dose Health and Human Services on any pre- ment of public health of the State.
opioid shall be considered a drug that pre- scriber education courses focused specifi- (b) TRANSPARENCY IN PRESCRIBING PRAC-
cally on pain management and responsible TICES AND INTERVENTION FOR HIGH PRE-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
sents an imminent hazard to the public
health within the meaning of section 505(e) opioid prescribing practices that such school SCRIBERS.—
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires students to take, and whether such (1) STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Each
(21 U.S.C. 355(e)), and the Secretary of Health courses are consistent with the most re- State that receives funding under any of the
and Human Services shall suspend the ap- cently published version of the ‘‘Guideline programs described in subsection (c) shall,
proval of such drug, in accordance with such for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain’’ of twice per year, submit to the Secretary of
section 505(e). the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- Health and Human Services and the Admin-
(b) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term tion or the ‘‘FDA Blueprint for Prescriber istrator of the Drug Enforcement Adminis-
‘‘ultra-high-dose opioid’’ means an opioid Education for Extended-Release and Long- tration—
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S4354 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 21, 2020
(A) a list of all practitioners and dispensers SEC. 12. INTEROPERABILITY OF CERTIFIED native treatment modalities (such as inte-
who, in the applicable reporting period, have HEALTH INFORMATION TECH- grative medicine, including acupuncture and
NOLOGY.
prescribed or dispensed schedule II, III, or IV exercise therapy, neural stimulation, bio-
opioids in the State; Section 3001(c)(5) of the Public Health feedback, radiofrequency ablation, and trig-
(B) the amount of schedule II, III, or IV Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300jj–11(c)(5)) is ger point injections) furnished to Medicare
amended by adding at the end the following: beneficiaries who suffer from acute or chron-
opioids that were prescribed and dispensed
‘‘(F) INTEROPERABILITY.—Beginning on ic lower back pain. Such study shall, pursu-
by each individual practitioner and dispenser
January 1, 2021, the National Coordinator ant to the contract under this paragraph, in-
described in subparagraph (A); and
shall not certify electronic health records as clude an analysis of—
(C) any additional information that the
health information technology that is in (1) scientific research on the short-term
Secretary and Administrator may require to
compliance with applicable certification cri- and long-term impact of the addition of such
support surveillance and evaluation of trends teria under this paragraph unless such tech-
in prescribing or dispensing of schedule II, coverage on clinical efficacy for pain man-
nology is interoperable with the prescription agement of such beneficiaries;
III, or IV opioids, or to identify possible non- drug monitoring programs of each State
medical use and diversion of such sub- (2) whether the lack of Medicare coverage
that, at the time of the request for such cer- for alternative treatment modalities impacts
stances. tification, has such a program.’’.
(2) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year the volume of opioids prescribed for bene-
SEC. 13. STUDIES RELATED TO OVERDOSE DIS- ficiaries; and
after the date of enactment of this Act, and CHARGE AND FOLLOW-UP POLICIES. (3) the cost to the Medicare program of the
annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health (a) STUDY.—Not later than January 1, 2021, addition of such coverage to treat pain and
and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services mitigate the progression of chronic pain, as
the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement shall— weighed against the cost of opioid use dis-
Administration, the Secretary of Defense, (1) conduct a study on the scope and cir- order, overdose, readmission, subsequent sur-
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the cumstances of non-fatal opioid overdoses, geries, and utilization and expenditures
Director of the Indian Health Service, shall the policies and procedures that States, under parts B and D of such title.
submit to Congress, and make public, a re- health care systems, and first responders (b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after
port identifying outliers among the medical have implemented; and the date of enactment of this Act, pursuant
specialties and geographic areas with the (2) in partnership with stakeholder organi- to the contract under subsection (a), the Na-
highest rates of opioid prescribing in the Na- zations with subject matter expertise, estab- tional Academies shall submit to Congress a
tion, by zip code. lish guidelines for hospital procedures fol- report on the study under subsection (a).
(3) DEVELOPMENT OF ACTION PLAN.— lowing non-fatal opioid overdose and the ad- (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To
(A) INITIAL PLAN.—Not later than 1 year ministration of overdose reversal medica- carry out this section, there are authorized
after the date of enactment of this Act, the tion. to be appropriated such sums as may be nec-
Secretary of Health and Human Services, in (b) STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY essary.
consultation with the Administrator of the MEASURES UNDER MEDICARE RELATED TO
Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sec- OPIOID ABUSE AND SUBSTANCE USE DIS- By Mr. DURBIN:
retary of Defense, the Secretary of Veterans ORDER.—Section 1890A(e) of the Social Secu- S. 4243. A bill to protect children of
Affairs, and the Director of the Indian rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395aaa–1(e)) is amended— certain immigrant workers from deten-
Health Service, shall submit to Congress a (1) by striking ‘‘MEASURES.—The Adminis- tion and removal and aging out of law-
plan of action, including warning letters and trator’’ and inserting ‘‘MEASURES.—
ful status, and for other purposes; to
enforcement mechanisms, for addressing ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new the Committee on the Judiciary.
outliers in opioid prescribing practices and
ensuring an adequate Federal response to paragraph: S. 4243
protect the public health. ‘‘(2) STUDY AND DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask
(B) UPDATED PLAN.—The Secretary of MEASURES RELATED TO OPIOID ABUSE AND SUB- unanimous consent that the text of the
Health and Human Services shall submit to STANCE USE DISORDER.—Beginning not later bill be printed in the RECORD. There
Congress updates to the plan of action de- than 1 year after the date of enactment of being no objection, the text of the bill
scribed in subparagraph (A), as such Sec- this paragraph, the Administrator of the
was ordered to be printed in the
retary, in consultation with the heads of Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
shall study, and through contracts develop, RECORD, as follows:
agencies described in such subparagraph, de- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
termines appropriate. in coordination with appropriate subject
resentatives of the United States of America in
matter organizations (such as the entity
(c) PROGRAMS DESCRIBED.—The programs Congress assembled,
with a contract under section 1890), for use
described in this subsection are— SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
under this Act, quality measures related to
(1) the Harold Rogers Prescription Drug standards of care for treating individuals This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protect
Monitoring Program established under the with non-fatal opioid overdose, discharge Children of Immigrant Workers Act’’.
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and procedures, and linkages to appropriate sub- SEC. 2. PROTECTING CHILDREN OF CERTAIN IM-
MIGRANT WORKERS FROM DETEN-
State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies stance use disorder treatment and commu-
TION AND REMOVAL AND AGING
Appropriations Act, 2002 (Public Law 107–77; nity support services.’’. OUT OF LAWFUL STATUS.
115 Stat. 748); SEC. 14. MEDICAID OPIOID DRUG MAPPING TOOL. (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any
(2) the controlled substance monitoring (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health other provision of law, subject to subsection
program under section 399O of the Public and Human Services shall create an inter- (b), with respect to an individual whose par-
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–3); active opioid drug mapping tool, which shall ent is the principal beneficiary of an ap-
(3) the Prescription Drug Overdose: Pre- be made publicly available on the internet proved employment-based immigrant worker
vention for States program of the Centers for website of the Centers for Medicare & Med- petition filed on a date on which the indi-
Disease Control and Prevention; icaid Services, showing prescribing practices vidual was a child (as defined in section
(4) the Prescription Drug Overdose: Data- of providers that participate in State Med- 101(b) of the Immigration and Nationality
Driven Prevention Initiative of Centers for icaid programs and geographic comparisons, Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(b))—
Disease Control and Prevention; at the State, county, and ZIP code levels, of (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security
(5) the Enhanced State Opioid Overdose de-identified opioid prescription claims made shall not detain, refer for removal, initiate
Surveillance program of the Centers for Dis- under State Medicaid programs under title removal proceedings against, or remove the
ease Control and Prevention; XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 individual; and
(6) the opioid grant program under section et seq.). (2) the individual shall—
1003 of the 21st Century Cures Act (Public (b) COLLECTION OF DATA FROM STATES.— (A) without regard to immigrant intent
Law 114–255); and The Secretary of Health and Human Services and on application by the individual, be eli-
(7) the State Opioid Response Grant pro- may request from States such data as the gible—
gram described under the heading ‘‘SUB- Secretary determines necessary to create the (i) to extend nonimmigrant dependent sta-
STANCE ABUSE TREATMENT’’ under the head- opioid mapping tool described in subsection tus connected to the nonimmigrant status of
ing ‘‘SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH (a). such parent until the date on which an appli-
SEC. 15. NATIONAL ACADEMIES STUDY. cation for lawful permanent resident status
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
SERVICES ADMINISTRATION’’ of title II of divi-
sion A of the Further Consolidated Appro- (a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Health and filed by the individual pursuant to subpara-
priations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–94). Human Services shall enter into a contract graph (B) is adjudicated; or
with the National Academies of Science, En- (ii) to extend or change status to an alter-
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms gineering, and Medicine (referred to in this native nonimmigrant status independent of
‘‘dispenser’’ and ‘‘practitioner’’ have the section as the ‘‘National Academies’’) to such parent’s visa status until the date on
meanings given such terms in section 102 of carry out a study on the addition of coverage which an application for lawful permanent
the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. under the Medicare program under title resident status filed by the individual pursu-
802). XVIII of the Social Security Act of alter- ant to that subparagraph is adjudicated; and
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July 21, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4355
(B) qualify as a derivative beneficiary child of reforms to strengthen its health emer- connected than it has ever been. These
for immigrant visa purposes beginning on gencies program and response in large part advancements, especially international
the date on which such parent’s employ- due to United States involvement; travel, create risks, as we have seen
ment-based immigrant worker petition is ap- Whereas the WHO is leading the global re-
through the devastating spread of the
proved and ending on the date on which the sponse to the COVID–19 pandemic with its
individual’s application for lawful perma- technical, communications, and organiza- novel coronavirus all over the globe.
nent resident status is adjudicated, regard- tional capacities in 150 countries; But close global connections also
less of whether such parent is living or de- Whereas the WHO is coordinating an un- strengthen our capacity to work col-
ceased. precedented global clinical trial, known as laboratively to tackle threats facing
(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall the ‘‘Solidarity Trial’’, to evaluate the safe- our communities. The COVID–19 pan-
not apply to any individual who the Sec- ty and effectiveness of 4 drug treatment demic is one such threat—it is a chal-
retary determines, on an individualized combinations against COVID–19, involving lenge that we will only be able to over-
basis, poses a threat to public safety or na- more than 100 countries, 400 hospitals, and come together. United Nations Sec-
tional security. more than 3,500 patients;
Whereas the WHO is leading the global ef-
retary General Antonio Guterres put it
f best when he said, ‘‘We are only as
fort to supply health commodities and is co-
SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS ordinating the United Nations Global Supply strong as the weakest health systems.’’
Chain Task Force, which is working with the President Trump’s decision on July
private sector, the World Food Programme, 6th to begin formally withdrawing the
SENATE RESOLUTION 653—EX- and the European Central Bank to establish United States from the World Health
PRESSING THE SENSE OF THE an emergency supply chain for low-resource Organization, or the WHO, is irra-
SENATE THAT A UNITED STATES countries; tional, reckless, and simply the wrong
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE WORLD Whereas at least 135 countries rely on the thing to do. While the WHO is not per-
HEALTH ORGANIZATION UNDER- WHO to procure millions of pieces of per-
sonal protective equipment and other vital
fect, its technical capacities and rela-
MINES UNITED STATES GLOBAL tionship with nearly every country in
health commodities like tests and testing
HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND THE supplies; the world make it the best organiza-
INTERNATIONAL COVID–19 RE- Whereas the WHO is the only organization tion to manage the response to a global
SPONSE with the legal mandate and capacity to gath- pandemic like COVID–19. A few weeks
Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. LEAHY, er public health data from any country in ago, the Senate Foreign Relations
Mr. BROWN, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. VAN the world and use it to quickly develop and Committee heard from a panel of pub-
disseminate technical guidance to help coun- lic health experts who all spoke with
HOLLEN, Mr. COONS, Mr. CARPER, Mr.
tries prepare public health responses;
DURBIN, Mr. CASEY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. Whereas the WHO, through a partnership
one voice—leaving the WHO in the
HEINRICH, Mr. KAINE, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. with member states, major donors, and pri- middle of a global pandemic will not
WYDEN, Mr. BENNET, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, vate sector partners called the ACT Accel- only compromise the international re-
Ms. STABENOW, Mr. REED, Mr. UDALL, erator, is already working to pre-position sponse to COVID–19, it will put Ameri-
Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Ms. WARREN, Mr. MUR- manufacturing capacity and distribution cans’ lives at risk.
PHY, Ms. SMITH, Mr. KING, Mr. WHITE- channels to ensure that all countries have Today, I am introducing a resolution
HOUSE, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. HIRONO, Ms. access to future therapies and vaccines fast- with 28 co-sponsors that expresses the
er and at a fair price; sense of the Senate that withdrawing
ROSEN, and Mr. MERKLEY) submitted
Whereas the Trump Administration froze
the following resolution; which was re- from the WHO undermines U.S. global
funding to the WHO pending a ‘‘60 to 90 day
ferred to the Committee on Foreign review’’ on April 14, 2020, but without any health leadership and the international
Relations: disclosure of the review’s findings, gave the COVID–19 response. This resolution
S. RES. 653 WHO 30 days to make unspecified reforms on recognizes that since the WHO was
Whereas United States contributions to May 19, 2020, and then, 11 days later, an- founded in 1948—with help from the
the World Health Organization (WHO) are le- nounced the United States would withdraw United States—it has relied on U.S.
veraged with contributions from other coun- from the WHO; support to lead the world in disease de-
tries, the private sector, and foundations to Whereas, on June 25, 2020, the Senate tection and eradication and strength-
advance longstanding United States global passed by unanimous consent S. Res. 579,
ening health systems. The resolution
health priorities; urging United States leadership and partici-
pation in global efforts on therapeutics and also highlights the significant benefit
Whereas the WHO was founded in 1948 with
vaccine development and delivery to address the U.S. gains by participating in the
United States help and has been at the fore-
front of major global health achievements in COVID–19; and WHO, including the ability to improve
the last 72 years, including the eradication of Whereas, on July 6, 2020, the Trump Ad- public health in regions of the world
polio, because of United States financial and ministration officially submitted a formal that would be impossible to reach on
diplomatic support; letter to the United Nations Secretary Gen- our own.
Whereas the United States has consist- eral to withdraw the United States from the Finally, the resolution highlights the
ently been the largest donor to the WHO in WHO: Now, therefore, be it lifesaving work of the WHO in respond-
recognition of its vital role in saving lives, Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate
that— ing to the COVID–19 pandemic. This
improving global disease detection, and co- work includes convening an unprece-
ordinating a global public health response; (1) withdrawing the United States from the
World Health Organization— dented global clinical trial—the Soli-
Whereas the WHO is able to implement
health programs in places the United States (A) undermines United States global darity Trial—to help find an effective
Government cannot as effectively operate in, health priorities and threatens lives around treatment for COVID–19; coordinating
including Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and the world and in the United States; global supply chains of personal protec-
the Democratic Republic of the Congo; (B) risks weakening the global response to tive equipment and other health com-
Whereas the WHO leads polio surveillance, the COVID–19 pandemic;
modities for more than 135 countries;
immunization, and technical support, and is (C) threatens United States humanitarian
responses; and and pre-positioning manufacturing ca-
able to reach remote areas in countries pacity and distribution channels to en-
where polio still exists; (D) creates a vacuum of leadership at the
WHO at a time when it has been our ex- sure that all countries have access to
Whereas the President’s Emergency Plan
for AIDS Relief works with the WHO to en- pressed interest to counter China’s growing future therapies and vaccines faster
hance programs and policies in areas, includ- influence within the organization; and and at a fair price. Last month, the
ing laboratory capacity, prevention of moth- (2) the World Health Assembly agreed by Senate unanimously passed a resolu-
er to child transmission of HIV, health sys- consensus to appoint an interim assessment tion urging U.S. participation in global
tem strengthening, prevention of tuber- of the response to COVID–19, and by remain-
efforts on therapeutics and vaccine de-
culosis infections, and counseling and test- ing a member in good standing, the United
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with SENATE
States will have the most leverage to advo- velopment and delivery to address
ing; COVID–19. Leaving the WHO will make
Whereas the United States is home to 83 cate and put in place the reforms necessary
for the World Health Organization to respond it drastically more difficult to accom-
different WHO collaborating centers, more
than 20 of which are at the Centers for Dis- to this and future crises. plish those goals.
ease Control and the National Institutes of Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, we are The WHO has its flaws, but the
Health; in unprecedented times. Modem trans- United States is best positioned to ef-
Whereas the WHO, following the 2014 West portation and communication tech- fect positive changes by maintaining
African Ebola outbreak, undertook a series nology make our world more inter- our seat at the table. Historically, we
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