Congressional Record — House of Representatives, H1760 (April 14, 2021)

Summary

Page H1760 of the House section of the Congressional Record for April 14, 2021, from debate on bills under suspension of the rules, in interleaved columns. Speakers support a bill on carbon monoxide detection, saying carbon monoxide cannot be seen, heard, tasted or smelled, and H.R. 446, which would require the Commission to update its web portal with information on scams targeting seniors and to work with media outlets and law enforcement. Mr. Pallone and Mr. Bilirakis are recognized, and Mr. Harris demands the yeas and nays, after which further proceedings on the motion are postponed.

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“Congressional Record — House of Representatives, H1760 (April 14, 2021).” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-04-14-crec-2021-04-14-pt1-pgh1760-14a6f3f625/, SHA-256 eaddb990f542739ee8b4cf0fcbb7d55b50969a61cd9c94cbadd9cf8b1c1ec361.

Full text

H1760 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 14, 2021
ones, I know there is nothing more im- dental CO poisoning. On a higher note, Commission shall update its web portal to
portant than keeping our children and we can curb this statistic. include the latest information, searchable by
loved ones safe. From a young age, we Better monitoring systems will en- region and type of scam, on scams targeting
sure that people can prepare and pro- seniors, including contacts for relevant law
tell our children to wear their seatbelts enforcement and adult protective service
in the car, a helmet while riding a bike tect themselves. This bipartisan legis- agencies.
or skiing, and to handle sharp objects lation, which I was proud to cosponsor (b) COORDINATION WITH MEDIA OUTLETS AND
with care. We go to great lengths to with my good friend, Representative LAW ENFORCEMENT.—The Commission shall
protect our children from the dangers KUSTER from New Hampshire, helps us work with media outlets and law enforce-
we can see, but there are threats to our move the needle on this important sub- ment to distribute the information included
ject. Many of us have heard stories of in the web portal of the Commission pursu-
children’s and loved ones’ well-being
families being impacted by this tragic ant to subsection (a) to senior citizens and
that oftentimes go undetected. their families and caregivers.
Among the most dangerous of these and preventable outcome. Whether it is
seniors or children, this bill can help The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide
save lives. ant to the rule, the gentleman from
is a stealthy killer. You cannot see it,
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen-
hear it, taste it, or smell it. This dead-
for her hard work on this bill, and I tleman from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS)
ly gas claims the lives of over 400
urge my colleagues to support this leg- each will control 20 minutes.
Americans every year and results in The Chair recognizes the gentleman
over 20,000 emergency room visits. islation.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have from New Jersey.
Two of my constituents, John and
April Courtney in Lyman, New Hamp- no additional speakers, and I reserve GENERAL LEAVE
the balance of my time. Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask
shire, tragically lost their lives to car-
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge unanimous consent that all Members
bon monoxide poisoning just this past
my colleagues to pass this bill. It is a may have 5 legislative days in which to
year. If people know about the dangers
great bill, a good consumer protection revise and extend their remarks and in-
of carbon monoxide and have alarms
bill, and I yield back the balance of my clude extraneous material on H.R. 446.
properly installed in their homes, trag- time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
edies like the one in my district, can be Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also objection to the request of the gen-
prevented. urge support for the bill, and I yield tleman from New Jersey?
Mr. Speaker, that is why I am so back the balance of my time. There was no objection.
proud to join my good friend, Rep- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield
resentative CARTER, in introducing in question is on the motion offered by myself such time as I may consume.
the House, H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in sup-
Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Mon- PALLONE) that the House suspend the port of H.R. 446, the Protecting Seniors
oxide Poisoning Prevention Act that rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1460. from Emergency Scams Act. Rep-
we will be voting on this evening. The question was taken. resentatives KELLY and BALDERSON in-
This legislation provides funding for The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the troduced this bipartisan legislation to
States to prevent future carbon mon- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being further efforts by the FTC to stop
oxide-related deaths by educating the in the affirmative, the ayes have it. fraud targeting seniors.
public about the dangers of carbon Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I This bill streamlines efforts to pro-
monoxide poisoning and installing de- demand the yeas and nays. tect seniors from falling prey to scams
tectors in housing for the elderly and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- during national emergencies, such as
low-income individuals and high-traffic ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution the COVID–19 pandemic, by estab-
public buildings like schools. This bi- 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. lishing a searchable database of scams
partisan legislation will save lives. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- targeting seniors.
At a time when Congress so often ther proceedings on this motion are In the Committee on Energy and
seems divided, this legislation is proof postponed. Commerce, we have held multiple hear-
that we can work together to find com- f ings exploring the rise in fraud and
mon ground and get things done to PROTECTING SENIORS FROM scams that have come with the COVID–
help our constituents. EMERGENCY SCAMS ACT 19 pandemic.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. CARTER, Unfortunately, scammers often take
and I thank our chairman, and I en- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move
advantage of the fear and uncertainty
courage all of my colleagues to vote in to suspend the rules and pass the bill
that results from emergency situa-
favor of this legislation. (H.R. 446) to require the Federal Trade
tions. And since the beginning of the
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield Commission to submit a report to Con-
COVID pandemic, consumers have re-
such time as he may consume to the gress on scams targeting seniors, and
ported losing more than $300 million in
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. CARTER), for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill. just pandemic-related fraud.
my good friend. The text of the bill is as follows: After Hurricane Sandy ravaged the
Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate his East Coast, including my own district
H.R. 446
perspective on the Committee on En- in New Jersey, scammers preyed on
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
ergy and Commerce as the only phar- resentatives of the United States of America in people who lost their homes and liveli-
macist on the committee. I thank him Congress assembled, hoods. We saw contracting scammers
for sponsoring this legislation. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. promising to rebuild people’s homes
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speak- This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting but who took the money and ran. One
er, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Seniors from Emergency Scams Act’’. man was in prison for using fake titles
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support SEC. 2. FTC REPORT ON SCAMS TARGETING SEN- to sell Sandy-damaged cars.
of H.R. 1460. The bill, the Nicholas and IORS DURING EMERGENCIES. Unfortunately, older Americans are
Not later than 30 days after the date of en-
Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Mon- targeted disproportionately and af-
actment of this Act, the Federal Trade Com-
oxide Poisoning Prevention Act is a mission (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Com- fected by this fraud. Older Americans
piece of legislation that can save lives. mission’’) shall submit a report to Congress reported significantly bigger monetary
It would direct the Consumer Prod- including— losses from fraud than younger adults.
uct Safety Commission to award grants (1) a description of the number and types of According to a recent FTC report,
to install carbon monoxide alarms in scams identified by the Commission as being phone scams result in the highest re-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
buildings and facilities that house vul- targeted at senior citizens; and ported losses by older adults, particu-
nerable members of the population. (2) policy recommendations to prevent larly adults over 80. Phone-based scams
According to the CDC, at least 430 such scams, especially as such scams relate can be especially problematic in emer-
to future national emergencies.
people die in the United States from SEC. 3. INCREASING AWARENESS OF SCAMS TAR-
gency situations like the pandemic
accidental CO poisoning every year. On GETING SENIORS. when people are spending more time at
top of that, nearly 50,000 people visit (a) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable home and seniors may be more iso-
the ER every year because of acci- after the date of enactment of this Act, the lated.

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April 14, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1761
Representatives KELLY and FTC to report on the number and type PROTECTING INDIAN TRIBES
BALDERSON’s bill will help address of scams that target older adults. It FROM SCAMS ACT
these scams. It directs the FTC to issue also will have the Commission’s web Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move
a report on fraud targeting seniors dur- portal updated with current informa- to suspend the rules and pass the bill
ing the pandemic and how to improve tion about such scams and coordina- (H.R. 1762) to direct the Federal Trade
efforts against senior scams during fu- tion with media outlets and law en- Commission to submit to Congress a
ture emergencies. forcement to disseminate scam infor- report on unfair or deceptive acts or
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my col- mation. Seniors need to know what practices targeted at Indian Tribes or
leagues to join me in supporting this scams are happening in their areas so members of Indian Tribes, and for
bill, and I reserve the balance of my they can protect themselves. other purposes.
time. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative The Clerk read the title of the bill.
b 1345 BALDERSON for joining me in leading The text of the bill is as follows:
this legislation and Chairman PALLONE H.R. 1762
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield
for his support in advancing legislation Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
myself such time as I may consume.
to protect our seniors. resentatives of the United States of America in
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support Congress assembled,
of H.R. 446, the Protecting Seniors Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
from Emergency Scams Act. I would such time as he may consume to the
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting
like to thank Representative ROBIN gentleman from Ohio (Mr. BALDERSON), Indian Tribes from Scams Act’’.
KELLY of the Energy and Commerce the cosponsor of the legislation. SEC. 2. PROTECTING INDIAN TRIBES FROM UN-
Committee for her bipartisan work Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise FAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRAC-
today in support of H.R. 446, legislation TICES.
with Representative TROY BALDERSON
aimed that at protecting older Ameri- (a) FTC REPORT ON UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE
to protect our constituents. ACTS OR PRACTICES TARGETING INDIAN
The COVID–19 pandemic has turned cans from falling victim to scammers. TRIBES.—Not later than 1 year after the date
the lives of millions of Americans up- Throughout the pandemic, uncer- of the enactment of this Act, and after con-
side down, unfortunately. We were all tainty has led to many Americans fall- sultation with Indian Tribes, the Commis-
forced to isolate, sometimes even away ing victim to scam callers, especially sion shall make publicly available on the
from our families and friends, to stay vulnerable populations like seniors. We website of the Commission and submit to the
safe. Unfortunately, it is during these have a responsibility to stop bad actors Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
times when bad actors aim to exploit House of Representatives and the Committee
like these scam artists in their tracks.
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
the most vulnerable. Promising fake That starts with empowering the of the Senate a report on unfair or deceptive
lifesaving medication and stimulus American people with information to acts or practices targeted at Indian Tribes or
checks, scammers will stop at nothing better protect themselves and their members of Indian Tribes, including—
to take advantage of others. loved ones from falling victim. (1) a description of the types of unfair or
H.R. 446 would protect Americans, es- H.R. 446 would direct the Federal deceptive acts or practices identified by the
pecially seniors, from malicious and Trade Commission to identify Commission as being targeted at Indian
deceptive scams by augmenting the Tribes or members of Indian Tribes;
scammers and make such information (2) a description of the consumer education
tools included in other recently en- publicly available. This legislation also activities of the Commission with respect to
acted legislation. As they have worked equips the FTC to more proactively such acts or practices;
on legislation to fight scammers, I alert the public about known scams, (3) a description of the efforts of the Com-
have supported my colleagues’ efforts specifically in their region. mission to collaborate with Indian Tribes to
to incorporate provisions that encour- Mr. Speaker, our seniors have suf- prevent such acts or practices or to pursue
age cooperation with law enforcement. fered enough. It is time to better sup- persons using such acts or practices;
I am pleased to see such efforts con- (4) a summary of the enforcement actions
ply them and their loved ones with the taken by the Commission related to such
tinue in this legislation. information needed to protect them-
Mr. Speaker, of course, I urge my col- acts or practices; and
selves against scammers who shame- (5) any recommendations for legislation to
leagues to pass this legislation, and I
lessly prey on the most vulnerable. prevent such acts or practices.
reserve the balance of my time. (b) INCREASING AWARENESS OF UNFAIR OR
That is why I urge my colleagues to
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield DECEPTIVE ACTS OR PRACTICES TARGETING IN-
join me in supporting H.R. 446, the Pro-
such time as she may consume to the DIAN TRIBES.—Not later than 6 months after
tecting Seniors from Emergency Scams
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. the date of the submission of the report re-
Act. quired by subsection (a), the Commission
KELLY), the lead sponsor of the bill who
has worked so hard, particularly dur- Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I sup- shall update the website of the Commission
ing the pandemic, to address dispari- port this legislation, and I urge my col- to include information for consumers and
leagues to vote for it. businesses on identifying and avoiding unfair
ties in healthcare. or deceptive acts or practices targeted at In-
Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance
dian Tribes or members of Indian Tribes.
the past year has been tough for many of my time. (c) COMMISSION DEFINED.—In this section,
of us but especially difficult for sen- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Federal
iors. Many have lost friends and loved urge support for the bill, and I yield Trade Commission.
ones from the COVID–19 pandemic. back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
Increased isolation and dependence The SPEAKER pro tempore. The ant to the rule, the gentleman from
on digital resources have put extra bur- question is on the motion offered by New Jersey (Mr. PALLONE) and the gen-
dens on millions of Americans. the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. tleman from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS)
From frantic calls of, ‘‘Grandma, I PALLONE) that the House suspend the each will control 20 minutes.
am in the hospital sick with COVID. rules and pass the bill, H.R. 446. The Chair recognizes the gentleman
Please wire money right away,’’ to The question was taken. from New Jersey.
calls from supposed Good Samaritans GENERAL LEAVE
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the
offering to run errands and then pock- Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask
opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being
eting the money, scammers are using unanimous consent that all Members
in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
the pandemic to take advantage of vul- may have 5 legislative days in which to
nerable populations. They are preying Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I
revise and extend their remarks and in-

SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
on fear and uncertainty to steal money demand the yeas and nays.
clude extraneous material on H.R. 1762.
and personal information or sell fraud- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
ulent services or products. ant to section 3(s) of House Resolution objection to the request of the gen-
One of the best ways to prevent sen- 8, the yeas and nays are ordered. tleman from New Jersey?
iors from falling victim to scams is to Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, fur- There was no objection.
supply them with the information they ther proceedings on this motion are Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield
need. That is why H.R. 446 requires the postponed. myself such time as I may consume.

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