Providing for Consideration of H.R. Lgbtqi+ Data Inclusion Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act of and for Other Purposes

Floor Speech

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution H. Res. 1191 and ask for its immediate consideration.

The Clerk read the resolution, as follows: H. Res. 1191

Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 4176) to improve Federal population surveys by requiring the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed information on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain surveys, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Oversight and Reform now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-52, modified by the amendment printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform or their respective designees; (2) the further amendments described in section 2 of this resolution; and (3) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 2. After debate pursuant to the first section of this resolution, each further amendment printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question. All points of order against the further amendments printed in part B of the report of the Committee on Rules are waived.

Sec. 3. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 5585) to establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees; (2) the further amendment printed in part C of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, if offered by the Member designated in the report, which shall be in order without intervention of any point of order, shall be considered as read, shall be separately debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question; and (3) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 4. Upon adoption of this resolution it shall be in order to consider in the House the bill (H.R. 7666) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to mental health and substance use disorders, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of Rules Committee Print 117-51, modified by the amendment printed in part D of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted. The bill, as amended, shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill, as amended, are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, and on any further amendment thereto, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees; (2) the further amendments described in section 5 of this resolution; (3) the amendments en bloc described in section 6 of this resolution; and (4) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 5. After debate pursuant to section 4 of this resolution, each further amendment printed in part E of the report of the Committee on Rules not earlier considered as part of amendments en bloc pursuant to section 6 of this resolution shall be considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by the proponent at any time before the question is put thereon, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

Sec. 6. It shall be in order at any time after debate pursuant to section 4 of this resolution for the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or his designee to offer amendments en bloc consisting of further amendments printed in part E of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution not earlier disposed of. Amendments en bloc offered pursuant to this section shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their respective designees, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

Sec. 7. All points of order against the further amendments printed in part E of the report of the Committee on Rules or amendments en bloc described in section 6 of this resolution are waived.

Sec. 8. House Resolution 188, agreed to March 8, 2021 (as most recently amended by House Resolution 1170, agreed to June 14, 2022), is amended by striking ``June 22, 2022'' each place it appears and inserting (in each instance) ``July 13, 2022''.

Sec. 9. Notwithstanding clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on a vote by the yeas and nays on the question of adoption of a motion that the House suspend the rules offered on the legislative day of June 21, 2022, June 22, 2022, June 23, 2022, or June 24, 2022, may be postponed through the legislative day of July 15, 2022.

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. General Leave
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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1191, for three measures.

First, it provides for consideration of H.R. 4176 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, makes in order three amendments, and provides a motion to recommit.

Second, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5585 under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, makes in order one amendment, and provides a motion to recommit.

Third, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7666 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, makes in order 17 amendments, and provides en bloc authority and a motion to recommit.

Finally, the rule extends recess instructions, suspension authority, and same-day authority through July 13, and any requested roll call votes on suspension bills considered from June 21 to June 24 may be postponed through July 15.

Madam Speaker, I stand in support of the three bills in this rule: H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act; H.R. 5585, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act; and H.R. 4176, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act.

I want to start by thanking Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers for their work crafting a bipartisan package to tackle the growing mental health crisis in our country.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in global mental health illness associated with anxiety, depression, and collective grief.

In my State, almost 45 percent of North Carolinians reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in February 2021, with more than 22 percent unable to get necessary care, largely because of prohibitive costs.

Almost 130,000 children ages 12 through 17 in North Carolina suffer from adolescent depression. Multiply that nationwide. More than half of the children in North Carolina did not receive any care in the past year. Once they reach high school, these children are twice as likely to drop out of school as their peers.

These statistics tell just part of the story of families disrupted, education delayed, and the barriers facing Americans striving to achieve their full potential and well-being.

Congress has a duty to address this crisis with the same urgency with which we passed COVID-19 legislation.

Today, we are doing just that with H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which will provide improved access to healthcare for mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders.

This legislation boosts compliance with mental health parity laws, supports mental health care through telehealth, and reauthorizes key programs that fund mental health services, all deeply needed by our people.

This rule also includes H.R. 5585, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act, ARPA-H.

For decades, the United States has been the leader in biomedical research around the world. However, our country has recently shown signs of slowing in this sector.

Promising research opportunities are put on hold due to high cost, complex coordination, long wait periods, and many other factors.

My State of North Carolina became the first State in the country to have a State-supported entity dedicated to promoting growth of the life sciences industry after the creation of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in 1984.

In my district of Wake County, the Research Triangle Park stands as the largest research park in North America. ARPA-H will have profound influences in North Carolina's economy and the national economy and stimulate the development of breakthroughs in health research that will benefit millions of Americans.

H.R. 5585 will authorize $500 million each year for the next 5 years to support ARPA-H and fund groundbreaking research and development to continue saving American lives.

Finally, this rule includes H.R. 4176, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. Most legislators agree that good policy should be evidence-based. Our Government collects demographic data to ensure we can identify whether certain groups of Americans are facing obstacles to the equal opportunities they need to thrive. However, Federal agencies are not currently required to collect demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity. We need this data to know how to address issues faced by the LGBTQI+ people and combat discrimination.

In 2019, UCLA found that nearly one in four LGBTQ adults in the South, including in my State of North Carolina, live in poverty, a rate higher than the overall poverty rate in the United States.

LGBTQI+ youth, in particular, face high levels of homelessness and are at greater risk of depression and suicidal thoughts than their peers. With good data, we can implement good programs aimed at eliminating these disparities and help members of this community reach their full potential.

As Cathy Renna of the National LGBTQ Task Force says, ``If we don't get counted, we don't count.'' This community is asking to be counted. Our Nation has already gone through the poor policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We now have a responsibility to reverse the effects of this policy to help members of the LGBTQI+ community live as their authentic selves.

We can do that by allowing individuals to voluntarily disclose their sexual orientation and gender identities. In other words, by asking and letting them decide to tell.

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a June 11, 2021, CNN Business article entitled ``LGBTQ+ Americans aren't fully counted by the government. That's a big problem.'' [From CNN Business, June, 11, 2021] LGBTQ+ Americans Aren't Fully Counted by the Government. That's a Big Problem (By Anneken Tappe and Alicia Wallace)

Government data help policymakers find and fix problems for people in need. But that's tricky if some groups aren't represented in the stats.

This is the case for the LGBTQ+ community, and it's a huge problem. Here's an example: The government's monthly jobs report shows how many men and women, Black, White, Asian and Hispanic workers are unemployed. The stats lay bare a lot of inequities, but there are no comparable federal data on LGBTQ+ workers.

``We are invisible in federal statistics, when it comes to some policymakers,'' said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

Put more bluntly: ``If we don't get counted, we don't count,'' said Cathy Renna, communications director at the National LGBTQ Task Force.

Official stats, including the Census, are used to decide how federal funds are distributed--to the tune of $1.5 trillion. But data gaps in the jobs reports, health surveys and the decennial Census affect millions of people: 5.6 percent of US adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to a Gallup survey published in February.

Official data are needed ``to ensure that LGBT people are included in efforts to reduce unemployment through increased labor force participation, as well as to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions,'' researchers at the UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute wrote earlier this year in support of adding LGBTQ+ questions to the Current Population Survey, which helps create the jobs report.

Recent research has found higher rates of poverty, unemployment, health disparities, and workplace discrimination among LGBTQ+ adults, according to the Williams Institute. The negative outcomes were even greater among transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ people of color.

Examples of how data can change outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community include the establishment of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ youth, school training services and ongoing research after former Governor William Weld sought to respond to an increase in LGBTQ+ youth suicides; the improvement of individuals' medical care following research asking patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity; and the creation of equity programs within the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services following a study that showed LGBTQ+ youth were overrepresented in the youth foster system and experienced harsher treatment.

Although independent research from the Williams Institute and established pollsters such Gallup have provided some data about the community, that research just doesn't carry the same weight as government stats in leading to funding of direct services and addressing the needs of people in the queer community, Renna said.

Across government agencies, academics and the LGTBQ+ community itself, people have expressed a desire to better understand the needs of that population. The government is doing research to figure out how to best ask about sexual orientation and gender identity.

But the business of big, robust data sets is complicated.

Government statistics are pretty sophisticated and the methodology behind surveys goes through a lot of prodding. But when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, government institutions haven't done enough research yet to make broader improvements to the data.

The worry is that reporting errors on questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity may lead to much bigger errors in the eventual data.

``Questions for relatively small populations must be formulated especially carefully; if they are not, even relatively small sampling or reporting errors can lead to large errors in estimates,'' the US Bureau of Labor Statistics told CNN Business in an email.

The questions the Census Bureau asks also have to go through an established process to review wording and effectiveness. Ultimately the Office of Management and Budget approves any new questions.

When the government surveys households, for example to learn about America's employment situation, one person answers questions for other members of their household. That can make it harder to get accurate data on members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially if a person hasn't come out to their family, or if the survey respondent is uncomfortable talking about another household member's sexual orientation or gender identity.

``Not everyone's out,'' Renna added. ``Some of us live in places where you can be fired if you come out.''

The NGLCC, which leans heavily on community-driven surveys and private sector research, has yet to meet with the Census and BLS on inclusive data-gathering efforts, Nelson said. But he said he is optimistic about the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to broaden the scope of its data collection.

President Joe Biden last week, in officially recognizing June as Pride Month, urged Congress to pass the Equality Act to ensure civil rights protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families.

``We are a strong part of the economic fabric . . . not just in Pride Month,'' Nelson said. ``We need to get inclusive on data collection immediately, because the sooner we can normalize that data collection, the less opportunity there is for erasing it.''

The people behind government surveys are doing research to move toward a world in which official data are more inclusive.

Figuring out how to best ask about things as personal as sexual orientation and gender identity is at the forefront of that research. The willingness and ability to answer questions about sexual orientation and gender of other people is just as critical, the Census Bureau told CNN Business.

The last BLS research paper on the topic is from 2017. While it's feasible for the government to ask these questions, the paper recommends more in-depth analysis.

``The reality is that it's very chicken and egg,'' Renna said. ``If you don't have the data, you can't understand the community. If you don't ask the community questions, you don't have the data.''

Some government surveys already collect information on gender identity and sexual orientation, including the National Health Interview Survey, the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Survey of Children's Health.

Last year, the 2020 Census made history by including same- sex marriage and same-sex unmarried partners as options on its survey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics--which uses surveys to compile the government's monthly jobs report-- began including same-sex married couples in its tally of married workers in January last year.

Considering that only 20 percent LGBTQ+ people live in same-sex married households, these surveys leave out the vast majority of the community, said Kerith Conran, the Blachford- Cooper research director and distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute.

And there is a greater dearth of data especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ youth, transgender people and gender identity, she added.

Earlier this year, Conran and her colleagues highlighted those and other inequities in a public comment urging the US Census Bureau and BLS to add sexual orientation, gender identity and sex assigned at birth questions to the Current Population Survey.

``There are ongoing health and economic inequities that aren't going to go away unless people start paying attention to them,'' she said in an interview with CNN Business.

Data on sexual orientation and gender identity aren't collected consistently across states--for example, only 30 states included the SOGI module in a US Centers for Disease Control-backed behavioral risk survey in 2019. This creates big gaps in the data, particularly in regions such as the South and Midwest, Conran added.

``Those are the places where non-discrimination protections and social acceptance are also lacking,'' she said. ``In the places where people probably have worse conditions, [there are] less data available to see what's going on for people.''

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, we rely on all kinds of data to inform our policymaking.

Right now, LGBTQI+ Americans aren't represented in Federal statistics, like for unemployment, poverty, health, and discrimination.

This gap severely impacts our ability to make smart decisions that may affect their community, let alone decisions that will help those in their community. It is imperative that we begin to let these individuals count in our Federal data system just as we do race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, a group of 156 organizations committed to advancing equality and opportunity for the LGBTQI+ community, including the YWCA, wrote to Congress in support of H.R. 4176.

They said in their letter: ``Collecting this information in federally supported surveys, such as the Current Population Survey and the National Health Interview Survey, is essential to improving the well- being of LGBTQI+ populations across key areas of life. For example, although data are limited, research indicates that LGBTQI+ communities experience disparities across multiple domains of life compared to non- LGBTQI+ populations.''

This inclusive data ``is a crucial tool to better identify and address these disparities and to promote more equitable outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQI+ communities.''

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the letter signed by the 156 organizations. June 14, 2022. Hon. Carolyn Maloney, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC. Hon. Raul Grijalva, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Maloney and Congressman Grijalva: As a group of 156 organizations committed to advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other sexual and gender diverse (LGBTQI+) people in the United States, we are writing to voice our enthusiastic support for the amendment in the nature of a substitute and passage of the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act (H.R. 4176).

The LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act, as introduced, would facilitate the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity across federal surveys. The amendment in the nature of a substitute would add variations in sex characteristics (also known as intersex traits) to the data voluntarily collected, and would accordingly change the bill title to the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. Collecting this information in federally supported surveys (such as the Current Population Survey and National Health Interview Survey) is essential to improving the well-being of LGBTQI+ populations across key areas of life. For example, although data are limited, research indicates that LGBTQI+ communities experience disparities across multiple domains of life compared to non-LGBTQI+ populations. This includes evidence of higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and economic instability experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity; worse mental and physical health outcomes; heightened barriers to access adequate health care, and widespread experiences of discrimination. Due to the intersecting forces of racism, xenophobia, ableism, ageism, and transphobia, for LGBTQI+ communities of color, LGBTQI+ people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ older adults, and transgender people, these disparities are often even more pronounced. LGBTQI+-inclusive data collection is a critical tool to better identify and address these disparities and to promote more equitable outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQI+ communities.

Currently, most surveys fielded by the federal government not collect data on sexual orientation, gender identity, or variations in sex characteristics. For example, although some surveys, such as the decennial census and American Community Survey, ask questions that allow for the identification of cohabitating same-sex couples, it is estimated that only 1 in 6 LGBTQ individuals are captured by those kinds of questions. Although progress has been made in recent years, the overall lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics poses a significant obstacle for policymakers, researchers, service providers, and advocates dedicated to improving the wellbeing of LGBTQI+ communities, especially those living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities.

The federal government collects survey data on a wide range of subjects and populations and is uniquely positioned to engage in LGBTQI+-inclusive data collection to generate accurate, consistent, and representative data at a scale that allows for the disaggregation necessary to describe the diversity of LGBTQI+ communities. As demonstrated in the recent consensus report by the National Academies, questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics can and should be added to federally supported surveys. By doing so, federal agencies can take meaningful steps to fulfill the Biden-Harris administration's priorities to promote equity for LGBTQI+ and other underserved communities through various actions, including but not limited to expanding data collection efforts.

Passage of this bill is essential to better understand the experiences of LGBTQI+ communities, generate policy solutions that are inclusive of LGBTQI+ people and their needs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of those policies to reduce disparities and advance equity. Again, we strongly support the amendment in the nature of a substitute for the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act (H.R. 4176) and urge Congress to quickly take up and adopt this important proposal.

Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact Caroline Medina and Madeline Shepherd with any questions. Signed in partnership,

1Hood Power, A Better Balance, Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio, Advocates for Youth, AGE of Central Texas, AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Alabama South, AIDS Foundation Chicago, allgo, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, American Trans Resource Hub, Amida Care, APLA Health, Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization, Athlete Ally, Atlanta Pride Committee, Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Believe Out Loud, BiNet USA, Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Inc., Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, Center for American Progress, Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Center for Black Equity, Center for Disability Rights, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Center for Reproductive Rights, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Colors+, Compton's Table, Corktown Health, Council for Global Equality, CrescentCare, Damien Center, DBGM, Inc., Dolan Research International, LLC, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Engel O'Neil Advertising & Public Relations, Equality California, Equality Illinois, Equitas Health, Erie County Dems LGBTQIA+ Caucus Erie Gay News, Family Eldercare, Family Equality, Family Values @ Work, Fenway Health, Freedom for All Americans, Gay Elder Circle, Georgia Equality, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality, GLSEN, GLSEN New Mexico, Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans, HealthHIV, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Hispanic Federation, HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, HIV Medicine Association, Howard Brown Health, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth, Jacobs Institute of Women's Health.

John Snow, Inc., Justice in Aging, Kachemak bay Family Planning, Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, Lawrence, Lee McAvoy, LMHC, Let's Kick ASS AIDS Survivor Syndrome, LGBTQ Center OC, LGBTQ Community Center of Southern Nevada, LGBTQ Victory Institute, LGBTQ+ & Equity Consulting, LLC, LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Lyon-Martin Community Health Services, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH), Minority Veterans of America, Movement Advancement Project, Naper Pride, NASTAD, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National LGBT Cancer Network, National LGBTQ Task Force, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National Organization for Women, National Women's Law Center, National Working Positive Coalition.

New York Transgender Advocacy Group, North Carolina AIDS Action Network, NW PA Pride Alliance, Inc., one-n-ten, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, one-n-ten, Out To Innovate, Out Youth, OutCenter Southwest Michigan, OutNebraska, Outright Vermont, PFLAG National, PGH Equality Center, Philanthrofund Foundation, Positive Women's Network-USA, PowerOn, a program of LGBT Technology Institute, PrEP4All, Prevention Access Campaign, Pride at Work, Pride Center of New Jersey, Prism United, Project Weber/RENEW, Resource Center, Roots of Change, SAGE, SAGE Metro Detroit, San Diego Pride, SF LGBT Center, SIECUS, Silver State Equality-Nevada, Still Bisexual, The AIDS Institute, The Center on Colfax, Denver, CO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

The LGBT Center of Greater Reading, the Montrose Center, The Source LGBT+ Center, The Trevor Project, The Well Project, Thriving Mental Health Counseling NY PLLC, Trans Maryland, Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, Transhealth Northampton, Treatment Action Group, U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, Umoja Behavioral Health PC, Union for Reform Judaism, University of Nevada Las Vegas, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Vivent Health, Waves Ahead Corp, We Are Family, Whitman-Walker Institute, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, YWCA USA.
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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the three bills in this rule have the potential to transform the health and opportunities of millions of Americans.

The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act reauthorizes and establishes 35 critical programs that provide access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment across the country.

Recognizing the benefits of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill promotes behavioral health integration into primary care through increased access to telehealth as part of the pediatric mental health care access grant program reauthorization.

The bill also requires self-funded, non-Federal governmental healthcare plans to comply with mental health parity laws. Mental health care is healthcare, and it is time we treat it as such.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act will jump-start our Nation's investment in medical research and innovation. I am privileged to represent part of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park and see the breakthroughs that happen there. By establishing and funding ARPA- H, we ensure that research like this will continue, that more people will be able to access groundbreaking treatments and cures, and that our Nation remains a leader in medical innovation.

The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act will equip our government agencies with the data they need to reduce barriers and challenges facing this community. Good data helps us make good policy. Without data, we are forced to legislate blindly and guess at solutions to close disparities.

Madam Speaker, I note that the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act does not mandate that anyone disclose information about their gender identity or sexual orientation. Under this bill, individuals choose whether to share that information or not.

This bill, which we take up during Pride Month, will help us ensure the LGBTQI+ community is represented in policies aimed at closing disparities and helping underserved groups.

Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.

The material previously referred to by Mr. Burgess is as follows: Amendment to House Resolution 1191

At the end of the resolution, add the following:

Sec. 10. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 471) to prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from lessening the stringency of, and to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from ceasing or lessening implementation of, the COVID-19 border health provisions through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The bill shall be considered as read. All points of order against provisions in the bill are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill and on any amendment thereto to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and (2) one motion to recommit.

Sec. 11. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H.R. 471.

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Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

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