Providing for Consideration of H.R. 6, 21st Century Cures Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts, for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the rule and in strong support of the 21st Century Cures bill that was voted unanimously, in a bipartisan fashion, out of my Energy and Commerce Committee.

America is the world leader in medical research, and we have got to work to keep it that way. That has been at risk lately because of congressional budget battles. The resources that our researchers need to find the cures and treatments of the future have been at risk. Our commitment to medical research has eroded over the years, but this 21st Century Cures bill would put us now on a stronger path forward.

I have advocated for more NIH research dollars for many years to boost our patients back home suffering from the debilitating diseases. I have offered amendments in the Budget Committee to shift money from discretionary to mandatory because it is mandatory in America that we respond and we research the cures of tomorrow, such as precision medicine like they are doing at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.

Now that we have mapped the human genome, we can find and provide precise cures and treatments to our neighbors and family members with cancer.

I am disappointed that the amount of money has been eroded. I am very disappointed that the Hyde rider was added at the last minute behind closed doors; it was not voted on in committee, but simply stated, this bill is too important not to pass it.

I would like to thank my colleague Chairman Upton and my good friend Diana DeGette from Colorado for leading the charge. We are firmly with you, and we are with the patients and the researchers in America that will benefit from this terrific piece of legislation.

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