WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1222, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017, H.R. 1318, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017, H.R. 6615, the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2018, and H.R. 1733, a bill to direct the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used lubricating oil, into law yesterday evening.
“These bipartisan bills, now signed into law, represent a continuation of the hard work our committee has done this Congress to protect and improve the health of all Americans," said Chairman Walden. “From reauthorizing programs so we can better treat and understand congenital heart defects to increasing our understanding of traumatic brain injury, to improving maternal health outcomes, to safely and responsibly reducing waste to protect our environment, these bipartisan bills will have a profound effect on the lives of children, families, and communities all across the country."
Referring to Rep. Bilirakis’ bill, H.R. 1222, Chairman Walden continued, “As the parent of a child who died from a congenital heart defect, I know how much the signing of H.R. 1222 gives hope to the parents, infants and adults across the country living with the effects of Congenital Heart Disease - the most common birth defect and the leading cause of birth defect-related infant mortality. This legislation will ensure that these essential programs continue so we can better treat and understand congenital heart defects. I appreciate Rep. Bilirakis’ work to improve the lives of those with CHD and I’m grateful to see this lifesaving bill signed into law."
Background:
H.R. 1222, the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), passed the House by voice vote. H.R. 1222 first passed the House in February 2018 by a vote of 394-7. The Senate passed the bill, with an amendment, earlier this month by unanimous consent.
* H.R. 1222 enhances research and surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, awards grants to further study Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), and directs the National Institutes of Health to report on their ongoing research efforts.
H.R. 1318, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017, authored by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), passed the House by voice vote and the Senate by unanimous consent earlier this month.
* H.R. 1318 authorizes programs to promote safe motherhood and support states in establishing or improving maternal mortality review committees so we can better understand the causes of maternal deaths
H.R. 6615, the Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2018, authored by Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), passed the House by a vote of 352-6. H.R. 6615 first passed the House by voice vote and the Senate by unanimous consent earlier this month
* H.R. 6615 reauthorizes the CDC’s Traumatic Brain Injury initiatives, consistent with FY19 appropriations, and establishes a national concussion surveillance system.
H.R. 1733, to direct the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report on the energy and environmental benefits of the re-refining of used lubricating oil, authored by committee members Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), passed the House by voice vote on Dec. 12, 2017. The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on Dec. 20, 2018.
* H.R. 1733 would require the Secretary of Energy to review and update a report and submit to Congress a coordinated federal strategy to increase the beneficial reuse of used lubricating oil.
