BOWLING GREEN, OH – Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5), Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, reintroduced the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution (SELF DRIVE) Act. This bill creates a much-needed federal framework to help the deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in the United States. “Self-driving cars have the potential to reduce traffic accidents and deaths, increase mobility, and improve quality-of-life,” said Latta. “Autonomous vehicle technology can protect millions of Americans, while at the same t... Read More »
A group of Republicans on Monday demanded that Homeland Security begin to test illegal immigrants caught jumping the U.S.-Mexico border for the coronavirus or, better yet, be prevented from entering in the first place. Led by Rep. Michael Burgess, Texas Republican, nearly two dozen GOP lawmakers said the illegal immigrants are being crowded into processing facilities, making it “a guaranteed super spreader event.” “At the very least, all individuals encountered along our southern border must be tested for coronavirus and provided with personal protective equipment,” the Republicans wrote in a ... Read More »
June 2, 2021 Dear Friends, Moderna is seeking full approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update on the status of COVID-19 vaccine availability for ages 12-15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance for operating youth camps. The CDC released safety information and clinical considerations in response to rare cases of Myocarditis and Pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations. The U.S. Census Bureau created a data tool to examine rates of COVID-19 vaccine... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) released the following statement after President Biden released his budget for the 2022 Fiscal Year. “One of the most essential responsibilities of our government is to establish a budget,” said Burgess. “Each year the President submits his budget to Congress. Congress must then thoroughly look through the proposal and evaluate what needs to be done to serve the American people and keep the economy growing.” “The budget put forward by President Biden today is just one more example of how this Administration is working to undo the s... Read More »
May 27, 2021 Dear Friends, Yesterday, during an Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing, Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO) agreed with me that we must investigate the origins of this Coronavirus. Also, during this hearing I stressed the importance of Congress leading by example to strengthen public confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. Over 50% of American adults are fully vaccinated and life is returning to normal. With more than 75% of Members being vaccinated since December, it is time that Congress returns to regular order. National Update: Lyft andUber are offering ... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) introduced the Increasing Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2021 (H.R. 3517) with Reps. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Michael Burgess, M.D. (TX-26), and Jackie Walorski (IN-02) to improve access to osteoporosis screening. Fractures caused by osteoporosis are among the most significant challenges threatening the independence and quality of life for older Americans. May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) is the gold standard for diagnosing and treat... Read More »
Dear Friends, Today, Washington, D.C. lifted all capacity restrictions except for bars and nightclubs which can operate at 50% occupancy until June 11th. In case you missed it, Speaker Nancy Pelosi extended proxy voting, and the House Democratic Leadership is still mandating masks, regardless of vaccination status, on the House Floor and in committee rooms. A good majority of Members are fully vaccinated. Continuing this policy, not only creates further public distrust of the COVID-19 vaccines, but it prevents Members from building and strengthening relationships. I join the GOP Doctors Caucus... Read More »
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representatives Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.), Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that would make purchasing contact lenses online easier and safer, ban the use of robocalls to verify patient information, and ensure that protected medical information sent over email is encrypted. Currently, online retailers are not required to have consumers upload their prescriptions in order to sell them contact lenses, allowing for potentially harmful contact lenses to be so... Read More »
May 20, 2021 Dear Friends, In case you missed it, Speaker Nancy Pelosi extended proxy voting, and the House Democratic Leadership is still mandating masks on the House Floor and in committee rooms, regardless of vaccination status. The GOP Doctors Caucus issued a statement condemning these guidelines and explaining how they hurt public trust that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. I urged all House Members to support the Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and the Caucus’ privileged House Resolution calling for the House of Representatives to return to normal. Also, I told Maria Bartiro... Read More »
U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) on May 18 offered bipartisan legislation to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program, which would award loan repayment agreements to public health professionals in efforts to recruit a qualified workforce and end shortages across local, state, and tribal public health agencies. “This past year, the nation watched our public health workforce go above and beyond to defeat this coronavirus,” Rep. Burgess said on Tuesday. “It is still critical as we are starting to emerge from this pandemic that it has the support it needs on the front lines.” R... Read More »
