Michael Burgess

It was tough sledding. It was hard on your men and women who work in Customs and Border Protection.

But until Congress changes the law, Chief, you have got to follow the law, right?

If they are out of space and you are out of money for disposables and things that you might need to take care of people, you are in a world of hurt, right?

I believe it is absolutely mission critical that we have a more structured, unified approach to that.

I advocated, along with Representative Herrera Beutler last year, for the passage of H.R. 1318.

Addressing maternal mortality is one of my top priorities.

I believe that a version of this language could become law, and that we should discuss the merits of such a policy at this hearing.

I am frustrated that the majority did not collaborate with us much in preparation of this hearing.

States will be able to clearly identify the causes of maternal mortality, eventually using that data to inform solutions.

It was critical that we work in a bipartisan fashion to get H.R. 1318 across the finish line.

I would submit that Parkland Hospital is probably the safest place in the world to have a baby.

I certainly appreciate that our Health Subcommittee is revisiting the issue of maternal mortality.

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), a valuable member of the committee.

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), a valued member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers).

I believe we need to have a major hearing in this committee.

It is an important part of our energy infrastructure. It is an important part of our economy.

I just--I don't know if people recognize what an extraordinary accomplishment it was for Jaime Herrera Butler to get that stand-alone maternal mortality bill through and signed in the last Congress.

A country that used to be entirely dependent upon the former Soviet Union for their energy now have another source for that, and that would be the more friendly United States of America.

People need to know that when their hospital calls it is their hospital and not someone spoofing their hospital's number.

I probably need to study the issue again. But in the Budget Act of 2015 the concept was that hospitals were acquiring medical practices and the reimbursement from CMS to the hospitals was three times what the individual doctors had been…

If it's good enough for Members of Congress it should be good enough for the general population.

I think we are the committee. We are the authorizing committee of jurisdiction. This should be--this should be open for our consideration.

Just to correct the record, I am not a pediatrician. My specialty was obstetrics and gynecology.

I'm smart enough to not get between Buddy Carter and DIR fees.