Breaking News! US House Actions on Lyme & TBD: July 9, 1 Passed & 1 Blocked
July 10, 2019
Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ)
Congressman Christopher Smith (NJ)
Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ-04) has been pushing for funding and recognition for Lyme and tick-borne diseases for 27 years. On July 9, 2019 Mr. Smith testified before the Committee on Rules and introduced two amendments relating to Lyme and tick-borne diseases to the Defense authorization bill (National Defense Appropriations Act), which will be voted on by the House later this week.

ONE PASSED RULES COMMITTEE
Congressman Smith’s first amendment #321 directs the Inspector General of the Department of Defense to initiate an investigation into the Department’s possible involvement in the bioweaponization of ticks and other insects. The amendment and requested investigation was inspired by information revealed in Lyme survivor Kris Newby’s new book, “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme disease and Biological Weapons.” This amendment was made in order by the Committee (passed by voice vote) and will be scheduled for a vote later this week, in consideration with the full NDAA legislation.

ONE WAS BLOCKED
Congressman Smith’s second amendment #322 directs the Secretary of Defense to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a whole-of-government strategy on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases infecting members of the Armed Forces and civilians. This second amendment was blocked by Democrats on the Committee in a party-line vote, and will not move to the House floor for a vote at this time. See Motion & votes from Rules Record Vote #151

See votes below. If your legislator blocked, contact him/her and tell them unacceptable! We need a national strategy to fight Lyme.

Yes to pass
Tom Cole (R-4-OK) Ranking Member
Rob Woodall (R-7-GA)
Michael C. Burgess (R-26-TX)
Debbie Lesko (R-8-AZ)

No (Blocked)
Jim McGovern (D-2-MA) Chair
Norma Torres (D-35-CA)
Ed Perlmutter (D-7-CO)
Jamie Raskin (D-8_MD)
Mary Gay Scanlon (D-5-PA)
Joseph Morelle (D-25-NY)
Donna Shalala (D-27-FL)
Mark DeSaulnier (D-11-CA)

June Actions: 2 Smith Amendments Pass House of Representatives, 1 Delgato Passes
Christopher H. Smith’s (R-NJ-04) amendment, which was approved (Division C of H.R. 2740), adds $2 million to the DOD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) for Tick-Borne Disease Research. The program is currently funded at $5 million.

Mr. Smith’s other amendment, adopted on June 12th, will increase funding for Lyme disease research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for FY 2020. He had testified in March 2019 before the House panel that oversees the CDC, and pushed for an increase from the base $11 million to $15 million at the CDC for Lyme. After his testimony, the committee boosted the funding to $13 million. Click here for Chris Smith Press Release

Another amendment which then passed was introduced by Antonio Delgado (D-NY-19). It provided $1million to CDC for FY 2020— bringing CDC total to $14 million. Click here for Antonio Delgado Press Release

From this link: https://lymediseaseassociation.org/government/federal-government/federal-legislation-federal-government/summer-2019-us-house-actions-on-lyme-tbd-july-9-1-passed-1-blocked/?fbclid=IwAR0AVsUGOP2wgKEYEYjcbmlXSubb2PYp9KqnIVyQvrqPBKSeiF2T6nliXEA
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Dear RM Agents and Readers,

At this point in time, until I see it happen and things change, I believe nothing.

It is called self preservation of the mind.

Many Blessings,
CrystalRiver