House Oversight Committee renames Esophageal Cancer Awareness bill for late Rep. Gerald E. Connolly

The House Oversight and Reform Committee voted to report HR 3490, the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act, as amended to rename the bill the Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act.

The committee’s chair offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute that included renaming the bill in memory of Representative Gerald E. Connolly. Chairman Comer said he and others had worked with Connolly on bipartisan measures and described him as a “devoted public servant.” Ranking Member Connolly (in remarks read and referred to by members) was remembered by colleagues throughout the markup for bipartisan work on health issues and committee business.

Committee members spoke at length in tribute. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and others recounted personal memories; several members described Connolly’s work on oversight, federal employee issues and international responsibilities. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later reported the measure favorably. The clerk reported the recorded vote on favorably reporting HR 3490 as amended: ayes 42, nays 0.

Although the committee renamed the bill and ordered it favorably reported, the record shows the committee followed its standard practice of postponing recorded votes for further proceedings on the question where ordered. The committee chair noted that recorded votes would use the electronic voting system and that further proceedings would be postponed where recorded votes were ordered.

The committee also reserved the right to file supplemental views and authorized staff to make technical conforming changes to the committee print, as provided under committee rules.