Ranking Member Cole Hearing Remarks on H.R. 263 and H.R. 4040

Hearing

As delivered during today's hearing:

Today's hearing covers two bills. The first item I'll discuss is H.R. 263, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which would make it unlawful to possess or trade in any big cat species, including lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, jaguars, cougars or any hybrid thereof. The bill is intended to address the longstanding and well-documented abuses that have occurred with privately held and exhibited big cats outside of federally-licensed facilities.

Although I am supportive of this bill, I understand that Republicans on the Committee on Natural Resources, which has jurisdiction over this matter, have some concerns, particularly about superseding traditional state authority to regulate big cats within their boundaries. I look forward to discussing those concerns during our hearing today.

Our second item is H.R. 4040, the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act. This bill would extend several Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were initially linked to the COVID-19 pandemic until the end of 2024. This will allow more Medicare practitioners recipients to utilize telehealth services, which is invaluable in rural districts like the one I represent.

I understand that bipartisan negotiations took place prior to this bill coming to the Rules Committee that were intended to get to a compromise on a permanent extension for these authorities. But although the committee was not able to reach a final, bipartisan agreement, this measure will still go a long way toward helping rural Medicare recipients like the ones I am privileged to represent. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today as we discuss this important matter.

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