Sep 11, 2012
Democratic congressman Bart Stupak, when offering the critical vote that enabled the health care bill to become law, reaffirmed his belief in the President's assurances that the conscience rights of Americans would be secure.
Bart Stupak
The Public Record
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January 8, 2014
The Stupak amendment was approved with the support of 64 Democrats, including House Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey.
— Bart Stupak
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by number of sources- I come here tonight concerned about drug safety and to speak out to protect our children from the acne drug Accutane. As a legislator, I have called for more restrictions on the distribution of this drug, which is known to cause severe birth defects and a form of impulsive behavior and depression in people taking this drug. This drug has devastated my family with the loss of our son BJ and more than 250 other families who have lost their young son or daughter while he or she was taking the drug Accutane. Recent news stories concerning the safety of prescription drugs have quoted an FDA safety reviewer, Dr. David Graham, when he spoke to the Senate Finance Committee. Dr. Graham said, ``I would argue that the FDA as currently configured is incapable of protecting America against another Vioxx.'' He told the Senate Finance Committee that ``there are at least 5 other drugs on the market today that should be looked at seriously to see whether they should remain on the market.'' He cited the acne drug Accutane. Why Accutane? Accutane is the poster child for why we need an independent body to approve and review drug safety. Accutane causes horrendous birth defects and may cause psychiatric disorders such as depression and suicide. It is linked to over 250 suicides, according to the FDA.3 sources2004govinfo.gov
- I rise in support of H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, GINA. After 13 years--this bill will finally make its way to the President's desk, to help protect families from genetic discrimination. Congratulations to the Congresswoman from New York, Ms. Slaughter, for her work in drafting this bill and guiding it through the cumbersome referral to three committees. Together, with Chairman Dingell, Ms. DeGette and Mr. Smith, we were able to include an important provision to protect families from unfair treatment on the basis of the genetic material of their fetuses or children in the process of adoption. Without this bill, families may face genetic information discrimination from testing of embryos and fetuses, as well as children who are in the process of adoption. As genetic testing becomes increasingly common, these provisions will ensure that genetic material gathered through pre-implementation genetic diagnoses, amniocentesis, or other future techniques is not used to limit families' access to health care. Again, I thank Ms. Slaughter for her commitment to reflect these changes throughout the bill in order to avoid any further confusion as to whether or not families can be discriminated against on the basis of the genetic material of their unborn child or child under consideration for adoption. I was proud to work with many Members to include this provision. I encourage my colleagues to vote for this important legislation.2 sources2008govinfo.gov
- I am pleased to offer this important bipartisan amendment with Representatives LaTourette and Strickland. Our amendment limits the funds that can be allocated under this bill to purchase steel, so that such funds can only go towards purchasing American melted and poured steel. I would like to first give special thanks to Ranking Member Murtha, who has recognized the importance of this provision to the steel industry. I thank him, as well as Chairman Lewis, for their support. This amendment is the least we can do. Our U.S. steel industry is in an ever increasing downward spiral. In fact, just last week LTV Corporation announced that it is seeking to shut down its steel making operations. LTV is a part owner and customer of the Empire Mine in my district, and because of that announcement, the Empire Mine is going to be idled indefinitely. Most of the workers at the Empire will be laid off by the end of the month. 770 hourly and 120 salaried employees will be affected by this mine closure. This mine closing is absolutely devastating to these workers, their families, and the communities that rely on the iron ore mines. I owe it to these hardworking citizens of northern Michigan to do what I can in Congress to try to save the steel and iron ore industries. All I say to everyone in this House: we should wherever possible promote our domestic steel industry and encourage the purchase of American steel. We now have such an opportunity.2 sources2001govinfo.gov
- this week as the other body takes up the President's request for the $87 billion in supplemental appropriations for Iraq, we must do more for our troops and their families who are under increasing duress. Specifically, Congress should grant a $1,500 bonus to all who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Not since Vietnam have such a large number of troops had such long deployments. The pressure this puts on our troops and their families is tremendous. This summer, the Department of Defense increased deployments for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to 1 year, and not until last week, did the Department of Defense offer these troops who are living under highly primitive and stressful conditions a 2-week leave for rest and recuperation. Tragically, this month our U.S. causalities in Iraq surpassed the number of those killed in the first Gulf War. We have now lost more than 308 servicemen and women. Recognizing the increasing gravity of U.S. military involvement abroad, I have introduced H.R. 3051, to qualify all active-duty military personnel deployed for any length of time in Iraq and Afghanistan for a $1,500 bonus. This $1,500 bonus proposal should be part of the supplemental appropriations bill. Although, as Members of Congress, we may have different ideas about U.S. policy in Iraq, we can all agree our servicemen and women deserve our sincere recognition for their courageous efforts.2 sources2003govinfo.gov
- I am pleased to offer this motion to recommit with my friend and colleague from South Dakota (Ms. Herseth). Our motion instructs the Federal Government to crack down on price gouging and provides tough Federal penalties for those guilty of gas price gouging. Even before the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, skyrocketing oil and gasoline prices were taxing American families and burdening our Nation's economy, with the notable exception of the oil industry, which continued to rack up record profits. Following Katrina, gas prices in some areas of the Nation reached almost $6 per gallon, deepening suspicions of the oil and gas industry profiteering. We need a Federal standard to ensure adequate response to energy emergencies that prohibit price gouging with the priority on refineries and big oil companies. Currently, only 28 States have price gouging laws on the books and have enforcement mechanisms to go after those found ripping off consumers. At the Federal level there is no oversight to protect consumers from this predatory pricing. No American should have to pay too much for gas because the oil companies are rigging prices. Our motion to recommit will outlaw the selling of crude oil, gasoline, home heating oil, or natural gas at predatory or unconscionably excessive levels during such a crisis.…2 sources2005govinfo.gov
congress.gov
Dec 21, 2010
As I wrap up my 18 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, this is a good bill in which to wrap up a career. I first introduced food safety legislation along with Mr. Dingell and Mr. Pallone and now-Senator Brownback in 1997. For 14…
Sep 29, 2010
I rise in support of S. 3397. Millions of Americans are prescribed narcotics for postoperative pain, bone fractures, and other ailments each year. However, most patients do not consume all the prescriptions they are prescribed. These drugs…
Sep 28, 2010
Mr. Chairman, as you know, the Coast Guard Station in Marquette, Michigan, relocated to a new location within the city of Marquette. The new location allows the Coast Guard to streamline their operations, be closer to the dock, and…
Sep 28, 2010
I ask the Congress to recognize the generous contribution of the City of Marquette and urge the Coast Guard to perform this land transfer at no cost to the city. The city has already borne significant cost by transferring a new parcel of…
Sep 22, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. Five years ago, Congress passed the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act, or NASPER, into law, making it the only statutory authorized program to assist States in…
Sep 14, 2010
I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his kind words on behalf of Michigan Technological University. And, Mr. Bishop, thank you also for supporting this resolution. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of our resolution, House Resolution…
Aug 10, 2010
Today's legislation clearly demonstrates the differences between the two parties. Congressional Republicans have made their choice clear. The GOP is calling for an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest few and saddling…
Jul 30, 2010
I rise to thank Chairwoman Slaughter and Chairman Rahall for accepting my amendment reaffirming the permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in and under the Great Lakes. I also want to thank Chairman Miller for joining with me in adding…
Jul 25, 2010
There's incident after incident, after incident within the last six months. It might seem like small things, but when you put them all together in a relatively short period of time, it really tells you how poorly this pipeline is being…
Jul 1, 2010
Yes, it did. We were shocked he would bring it up in the first meeting, and then second meeting we had with them.