James M. Jeffords: “I am especially pleased on this day that we are considering final passage of a long-awaited Nurse Reinvestment Act. When…”

“I am especially pleased on this day that we are considering final passage of a long-awaited Nurse Reinvestment Act. When we pass this measure, it will represent a good day for the future of the nursing profession in America and an equally good day for the future of quality patient care. I want to take this opportunity to speak about this legislation, and to congratulate and complement my fellow Members of Congress who worked so hard to see this effort through. Back in April of 2001, together with my good friend from Massachusetts, Senator Kerry, I was proud to sponsor the innovative set of solutions to the nursing shortage set out in our Nurse Reinvestment Act. Since that time, with extraordinary contributions on behalf of Senator Hutchinson and Senator Mikulski, as well as the cooperative spirit of our colleagues in the House, I believe that we have produced a piece of legislation that we can all be proud of. Today we have before us a measure that represents a truly bipartisan and bicameral effort to address a very serious nursing shortage in the United States.”