Political Quotes

“I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record a copy of my remarks to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: NOMINATION OF DR. ROBERT CALIFF Today we are reviewing the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf to serve as Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Dr. Califf, congratulations on your nomination. Welcome to you and to your family members who are here. I enjoyed having the opportunity to visit with you in my office. If confirmed to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as its Commissioner, you will be in charge of steering the agency responsible for assuring the safety and effectiveness of our nation's medical products and protecting our country's food supply. That is a huge job. The FDA affects nearly every single American and regulates about a quarter of all consumer spending in the United States--over $4 trillion annually. It is responsible for product areas as diverse as prescription drugs for humans and animals, medical devices, biologics, cosmetics, over-the-counter medications, food, and tobacco. That is a vital mission, and we all want to make sure that the right person is leading it. The president has nominated you to do that job, and like every full-time nominee, you've been through an exhaustive process to make sure that you do not have any conflicts of interest or other problems in your background.…”