Political Quotes

“Mr. President, my colleague from West Virginia is always welcome to come back and learn more. On the issue of Dr. Califf, let it be known that I, too, have concerns about his nomination, and it has nothing to do with opioids. It has everything to do with fish, and basically what we have referred to as a fake fish, a genetically engineered fish. All this Senator is looking for is an assurance from the FDA that if they are going to put this genetically engineered product out there for human consumption then there should be an appropriate labeling. I do not think that is too much to ask. I have asked for that, and the difficulty is getting folks within the FDA to have a full and important conversation about the import of that. So it is a different issue from what the Senator from West Virginia has discussed, but I think it goes to the issue of needing to have some communication within the FDA. The FDA is an agency that has considerable authorities, and we in the Congress need to know that we can have a good level of dialogue and discussion going back and forth. I think we have seen a real lack or shortfall, and until I get certain assurances from the FDA as well, I am not planning on removing the hold that I currently have on this nominee, and we will be working with other colleagues on this. My friend, the Senator from Colorado, has arrived to the floor, and I know he wishes to speak on the Energy Policy Modernization Act.…”