Brian Bilbray: “Mr. Chairman, not too long ago the President of the United States made a statement to the news media that as far as he…”

“Mr. Chairman, not too long ago the President of the United States made a statement to the news media that as far as he knew it was illegal for minors to smoke in every State in this Union. Well, sadly, Mr. Chairman, that is not true. In fact only 21 States of Union have minor possession and use of tobacco as being illegal. That is embarrassing all of us in government. But what is even more embarrassing than the President not knowing this, what is even more embarrassing than States across this country still not having minors' use of tobacco as being illegal, what is really embarrassing, Mr. Chairman, is that the Federal District has not taken the time to make it illegal for minors to possess and smoke tobacco products. The Federal Government, in our oversight, embarrassingly has created a refuge for underage smoking here in Washington, D.C. While Virginia has made it illegal, while Maryland has sent a strong message to its children that they should not smoke, those of us in Congress and Washington, D.C. have said, well, we have overlooked it. And it is embarrassing, Mr. Chairman.”