These programs are critically important to help ensure that our Nation is well prepared to successfully manage the effects of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and acts of bioterrorism.

Instead of strengthening our device laws, Republican members have proposed radical changes to our device laws that could further imperil patients.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this important hearing today.

Our focus in this committee should be on how we can strengthen our device laws to protect patients from these grievous harms.

The medical technology industry has long recognized that a strong and well-functioning FDA is vital to maintaining America's preeminence in the medical technology innovation.

It is pretty irrational because there is a different standard for drugs and devices.

In order to have a flourishing and innovative American device industry that puts safe and effective devices on the market, we need to have a strong and well-resourced FDA.

We should not forget that that is the fundamental mission of FDA.

If FDA is unnecessarily impeding technological advances that improve the lives of patients, we should all be united in doing whatever it takes to remove these unnecessary regulatory barriers to public health.

I think a lot of the problem is that either the FDA does not have the resources or there are problems at FDA in processing what is going on or there are problems with the developers.

A strong and well-functioning FDA requiring industry to comply with robust statutory standards for clearance.

I don't think devices are something that we shouldn't take seriously as we do drugs. They both must meet a safety and efficacy standard.

Well, we hope so too, and I hope this hearing will lead to a very constructive approach by a Congress that has not very well performed so far this year.

This is an issue that can and should be bipartisan.

I think this is shortsighted to make these kind of budget cuts.

in order to do that, they need resources.

Well, if the Republican budget as proposed passes, it would provide a 10 percent cut over $200 million in the FDA budgets.

We need to ask why unsafe devices have gotten onto the market and harmed so many patients.

We believe that any steps necessary to address the situation can be taken without changing the current robust statutory standards for clearance and approval of medical devices.

if passed into law as currently written, the Republican draft would leave public safety worse off than it is today.

We can quickly provide public safety with a nationwide interoperable broadband network.

The discussion draft includes a provision on leak detection. Do you think it is adequate?

We urge swift introduction and committee consideration to move this matter to the House floor.

During the last 12 months, a litany of tragic failures has reinforced the need for stronger pipeline safety laws.

Construction of a nationwide public safety broadband network remains critical unfinished business.