Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would require a certification from the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General that this legislation would reduce opioid overdose deaths. The reason why this is so critical is because we are facing a public health crisis, and it deserves a public health response. The current legislation is incredibly problematic for the very harmful mandatory minimum sentences that would be enacted and would be very hard to actually address and change in the future. This is deeply personal for me. Like so many Americans, my mom has struggled with an opioid addiction. When I was just 6 years old, she hurt her back, and she came home with bottles and bottles of opioids. Unfortunately, after her back healed, my mom found herself physically addicted to opioids. Like so many Americans, she was cut off of her prescription without access to treatment. My mom said that you fear nothing more than withdrawal, even death. Like so many people who struggle with addiction who don't have access to treatment, she turned to using heroin to stay well. Ultimately, fentanyl came into the supply chain. It started coming in in 2016. We saw it hit the coasts first and make its way into Colorado. Now we have seen it completely take over the drug supply chain. I know firsthand how absolutely devastating this drug can be for families. My mom overdosed 20 times that year.…”