Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding me 30 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule today that provides for consideration of S. 524. As has been discussed on the floor this week, Mr. Speaker, our Nation is in the midst of an epidemic. While opioid abuse is nothing new, the numbers are getting more and more alarming. Addiction claimed over 28,000 lives in 2014 and drastically altered many more for the worst. All week we have heard stories from both sides of the aisle speaking to how addiction is breaking apart families and communities. Today we are considering a package of bills that will hopefully take some meaningful steps towards addressing this crisis. Prescription drug addiction is a very complex issue. There is no simple solution. It is a subject that deserves comprehensive debate and full consideration of ideas that Democratic and Republican Members have to be able to address: this public health crisis. While I and many of my Democratic colleagues are supportive of the underlying legislation, there are problems with the process that have locked out ideas that can save lives that are being prevented from coming to the floor under this rule. Of the 18 bills included under this rule, all but 2 were brought to the floor on suspension. What does that mean? It means no Members-- Democratic or Republican--were allowed to amend or improve 16 of these 18 bills.…”