Political Quotes

“I am so honored to follow my great friend and very eloquent advocate from Massachusetts, Senator Markey, who said much more powerfully than I can our reasons for opposing Dr. Robert Califf as the nominee for the head of the FDA. To say it very simply, this agency needs drastic reform. It needs an overhaul in the way that it approves these powerful painkilling substances that can be a gateway to addiction, whether to opiates or whether to heroin. I am proud to stand on the floor with Senator Markey, Senator Manchin, and others who feel that more must be done, that our Nation is lagging in addressing an epidemic. It is truly a public health hurricane that is sweeping Connecticut and our country. I have done roundtables around my State that are among the most moving public experiences of my service in the Senate and, indeed, my time for 20 years as attorney general on any public issue. It is an issue that concerns Iowa as well as every other State in the country. It is an issue that should bring us together on a bipartisan basis to address this true public health crisis. My reason for opposing Dr. Califf is, very simply, the failure of the FDA to recognize its own shortcomings and the prospect that there will be no change in the way the FDA is responding or failing to respond to this crisis if he is confirmed. With his confirmation, all that we can see ahead is more of the same. That is unacceptable.…”