Political Quotes

“I thank my colleague for yielding me time to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of Senator John Kennedy's Dispose of Unused Medications and Prescription Opioids Act, S. 957, or the DUMP Opioids Act. Earlier this year, President Trump signed the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act into law. Under this law, the VA is required to set up prescription drop boxes on VA campuses so that veterans can safely dispose of unused and excess controlled substance medications. The DUMP Opioids Act directs the Secretary of the VA to designate periods during which anyone, not just veterans, may dispose of unused medications at VA facilities. In April, I partnered with Congressman David Trone to introduce the House companion to Senator Kennedy's bill, and I am proud to see this bill before the House today. As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the challenges created by opioid addiction and abuse. The opioid epidemic has hit every corner of the United States, and all of us know someone who has been harmed by addiction. The DUMP Opioids Act is a simple expansion of current law that will give more Americans access to safe opioid disposal sites. Congress must work in a bipartisan manner and give our constituents the tools they need to tackle this head-on. America has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic for years, especially over this past year during the pandemic, as illustrated by my colleague from Illinois.…”