Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7188, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act led by Representative Moolenaar. This bill was drafted in response to the passing of Shandra Eisenga of Marion, Michigan, on August 10, 2023, due to complications from a tuberculosis infection. Ms. Eisenga contracted TB after receiving a bone graft in April 2023 using a tissue donation from an infected donor. She was 1 of 36 patients in seven States to contract TB from a tissue donation originating from this donor resulting in 2 deaths. The bill would help raise awareness about the risks and life- transformative benefits of human cell and tissue product transplants through a public awareness campaign. It would also require the FDA to take additional steps to promote public health by issuing and updating relevant guidance for industry on determining eligibility of donors of human cell and tissue products. This path forward will increase patient safety and public trust in these lifesaving medical products. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.”