Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today I rise in proud support of legislation that will break down barriers for those with medically determined ALS. ALS is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually robbing patients of the ability to eat, speak, and eventually breathe. Currently, there are no meaningful treatments, no known cause, and no cure. But today, we have reason to hope. Since 2016, Senators Whitehouse and Cotton have championed the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act. Thanks to their tireless efforts, we are about to give ALS patients and their families more timely access to their Social Security disability benefits. No longer will these patients have to wait 5 months to access benefits they have earned. Passing this act will help alleviate some of the financial burdens that accompany an ALS diagnosis and will allow patients and their families to focus their precious time where it needs to be--on their loved ones and their battle against the disease. ALS is not a rare disease. More than 5,600 individuals in the United States are diagnosed each year, meaning 15 Americans are diagnosed each day. Not only is ALS common, it is also extremely personal to many in this Chamber, and it is personal to me. My cousin Anne Seitz lost her battle with ALS on Thanksgiving Day 10 years ago. Her husband Terry Seitz currently resides in my hometown and is my State director of outreach.…”