John Tierney: “Mr. Speaker, this issue of safety is nothing more than a red herring, and to the American people it is another example…”

“Mr. Speaker, this issue of safety is nothing more than a red herring, and to the American people it is another example of big corporate interest and big government joining together against the interest of the American people. Tonight we are going to learn who here in this body represents PhRMA and who here represent the interests of the American people. We will find out who here refuse to be swayed by the prescription drug companies who have tried everything, from 650 lobbyists to millions of dollars in campaign contributions, to false and misleading advertisements, to company letters threatening they will do no more research, and to threats to their employees that they have to write us letters because they are afraid they will lose their jobs. Greed, fear, lies, and ignorance are their weapons and their tools. But tonight we are going to find out that those supporting this bill can defeat it with the truth, with the facts, with common sense, and with an abiding commitment to serving those people who sent them here to represent them and an abiding commitment to fulfill their responsibilities to this institution. This is about hope. This is about renewal. This is about hope that the American people can finally overcome a large corporate interest and an overwhelming government that too often does not listen to them.”