Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, especially Congresswoman Dingell, my fellow Michigander, who has worked very closely with me on this. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bipartisan legislation. This is the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act. In 2023, 36 patients across seven States contracted tuberculosis from infected bone grafts. One of these patients was my constituent, Shandra Eisenga, of Marion, Michigan, who tragically passed away on August 10, 2023, from TB. We are joined today in the gallery by Shandra's daughter, Amber; her husband, Brandon, and their children; Shandra's fiance, Leo; as well as her sister, Tarin Brunink, who also serves in my office as the director of casework. This family has been forever hurt by the loss of Shandra, and today we are taking concrete action to help stop more families from having this same terrible experience. Shandra's passing, as well as nine other patients over the past 3 years, was completely preventable if it was not for the inadequate oversight of tissue material suppliers. When it comes to tissue donations, the FDA requires screening for diseases like hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV. This bipartisan bill will require screening for tuberculosis as well and put an end to preventable TB deaths like Shandra's.…”