Angie Craig: “I thank my colleagues from Nebraska and Nevada for bringing to the floor what is a valuable piece of legislation to…”

“I thank my colleagues from Nebraska and Nevada for bringing to the floor what is a valuable piece of legislation to address the issue of prescription drugs. As chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, I had not engaged in this debate on the floor from the time it began several days ago largely because, while it is a phenomenally important debate, it was a play, a drama to be acted out and ultimately to close with no result. That does not mean that those who come to the floor, such as my colleagues from Nebraska and Nevada, to put forth a substantive piece of legislation aren't well meaning. It does not mean that at all. It means that the majority leader of the Senate set up this play with the purpose of never accomplishing anything in the end but to allow those who wish to make a political statement and to shape themselves for the November election to have that opportunity. That in itself is a tragedy in the formation of public policy. It allows those to come to the floor and talk about all kinds of other things except that which is very meaningful; that is, a good prescription drug program for the seniors of America. If this bill had been formed by the Finance Committee in a bipartisan manner, it would be on the floor. It would receive a majority vote, it would be in conference with the House to work out our differences, and the seniors of America would have a drug prescription policy. That is not a statement of myth; that is a statement of fact.”