Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I actually rise today to support Bob Califf and to say to my colleagues there has been a lot of criticism as to what he has done. I have never seen an FDA Commissioner, in 9 months of service--that was the length of his time at the FDA--who accomplished anything, much less as many negatives as have been raised. But as the ranking member of the HELP Committee and as a fellow North Carolinian, I would like to share with my colleagues that Dr. Califf is a supremely qualified nominee with bipartisan support. He has the robust agency and private sector experience needed to help build on the success of the FDA in helping Americans get back to normal life with the approval of tests, vaccines, and therapeutics that are bringing the pandemic to an end. He is the leader we need today but also for the future. Now, let me take a few moments to explain why. It has been 391 days since the FDA has had a Senate-confirmed Commissioner--391 days. No matter how effective and successful an Acting Commissioner can be--and we have been blessed with Janet Woodcock's leadership--the full backing of a Presidential nomination and confirmation by the U.S. Senate carry a weight that allows a confirmed Commissioner to push forward necessary, meaningful change and leadership within a Federal Agency. There has never been a more critical time for the FDA to have effective leadership.…”